Arshiya Ventures, The Name
"Arshiya" is a comeback to Christine Comaford's "Artemis". A beautiful name, Artemis, wasn't going to do much justice to Persian antiquity. So I searched around to find "Arshiya". It was chosen.
A few Silicon Valley people say a venture candidate needs to be of a certain caliber. It's claimed venture candidates need to be "A's" not "B's".
Something is a little absurd with the thought: It suggests human beings are not all A's. Yet in each individual there is so much more to infinitely value than to rank! As the name "Arshiya" begins with an "A", it testifies to the infinite potential and value of both the slightest and of the best.
Somewhere in Cyberspace, I discovered "Arshiya" and a translation. The indication was that "Arshiya" meant "Mightiest of the Protectors of Ahura Mazda". That was pretty good! I wanted to be strong, really strong. As Ahura Mazda (Ormazd) is the god of Wisdom, Truth, and Light, protecting him was an inspiration.
The epistemological assignment was taken up: If Artemis offers us a fine and sharp mind, Arshiya was to use Knowledge. It uses knowledge Mightily, for knowledge is strength. When one hears "Let Knowledge grow from day to day, and thus be human life enriched", the spirit inside your heart soars and you wish to learn and learn in legions and oceans of learning!
I checked the word with Dr. Ali Jafarey. He kindly gave me an enthused analysis and the choice became set.
The word though is a bit ruthless. It has turned out not to be easy to pronounce. I've been surprised that many folks wish to say "Ar-SHE-a", with an "e" sound, rather than the softer "i" sound. Someone even mentioned that especially in Japan, an "i" is often pronounced with an "e", is it so? Anyhow, I pronounce the word "R-shy-a". It troubles me that I sometimes muffle the smooth word in a kind of staggered vocalization: There's the rub, for one's voice will thrill, will chirp merrily on those days where one owns the world and its treasures.
A business name should confer immediate understanding or appreciation in business and its associated contexts, so that's a concern.
Of course the name was not only "Arshiya", but "Arshiya Ventures". Because Arshiya Ventures ventures. It sails out to attempt what a brave sailor will on a bright ocean. Adventures! And it serves those who also have venture burning in their heart.
Arshiya Ventures, for all its early years, has no assets under management and never represents itself as other than is it. It became my inspiration. To love and to do.
___________Natalie Vania is the Founder of Arshiya Ventures.
