So first of all let me acknowledge the inspiration. It was an article by Ashish of Pluggdin fame on what Indian startup eco system lacks ( http://www.pluggd.in/indian-startup-ecosystem-is-broken-297/ ). As all tweeple do, I also responded with my armchair opinion till it hit me that I can make an effort to solve at least some part of it.

Let us face it. Some of us are more blessed then others for reasons which are sometimes in our control and sometimes not. Some of us might have studied in better colleges, some of us worked in companies where we got an opportunity to solve problems of larger magnitude and complexity but then now it is time for us to share it with a larger set of people. So here is a small FAQ for people who are interested in talking to us.

Q. Are you guys really knowledgeable ?

A. We think we are and we do accept when we are not. Some of us have experience in building large complicated systems and some of us have worked on complicated systems in companies like Microsoft, Yahoo, Amazon and obviously Asklaila. Anyway we are not too talented on praising ourselves.

Q. Any particular domains where you know more?

A. Internet related domains are something closer to our heart. We are also shameless users of lot of opensource so that is an area where we can help. Few Tech areas where we have better knowledge

- SEO

- SEM

- Performance Optimizations

- Mysql

- Memcached

- Python

- Django
Q. Will this be like a classroom ?

A. The last time I was in classroom ages back, I cursed everyone. Don’t remind me of bad days in life. So this will be more or less focused session on one individual company and one or more specific problem.

Q. What type of companies do you do this for?

A. The companies which bring us Samosas, Dhoklas and Managalore Bhajji besides being a Bangalore based unfunded startup. We have nothing against companies outside Bangalore but nobody wants to eat cold food out here. Nothing against funded startups as well but I am guessing you already are burning cash for such stuff. Anyway write to us even if you are funded or outside Bangalore.

Q. What do you expect in return?

A. I answered that in the last answer. You bring in the snacks to our office and the coffee is on us. We also do not mind twitter/FB/Website mentions if you really gained from our experience.

Q. Will I really benefit from this?

A. I am as clueless about this as you are but I can assure you that we will try to pass on what we know. We can anyway assure you that we will not steal your wallet when you are in our office.
Q. I have read all this and I am still interested in talking to you guys. How do I contact you?

A. You are a brave man or women for sure. Just email us on techfundas at asklaila dot com with a short write upon technical challenges you face.

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Take just a moment, and think about why you’re here.
(Bear with me, I do actually have a point.)

You’re visiting this blog, because you’d like to know more about asklaila.
In other words, you have a few questions that you’d like answered.

And that, in a nutshell, is precisely what Laila does.
Laila answers your questions.

Laila is a local search engine, custom tailored to meet Indian needs.

This is where you can find the answers to all the questions you have about your city.
(Although we’re operating only in Bangalore for now, we’ll soon be in India’s top 6 cities.)

From pasta joints to plumbers, concerts to chaat-waalas, this is where you’ll get all the essential info. you need -including contact numbers, landmarks, hours of operation. 

Yes. Yes. I know. You want more.

Well, you can also browse articles and reviews, trade gossip, find reviews and lots more.
All, in easy to share mode, through SMS or e-mail.
So why? Why do this, in the first place?

Because it needs to be done. Because like you, I’m tired of the fact that there are no accurate and comprehensive services online for local information. Because we shouldn’t have to rely on obsolete phone books, or frivolous “city portals”, for the information we need. And because there are a whole lot of people, who feel just the way we do.

Now I could give you a lot of heavy spiel about the algorithms and data crunching.
And everything else that makes all this possible.
But I’d much rather introduce you to the rest of Laila’s gang.

The prime culprits are Kiran Konduri and Shriram Adukoorie the co-founders, and Bal Krishna Birla the chief technical officer.

They got the ball rolling, and sold the rest of us on the idea.

They did such a good job, that for the last 6 months, we’ve done nothing but eat, sleep and breathe Laila. (And believe me when I say, there’s wasn’t a whole lot of sleep.)

BTW, and I’m speaking for everyone here, what do you think of the fruit of our labour?

You see, we’re very keen on feedback. We think it’s the greatest thing since cookie dough ice cream. Plus, it’s the best way we know of, to constantly improve.

And it’s not all a one way street. To start talking back to Laila, just register, and log on.You can post comments, rate entries and even suggest a few of your own.All in all, just think of Laila, as the girl next door.

No. Not that one.
The other one.
The nice one.
 

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1. I’ve been more organized than ever (really can’t believe this myself..)

2. More ownership, means more responsibility (“With great power comes great responsibilities”)

3. I think I’m getting better equipped each day for the new challenges to come

4. I’m not dozing off at meetings!!

5. Its a very close set of people, means more interaction, more learning and more fun!

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To us it is making sure that we build a team which with every new addition becomes more smarter, faster and passionate.

Then who is the dumbest guy in the room, well that would be the person who set the ball rolling, me !
But, then I am also the luckiest guy, cos I get to chase the dream with a dream team.

thanks guys….

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1. Our first server is named goa (virtual fun!)

2. Our first code base was setup as a quick result of me losing 3 days work *dodges*, anyway I got to checkin first
3. Our first official team meeting was held in the board room, with a total of 4 people in it.

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And I thought how about doing some data mining on our junta to figure out, what are the key characteristics of those who pass through our live in tests before the marriage. Here are some interesting facts to give you all the cheat codes to become a 4i team member.

1. 50% of us cycle to work.
2. 50% of us have had a brush with the law enforcement agencies as our bikes were picked up for parking wrongly in front of Divyasree.
3. 50% of us love to come to office in shorts and keep our feet on table while working, but can not due to the reasons which can not be disclosed on a public forum.
4. 50% of us are from IIT Kanpur.

Let me stop otherwise the number of characteristics will become more than the team size.

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