Manav Subodh is a social entrepreneur and University of California, Berkeley Senior Fellow, 2015-18. A series of events, including his experiences in Cairo during the Arab spring inspired Manav to leave his corporate job in 2015 and start 1M1B (1 Million for 1 Billion). His areas of focus include youth entrepreneurship, climate action and responsible AI.
Prior to starting his entrepreneurial journey, Manav worked in the corporate sector for over 17 years with organisations like Intel, Hughes and QAI. He served as the global entrepreneurship and innovation director at Intel Corporation where he managed a US$ 10 million funding program. Manav has also served as a member of the National Advisory on Innovation, Incubation and Technology Entrepreneurship of the Government of India for over 5 years and was a Senior Advisor to Ernst & Young (EY) for the State Government of Chhattisgarh’s Policy formation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
For his work with youth and rural communities Manav has been recognised by Forbes, BBC, UC Berkeley, United Nations and others. In 2017, Manav was invited by the United Nations to address 900 delegates from over 110 countries on the theme ‘Young Women as an Economic Force’ during the 61st UN Commission on the Status of Women Youth Forum at the UN headquarters in New York.
Manav is passionate about empowering youth to activate their ideas and get them to reality using entrepreneurial thinking. In this regard, he has conducted youth leadership workshops in over 7 countries and he now convene an annual 1M1B Youth summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
“Embarking on a journey with UC Berkeley, I delved deep into entrepreneurship education, becoming a Senior Fellow and later Garwood Innovation Fellow, where I mastered the art of lean startups, open innovation, and co-innovation. This experience empowered me to dream bigger and push boundaries, and my journey is a testament to the power of education, transformation, and realising your inner calling,” he says.
Most important advice? Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a path less defined, demanding patience and persistence, starkly different from the structured corporate world. Success lies in consistent effort and a long-term perspective, not in quick wins or shortcuts. Avoid falling into the trap of self-criticism and devaluation; instead, embrace each mistake as a stepping stone to growth and understanding.
“Travel is my sanctuary; having journeyed through over 50 countries, each trip is a cherished adventure with my family. The joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes alongside my wife, children, and occasionally my parents, is unparalleled. Additionally, I’ve ventured into the world of podcasting, reconnecting with a school friend who shared 13 years of formative education with me. This new endeavour has become a fantastic outlet for reflection and connection, allowing me to revisit life’s journey and the lessons it has taught me,” he says.
Read the full story that first appeared in Global Indian here:
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