Sign In

Aishwarya Balaji

Entrepreneur - TEDx & International Speaker - New Innovation

Professional Background

Aishwarya Balaji is a dynamic and perpetually curious professional whose expertise spans across various sectors, including technology, consumer services, social impact, and finance. Her career is marked by an impressive narrative of relentless exploration and profound insight into how systems operate, particularly in the nexus of technology and human behavior. As a passionate advocate for leveraging technology for positive societal impact, Aishwarya has contributed significantly to discussions on blockchain, entrepreneurship, and the role of women in technology.

With a solid foundation in Management Information Systems and Finance from the renowned Boston University Questrom School of Business, Aishwarya's academic background has equipped her with the analytical skills and technical know-how necessary to navigate complex business landscapes. Her journey has seen her taking on various significant roles, from mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs at Techstars to spearheading initiatives as the CEO and Co-founder of Bystander and Impact Chain Lab. Aishwarya's commitment to fostering innovation and social change is profound, and she continuously seeks opportunities that allow her to inspire and lead teams navigating the fast-paced world of consumer technology.

Aishwarya's leadership extends beyond her entrepreneurial ventures. She has a rich history of involvement in high-level discussions and presentations at prestigious conferences, thereby establishing herself as a recognized figure in the tech community. Her ability to articulate her vision and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders has made her a sought-after speaker and advisor in the field.

Education and Achievements

Aishwarya Balaji holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Management Information Systems and Finance from Boston University Questrom School of Business. Her educational background provides her with both a theoretical understanding and practical experience necessary for success in the technology and business sectors. Serving as the bedrock of her career, this education has enabled her to tackle real-world problems with analytical rigor and creative problem-solving.

Her impressive professional journey includes numerous accolades and speaking engagements, affirming her status as an influential voice in contemporary discussions regarding technology and social issues. Aishwarya has been featured in notable publications such as Business Insider, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Thrive Global, highlighting her insights into consumer technology and the startup ecosystem.

Aishwarya's impact is not limited to her professional achievements; she has also played a vital role in enhancing the representation of women in technology. Through her various speaking engagements, including the Harvard BOLD Conference, Stanford Women in Entrepreneurship Summit, and TEDx Fordham, she has inspired many to pursue careers in tech and entrepreneurship, thereby contributing to a more diverse and inclusive industry.

Notable Achievements

Aishwarya has presented and spoken at numerous high-profile events, enhancing her reputation as a thought leader in the realms of entrepreneurship, blockchain technology, and social impact. Highlights of her speaking engagements include:

  • Harvard BOLD Conference (Startup Panel, November 2019, Cambridge)
  • United Nations Blockchain for Impact (Delegate, June 2019)
  • Stanford Women in Entrepreneurship Summit (Speaker, April 2019)
  • TEDx Fordham (Speaker, April 2018)
  • CyFy Conference (Speaker, multiple locations and years)
  • NY Edtech Week & US Department of Education Blockchain Workshop (Speaker & Co-host, December 2017)

In addition to her speaking roles, Aishwarya's former positions in organizations such as 37 Angels as an Angel Investor and at PwC in Advisory roles demonstrate her financial acumen and deep understanding of market trends. Her tenure as the Director of Operations and the first employee at Build Academy reflects her capability in building scalable operations and fostering startup growth.

Aishwarya Balaji's comprehensive involvement in entrepreneurial ecosystems, along with her commitment to social impact through emerging technologies, positions her as a thought leader and influential figure in driving change within the tech industry. Whether it's her work in mentoring startups or advocating for the role of women in tech, her journey is one of innovation, inspiration, and impact.

keywords

Aishwarya Balaji, entrepreneur, technology advocate, blockchain expert, women in tech, social impact, Boston University, consumer technology, startup ecosystem, public speaker, mentor, Innovation leadership, professional development, leadership in technology, digital transformation, finance, management information systems, operational strategy, health and wellness, cultural bridging, media and entertainment advocacy, public engagement, conference speaker

questio

Highlights

May 9 · linkedin

A Fresh Sip 2.0 is out in the wild!

for all your non-alc needs >> afreshsip.com 🥂

So proud of our small but mighty team who worked tirelessly to take this from concept to reality.

With a complete rebrand (shout out to Sophie Hospes) and shift in our tone of voice to be edgier and more indulgent we want to communicate to our community and consumers that life doesn't always have to be so serious. Evolution is important and we are thrilled to continue to be a trusted source -- helping consumers discover and access the best and highest quality non-alcoholic options.

Over the last 3 years Payal and I realized that as the NA category has matured significantly the space for brands and players to embody light heartedness and fun in this category has increased.

We started A Fresh Sip at the end of 2020 as a small community of individuals looking to navigate the sober curious lifestyle and creating solutions for seamless discovery and access remains the number 1 goal.

This new platform is step one and we're looking forward to integrating it with future roll outs later this year. In 2024 creative omni-channel solutions have a stronger chance to really own brand recognition and build consumer loyalty.

Cheers to the future of NA.

#nonalcoholic #entrepreneurship #CPG #beveragebrands

A Fresh Sip 2.0 is out in the wild! 

for all your non-alc needs >> afreshsip.com 🥂 

So proud of o
Apr 18 · linkedin

Raw early stage founder reflection 👇🏽 #gratitudeedition

Yesterday I was making a list of all the people to thank who have open doors, made intros, provided advice, feedback, time, energy, money, or whatever else over the last year and I realized the list was incredibly long.

Not only do I feel incredibly grateful for all the incredibly talented and successful individuals taking time to share their learnings, I feel a sense of deep responsibility to deliver something far greater and of the utmost value to everyone who has been rooting for me and the A Fresh Sip team to win.

The most important thing to recognize when you see a founder “make it” is that they didn’t get there on their own. They had hundreds of people supporting them and helping them along the way and wanting to see them succeed.

That doesn’t take away from their win, it just makes the win that much sweeter.

I want to be building the next big thing with the smartest and kindest people by my side.

The next chapter of A Fresh Sip will slowly be unveiled over the next few quarters and I am beyond excited to share what that looks like and shout out all the people helping us get there.

If you’re a founder and you relate to this I’d love to hear about the people that were essential in your journey.

#founderjournal #entrepreneurship #startups

Aishwarya Balaji
Add to my network

Location

San Francisco, California, United States