Mango Bites 🥭

If you’re new here, welcome to Mango Bites - a newsletter featuring the best South Asian professional events happening in NYC. Reply and say hi! 🪔 

Hey friends, it’s been a hot sec.

Hope you’ve all been doing well (and staying warm!). I took a little time off from Mango to work on a project with my fiancée that’s been keeping me exceptionally busy - and honestly, bringing a lot of joy. If you haven’t checked out The Vada Pav Project yet, please do! 🌶️🥔

That said - Mango and building South Asian professional community - still feels like a hole in my life. I genuinely believe NYC continues to need a space that brings the incredible minds in our community to work on cool things together. I’ve been spending some time thinking about how I can keep working toward that mission alongside everything else I have going on. It’s still something I’m figuring out, tbh. For now, just expect to hear from me a bit less - with Mango events and newsletters landing roughly once a quarter.

One thing that has stayed active (and I hope continues to) is our WhatsApp community. The chatter there hasn’t slowed down - people planning their own hangs, helping each other out, and trying to snag last-minute Maanu tickets (ok that last one was me). If you’re not in there yet, definitely join so you don’t miss a beat (if you’re unable to get into the groups just text me at 4849547985).

🥭 Mango x SVB: South Asians in Startups

In the meantime, I’m super excited to be partnering with SVB on an awesome panel + mixer this month bringing together South Asian funders, operators, and investors in private tech.

We’ll talk candidly about what building looks like heading into 2026 - from how the startup landscape has shifted, to where AI actually fits, to fundraising, culture, and sustainability in immigrant-led companies.

We’ll be joined by

• Ashi Agrawal - Co-Founder and CTO, Kobalt Labs

• Jay Kapoor - General Partner, VSC Venture

• Pratap Ranade - Co-Founder and CEO, Arena

We’ll also have a bunch of awesome food and drinks for everyone 🙂 Sign up here.

Upcoming Mango Events 🎇

Register at the links below! 

• South Asians in Entrepreneurship: A Panel and Mixer (2/26) - Open to all!

The Scene 🪔

Other South Asian events I’m keeping an eye on in NYC

Cool Desis Doing Cool Things 🐘

Highlighting people in our community making strides in diverse fields!

Chef PriaVanda Chouhan is the Founder and Executive Chef of Desi Galli, a pioneering Indian street food brand in New York City. An accidental chef, she began her career in fashion before pivoting to food in 2012 to launch Desi Galli, driven by a craving for the Indian flavors she grew up with. She has since introduced bold innovations like Desipoutine™, Chocolate Pani Puri, and first Gluten-Free Paratha. Her work has been featured on national television, including appearances on Rachael Ray and Good Morning America. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched DG Pantry, a line of ready-to-cook meal kits that quickly became a staple for fellow chefs and food industry professionals. Through her work, she continues to reshape how Indian street food is experienced in America.

Why do you do what you do?
In 2012, Indian food was still low on the list of cuisines. New Yorkers were regularly eating, and authentic Indian street food was almost impossible to find. My husband and I were craving the bold, nostalgic flavors we grew up with, the kind of food that felt familiar and comforting. We started Desi Galli to bring those home flavors to New York and share the everyday Indian food we missed.

What does your Desi identity mean to you, and how has it influenced your journey?Growing up in Montreal in the 90s, I didn’t think much about having a Desi identity—it was simply my normal. It wasn’t until I moved to New York that I became more aware of it. Being away from home made me realize how deeply it shaped what I craved, how I connected with people, and what I wanted to share. It influenced everything from the flavors I cook to the business I built. Embracing my Desi identity gave me the clarity and confidence to create Desi Galli and share the everyday foods and experiences we grew up with.

What advice do you have for those entering your field?
Learn every position in your business. In the early days, I did everything: from cooking and prep to cashier, catering deliveries, and operations. That hands-on experience gave me a deep understanding of how the business truly works. But as you grow, it’s equally important to hire experts who are better than you in their roles. Surrounding yourself with the right people allows you to scale, stay focused on your vision, and continue moving the business forward.

Pria’s favs 🌟 
🎬 Bollywood Movie: Don’t judge me but don’t watch bollywood movies but love the music
🍛 Desi Eats: Kathi Rolls & Pani Puri
🌶️ NYC Restaurant: Desi Galli but if not my restaurant than Dilli Dilli

Meme Bazaar 👳🏽‍♀️

Random Stuff 💃

• Mango Resume Drop - if you’re looking to make a career switch!

• Love what Mango is doing? 🥭 Buy us a coffee - any support would go a long way and let us keep hosting events!

• Want to sponsor an event or host something with me? Get in touch!

• Have a friend who’d want to be on this newsletter? Sign up for Mango Bites here!