He came, he delivered, and he left. He may as well have been delivering that talk to an audience of one because that’s what it felt like for me. When I first encountered Chaitanya, he wore a crisp shirt and neatly pressed slacks. He was at an event in Delhi around 2012. At this startup event, he was trying to explain to the audience the importance of keeping tech at the heart of business decisions.
No questions were asked, no engagement; no one wanted to press Chaitanya on his beliefs. He looked almost disappointed. The primary reason people attend these events is to network; the talks are incidental to the networking. But Chaitanya’s ideas were clear, fascinating and new, and he wanted to engage. However, none was incoming. I sensed this would have been a different session with a more dynamic crowd. His expertise in cloud telephony, particularly with Ozonetel, showcased his knowledge and commitment to technology innovation.
I saw an opportunity. A few years later, at iSPIRT, I decided to rope in Chaitanya to talk about product and technology to other founders. I bet that in an intimate setting, people would be able to see the merits of Chaitanya’s ideas. Chaitanya wowed the founders; he candidly opened his playbook and his process to the founders, and questions flowed. We ran over the time we had put aside for this roundtable, but no one cared. Even after the event, he huddled with a few founders, discussing his talk. At the time, it was rare for founders to lower their defences and encourage togetherness. It wasn’t something he had to do, but it was something he wanted to do.
As an aside, this event was hosted at the Ozonetel office in Hyderabad. The catering was impeccable: the sambar and the biryani with three types of sambar were unforgettable. I’ve been to Hyderabad plenty of times since then, but I’ve not tasted food that delicious.
But let’s get back to Chaitanya. 😀
That evening highlights one of his standout qualities—his passion for connecting with others. Less than a week ago, he gave a talk on AI at a SaaSBoomi Social in Hyderabad. He brought a unique blend of intellectual rigour and down-to-earth simplicity that resonated with everyone at the event.
Hidden in that talk was his commitment to Hyderabad and India. I’ve been one of the lucky few who have had the opportunity to talk to Chaitanya in very informal settings, and his affection for the city of Nawabs is unparalleled. Once, I made a quick day trip to the city and texted to tell him that our meeting might have to be rescheduled because I was running out of time. He volunteered to meet me in the next 15 minutes at any place in the city that was comfortable for me. When he arrived at my location in less than 12 minutes, he asked, “Can you do this in any other city in the world?”
Interestingly, his pride doesn’t extend beyond Hyderabad because Chaitanya is not just about his achievements; he believes in uplifting others. Whether it’s supporting a budding founder, collaborating with peers, or teaching young students at IIIT, he’s always willing to lend a hand. In the past few years, he has transformed himself into a pillar in our community, and his empathy is a cornerstone of his success.
Empathy drives much of his thinking. He challenges the status quo and always prompts others to rethink conventional methods. However, what sets him apart is his humility. Chaitanya often embodies the saying, “The tree that is gifted leans forward.” Despite his numerous achievements, he remains approachable and grounded. If you ever need him, he’s just a call away—literally!
His journey at SaaSBoomi has inspired me, and I am excited to see the magic we can create together.
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.
