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Aiyappa Bollera
CEO @ Toro
Aiyappa Bollera is an accomplished individual with a diverse background and a passion for innovation and growth.
He studied Political Science, Economics, and History for his Bachelor's Degree at Vanderbilt University, showcasing his strong academic foundation.
Throughout his career, Aiyappa has held various roles that have shaped his expertise and skills.
He was the CEO & Co-Founder of Toro, where he exhibited his leadership and entrepreneurial acumen.
As an Independent Consultant, Aiyappa showcased his versatility and ability to thrive in various professional environments.
During his tenure at Praxis, he focused on Growth and Business Operations, honing his strategic and operational capabilities.
Aiyappa's analytical skills and business acumen were further developed during his time at McKinsey & Company, where he served as a Business Analyst.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Aiyappa has explored his creative side as a Stand-up Comic.
His adventurous spirit led him to engage in Hacking at Startups & Experiments, showing his drive for innovation and problem-solving.
He also gained valuable experience as a Summer Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company and as a Summer Analyst at AllianceBernstein.
Aiyappa's experience across various industries and roles reflects his adaptability, creativity, and determination to explore new opportunities.
Highlights
Surprising thing getting lost in discourse around Northvolt is the specific model of building domestic champions they pursued.
The Chinese model is ruthlessly competitive locally (states run their own VC funds but the market decides on winners), in service of building global export-oriented monopolies. Subsidies phase out over time, and the most operationally efficient players in the local markets as globally competent producers.
Import Substitution Industrialization, where you choose domestic champions ahead of time and subsidize their growth, routinely fails to produce globally competitive companies – look @ the limitations of Indian domestic manufacturing through the 20th century for proof.
Effective industrial policy requires competitive pressures at the firm level AND policy support @ the industry level. Not convenient for free-trade maxis or money-spigot policymakers, but very obvious to anyone who understands the East Asian growth story.
