Hi there,

November flew by, but it brought me so much. In an era of digital-first workplaces, it’s easy to forget what business is about: Community.

From attending an investor brunch to my time on the Advisory Board for Columbia Venture Capital & Entrepreneurship Group (VECE), I’m so thankful for being able to learn and collaborate with family, friends, and colleagues. It’s given me the chance to give back to the next generation, increase inclusivity, and add to the field.

Working together is about more than creating a team. It’s also being more inclusive and equitable, and building a better future.

In this month’s newsletter, there’s a lot to share about AI and the environment. Still, I’ve tried a bit more to include the people and communities who make a better future possible.

Before we get into it, you’ll want to share this issue with your friend or coworker tracking ethical AI.

Upcoming Events

Funding Lab Workshop (Dec 17, 2025)

I’m very excited to be giving an open webinar at the Funding Breakthrough Lab on Wednesday, December 17th between 3-4:30 PM, EST.

Come join us for the Fundraising Fast-Track: Tech Founder’s Sprint for Investor-Ready Growth and learn how to map a 12-week plan that uses real investor benchmarks to measure business progress. This is a great chance to learn how you can refine your 10-slide deck for 2026 and walk away with a practical fundraising readiness toolkit and growth checklist. Register below and join us for this free virtual workshop 👇

Past Event Highlights

Dive into key learnings from the last month’s in-person and virtual events.

Hustle Fund’s Angel Squad Brunch

Nothing beats IRL discussions, especially about investing, global trends, and startup ecosystems. After years of being a long-term impact investor at Angel Squad, an in-person meeting finally aligned with my schedule. I had a wonderful time speaking with friends and colleagues at our New York City Brunch before Thanksgiving weekend.

Human connection is still at the heart of all we do, even in the digital space.

Startup Growth Playbook: Pitches and Pricing

In my most recent LinkedIn LIVEs, I focused on two key topics that many startups stumble over: Pitching and Product Pricing. Definitely watch the replays. But if you only have a few minutes, here’s a summary.

Key Takeaways:

✅ When it comes to pitching, leverage storytelling to communicate momentum and provide a clear narrative.

✅ Use customer and investor feedback to strengthen your fundraising strategy.

✅ Remember that pricing isn’t a number. Compare revenue models with customer behavior to find your fit.

✅ Take the time to design a few quick tests to discover what customers are willing to pay.

Watch Replays:

• Test 3 Revenue Models to Find Your Product Pricing → Dec 03 Replay

• Pitch Mastery for Founders Who Hate Pitching → Dec 10 Replay

In Case You Missed It – The BIG News Highlights

Risk is everywhere, but in understanding potential threats, we can mitigate them. Below is one BIG story that shows the connections between technology, economics, and climate.

Tracking AI’s effect on hardware

Artificial Intelligence’s influence is beyond productivity use cases. The rapid growth of data centers has turned memory chip production into a risk and an opportunity.

ChatGPT’s initial release in 2022 started an AI frenzy, and we are now beginning to see the consequences. Samsung and SK Hynix will need to double their manufacturing to meet OpenAI’s order request, highlighting the drastic increase in demand. Companies are racing to fill orders, with major providers already sold out for 2026.

At the same time, investors are asking more questions about the technology. The increased volatility mirrors past bubble behavior. Rising concerns around the negative environmental impacts of AI are a cause for caution.

If investors reduce commitments to AI projects, this will cause a problem for chip manufacturers that are racing to expand their production capacity.

For business leaders, innovators, and investors, the responsibility of thorough vetting and careful implementation matter more than ever. Our decisions today can affect not only the memory chip and AI industries, but the climate as well.

The BIG Blog Digest

Still time for some reading? Here are some articles of interest this month.

Mitigating AI risk economic shifts

Tomorrow’s leaders leveraging AI tech aren’t automating the fastest. Intentional AI use that emphasizes digital resilience over blind returns has the most to gain. An AI-Economy Self-Check can help you slow down and ensure each implementation matters. Read this full blog here.

What to do about data center surges

Legacy systems are not equipped to handle the energy needs of the modern AI data center. What does this new risk look like, and how do we work together to solve it? Joining inclusive communities, such as Wallet Max or Emerald Summit, can foster collaboration and drive solutions. Read this full blog here.

Leaders should set the pace. Not AI.

Developers built AI to end friction and lag times. But moving too fast is a risk, too. Leaders can and should implement AI on a value-first approach, with speed and volume as beneficial byproducts, not the main attraction. Committing to a 10-minute AI-Pace Audit can help to mitigate risk and grow your impact. Read this full blog here.

What’s the Risk?

From rural India to wolfish Wall Street, risk is everywhere. Growing up in an era where educating women was seen as frivolous, a waste, a risk—I decided to bet on myself. And it paid off.

As an immigrant with a three decade career on Wall Street and Global Markets under my belt, I’ve seen just about everything. Now, I’m sharing it with you in my upcoming book, Everyday Risk Wisdom: Your Risk Management Guide to Thrive in a Complex World as an Overlooked Business Leader.

My goal is to accelerate access for corporate professionals and future leaders. That’s why I wrote my book—to share the experiences that informed my journey and support the next generation of business leaders.

Watch the book preview discussion for more on balancing profits, people, and planet.

Last month's reactions to the BIG question

The top answer: Access to Funding

One thing is clear: The funding gap is not closing fast enough.

I know from experience. After spending several years in the Investment Banking and Capital Markets ecosystem, I decided to focus on educating investors on high-impact investment options.

Then I graduated to taking direct action: Investing in promising solutions and founding Wallet Max, an inclusive global community of corporate executives and venture capitalists with a mission to expand fundraising access for high-growth startups in the technology, AI, fintech, and climate sustainability sectors.

Finding funding isn’t just about having the perfect pitch deck (although that helps). The key is discovering investors who align with your values—and nurturing those relationships. For many, this means knowing when to educate on your startup versus investing in relationship-building.

This Month’s BIG Question

Your responses always spark news ideas and help shape future topics. And, as always, all responses remain confidential. I will explore the most popular theme in next month’s newsletter.

Thank You!

Every end is a beginning, and I’m looking forward to 2026. I’m hoping to spend more time having small group conversions with decision makers on how we can shape a better future. I’m looking forward to discussing how existing leaders and current executives (private and public, startups and corporations) can collaborate with each other for common good, instead of working in silos.

After all, creating an inclusive space and bringing in professionals from all backgrounds matter more than ever if we want to design authentic, pragmatic solutions. When you see someone like you, you know you can be next.

The key to coming together for a common good is communication. And it’s worth investing in.

Let me know, what communities have lifted you up over the past year?

Thank you for being part of this community. I look forward to our next connection, whether through this newsletter or at the upcoming events.

Onward and upward,

Bhuva Shakti, Founder of Wallet Max and Bhuva’s Impact Global.

Let’s collaborate, send me your ideas! https://www.bhuvas-impact.global/contact