Innovating Construction with BLDO: Sunny's Founder Story
Innovating Construction with BLDO: Sunny's Founder Story
Sunny is a dedicated professional whose passion for building drives his illustrious career in construction. With 8+ years of experience, he has honed his skills in delivering exceptional results.
Sunny's journey began with a Civil Engineering degree in India, followed by a Master's in the US. Now, back home, Sunny is channeling his expertise into BLDO, a groundbreaking platform designed to revolutionize construction workflows and enhance efficiency on a global scale.
So, how did it all unfold? Let’s hear it from Sunny!
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur and start your own business?
I always wanted to build something that outlasts me. Although I come from a family that does business, I was always pushed for a better education and to get "settled" in life risk-free. So I did what most young folks did then - Engineering! I worked for a year in India, went to the US, did my MS, and got "settled" for a safe, good job. But in the background, I have always had this "bug" at the back of my mind throughout the years. During engineering, my cousin and I started an online T-shirt-selling business. It failed miserably, but that taught us a bit about e-commerce, logistics, and basic negotiation. While studying in the US again with my cousin, I started importing OEM Power banks from China to sell them under our own brand, "The Geek." I again failed, but I learned a lot about branding, marketing, and sales.
So after years of doing my job in the US (Which I enjoyed a lot, as I was building million-dollar construction projects), the bug was still unsettled, and I was in a state where I said to myself, it's now or never. I didn't want to be this old guy later in life, regretting not trying once. So, I made a crazy decision to quit my job and come to India and build something that I had worked on over the years and combine that with technology to create a solution that would be scalable and impactful.
I believe big risks give you big rewards or losses but don't give you regrets.
Therefore, BLDO was born.
What was your biggest challenge as a startup founder, and how did you overcome it?
As a founder without a technical background, building a scalable product in your own domain can be both exciting and daunting. The main hurdle is acquiring a deep understanding of technology and product management—fields that may be foreign to you after years in a different domain. The journey demands a willingness to unlearn old habits and relearn new concepts, which can be quite a challenge.
However, approaching this process with curiosity and persistence can make all the difference. Also, getting into communities like Razorpay Rize helps as you always learn something new from community chats and meetups.
Can you share any exciting news or upcoming projects you are currently working on?
I'm super excited to announce that we will be launching our MVP product to our users by the end of this month. I'm curious to see how they use it and what we need to iterate on. We will be exclusively presenting to a community of early-tech adopters in the construction industry in India and the US.
If your startup was a fictional character, what would it be and why?
Like Iron Man, BLDO is a force for good, using its technological prowess to create a positive impact on the world. It's a company that's not afraid to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what's possible in the construction industry.
How has Razorpay Rize helped you in your journey of being a founder?
Community, Community, Community! Not to say it's a cliche, but entrepreneurship is a lone journey, and you need a lot of people to bounce ideas off of. That's exactly what Razorpay Rize does with its community! To top it off, you also have these great sessions and, above all, credits that keep a lot of ideas and the spirit afloat.
