Founder's Journey – Iaroslav Kudritskiy of Respond.io

Responding to Change: How Jaro and the Respond.io Team Built a Messaging Powerhouse

At IVS Kyoto, the biggest conference we host in Japan to connect founders and investors, we had the chance to sit down with (Jaro) Iaroslav Kudritskiy , co-founder of respond.io , one of our portfolio companies. Respond.io has risen as a leader in enterprise messaging solutions, helping over 10,000 companies in 86 countries streamline customer communication.

Founded amidst the rising trend of open messaging APIs, Respond.io began as a bold experiment. Gerardo Salandra (Jerry) and his team, including co-founders Iaroslav Kudritskiy and Hassan Ahmed , leaned into a relentless drive to adapt, pivot, and refine their approach, turning challenges into a stepping stone for growth. Here's a deep dive into the insights Jaro shared with us.

Insights

1. Pivots Drive Precision and Success

In its early stages, Respond.io underwent multiple pivots, each informed by hard-earned lessons from its target market. Jaro explained how their initial software design reflected what they liked rather than what customers needed. Over time, by simplifying their platform based on user feedback, they created a product that resonated with the market. Reflecting on this journey, Jaro shared, "We realized that success isn’t a destination but a journey defined by constant adjustment and growth."

2. Reliability as a Competitive Edge

In a crowded messaging software space, Respond.io stands out for its robust and scalable infrastructure. By prioritizing cost-efficient yet dependable systems, the company ensured large-scale enterprises could trust their platform. Jaro highlighted how some competitors, despite significant funding, sacrificed technical reliability for speed of development, often resulting in downtime leading their largest and most successful customers to seek alternative solutions. In contrast, Respond.io’s meticulous approach earned them enterprise clients. “Our product is genuinely better because we understand our customers better and ship faster but without sacrificing reliability,” Jaro noted, underscoring their focus on consistent evolution.

3. Continuous Evolution for Market Relevance

Respond.io's product-first strategy enables rapid development, with weekly updates ensuring the platform evolves alongside customer needs. This pace of innovation keeps them ahead of competitors, fostering customer loyalty and market leadership. Jaro’s perspective on innovation—viewing it as a continuous process rather than a destination—aligns with the company’s commitment to understanding and addressing client demands effectively.

Takeaways

• Adapt and Simplify: Constantly refine your product based on user feedback to align with market demands.
• Build for Reliability: Scalable and efficient operations are non-negotiable for long-term success.
• Innovate Relentlessly: Foster a culture of continuous improvement to remain competitive.

Our Thoughts

Our journey with Respond.io began in 2022 when we discovered their potential through our proprietary deal-sourcing software, SearchLight. With a strong product-led growth strategy and a focus on content leadership, the team’s resilience and vision stood out to us. Leading their $7 million Series A funding was a natural step in our partnership to empower their mission to redefine global enterprise communication.

From a small office in Hong Kong to servicing over 10,000 companies in 86 countries with 150+ employees, Respond.io's journey exemplifies a global success story. Akio T. , our founding partner, summed it up best:

"We see the huge Go Global ambition behind the Respond.io technology and are proud to support the team and its mission to connect brands with customers across industries."

Their vision aligns seamlessly with our commitment to fostering global ventures in our Go Global strategy. Respond.io continues to set the standard for enterprise communication, and we remain dedicated to supporting their growth across borders.