On Second Thought
by Komal Mirani
India
Project Description
A platform making the future more visible—by surfacing the ideas, people, and shifts shaping it from India outward. Thoughtful. Urgent. Culturally grounded. Built for agency.
Expected Impact
I believe that the ideas, technologies, and cultural shifts shaping tomorrow are already here, just not evenly distributed. My goal is to create a platform that brings those ideas to the surface through conversations with the people building, investing in, and imagining them. I spotlight voices that often go unheard in mainstream discourse. By focusing on nuance and optimism, I aim to shift how culture in India engages with progress—not as something handed down from Silicon Valley or the West, but as something being shaped here, from the ground up. This project challenges you (the viewer, listener) to see the future not as a distant abstraction but as something they can understand, participate in, and help build. To that effect, here are some of the people I collaborate with, giving a sense of the individuals and their spheres of influence: Varun Patra — Cultural Entrepreneur, Founder of Homegrown Manasi Mehan — Founder of Saturday Art Class, a nonprofit providing visual arts and social-emotional learning to students from low-income communities in India Shephali Bhatt — Internet tech reporter and researcher chronicling how the internet shapes our identities, lifestyles, and behaviors Pratab Raju — founder of the Climate Collective Network, building cleantech startup ecosystems in India
Applicant Background
I work in cultural strategy and have spent the past seven years helping brands and individuals build relevance rooted in the nuances of India. Alongside this, I host a podcast called On Second Thought. Now, I’m leapfrogging to build a new kind of media network—a Venn diagram of consulting, foresight, and research. The goal: to shape, influence, and meaningfully impact culture.
Resources Needed
- Funding
- Mentorship
- Visibility
Support This Project
Connect with Komal or learn more about the project or support in making this come to life.