‘People at tea stalls talk about startups’ — amazed visitor and founder's pub meet showcase Bengaluru's vibrant startup culture
Aditya NandaShivam DesaiCRED

‘People at tea stalls talk about startups’ — amazed visitor and founder's pub meet showcase Bengaluru's vibrant startup culture

Bengaluru's vibrant startup culture was on full display during a recent pub meet, where founder Shivam Desai engaged with entrepreneurs discussing innovative ideas, from AI products to smart glasses. Visitors noted the city's unique hustle, with locals even chatting about startups at tea stalls, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit.

NDTV+2 sources25 July 2026 · 19:11 UTC
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Bengaluru is increasingly recognized as India's technological capital, often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India." During a recent pub meet, founder Shivam Desai engaged with local entrepreneurs, highlighting the city's dynamic startup culture.25

Desai noted, "So we're here in Bangalore at The Bier Library. This is why I love this city. Let me just show you the guys I've met." He introduced two entrepreneurs, Aditya and Chitresh, who are innovating in the fields of AI and smart technology.78

Aditya shared his journey of building AI products, stating, "I had been building artificial intelligence products for the past two years before quitting my job in November to pursue entrepreneurship full-time." His exploration of autonomous jetpacks led him to Shenzhen, where he was inspired by the rapid pace of innovation, saying, "What was meant to be a week-long visit turned into a 20-day stay after I was impressed by the pace of innovation in the Chinese city."

Chitresh is developing a smart glass brand aimed at fitness enthusiasts, aiming to consolidate multiple wearable devices into one. He explained, "The goal is to replace multiple wearable devices with a single pair of smart glasses capable of delivering audio while also tracking fitness activities such as running and cycling."

Visitors to Bengaluru, like Nanda, expressed their admiration for the city's entrepreneurial spirit, stating, "There's this sense of hustle here which is very different from the one that you would get in Bombay. Everything here is optimised for businesses or startups to grow." The atmosphere is so vibrant that even "people at the tea stall are talking about startups like it's like daily news." This reflects the city's unique culture, where innovation thrives in everyday conversations.3

Overall, Bengaluru's startup ecosystem continues to inspire both locals and visitors alike, fostering a community where ideas flourish and dreams are pursued.6

Key Insight
“At The Bier Library, founder Shivam Desai met entrepreneurs Aditya, who quit his job to build AI products, and Chitresh, developing smart glasses for fitness. A visitor similarly marveled that 'people at tea stalls talk about startups' and that Bengaluru's hustle outpaces Mumbai's.”
CuriousCats studied:
1
NDTV
“Bengaluru is widely recognised as India's technological capital, earning it the sobriquet "Silicon Valley of India."”
NDTV →
2
Moneycontrol.com
“Founder Shivam Desai's chance conversations with AI and deep-tech entrepreneurs at a Bengaluru pub leave the internet praising the city's startup ecosystem”
Moneycontrol.com →
3
Hindustan Times
“A man said Bengaluru’s startup culture had inspired him to dream big after spending just over a week in the city.”
Hindustan Times →
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