Architect of Change: Building a Sustainable Tomorrow
Jay is an architect & activist on a mission for a sustainable Earth. His entrepreneurial career is fueled by the dream of creating a world where human civilization thrives in harmony with nature.
Currently, Jay is actively involved in building “Shram”- a work management tool that nudges organisations into maintaining their momentum, bringing sustainability to technology.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur and start your own business?
Post-college, I led a waste management campaign in the Himalayan village of Malana, gaining support from the priest, local government, and over 1000 villagers. Despite their contributions, funds fell short, especially from a nearby dam company's CSR, forcing us to halt progress.
Determined to make a difference, I transitioned into a profession that allowed me to accumulate resources responsibly. Learning programming in my free time led to the creation of Shram.
What was your biggest challenge as a startup founder, and how did you overcome it?
As an architect entering entrepreneurship without an engineering background, adapting to the new business landscape has been my biggest challenge. I've spent the last 7 years breaking free from the architectural mindset, often isolating myself at home.
Juggling two full-time roles for financial support - Architect and Founder of Shram has been another significant hurdle. Thankfully, I've had my co-founder, Ojasvika, alongside me for the past two years, making the journey less lonely.
Can you share any exciting news or upcoming projects you are currently working on?
The past few weeks have been kind to us! We finally started gaining traction and now hope to retain and delight our users as we grow steadily. Also, by the end of January, we will be out of our beta phase.
If your startup was a fictional character, what would it be and why?
Chris from The Pursuit of Happyness, Po from Kung-fu Panda, or just any character who was once an underdog but worked their way to being an outlier perfectly sums up what Shram means to us.
At Shram, we believe that although our universe is a zero-sum-game, at a microscopic level, life for many is unfair. And the only option you have in such situations is to work hard, empower yourself and find your way out of this painful and seemingly bottomless pit.
In fact, the word "Shram" in Sanskrit means "to work hard".
How has Razorpay Rize helped you in your journey of being a founder?
Office hours are the best thing ever. Being able to connect with professionals with industry experience has been very helpful. The strong community of entrepreneurs has been another boon. But the most comforting has been the people behind the Rize team. Thank you very much for your support!
Find out more about Jay and Shram
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