In a world where ideas, markets, and teams are constantly shifting, what truly separates extraordinary entrepreneurs from the rest? According to Richa Bajpai, it isn’t strategy, timing, or even the perfect founding team. It’s something far harder to define, yet impossible to miss: obsession.At just 21, Richa discovered this force while building her first startup. What others dismissed as unhealthy intensity, working until 3 AM, waking up at 6 with her product still on her mind, became the very engine of her success.In her talk, Richa reframes obsession not as something to fear, but something to harness. She shares a framework to channel this unstoppable energy: anchoring it in purpose beyond oneself, building rituals to sustain the intensity, and embracing its evolution as it takes on new forms across life’s journey.She leaves us with a powerful question: What is the thought you can’t shake, the problem that won’t leave your mind, the idea that keeps you up at night? That persistent voice might not be a distraction, it could be your greatest gift to the world.Richa Bajpai is a serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Goodera, and founder of Campus Fund, supporting young innovators across India. Her journey embodies the courage to let obsession become contribution. Richa Bajpai is redefining community impact in the startup ecosystem by championing grassroots innovation and inclusive opportunities through ventures like Campus Fund—India’s first and only SEBI-registered Category II AIF exclusively backing student-led startups. As its Founder, she has built a platform that uplifts young entrepreneurs, with a focus on solutions that create lasting value for communities. Guided by the belief that transformative change can begin at any age and from any background, Richa empowers students with purposeful funding, mentorship, and a culture of social responsibility. Her leadership is shaping a generation of changemakers whose ideas drive both business success and social good. On the TEDx stage, she shares her vision for a future where youth-led, community-focused innovation is central to building a more equitable world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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