The Continuum

DistillingIdeas is a concept and thought leadership initiative conceived in early 2021 in the middle of a global pandemic. It has grown into a space that brings together thinkers and change makers. In this story, the creators of this concept, Charles Manuel and Anupam Dikhit, reflect on how this concept came to be; from first spark during Covid to its evolution and where it stands today. This story is a commemoration of the 10th edition of DistillingIdeas that was held in Singapore on the 29th of October 2025; a milestone that marks not just an event, but the journey of an evolving community.

The Origin

The genesis of DistillingIdeas came from an alignment of timing, vision and people. Its roots trace back to Anupam Dikhit, whose experiences with storytelling and spirits had already taken shape through his series, “Dram Street Collective”. It was more expansive than a whisky tasting hobby, a sensorial blend of minds and stories free of hierarchy or agenda. In Anupam’s words, it was:

“an idea that came out of a conversation. And that’s what this whole thing is about… having conversations that result in ideas.”

Around the same time, Charles Manuel, Founder & CEO of Freshideas, was looking for a platform to form connections and meaningful relationships that could serve as a launchpad for the startup. Charles saw in Anupam’s format more than an event, but rather, a philosophy.

“I loved the method, the way things were presented, the storytelling… How can we bring that into a business lens? Something that’s not about selling, but about passion, dialogue, and discovery.”

This convergence of a shared background in storytelling and software served as the starting point.

The Philosophy

The philosophy of DistillingIdeas is to challenge conventional approaches to professional interaction, it is rooted in the belief that meaningful knowledge emerges from dialogue. Charles described their shared intention:

“We said we will make sure it is as un-corporate as possible, no PowerPoints, no sales pitches. Keep it as dialogue-based as possible. It’s not monologues, but conversations.”

This philosophy reflects a broader principle; ideas gain relevance when shared, and exposed from the minds of those who think it. DistillingIdeas positions itself between a networking platform and casual social gathering, therefore, its ethos is layered… intentionally curated and built on genuine value, not transactions.

The concept also incorporates human-centric design principles. From selecting participants, to the pairing of spirits with food, the DistillingIdeas space is curated, as Anupam noted,

“The main theme is the people, their conversations, their backgrounds, their ideas. The spirits just provide a narrative that runs through the evening.”.

Exclusivity is central to this approach, not in the sense of luxury, but in the sense of curating a relevant space for attendees; “exclusivity from a point of view of experience” noted Charles. Ultimately, the philosophy frames DistillingIdeas as more than an event; it is an ecosystem where knowledge, connection, and fresh ideas are cultured.

The Evolution

Since its inception, DistillingIdeas has evolved from an experimental idea into a proven concept backed by a series of ten editions. The early sessions were defined by constraints of COVID-19 restrictions, yet, these limitations became a design principle as Anupam expressed

“Constraints are the precursor to any sort of innovation or ideas.”

What began as a prototype has become a reliable framework for valuable, human centered connection as its impact has broadened into lasting relationships, collaborations, and ideas that emerge outside the event itself. Charles notes:

“it’s now become a space between a community and a platform, wherein we bring people together and then leave it up to them how they want to make the most of it.”

The Community

Each iteration of the DistillingIdeas series has strengthened a community that has formed through authentically curated moments of connections; where participants don’t just attend, but return, engage and evolve alongside each edition. Charles described a moment that captured this spirit:

“I remember there were quite a few of us who were staying in a similar locality. It was around 10 that we finished… we said, we’ll just walk back. And there was a certain innocent joy in how we felt, walking back that night.”

This is the measure of a platform that is more than a networking event, as participants voluntarily extend the experience beyond the borders of a formal professional event… fostering authentic connections.

“Unlike most conferences that focus on presentations and outcomes, DistillingIdeas felt more like an ongoing dialogue… The curation seemed to prioritize chemistry and curiosity over credentials — which created a rare atmosphere of trust and genuine exchange.

Each edition feels more refined — not in polish, but in depth. The conversations seem to grow more layered, with returning participants building on shared language and new voices adding fresh tension. There’s a sense of continuity without repetition, which is hard to achieve.”

- Neeraj Sundarajoo, Co-Founder & CEO at Zeemart

“The diversity of the group from founders and bankers to tech professionals and entrepreneurs made for truly enriching discussions ranging from food, culture, challenges, and life. The atmosphere of trust and openness created a genuine sense of connection… where storytelling was beautifully woven around whiskies from around the world. Overall, it felt less like a networking event and more like an evening among friends.”

– Maansi Gagroo Jain, Vice President Human Resources at Wipro Care & Lighting
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