- 18 February, 2026
Feb 18, 2026: “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.”
These powerful words, spoken by Steve Jobs in his 2005 Stanford commencement address, were not merely advice, they were a challenge. A challenge to remain curious, to dream boldly, and to take risks instead of settling for comfort.
Today, India stands at the cusp of extraordinary opportunity. Our nation is growing, industries are evolving, and innovation is reshaping the future. Across the country, young people are stepping forward with confidence—launching startups, building technology, creating jobs, and solving real-world problems. They are choosing to create rather than merely seek employment.
But this raises an important question: Are Catholic youth participating fully in this movement? Over the past 8–9 years in the venture capital industry, I have had the privilege of interacting with hundreds of founders. While I have witnessed remarkable talent across communities, I have seen only a small representation of Catholic youth in the startup ecosystem. This is not because of a lack of intelligence, capability, or values. On the contrary, our community is rich in integrity, resilience, discipline, and faith—qualities that form the very foundation of successful entrepreneurship.
What, then, is missing? Often, it is courage.
Entrepreneurship does not begin with a perfect idea or flawless plan. It begins with the courage to start. The courage to step into uncertainty. The courage to risk failure. The courage to learn, adapt, and rise again.
Courage is not a gift reserved for a chosen few, rather it is built. It grows each time you take a small risk, speak up, try something new, or move forward despite doubt. Fear of failure can feel overwhelming, but failure is not a verdict, it is feedback. Every setback is a lesson. Every challenge is preparation. And most importantly, you do not have to walk this journey alone.
At Kanara Entrepreneurs (KE), we are blessed to have many accomplished Catholic entrepreneurs who have taken that courageous leap. They have faced struggles, setbacks, uncertainty—and yet persevered. Twenty-nine of them have shared their journeys in a powerful book titled “Waves of Grit - Stories of Entrepreneurial Excellence”, recently published in Bangalore.
These are not stories of overnight success. They are stories of faith, resilience, sacrifice, and persistence. They remind us that success is not built in comfort, it is forged through grit. If you are a young person who has ever thought about starting something of your own, if you have ever felt a spark of an idea but hesitated to act, perhaps this book can be your starting point. Let it reassure you that others from your own community have walked this path and you can too.
KE, as a not-for-profit organisation committed to nurturing entrepreneurs, believes that building businesses is not just about wealth creation, it is about job creation, community upliftment, and contributing positively to society. Entrepreneurship is not merely a career choice; it is a calling to create impact.
To the youth of our Catholic community: Dream boldly. Think independently. Take calculated risks. Seek mentors. Build with integrity. And most importantly, trust that your faith and values are strengths, not limitations. The future will not be built by spectators. It will be built by those who dare. Perhaps it is time for many more of us to stay hungry… and stay courageous.
Click Here to get your copy of Waves of Grit – Stories of Entrepreneurial Excellence and be inspired.
By Pramod D’Souza
(Author is Co-Founder at Eagle10 Ventures and President of Kanara Entrepreneurs’ Bangalore Chapter. The views expressed are personal.)
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