If this were a film, the credits would roll as Sathya Viswanathan hurried up the steps to accept his award at the latest edition of the Annual. His steps, both quick and mindful, perfectly captured Sathya’s journey.
He beamed as he accepted the award, his smile reaching his eyes and his face full of emotion. Watching him soak in his moment, I saw the transformation from the man I first saw back in 2019.
When I first met Sathya, he was a product manager at Chargebee. Krish spoke highly of Sathya. “Sathya is unique,” Krish told me. “He is a deep thinker and will obsess over details.” At SaaSBoomi, we always look for volunteers who can sweat the small stuff because, for founders, every minor detail counts. Founders famously obsess over every bit of customer feedback; I also wanted that trait in our community, which prompted Sathya’s inclusion.
However, I soon learned that Sathya had another side: he was fiercely competitive. While this drive can often be mistaken for tactlessness, it wasn’t something Sathya could shake off.
In my two decades working with founders, I’ve noticed they fall into two camps:
- Those who thrive with deadlines and check-ins.
- Those who prefer to be left to their own devices.
For the latter, constant updates can feel intrusive, so the best approach is to give them space. Yet, for those who obsess, clear communication is vital, which can sometimes lead to friction.
My friend Vinod frequently says, “Serendipity can be engineered.” And so can success. In India, young people must work twice as hard as their global counterparts to seize opportunities. This competitive nature can make them aggressive, a trait that can linger beyond education and into their careers and personal lives. Let’s be clear: it’s not their fault; it’s the environment they’ve had to navigate. Over time, many learn to mellow out, gaining skills to manage various personalities.
Sathya had a similar steep learning curve. He brought his fierce determination to his work, and while some founders, like Krish, appreciated it, others struggled. Yet, to Sathya’s credit, he has always been open to feedback. Over time, he worked on himself to be accessible and learned to read different founder personalities. His big moment came during the pandemic when we hosted the Annual virtually. Sathya took on the responsibilities and aced them.
Then, he vanished for 18 months.
When he returned, he was a father, had emigrated to Canada, and had grown remarkably. While still a deep thinker obsessed with details, he had become quieter, smiling more and showing gentleness towards those around him—and himself. Though his standards remained high, he learned to be more forgiving of mistakes. At the Annual in 2022, we witnessed a different Sathya. He was approachable, easy to laugh with, and flexible in how others handled their tasks.
His enthusiasm still shines through, like a frontbencher eager to impress the professor. Yet, now he balances that with humour and patience.
I can already glimpse his next evolution—from student to teacher—and I can’t wait to cheer him on!
From the Author:
SaaSBoomi began in 2015 as a small gathering of ~50 founders, and today, with over 500 events across three countries and countless lives touched, we’ve only just scratched the surface.
None of this would have been possible without the unrelenting passion of our 125+ volunteers — the lifeblood of SaaSBoomi.
Their contributions go beyond effort; they’ve built a community bound by camaraderie, empathy, and a shared vision for a Product Nation.
Pay it FWD is my tribute to every pay-it-forward champion I’ve encountered on this incredible journey.
Their contributions to SaaSBoomi and the broader ecosystem have been immeasurable, yet there remains a story left to be told — one that echoes the impact they continue to create.
