The Power Lunch: How Three NRI Founders Are Using Technology to Transform India

Sometimes, a simple lunch turns into a powerful exchange—a chance to align ideas, reaffirm shared missions, and inspire one another. That’s precisely what happened when I met up with two of my friends and fellow founders in Bangalore. Over lunch at Pasta Street today, we delved into our visions and realized that, despite working in different fields, we share a united goal of creating meaningful change in India.

Joining me were Balasubramanya Bhat , who left a successful career at Apple in Silicon Valley to co-found PropHunt.ai and Realtimate.in—startups focused on transforming the Indian real estate market with AI. On the other side was Sumanth Amarchinta , a former Senior Investment Analyst at Fidelity in Boston, who now serves as the Chief Investment & Risk Officer at Buloke Realty Ventures and is the founder of Pepkidz Learning, an ed-tech startup focused on bridging the life skills gap in Indian education. Each of us brought unique perspectives, but together, we found a shared passion for building a brighter, fairer future for India.

The lunch wasn’t just a catch-up session—it reminded us why we embarked on our entrepreneurial journeys. Here’s a look into what we discussed and some insights that might inspire you to start your own venture or make an impact.

Balasubramanya Bhat: Bringing AI Transparency to Real Estate

Bhat’s journey is one of tackling an enormous yet often overlooked issue: the pervasive fraud and inefficiencies in India’s real estate sector. After years of success at Apple, he returned to India, drawn by the opportunity to bring structure and transparency to a market where such qualities are scarce. Real estate transactions in cities like Bangalore and Mumbai have become notoriously complex, as prices continue to soar, and the system remains riddled with middlemen, title fraud, and a general lack of accountability.

Despite real estate being one of India’s most lucrative sectors, it’s also one of the most prone to fraud. The system is deeply fragmented, with property ownership records inconsistently managed across states. The absence of clear and definitive ownership verification enables fraudulent claims and title deception to thrive. This lack of transparency is a fertile ground for a web of corruption involving middlemen, lawyers, and even officials, with title disputes often dragging on for years, costing owners both time and money. In fact, title fraud alone was valued at over INR 5000 crores in 2020 and is expected to grow rapidly without strong countermeasures.

Prophunt.ai is the world’s first AI-powered search assistant for real estate, designed to transform how industry professionals work. It aggregates property data from popular sources like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and even offline sources like newspapers, filtering out junk, extracting structured information, and converting them into searchable listings and requirements. More critically, his second startup “Realtimate.in is a contract management and Escrow platform built for easy, cheap and secure closing of Real Estate transactions”. Its mission is to enhance safety in real estate dealings by making escrow accounts more accessible.

Takeaway: Embrace Transparency to Transform Markets

Bhat’s story is a testament to the power of transparency in any industry. Building trust with customers through straightforward, data-driven solutions can revolutionize an entire market. For founders and investors alike, it’s a reminder that tech-driven transparency can bridge gaps and bring much-needed accountability.

Sumanth Amarchinta : Bridging the Life Skills Gap in Education

Sumanth Amarchinta , founder of Pepkidz.com Learning, is tackling a critical gap in India’s education system: life skills. Pepkidz empowers schools to seamlessly integrate life skills programs, providing ready-to-use, structured materials that lighten the load on teachers and enrich student engagement. With graphically rich, interactive content, Pepkidz captivates students, achieving over 95% engagement, and creates a more supportive learning environment. All partner schools report remarkable shifts in students' behavior and a positive transformation in the classroom atmosphere. According to Sumanth Amarchinta Through this program, students develop a stronger ability to label and express their thoughts and feelings, while also feeling comfortable approaching teachers and counselors to discuss their challenges—proactively preventing future issues. This atmosphere fosters a positive and collaborative classroom environment that not only supports emotional development but also enhances academic success. Sumanth’s journey with Pepkidz shows that true education goes beyond academics; it’s about equipping students with the tools to navigate life with resilience and emotional intelligence.

Takeaway: Invest in Often Overlooked Skills

Sumanth’s work highlights the importance of building a strong foundation beyond academics. For entrepreneurs, educators, and parents, it’s worth investing in areas that may not seem immediately profitable—like emotional intelligence and resilience—as these are essential for personal and professional success.

My Journey: A Sustainable Future with MyGardenEmporium

As we shared our ideas, I talked about my vision for MyGardenEmporium. Inspired by the rapid urbanization of Bangalore and the need for a stronger connection to nature, MyGardenEmporium provides garden essentials and landscaping services to make greenery accessible to city dwellers. In a time when concrete is replacing green spaces, we aim to make urban gardening easy and sustainable.

Using technology, we streamline the supply chain so customers receive high-quality plants and tools with minimal hassle. My goal is to bring nature back into urban homes, reconnecting people with the mental and physical benefits of greenery. Just as Bhat and Sumanth are addressing significant gaps in real estate and education, I believe tech can bridge the gap between city living and sustainable choices.

Takeaway: Sustainability is Essential

Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s a mindset shift that’s essential for a balanced life. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or someone seeking to make a difference, think about how you can incorporate sustainable practices. Green spaces and eco-friendly practices not only benefit the planet but also enhance our well-being.

The Big Picture: Purpose-Driven Tech for a Better India

As our lunch came to an end, we realized the common thread in our ventures: a purpose-driven approach to technology. Each of us is using technology to create change in different sectors, but we’re united in our mission to make India a place where progress and purpose go hand-in-hand. This lunch reminded us that our dreams aren’t just about business—they’re about building something meaningful.

At Business kickstart club, we work with founders who are eager to turn their ideas into reality or take their existing businesses to new heights. Today’s power lunch was a perfect example of what we aim to achieve: conversations and collaborations that spark meaningful impact.

Final Takeaway for Readers: Build with Impact and Purpose

For anyone reading this, remember that you don’t need a perfect plan to make a difference. Take the first step, build something meaningful, and solve a problem that resonates with you. By finding like-minded people, supporting each other, and leveraging technology thoughtfully, we can shape a future that’s impactful and purpose-driven.

As we walked out of Pasta Street, we knew this meeting had rekindled our ambitions. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple lunch with friends to remind you that even the boldest dreams are within reach.