Rapid fire with Siddharth Banerjee, CEO at UNIVO Education
YS Life poses fun and quirky questions to Siddharth Banerjee of UNIVO Education to know more about the man beyond his business.
Programme management edtech startup UNIVO Education was founded in 2018 with the vision to transform online higher education through the use of technology and supported services. The startup partners with top-tier universities and educational institutions across the world to offer accessible and affordable online degree programmes.
In June this year, the company appointed Siddhartha Banerjee as its CEO and board member. An alumnus of IIM-Ahmedabad, University of Oxford, and Harvard Business School, Banerjee has, in the past, served in key roles at Pearson, Games 24x7, Facebook, and Vodafone.
In an attempt to know the man beyond his business, we recently posed fun and quirky questions to Banerjee for Rapid Fire with YS Life.
YS Life [YSL]: What are the three words that best describe you?
Siddharth Banerjee [SB]: Energy, embrace, and evolution.
YSL: The last movie or show that has inspired you?
SB: Air on , about one of my favourite brands, Nike.
YSL: Two Indian companies that you would love to collaborate with?
SB: Tata and Hindustan Unilever–to increase impact for the Indian education ecosystem.
YSL: Two startup founders that you don’t mind getting stuck in an elevator with?
SB: Cred’s Kunal Shah and Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath.
YSL: The first thing that you do in the morning?
SB: Sip warm water and meditate.
YSL: The last thing that you do before hitting the bed?
SB: Read a good book.
YSL: Fame or money?
SB: Happiness.
YSL: While you have worked with some of the best in business, name a startup that you would love to explore?
SB: Calico (Google’s longevity focussed startup).
YSL: What is that one thing that you love about your job?
SB: The fact that there is so much good to do.
YSL: What is that one thing that you hate about your job?
SB: So much good to do, and so little time!
YSL: A productivity hack that you would like to share?
SB: Wear comfortable shoes! Walk around and meet people–your insights and connects, both would be phenomenal.
YSL: What’s the golden rule to stay ahead in life and in business?
SB: Be better every day.
YSL: What’s the best skill to develop?
SB: Public speaking or effective communication.
YSL: What’s your advice to young people?
SB: Invest in yourself daily–the compounding is immense.
YSL: What’s your take on hustle culture?
SB: It is overrated. Instead, build businesses with rigour and insights.
YSL: The mantra that you live by?
SB: Just do it.
Edited by Swetha Kannan