Moonwalk Coffee

Thanks so much to Gagan Tongiya (MBA ‘16) for hosting a great meet up for Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University alumni and incoming students in Dehli 🇮🇳 last night at his startup Moonwalk Coffee . I had Gagan as a student in my entrepreneurial finance course in 2016 and he mentioned that next time he saw a term sheet outside of my course was two weeks ago when he received a term sheet for investment from an Indian VC! It was a good reminder that many of our dynamic Case Western Reserve University alumni entrepreneurs don’t immediately start companies after graduation (Gagan worked in finance for a number of years after graduation at companies including Delphi). Great to reconnect with SHAMSHER GILL (MBA ‘05) from who I first met when he was an intern at BioEnterprise when he was a Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University student. Shamsher has had a great career post-Weatherhead including The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and currently Wipro. And also to reconnect with Manas Gupta (Global MBA ‘16) who founded a startup in the edtech space. Manas reminded me of a project-based course he took with me at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University where he worked on a project with American Greetings that he mentioned had a big impact on his career trajectory. Thanks Debra Patterson and Lora DiFranco for partnering with me on that project back in the day! Great to meet Sandeep Taneja FCA CPA (MBA ‘02) and his son Arjun T. (who is a CS undergrad at University of California, Santa Cruz). Sandeep’s career journey post-Weatherhead has taken him to EY, Corning Incorporated, Ingersoll Rand and now as the CFO of Gates Corporation India. We started the process of recruiting Arjun for his MBA at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University post graduation! Always exciting to meet with accepted students who will be joining us on campus this fall (and in their case, living in the 🇺🇸for the first time! Priyanshi Gupta and Radha Gupta will be entering our full-time MBA program and Shourya Gera will be a student in our Masters in Accounting program. Our alumni present gave the incoming students all sorts of great advice ranging from housing, internships, food and visiting the The Jolly Scholar! 🍻 Exciting to build on the momentum of Dean Andrew Medvedev’s visit to India 🇮🇳 in January and continue to engage with the amazing pipeline of talent and alumni here. Looking forward to meeting additional Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University alumni next week in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University CWRU Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship Maria Stutsman y Marquez Brian Broadbent George Van Horne IV Radhika Ramamurthi

Coffee in Indian Cinema and Pop Culture : Let's talk about how coffee makes its grand entrance in Bollywood. It’s not just showing up; it’s practically auditioning for a lead role. Remember Wake Up Sid? The movie where coffee practically deserves its own credit, maybe even a best supporting beverage nomination, for waking Sid up to life and love. The cinematic portrayal of coffee often reflects the societal attitudes of its time. In classic Bollywood films, coffee was a luxury, enjoyed by the affluent classes as a marker of Western influence, while contemporary movies use coffee shops as a backdrop for modern, urban dramas, reflecting the democratization of coffee culture among younger generations. Back in the day, a coffee scene in Bollywood was code for 'look at me, I’m rich and Westernized'. Fast forward, and now coffee is the millennial in every film – it’s at every party, in every breakup scene, and possibly photobombing every romantic meetup. In Dear Zindagi, the coffee cup is practically a cast member, right? It’s there in every deep conversation, nodding along without saying a word, giving a whole new meaning to 'spill the beans'. Remember when coffee in Indian TV shows was just something aunties complained was too hot or too cold? Now, in web series, it’s like the central hub. Coffee shops are where plots thicken and characters spill more than just coffee. It’s the water cooler of the digital age. As we look to the future, coffee’s role in Indian media is likely to evolve further, mirroring the global trends towards artisanal and specialty coffees. This shift towards a more nuanced appreciation could enrich storytelling, adding layers of complexity to character development and plot narratives.

The Role of Coffee in Modern Indian Workspaces : In every office across India, there’s an unsung hero, and no, it’s not the intern—it’s the coffee. It’s seen more drama than the HR department and holds all the real power. After all, it’s the one thing that keeps everyone running—literally. With the rise of global influence and the startup culture, traditional Indian tea breaks are increasingly giving way to coffee breaks. Offices are investing in better quality coffee solutions to keep their employees engaged and energized, recognizing coffee’s role in boosting cognitive function and morale. Gone are the days when your only office coffee choice was 'with or without sugar.' Now it's all about soy milk, almond milk, or the 'cold brew' that sounds like a weather forecast but is just coffee that took its sweet time. Scientifically, caffeine stimulates the nervous system, which enhances alertness and concentration. This makes coffee not just a social drink but a cognitive tool. Modern workspaces now design coffee lounges not just for aesthetics but as hubs of creativity and collaboration. It's funny how a cup of coffee at work can go from 'wake me up' to 'wake up my entire career.' You see folks sipping their fancy lattes and then having these lightbulb moments. As Indian workplaces evolve, the appreciation for coffee does too, becoming a cultural artifact of the modern office. As we look to the future, remember, it’s not just about the coffee itself, but what it represents—a moment of peace, a burst of inspiration, or just a good old gossip session. Long live office coffee culture!

Coffee and Health: Busting Myths and Sharing Facts Coffee in India is like that distant relative everyone keeps talking about. "It's good for you! It's bad for you!" Honestly, it changes more than the plot twists in a daily soap opera. Let’s dive in and separate the facts from the masala. One prevalent myth is that coffee causes heart problems. Let’s sift through scientific studies to understand the nuances of coffee's effects on heart health, including its antioxidant properties and implications for various lifestyles. Here’s a myth: Coffee will make your heart explode. Really? If anything, coffee is what keeps some hearts going. I mean, without it, how would anyone survive those endless Monday meetings? Then there's the classic, "Coffee leaves you dehydrated." If that were true, half of our workforce would be wandering around like cacti in the desert, desperately seeking water instead of filing TPS reports. Beyond its energizing properties, coffee is rich in antioxidants, which combat free radicals in the body. And for those who use coffee as a pre-workout, yes, it can actually boost your performance in the gym. It's like your personal hype man, getting you pumped up to lift those weights or run that extra mile. While coffee has many benefits, it’s important to consume it wisely. Of course, you can’t just chug coffee all day long. It’s like sunbathing – a little bit is great, but too much and you’re going to get burned, or in this case, jittery. Then there's the art of choosing your coffee. Not all beans are created equal. Some are like sprinters—quick bursts of energy—while others are marathon runners, giving you a slow, steady stream of alertness. So, is coffee good or bad for you? Well, it’s kind of like asking if the internet is good or bad. In the grand drama of life, coffee plays a role that's both heroic and, occasionally, a tad villainous. It’s all about balance. Don't let coffee run the show, but definitely give it a guest appearance in your daily routine.

Funny Coffee Shop Encounters: Have you ever noticed that coffee shops in India are like reality TV shows, but free? Every visit comes with a side of drama, comedy, or sometimes, an unexpected plot twist. There's always some action, unexpected cameos, and if you're lucky, a love story brewing in the corner. Let's dive into some of the most hilarious and bizarre coffee shop encounters from across the country. There's always that one guy who treats ordering coffee like a surgical operation. "I'll have a half-caf, quarter-decaf, mocha latte with a whisper of cinnamon and a scream of vanilla." And you’re just standing there thinking, “It’s coffee, not a potion!"Then you have the auntie who comes in for the free Wi-Fi and treats the place like her personal living room. Spreading out her snacks from home, asking for 'less milk, more foam' while she sets up a virtual office at the corner table. And let's not forget the job interviews conducted at these coffee havens. Nothing says 'stress test' like having a serious career conversation while the blender goes off every five seconds. Talk about mixing business with pleasure! Coffee shops are the best places for eavesdropping. You'll hear things like, "If it weren’t for astrology, I’d have made better life choices." And you're just sitting there, sipping your coffee, thinking, "I just came for the caffeine, but this is so much better." You might overhear a breakup over a latte where someone's getting dumped because they forgot the other’s favorite coffee order. "You thought I liked cappuccino? This relationship is as over as your coffee choice!" So next time you’re in a coffee shop, remember, it's not just a place to drink coffee. It’s a live show, and sometimes, you get to be the star. So grab your popcorn, or maybe just a cappuccino, and enjoy the show!

Misadventures in Home Brewing : Home brewing coffee is like deciding to cook a meal for a date—it sounds romantic until the kitchen looks like a scene from a horror movie. Let’s dive into the hilarious world of home brewing, where every enthusiast starts with high hopes and ends up with something that vaguely resembles coffee. So you bought a grinder, thinking it'll make you the master of the bean. But instead, you've created a coffee spectrum that ranges from 'dusty Sahara' to 'muddy flood'. And now, your espresso machine is not so much brewing as it is begging for mercy. Ever try to get the perfect grind size? It’s like trying to solve a Rubik's cube that affects your morning mood. Too coarse, and your coffee tastes like dirty water; too fine, and you could probably use it to tar a road. You thought water is just water? Welcome to brewing, where even the water has a resume. Get it too hot, and your coffee is stewing in its own bitterness. Too cold, and it’s just colored water. And if you’re using tap, why not just add a hint of chlorine for that poolside vibe? And the machines—oh, the machines! They promise you barista-level coffee at home. But what they don’t tell you is that you need an engineering degree to operate them. One wrong button, and it’s less cappuccino, more cappu-chaos.Despite the challenges, the journey of home brewing is rewarding. So maybe your home-brewed coffee won’t put the local café out of business anytime soon. But each misstep is a hilarious story to share. Keep brewing, keep laughing, and who knows? One day, you might just get it right.

Summer in #India can turn anyone into a walking barbecue. But now, we’ve got #cold #brew. It's like that one friend who’s always chill, no matter how hot the gossip or the weather gets.  Making cold brew is like setting up a slow romantic song on a playlist—it takes time, but the payoff is smooth and mellow. It's the kind of drink that tells you, "Relax, let’s take it slow."  It is crafted by steeping coarse-ground beans in cold water for up to 24 hours. This slow extraction process reduces acidity and bitterness, yielding a smooth, rich coffee concentrate that’s versatile and stomach-friendly. Visit any trendy café, and you’ll see cold brew offered as the drink for the cool and the elite—literally. It's become the new status symbol. Forget fast cars; how slow is your brew? Cold brew is like that health guru who also knows how to party. It keeps your stomach cool and your spirits high. And for those counting calories, cold brew is like a dream. Almost zero calories, but makes you feel a hundred times cooler. It's the supermodel of the coffee world—sleek, stylish, and surprisingly health-conscious. In the grand tapestry of Indian beverages, cold brew has woven itself in seamlessly. It's more than just a summer fling; it's looking like a long-term relationship. So here’s to staying cool, one sip at a time. #coldbrew #specialtycoffee #summer #India

Are you a "I'll have a coffee" person OR a "I'll have a hand pulled, medium-roast from a small farm in Karnataka" person?

They say every bean in Chikmagalur has a story – from being planted by Sufi mystics to becoming the cup of coffee that fuels an entire nation.

In India, where the aroma of spices and the hustle of daily life fill the air, the ritual of coffee making at home has become a beloved routine, a pause in the midst of chaos. #specialtycoffee #indiancoffee #sustainable