My unconventional journey—from a software engineer to a B2B startup founder

From coding at top MNCs to leading a B2B startup, my journey has been anything but conventional. It's a testament to the power of unconventional paths and the unexpected twists that can shape a life.

The foundation of my work at OpenGrowth

As a co-founder of OpenGrowth, empathy has been the essence of our company's culture. We believe that by understanding the needs and challenges of our customers, we can create products and services that truly resonate with them. But besides empathy, I believe in a couple of other qualities.

Let empathy be the guiding light

I still remember that time we had to launch our new service in record time. The team was under major stress. To keep everyone motivated and sane, I decided to loosen up the rules a bit. And that’s when we introduced our Fun Fridays!

Not only that, we soon started setting up a list of activities. Online celebrations, offline meet-ups, or just a casual meet-up over coffee—you name it!

This brought in a few stress-relieving activities like games and fun activities. It made a huge difference in our productivity and overall mood.?

Sometimes, a little empathy can go a long way!

How OpenGrowth came to be

OpenGrowth didn't just happen. It started with a simple idea and a lot of hard work. Let me tell you how it all began.

I started my career as a software engineer, working with some of the biggest names in the industry and gaining experience with leading global companies and I've seen firsthand how tough it can be. The rigid hierarchies, bureaucratic processes, and focus on short-term deliverables can stifle innovation and hinder personal growth.?

While I valued the technical skills and experiences I gained during my time at these MNCs, I felt a growing desire to break free from the constraints and pursue something more meaningful.

You can say that I wanted to be my own leader, set my own schedule, and make a real difference in the world.

My work at Cognizant, Barclays, and Hexaware gave me a solid foundation in software development, problem-solving, and project management.

A glimpse into the past

Looking back, it’s funny how everything fell into place for me to start working at OpenGrowth. It all started during my time at IIM Bangalore, where I was surrounded by brilliant minds and a whirlwind of ideas.?

I remember sitting in those late-night study sessions with my classmates, brainstorming about the challenges faced by startups and how we could solve them. That was when the seed for OpenGrowth was planted.

Many startups struggle because they don't have the right people to help them. That's when I thought, "Wouldn't it be great if there was a place where startups could find the experts they need?"

Laying the foundation

With a clear vision in mind, I began assembling a team of talented individuals who shared my passion for helping entrepreneurs. We brought in a group of experts, mostly industry veterans, who could offer invaluable guidance for startups who were just starting out.

One of the biggest challenges we faced was finding the right people to join our team.?

However, we soon realized that finding the right product-market fit and go-to-market strategy was a significant challenge. We struggled to identify the specific needs and pain points of startups and how our platform could address them effectively.

Despite these early setbacks, we stayed focused on our goal of helping startups.?

We did a lot of research, talked to potential customers, and changed our product until we found something that worked. We learned a lot about customer feedback, quick development, and being flexible.?

We conducted extensive interviews and conducted thorough background checks to ensure that we were bringing on individuals who were not only skilled but also aligned with our mission.

Building the platform

Once we had assembled our team, we turned our attention to building the OpenGrowth platform.?

Now here lay the challenge. We wanted to create a user-friendly and intuitive platform that would allow startups to connect with experts.

We spent countless hours, and sometimes days brainstorming features, designing the user interface, and developing the technology.?

We also conducted extensive market research to understand the needs and preferences of startups.

Finally, launching and growing

After months of development, we were finally ready to launch OpenGrowth to a larger crowd. We were excited to share our platform with the world and see how it would be received.

The initial launch was a success. Startups from all over the world began signing up, and we started seeing a steady increase in expert registrations. However, we knew that this was just the beginning.

To continue growing, we focused on building relationships with industry leaders and partners. Here’s what we did to pace up the process:

We went to a bunch of conferences to meet people.

We joined and hosted webinars to talk to more people.

We reached out to other businesses that might be interested in OpenGrowth.

We made sure our website was easy to find online.

We posted about OpenGrowth on social media.

Together, we worked hard to create OpenGrowth. It wasn't easy, but we believed in our idea and kept going. Fast forward to today, and I’m thrilled to say we’ve made significant strides!

We’ve onboarded over 40 talented experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Our online presence has grown robustly, allowing us to connect with startups and entrepreneurs eager for guidance.?

We’re proud to have a lineup of big clients showing confidence in our services, which reinforces our belief that we’re on the right track. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our vision come to life, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes us next!

Join the conversation!

Are you a startup founder looking for help? Join OpenGrowth and connect with experienced professionals who can guide you.

Liked my story? Here’s the link to how I started: 14-hour days? No problem. Here's how I do it (and still have a life)

Till next time,

Akriti, Co-founder,

OpenGrowth