What does it take to build a business that not only scales — but matters?

In this powerful episode of Between Us, we sit down with Sameer Panda, a founder and changemaker who’s rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship. From bootstrapping ventures to aligning profits with purpose, Sameer shares his journey of building startups at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and social good.

What to Expect

• The real stories behind launching purpose-led ventures

• Navigating systemic challenges and personal growth

• Redefining success through impact and long-term vision

• Insights into building with empathy, ethics, and ecosystems in mind

This isn’t just a conversation — it’s a call to action for future founders, innovators, and impact-driven leaders.

For more such conversation visit our website: www.andbetweenus.com You can also listen to the Audio on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Hubhopper and many more...

https://hubhopper.com/podcast/between-us-make-every-conversation-count/445847

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HD4qrh7B76uTJxVT81aQu?si=RFuQ844FTQyF7j2sop_6xA

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/between-us-make-every-conversation-count/id1693184962

Follow our host: Santosh Kumar (IG - @andbetweenus)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andbetweenus/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santoshk73/

Guest:

Sameer Panda

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sameerpanda19/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santoshk73/

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The idea of ‘Between Us’ stems from the fact that every conversation matters, especially the one that we have with ourselves. Using podcast as a medium, I am fortunate to bring folks who have made an impact in everyday lives, from diverse backgrounds, to engage in a meaningful conversation. The topics are as diverse and deeply interconnected - from climate justice to big tech to healthcare as a constitutional right to millennial expectations to gender equality and inclusiveness. I warmly welcome you to join me in this journey.

#SameerPanda #BetweenUsPodcast #SantoshKumarPodcast #SustainableStartups #SocialImpact #StartupIndia #FounderStories #ImpactEntrepreneurs #InnovationForGood #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessWithPurpose #StartupJourney #IndianEntrepreneurs #PurposeDrivenBusiness #SocialInnovation

The Teacher. The Mentor. The Visionary.

Some people build careers. A rare few build legacies.

In this special episode of Between Us, we sit down with Dr. Mohan B. Rao—Chairman of CII WR Education Taskforce and Advisor at SIWS Group of Institutions—whose journey from industry to academia has inspired thousands across generations.

From boardrooms to classrooms, Dr. Rao has spent decades shaping young lives. But who is the man behind the resume?

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

His early life, values, and what shaped his journey

His transition from corporate leadership at Godrej and Datamatics to transformative work in academia

Why mentorship matters now more than ever

His bold ideas for fixing the gaps in our education system

Insights on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), startups, AI, and the future of learning

Personal reflections, regrets, triumphs—and what still fuels his passion

Whether you're a student, educator, policymaker, or curious learner—this episode is a masterclass in leadership, learning, and living with purpose.

Timestamps:

00:00 Coming up

01:50 Introduction

06:24 How can we have seamless marriage between Education & Entrepreneurship

08:45 What is Mentoring and what does it involve

13:15 How to close the gap between the education and real world skills

17:34 How do we prepare today's student for AI

18:35 Key 5 impactful features of NEP 2020

23:42 Role in CII

31:08 What is your role in helping the startups driving innovation

36:00 How can Indian Knowledge System help in today's startups?

45:56 What Motivated you to leap from corporate to teaching?

47:44 His Journey (Experience working in Godrej)

01:01:12 What is his advice for young generation?

01:03:40 His Journey in Datamatics

01:05:45 Importance of Human Connections

01:14:57 Why do learn the lesson after something happens?

01:18:40 Personal Journey (Growing up years)

01:25:20 How we all are interconnected but are we closely connected with each other?

01:28:00 What is your legacy?

01:32:14 His Learnings from his working abroad

01:36:40 Rapid Fire Questions

01:41:34 Closing Remarks

Don’t forget to like, share, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that matter.

Tag someone who needs to hear this today.

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The idea of ‘Between Us’ stems from the fact that every conversation matters, especially the one that we have with ourselves. Using podcast as a medium, I am fortunate to bring folks who have made an impact in everyday lives, from diverse backgrounds, to engage in a meaningful conversation. The topics are as diverse and deeply interconnected - from climate justice to big tech to healthcare as a constitutional right to millennial expectations to gender equality and inclusiveness. I warmly welcome you to join me in this journey.

#BetweenUs #Podcast #DrMohanBRao #EducationLeadership #MentorshipMatters #IndianKnowledgeSystems #FutureOfEducation #CII #LearningWithPurpose #TeacherMentorVisionary #InspiringConversations #LifeLessons

At Between Us, we're passionate about nurturing the startup ecosystem in India, particularly in Tier 2 and 3 cities. To take this ecosystem to the next level, we need to look beyond funding and focus on key elements like mentorship, resource accessibility, and fostering a collaborative culture.

In today's era of collaboration, we believe that together, we can create a thriving startup ecosystem that benefits everyone. International investors are already bullish on Indian startups, drawn by our country's growing market, talented workforce, innovative solutions, and government initiatives supporting entrepreneurship.

As we navigate the ups and downs of the startup journey, transparency and open communication with investors are crucial. Embracing setbacks as opportunities to learn and pivot is vital, and rejection can often be a stepping stone to success.

Timestamps:

Dive into the world of technology with me!

Watch as I share my journey and insights:

2:22 - Introduction

3:34 - What inspired me to pursue a career in technology

7:23- Three main segments.

7:36- What matters.

19:15- Key elements beyond funding that make Ecosystem Robust.

21:07- Define good mentorship.

23:10- How mentorship actually helped!

38:07- Ease of doing Business.

48:46 - How do we build meaningful connections

53:30- Best way to Retain talent.

1:17:14 - How world economy shaped?

1:24:40 - Startup should align mission or not?

1:34:10 Advice on Indian startup.

1:43:33 - Role of Investors

2:02:34 - Conclusion

Our vision for Bharat Startup? A vibrant ecosystem where startups thrive, driven by collaboration, innovation, and a passion for solving real-world problems. Let's work together to make this vision a reality!

What role do you think you can play in shaping the future of India's startup ecosystem?

#BharatStartup #StartupEcosystem #Collaboration #Innovation #BetweenUs