Can ambition be sustainable? Can AI scale without consequence?
In this powerful episode of the xMonks Drive Podcast, host Gaurav Arora sits down with Gaurav Singh, founder of Verloop, for an unfiltered conversation on building in the age of AI.
From growing up in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, to coding at 10, launching his first projects by 13, and now leading one of India’s most ambitious AI startups, Gaurav shares what most founders won’t:
🔥 Why fundraising is easier than building
💥 Why he stopped seeking validation early
🧠 The cost of obsession—and what “9 to 5” can’t give you
🌍 The hidden environmental impact of artificial intelligence
🚀 How to build a real company in a world chasing hype
00:00 - Fundraising vs Building a Startup
00:25 - From Rewa to Building an AI Company
01:30 - Small-Town Childhood & Memories
03:40 - Discovering Coding at Age 10
06:30 - Making Projects by 13 & Early Hustle
08:20 - Freelancing in College & Startup Spirit
10:50 - StockNinja: First Attempt & Lessons
13:10 - Stopping Validation-Seeking
15:25 - Leveraging College Infrastructure
17:25 - Deep Friendships & Focus
18:50 - IITs, Networks & Reality Check
20:00 - BPO Lessons Spark AI Vision
22:25 - Startup Glamour vs Reality
24:00 - Building a Generational Company
26:00 - Naivety & Landing Nykaa
28:45 - Support Systems & Personal Struggles
31:20 - Global Tech Culture Differences
34:30 - US vs India vs UAE: Mindset Differences
37:50 - Work-Life Balance Myth?
41:30 - AI’s Future: Intelligence On Demand
44:30 - Passion, Purpose & Inner Drive
47:00 - Work vs Life vs Passion Debate
50:00 - Redefining Education, Experience & Value
53:00 - Imagination Economy & Job Displacement
56:00 - Building with Focus & Tiny Iterations
59:00 - Climate, Energy & Startup Choices
01:02:00 - Future of Value: What Will Be Premium?
01:05:00 - Physical Health, Supplements & Optimization
01:08:00 - A Day in Gaurav’s Life: Routines & Reflections
01:10:30 - Closing Thoughts: Note-taking & Reflection
01:11:00 - Outro & Thank You
Whether you’re a tech founder, builder, or just curious about the future of work and AI, this episode will challenge how you think about ambition, identity, and what it really means to create something meaningful.
🔗 Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gauravaroragrv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspirewithgrv
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vdhTjZlhltIt4e9YiBgMF?si=92853a15e3584866
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-xmonks-drive/id1549886334
Website: https://xmonks.com
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