Most days at SaaSBoomi are packed with intense action, juggling a row of initiatives & events, and figuring out how we can keep showing up better for the SaaS & AI founder community.
But every now and then, we get the chance to pause, look up, and reflect.
A few days ago, we had one of those rare pauses – an internal team session with Shekhar Kirani (Partner at Accel) that had us looking at our work through a new lens. And personally, it felt like someone had gently nudged me out of my comfort zone and asked: How am I really showing up in this role?
Here are some key takeaways that stuck with me:
#1 Wearing a Non-Community Hat
When your role is closely tied to “community,” it’s easy to fall back on that label. But Shekhar nudged us to step beyond it and to take off the community hat once in a while and try on something else.
Because every conversation with a founder isn’t just about engagement or updates. It’s about listening closely enough to uncover what’s actually holding them back and then nudging the team to build solutions rooted in that insight.
As Shekhar framed it perfectly, focus on problem-based value.
#2 Founders Need Depth, Not Just Connecting Dots
Founders operate in high-stakes environments where clarity, speed, and depth matter. They don’t have time for surface-level chatter, and rightly so.
What they do value, though, is a sharp mind across the table. Someone who’s done the thinking. Someone who asks better questions.
One piece of advice from Shekhar that stuck with me: read more thoughtful content, not just for general awareness, but to soak up different ways of thinking. It’s this kind of reading that sharpens our own lens, and helps us have more meaningful conversations with founders.
#3 This Role Is a Rare Seat
Something about this moment we’re in with AI transforming everything feels electric. Maybe even a little uncertain.
“You’re in a rare seat where the rules are being rewritten,” Shekhar pointed out. And he’s right.
We get a front-row seat to founders building in real time, navigating chaos, clarity, and courage. Every conversation we have, every problem we hear, is a chance to learn.
While we continue to grow the number of founder interactions, the real magic lies in the quality of those conversations. Are we being intentional? Are we going deep enough? Are we listening with care?
At the heart of it all, Shekhar reminded us that we’re in the people business. The best strategies will always need soft skills, listening, empathy, and understanding, especially when working with early-stage founders who are figuring things out as they go.
Finally, instead of wrapping this up with just my voice, I thought it’d be far more meaningful to share what others on the team walked away with, in their own words.
SaaSBoomi can significantly strengthen its impact this year through two key pillars: increased founder engagement and adoption of AI for operational efficiency
Keerthi Madhu, COO – SaaSBoomi
It also made me realise the power of using AI to save time on operational tasks—so we can create more space to meet founders and learn from them. I’ve started exploring AI tools and slowly familiarising myself with how they work.
Sradha Suresh, Community & Events Associate – SaaSBoomi
We’re privileged! We’ve all got a front-row seat thanks to being part of SaaSBoomi. Let’s not take that for granted. Let’s talk to founders and potential founders every week. Learn from them, share what we’re hearing, and write it down. That’s how we grow and help the community grow too.
Sehar Dabur, Evangelist, Membership & Community – SaaSBoomi
Recognising our role as a SaaSBoomi Staff Member in driving change for the ecosystem, ensuring that we use AI for operations, but keep the human touch in the final output.
Neha Arya, Director Membership, Community and Culture – SaaSBoomi
The ecosystem needs to move together to make India an AI-first Product Nation. Startups must walk the talk. VCs need to stay sharp and pick the real gems. Community builders should keep creating high-context, high-value spaces for connection and growth.
Varun Thirumalai, Lead Digital & Brand Comms – SaaSBoomi
