Community

Pay it FWD: Dev Khare, our conscience keeper

There’s something unique about Dev Khare — he doesn’t seem to age. Over the 12 years I’ve known Dev, he has looked remarkably the same. While our relationship has matured over time, I would liken it to a fine bottle of red wine. I’ll leave it to others to fill in the details about the region, vintage and grape! 

I vividly recall the first time I met Dev. He was giving a talk at T-Labs and I, working at the offices, decided to attend. Having just moved back to India from the Valley, he spoke eloquently about building large companies, regardless of geography. Dev was clear in his belief that India could create world-class global companies. His unwavering optimism about India has remained a constant since that day. 

Feeling impressed, I gathered the courage to introduce myself. I shook Dev’s hand, made small talk, and then moved on. What struck me most was the sincerity and focus on his face as we chatted. Despite the crowd surrounding him, he gave me his full attention, teaching me a valuable lesson about connection that would resonate with me later!

I’ve kept in touch with Dev through my various roles, and one memorable opportunity was while I was at iSPIRT. We organised an event to recognise the top 30 B2B companies in India. We aimed to encourage these companies to share their playbooks for product development, sales, and hiring. Dev and I took ownership of the event, with him drafting the list while I managed the operational side—inviting founders and arranging sessions. His focus was evident as he meticulously organised the spreadsheet.

Each column was labelled and completed with drop-down options and notes for clarity. Dev could have simply sent me a link with no introduction, but true to his nature; he wrote an expansive email explaining everything. When I presented the list to my colleagues, they accepted it without question—it had the unmistakable Dev Khare stamp.

At that moment, I knew I wanted to stay connected with Dev, not just for his expertise but also for his character.

In my experience, people fall into two categories: those who avoid conflict and those who thrive on it. Dev is a healthy balance between the two. We often shy away from tough conversations, but these “10-minute sweaty conversations,” as I like to call them, can truly transform relationships. They help establish boundaries and redistribute respect. However, the two people in that conversation must be pragmatic and not driven by emotion. 

I have genuinely valued one such conversation with Dev. It’s well documented in my writings that I faced a storm inside of me before I made my full-time switch to SaaSBoomi. The winds of confusion consumed me. A part of me wanted to continue being a VC and affect change, and the other craved the intimacy of community building. I remember bringing up this subject with Dev. A 30-minute heart-to-heart conversation followed, during which he patiently listened and methodically shared his insights, which proved invaluable in my decision-making process.

Not unlike a student in class, I took mental notes, which I could use to make my decision later. 

Thank you, Dev! Your patience and judgement have been instrumental in my journey and that of SaaSBoomi. 


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.

About the author

Avinash Raghava

CEO & Founding Volunteer SaaSBoomi