I’ve always believed that meaningful conversations have the power to change the way we see the world, and each other.
Born in Calcutta, I grew up surrounded by stories and voices that shaped my earliest understanding of connection. Over the years, that curiosity carried me across India and the U.S ; working with global teams, collaborating with institutions like MIT and Virginia Tech, and supporting Fortune 50 clients including UPS, Microsoft, UnitedHealth Group, Albertsons, Morgan Stanley, all while helping build a learning and design startup from the ground up.
Along the way, I wore many hats; sales leader, account manager, project lead, culture carrier, from setting up our U.S. office in Atlanta to bridging clients and cross-border teams. But no matter the role, the mission was always the same: helping people connect better, deeper, and more meaningfully.
That spirit now lives in Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™, a podcast that brings together voices from across sectors and walks of life to explore what truly matters: mental health, sustainability, entrepreneurship, healthcare, identity, and hope.
As host and producer, I don’t chase headlines, I hold space.
For stories that go deeper. For moments that stay. For people making sense of the world, together.
Because in the end, it’s not about spotlighting loud voices.
It’s about hearing the ones that often go unheard.
If you care about storytelling, community, and change… welcome.
Let’s make every conversation count
Santosh Kumar
Founder & Host, Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™
Storyteller | Culture-Builder | Global Collaborator
I’ve always believed that meaningful conversations have the power to change the way we see the world, and each other.
Born in Calcutta, I grew up surrounded by stories and voices that shaped my earliest understanding of connection. Over the years, that curiosity carried me across India and the U.S ; working with global teams, collaborating with institutions like MIT and Virginia Tech, and supporting Fortune 50 clients including UPS, Microsoft, UnitedHealth Group, Albertsons, Morgan Stanley, all while helping build a learning and design startup from the ground up.
Along the way, I wore many hats; sales leader, account manager, project lead, culture carrier, from setting up our U.S. office in Atlanta to bridging clients and cross-border teams. But no matter the role, the mission was always the same: helping people connect better, deeper, and more meaningfully.
That spirit now lives in Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™, a podcast that brings together voices from across sectors and walks of life to explore what truly matters: mental health, sustainability, entrepreneurship, healthcare, identity, and hope.
As host and producer, I don’t chase headlines, I hold space.
For stories that go deeper. For moments that stay. For people making sense of the world, together.
Because in the end, it’s not about spotlighting loud voices.
It’s about hearing the ones that often go unheard.
If you care about storytelling, community, and change… welcome.
Let’s make every conversation count
Santosh Kumar
Founder & Host, Between Us, Make Every Conversation Count™
Storyteller | Culture-Builder | Global Collaborator
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