Marian Miner Cook
Athenaeum

A distinctive
feature of social and
cultural life at CMC

 

The Unspoken Truths from the Entrepreneurial Trenches

Mon, September 29, 2025
Dinner Program
Ashwin Gulati '90

Ashwin Gulati ’90 dismantles the myths, ambitions, and raw realities of a startup culture where 97% of ventures fail. So why do entrepreneurs keep lining up? Why do VCs keep funding them? And what isn’t working? In this behind-the-curtain talk, Gulati exposes the deeper forces shaping today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the hard truths behind the glossy success stories, including topics that entrepreneurs hide and what investors won’t tell you: business vs. personal drivers—and why knowing the difference matters; the dark side of OPM (Other People’s Money); what is Scrit—and how to actually work with smart people; and yes… why Steve Jobs was wrong.

Drawing on decades in the arena—and insights from his book Soul Venture, Ashwin Gulati ’90 provides a unique insider's view of the entrepreneurial journey. From launching international ventures to becoming a seasoned executive brought in to help companies take off or land, Gulati has helped pilot the complex transitional moments for more than 100 companies in a variety of industries. He has worked in the UK, Spain, France and the U.S. After nearly three decades in the trenches, he has identified the hidden pitfalls, unspoken truths, and personal twists that ultimately determine a venture’s success or failure.

In addition to these professional insights, Gulati will share lessons from his own journey, from arriving in the U.S. from India at age 13, to pursuing his interwoven passion for tennis and business, and asking the difficult questions about work/life balance and personal success.

Gulati holds a B.A. in economics and mathematics from Claremont McKenna College, including studies at King's College in England and the London School of Economics.

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Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum

Claremont McKenna College
385 E. Eighth Street
Claremont, CA 91711

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