Can ambition be sustainable? Can AI scale without consequence?

In this powerful episode of the xMonks Drive Podcast, host Gaurav Arora sits down with Gaurav Singh, founder of Verloop, for an unfiltered conversation on building in the age of AI.

From growing up in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, to coding at 10, launching his first projects by 13, and now leading one of India’s most ambitious AI startups, Gaurav shares what most founders won’t:

🔥 Why fundraising is easier than building
💥 Why he stopped seeking validation early
🧠 The cost of obsession—and what “9 to 5” can’t give you
🌍 The hidden environmental impact of artificial intelligence
🚀 How to build a real company in a world chasing hype

00:00 - Fundraising vs Building a Startup

00:25 - From Rewa to Building an AI Company

01:30 - Small-Town Childhood & Memories

03:40 - Discovering Coding at Age 10

06:30 - Making Projects by 13 & Early Hustle

08:20 - Freelancing in College & Startup Spirit

10:50 - StockNinja: First Attempt & Lessons

13:10 - Stopping Validation-Seeking

15:25 - Leveraging College Infrastructure

17:25 - Deep Friendships & Focus

18:50 - IITs, Networks & Reality Check

20:00 - BPO Lessons Spark AI Vision

22:25 - Startup Glamour vs Reality

24:00 - Building a Generational Company

26:00 - Naivety & Landing Nykaa

28:45 - Support Systems & Personal Struggles

31:20 - Global Tech Culture Differences

34:30 - US vs India vs UAE: Mindset Differences

37:50 - Work-Life Balance Myth?

41:30 - AI’s Future: Intelligence On Demand

44:30 - Passion, Purpose & Inner Drive

47:00 - Work vs Life vs Passion Debate

50:00 - Redefining Education, Experience & Value

53:00 - Imagination Economy & Job Displacement

56:00 - Building with Focus & Tiny Iterations

59:00 - Climate, Energy & Startup Choices

01:02:00 - Future of Value: What Will Be Premium?

01:05:00 - Physical Health, Supplements & Optimization

01:08:00 - A Day in Gaurav’s Life: Routines & Reflections

01:10:30 - Closing Thoughts: Note-taking & Reflection

01:11:00 - Outro & Thank You

Whether you’re a tech founder, builder, or just curious about the future of work and AI, this episode will challenge how you think about ambition, identity, and what it really means to create something meaningful.

🔗 Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gauravaroragrv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspirewithgrv
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vdhTjZlhltIt4e9YiBgMF?si=92853a15e3584866
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-xmonks-drive/id1549886334
Website: https://xmonks.com