In this episode of the ASCEND podcast, we talk to Nikhil Gupta, CEO and founder of ArmorCode, a company that reduces risk with AI-powered ASPM (Application Security Posture Management). With over 25 years in the tech industry, Nikhil has a rich history of entrepreneurial ventures. Prior to building ArmorCode, Nikhil was the CEO and Founder of Avid Secure, which was acquired by Sophos in 2019. He is also a co-founder of the Purple Book Community, a global community of security leaders.
In this conversation, we discuss everything from focusing on company culture to learning from entrepreneurship's ups and downs.
Key Takeaways:
Tenacity and the Entrepreneurial Spirit
Our discussion began with Nikhil reflecting on his inherent tenacity, a trait that all who know him see as core to his personality. Looking back, he attributes this to his upbringing in a business-oriented family in India, where he was first exposed to the nuances of entrepreneurship. He shared lessons from early failures in his college ventures, emphasizing their role as crucial stepping stones in his entrepreneurial journey and the role that his persistence played in his ultimate success.
From Idea to Execution
Transitioning to the founding of ArmorCode, Nikhil recounted the company's inception during the challenging times of the Covid pandemic, which brought the world to a standstill while catalyzing a century-defining digital transformation. Through it, Nikhil saw a dual opportunity: a heightened need for digital security and the shift towards remote operations. This insight led to the birth of ArmorCode, highlighting the benefit of staying alert to societal and technological shifts and leveraging these insights to innovate and solve relevant problems.
Corporate Culture and Core Values
Nikhil passionately discussed the '5Hs'— Hungry, Humble, Hardworking, Honest, and Humanity— that are baked into the Armor Code's ethos, explaining how these values are integral to both their operations and hiring process. Through this, ArmorCode ensures that every employee embodies these principles and is able to shape a cohesive team with a unified vision.
Embracing Change and Future Vision
With a vision for Armor Code to lead in securing our digital interactions, Nikhil also discussed the rapid adaptation to remote sales processes, noting that the ability to adjust to market changes swiftly is an unmatched competitive advantage for any entrepreneur.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Nikhil concluded our conversation with some sage advice for future founders. Stressing the importance of understanding one's 'why'—the deep-seated reasons for starting a business beyond mere financial gain -, he argued that true passion for the problem you're solving is crucial for enduring the inevitable ups and downs of the startup journey and the key to a fulfilling career.
Nikhil Gupta’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and vision in the entrepreneurial world. His story is not just about building successful companies but also about creating a culture that fosters growth, embraces change, and prioritizes human values. For those looking to learn more about Armor Code or to connect with Nikhil, he remains active and accessible on LinkedIn, ready to engage with like-minded innovators.
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