In a recent LinkedIn post, startup founder Ahana Banerjee shares a personal reflection on her experience speaking at a high-profile event in the City of London. The post details a surreal evening where she found herself discussing AI, startups, and innovation within a historic 14th-century hall, even sharing the stage with a figure from the popular show “Dragon’s Den.” Banerjee emphasizes that while she dislikes the notion of “glamorizing entrepreneurship,” the event offered a uniquely special experience.
Banerjee recounts the event, stating:
I hate to be *that* startup founder glamorising entrepreneurship on LinkedIn… …but I can’t deny this was a pretty glamorous experience 🤭😅
The event, hosted at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, was a significant occasion for Banerjee, not only for the professional opportunity but also for the chance to share it with her family. As Ahana Banerjee notes, bringing her mother and younger brother allowed them to witness a part of her startup journey firsthand.
She elaborated on this personal aspect:
What made the evening particularly meaningful for me was being able to bring my mum, Seema Banerjee and younger brother, Abhiraj Banerjee, as my guests. When you’re building a startup, the people closest to you quietly absorb a huge amount alongside you: the stress, uncertainty, long hours, risk, obsession, and emotional ups and downs. So, having moments where they can actually see and experience some of the journey with you feels really special.
Reflecting on a Distinguished Panel
Ahana Banerjee highlighted the caliber of her fellow speakers, underscoring the privilege of being included in such a distinguished group. According to Ahana Banerjee, sharing the stage with notable figures in the business and innovation sectors was a significant moment for her, especially given her own journey as a founder who started her company, Clear, while still at university.
The panel included:
- Nick Jenkins, founder of Moonpig and former Dragon on Dragon’s Den
- Ben Jacob, a fellow Y Combinator founder building AI for aviation infrastructure at Zymplify
- Janine Hirt, who works on shaping the future of UK fintech and innovation policy at Innovate Finance
Banerjee expressed her admiration for these individuals, noting:
As someone who started Clear while still at university, it meant a lot to be included in a conversation alongside such talented founders and leaders I have admired for years.
The Value of Thoughtful Engagement
Beyond the networking and speaking opportunity, Ahana Banerjee emphasized the value of the audience’s engagement. She expressed gratitude for the thoughtful questions posed by attendees after the main discussion.
In her post, Banerjee conveyed her appreciation:
Very grateful for the opportunity, and for everyone who came along and asked such thoughtful questions afterwards.
Overall, Ahana Banerjee’s LinkedIn post offers a candid look at the intersection of personal and professional milestones in the demanding world of startups, framed by a unique and memorable speaking engagement.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ahana Banerjee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on May 15, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →