Phalgun Chidanand

Founder of The Drafting Room - Founders Spaces, CEO/Founder of WORKHOME - Coworking & Managed Workspaces, Investor in SLOW ART SALON, Founder of EVERGREEN HOUSE

Financial ModelingReal Estate DevelopmentEntrepreneurshipMergers & AcquisitionsCommunity BuildingCross-border Business

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About

I'm Phalgun Chidanand, a serial entrepreneur building physical and social infrastructure for startups through ventures like The Drafting Room and WORKHOME. My career began in M&A and investment banking at firms like Ernst & Young, then evolved into founding multiple businesses spanning real estate, coworking, F&B, and retail over 17+ years. I'm passionate about fostering high-signal connections between founders, investors, and operators, especially in the US-India tech corridor. I believe in curated, intimate gatherings over large events and that the next two decades belong to women leaders in India. I offer expertise in cross-border business, community building, and hosting premium spaces for meaningful partnerships.

Networking

What I can offer

›Connector and community builder within Indian and cross-border tech ecosystem
›Host of premium physical spaces and curated networking events
›Expertise in real estate development, coworking, and cross-border business
›Financial modeling and M&A advisory experience
›Access to high-caliber founder and investor networks

Looking for

›expanding my professional network
›exploring mutual opportunities in entrepreneurship and venture building

Best fit for

Founders in AI and cross-border venturesInvestors (VCs, angel investors)Operators and professionals from top-tier global academic institutionsWomen leaders in tech and business

Current Interests

US-India AI and startup corridorCross-border innovation and expansionAI funding and GTM landscapeFounder and VC community buildingCurated networking events for high-quality professionals

Background

Career

Started as M&A Analyst at Ernst & Young LLP, then Investment Banking Analyst at Sawaya Partners, then founded multiple businesses including EVERGREEN HOUSE, WORKHOME, and The Drafting Room, while investing in SLOW ART SALON and F&B ventures

Education

BBA in Finance from Western Michigan University - Haworth College of Business (2005), MBA in Finance from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management (2020), Launchpad Program at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (NSRCEL)

Achievements

›Graduated undergraduate studies with a 4.0 CGPA
›Performed financial due diligence for $3.5B acquisition of UGS Corp by Siemens and $5.9B acquisition of Bayer AG's diagnostics division by Siemens at Ernst & Young
›Assisted in setting up Ernst & Young's Global Shared Service Center in Delhi, training 21 analysts
›Built and operates multiple businesses spanning real estate, coworking, F&B, and retail over 17+ years
›Successfully hosted large-scale industry events like US-India AI Summit with 700+ registrations

Opinions

Bangalore is the 'center of gravity' and 'epicenter' for startups in India and a critical hub for the US-India corridor
The next two decades belong to women leaders and business owners in India
Values 'real problems, real solutions' over buzzwords in tech/AI
Believes in the power of 'high-signal,' curated, and intimate gatherings over large, impersonal events
Advocates for building 'full-stack' and 'services-as-a-software' businesses aimed at large markets