A stunning silence had erupted in a national bank. My brother, our finance person, and I sat in their office. A scream out of frustration from my brother ignited that silence. We walked off the building, and I told them we would close this loan in the next few months.
We had gone to renew the overdraft credit loan we had taken for a few years early in our journey. The loan is supposed to be a Govt. scheme to help small businesses meet their financial needs and manage difficult cash flow situations. As per the scheme, the overdraft facility is given based on the business receivables and does not need any guarantee. But the bank insisted on surety, and we had to pledge our apartments. Acquiring this credit facility was a mountainous challenge, meeting all their demands. But this isn’t the challenge I want to bring out, not even the unusually high interest rate or huge renewal fee we had to pay each year that was eating into the credit.
We entered the bank office and sat waiting, which is common in the loan section. A person finally called me; I went and sat in the chair opposite him. He raised his head and looked top-to-bottom with a question mark on his face, “Did I ask you to sit”? The question began, “When did you return from the US?” It took some time to realize what he was asking, gathered my composure, and responded, I live in India and never lived in the US for work. I have travelled, but I have never lived there. He reset the reputation score he had mentally assigned to me. He went on to his next question, “Did you study at IIT?”. I said, “No.” “Must be IIM then?”. I said, “No.” “Your co-founder must have, then?”. I pointed to my brother, who is a Mechanical Engineer. “Where did you study then?” “What branch, Computer Science?” All my answers continue to upset his expectations. He got frustrated, raised his voice, and said, “Talk louder. Have you not eaten anything?”. His voice’s inherent frustration referred to approving a loan to such a loser team. The final question was the trigger for my brother, who was watching on the sideline until then. “Shut up; we have been paying high renewal fees each year, religiously paying whatever interest rate you set, and have not even utilized the full credit available. Learn to talk decently.” We walked off. We closed the loan in the next few months. We occasionally encountered sudden cash flow situations, but paths always emerged out of nowhere. When someone asks me what our runway is, I’ll never have an answer, and I find it somewhat funny.
Our journey has always been about beating what is considered the norm: not a US return, not from IIT/IIM, not a starry founding team, no line-up of great advisors, not investor funded, wasn’t born out of great idea, but we continue to thrive as an organization.
Back to the current year, as we mark our 16th anniversary together, it’s a moment of reflection and celebration—a testament to the enduring spirit of collaboration, innovation, and camaraderie that defines our journey. Each year brings new challenges and triumphs, but, our collective dedication to our mission has only grown stronger.
It’s been a joy to witness the bonds that have formed among us. The eagerness to come together and create, to push the boundaries of what we can achieve, remains undiminished. Our shared commitment to excellence continues to fuel our endeavors, making each day an opportunity to surpass ourselves.
Reflecting on the past year, it’s clear that our team is not just about work—it’s about life, life encompassing work and growth in every sense. We’ve celebrated new arrivals and the expansion of families, rejoiced in unions and beginnings, cherished discussions and debates, redefined our path forward, and welcomed fresh talent eager to embark on their professional journey with us. These personal milestones remind us that our workplace is a community where lives intertwine and stories unfold.
Our calendar has been dotted with memorable events—Sports Day fostering friendly competition, All-Hands meetings strengthening our unity, Ethnic Day celebrating diversity, Yoga Day promoting well-being, Business Day applauding success and setting goals, Potluck Day enjoying food and inclusion, Team Lunches celebrating milestones, and the daily Standups ensuring alignment and progress. These occasions are not just markers of time but reflections of our shared values and the spirit that defines us.
As we navigate another year together, let’s remember, “Life is what happens when you are busing making other plans”. Here’s to many more years of growth, success, and making a difference together.
Finally, on this occasion of our 16th Founding Day, we unveil “The Wall,” a tribute to the visionaries and innovators who have shaped our industry and transformed our world. This wall stands as a testament to the pioneers of computer science—the minds who dared to dream beyond convention, who crafted technologies that redefined possibilities, and who continue to inspire us with their enduring impact. Their contributions have not only advanced our field but have also enriched lives globally, making our world a more connected, efficient, and inclusive place. Today, we honor their legacy and pledge to carry forward their spirit of innovation and excellence in everything we do.
