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In this episode, I dive deep into the world of early-stage startups with Apurva, CTO of Kodoos Labs and founder of Sidetrack. With a background that spans software engineering, product management, and entrepreneurship, Apurva brings a wealth of experience and insights from the startup world.
The Importance of Curiosity
Curiosity isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a main ingredient to succeed in early-stage startups. It's what keeps you asking, digging, and discovering new ways to survive and thrive.
Curiosity drove Apurva from his university days into the tech world. He was fascinated by software engineering and decided to explore it, following the path of his friends. His curiosity pushed him from a novice in software to founding his startup. Without it, he would’ve stayed in his lane, never discovering his passion or potential.
Those who stick to their assigned roles and never venture beyond often find themselves stagnating, while the curious ones continuously innovate, adapt, and drive companies forward.
The Main Characteristics of a Founding Engineer
A founding engineer isn’t just a cog in the machine. They’re the machine. They’re pragmatic, collaborative, adaptable, and burning with curiosity and drive.
Apurva's career path is a great example of what makes a great founding engineer. Starting from a software engineering role, he moved into account management, helping customers become productive with technology. Then, he transitioned into technical writing, honing skills critical for expressing clear, actionable ideas. Each step, driven by curiosity, broadened his skill set.
A founding engineer who only excels technically but lacks communication and adaptability would struggle to drive a startup forward. However, one with a versatile skill set who sees the bigger picture and collaborates seamlessly becomes a valuable asset for the company.
Collaboration in Early-Stage Startups
In the jungle of a startup, collaboration isn’t just important; it’s survival. It’s the glue that holds the chaotic pieces together.
At Improbable, Apurva worked closely with business development and engineering teams. He wasn’t just sharing technical insights but relaying on customer feedback to improve the product. This continuous loop of communication ensured the product met real user needs and adapted quickly to changes.
Startups that encourage this open dialogue between departments avoid the pitfalls of isolation, creating a more agile and responsive environment. It’s this constant feedback and collaboration that turns ideas into successful products.
Leadership in Early-Stage Startups
Startup leadership is about setting a course, empowering your crew, and evolving from hands-on to strategic oversight as the ship grows.
Apurva’s leadership journey at Kudos Labs involves being deeply involved in the early stages, working directly on projects, and setting strategic direction. As the company scales, his role shifts from individual contributor to system builder, creating processes and culture that empower his team to thrive.
A leader who micromanages stifles growth, but one who trusts and empowers their team fosters innovation and ownership, crucial for a startup’s evolution from chaotic beginnings to a structured, scaling enterprise.
Hiring in Early-Stage Startups
Hiring for a startup isn’t about filling seats. It’s about finding people who are curious, adaptable, and can communicate like they’re rallying a rebellion.
When hiring for Kudos, Apurva looks beyond technical skills. He values curiosity and the ability to work across functions. Reference checks and past experiences help gauge a candidate’s adaptability and problem-solving approach.
An engineer who can’t see beyond their code might contribute technically but will miss out on driving the team forward. On the other hand, someone who engages with the product and user experience while still learning technically brings a holistic approach that’s invaluable in the startup’s early, formative stages.
Here's the secret. If you want to make it in the savage world of startups, you need to embrace curiosity, foster collaboration, lead with trust and hire with an eye for both skill and spirit.
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