I first met Anirudh Gopinath at a social event in Chennai back in 2022. Chennai’s Socials at the time were unique. They were not the most glamorous events, but what they lacked in pizzazz, they made up for in raw, authentic energy.
I literally bumped into Ani that day. Before I knew it, I was caught in conversation with someone who genuinely loves to talk. Not the superficial kind of networking, but genuine, curious conversation. He cornered me with questions about volunteer work and the council.
At the time, we didn’t have a formal council, and I asked if he would be interested in building it.
Then something interesting happened.
He didn’t just ask questions. He took it on.
I meet many people who are curious and excited about SaaSBoomi, but often look at it as a means to an end. Some want to raise capital, while others want to be hired by one of the founders in the community.
But not Ani. He wanted to help.
There’s a story about Narayana Murthy in Infosys’s early days. The company had just started, operating from a small apartment. One morning, employees arrived to find that Mr Murthy had come in early and cleaned the office himself. No task was beneath him if it served the mission.
Ani carries that same spirit.
He’s also an athlete, a runner, to be precise. And like all runners, he’s often spotted in his shorts and Vibram FiveFingers, making a, erm, unique fashion statement. But what makes Ani truly one of a kind is that he not just runs on the track but also on the professional front. He never stops moving. Never stops pushing.
When I needed help organising a badminton tournament, I turned to Ani. What followed was a masterclass in execution: outreach, managing sign-ups, finding courts, and generating excitement. He rallied six volunteers and got the game organised. His role was simple on paper, complex in practice, and he delivered.
Then came the Annual.
Last year, Ani played a crucial role as program manager for the logistics team. He worked closely with Keerthi, navigating the organised chaos that is our Annual event.
But here’s where it gets interesting. One day, Krish posted something casual: Wouldn’t it be awesome if all the male volunteers wore traditional veshti? Just a thought, tossed into the universe.
I asked Ani if he could make it happen.
What he did next was pure Ani. He rounded up 60-70 people, convinced every single one to embrace the idea, found a retailer who offered the kurtas at great prices, ensured everyone got the right fit, organised a photographer, and orchestrated a group photo that became one of the most memorable moments of the event.
He transforms casual suggestions into defining moments. This drive to make things happen comes from his athlete mindset. Ani loves to compete, but not necessarily to win.
There’s a difference.
One is about ego, the other about excellence.
There are very few people in any community who are truly driven. People who will get things done, no matter what. Ani is one of them. He’s polite and kind, but relentless. During the Annual, you’d spot him walking around with coffee in one hand and the event sheet in the other, constantly moving and checking, to ensure everything runs like clockwork.
What really sets him apart is something rare: he’s not shy about saying he doesn’t know something. Most people dance around their knowledge gaps. Not Ani
He asks. He learns. He executes.
Community building isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about being willing to take ownership. It’s about being dependable when times are difficult. It’s about going the extra mile, not for recognition, not for titles, but because you believe in something larger than yourself.
Thank you for always showing up, Ani. For taking things on. For executing with both precision and heart.
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.
