Priyam Sharma: Curating Unfiltered Stories for Millennials through “The Jurni”

In a world inundated with news and information, the craving for unfiltered, relatable stories has grown among millennials. Priyam Sharma, an India-born entrepreneur, recognized this need and embarked on a journey to cater to it. The result? “The Jurni,” a crisp and curated five-minute daily morning newsletter that delivers slices of culture, work-life, and travel directly to subscribers’ inboxes.

Meet Rohan Prasad, a 24-year-old voiceover artist in Delhi. He doesn’t seek traditional news but craves unfiltered stories that offer a glimpse into the quirks of everyday life. Whether it’s learning how to ask friends for money or understanding life in the northernmost inhabited region of the world, these stories transport him to a different world. Or take Gunjan Agarwal, a 28-year-old software engineer in Gurugram. Her mornings start with a bite-sized ritual – a morning newsletter that provides easily digestible and enjoyable content. In a world filled with clutter, curated story capsules serve as her intellectual caffeine kick.

The Jurni was born out of Priyam Sharma’s vision to provide a platform for young professionals who are passionately curious about the world but feel inundated with repetitive content curated by algorithms. The newsletter’s editorial team scours over 200 websites daily, selecting stories that pique the interest of culturally-inclined millennials. The content spans a rich global tapestry, offering insights into Chinatown in San Francisco, coffee trends in Australia, and hybrid work models in Hong Kong. It serves as a global window for Indian millennials to explore the world. Priyam Sharma’s journey is as fascinating as The Jurni’s growth. Born in Assam and raised in the US, Sharma pursued an MBA from London Business School and gained experience in marketing and consulting with renowned firms like KPMG, Lloyd’s Banking Group, L’Oréal, and Unilever. Her desire to create something from scratch and her cultural connection to India and London led her to launch the newsletter.

Sharma acknowledges the presence of numerous newsletters in India but emphasizes that The Jurni’s unique niche is catering to millennials. The newsletter fills a void in the market by delivering content tailored to the specific interests of this demographic. Despite being born just months before the 2020 lockdown, The Jurni thrived. The newsletter offered readers an escape from the confines of their homes, providing hope during challenging times. It became an integral part of readers’ morning routines.

The startup faced its fair share of challenges, primarily stemming from its rapid growth. Technical issues forced multiple changes in the technology platform, and coordinating with a remote team in India presented its difficulties. Moreover, convincing people of the value of newsletters and content delivered via email was met with skepticism. Venture capitalists see potential in the model, as short, attention-grabbing content finds favor with audiences facing information overload on social media. Anil Joshi, founder at Unicorn India Ventures, praises The Jurni for delivering tailored content and attracting a large user base. Monetization may be a future challenge, but Priyam Sharma is committed to keeping the content free and exploring advertisement and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

Priyam Sharma’s journey with The Jurni has just begun, and she remains steadfast in her mission to provide millennials with a daily dose of unfiltered, culturally rich stories.