Aishwarya Balaji

Aishwarya Balaji is a 2x startup founder, operator, and investor with over a decade of experience at the intersection of innovation, consumer trends, and behavior. She has built her career around identifying emerging cultural and technological shifts early and helping startups, creators, and brands adapt strategically.

Aishwarya began her career in PwC’s consumer products practice, advising Fortune 500 companies including Coty, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola. She joined Build Academy, an edtech startup, as their first employee before founding two ventures: a blockchain innovation lab and A Fresh Sip, a beverage-tech startup that turned smart vending machines into media assets.

Through her consultancy, Aishwarya has advised content creators and startups on monetization, market expansion, and product-market fit. She is an LP at NextGen Venture Partners, formerly an angel investor with 37 Angels, and has mentored for Techstars, MIT Launch, and Startup India. Aishwarya is a TEDx speaker who has presented at Harvard, Stanford, Duke, and international forums on entrepreneurship, emerging technology, and the convergence of culture and commerce. She holds a BSBA in Management Information Systems and Finance from Boston University.