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From Corporate Executive to Startup Visionary: The Uncharted Journey of a Tech Innovator
2025-02-19
After years in leadership roles at tech giants, Punit Soni embarked on a daring entrepreneurial venture that would redefine his career and impact the healthcare industry. This is his story of transformation, challenges, and triumph.
Discover the Power of Passion and Perseverance in Building a Healthcare Revolution
The Path Less Traveled: Leaving Big Tech for a New Horizon
Punit Soni’s journey from a high-ranking executive at Flipkart to founding Suki, an AI-driven healthcare startup, was not just a career change but a leap of faith. Born into a family of academics, Soni's early exposure to knowledge and innovation fueled his ambition. He earned degrees in engineering and pursued an MBA from The Wharton School, setting the stage for his entry into Silicon Valley.At Google, Soni spearheaded pivotal mobile initiatives, including Mobile Hangouts and Instant Upload. His role as VP of Product Management at Motorola further expanded his expertise in scaling products and embracing failure as a learning tool. Moving to Flipkart in India’s tech hub, he led product initiatives and scaled the company significantly. Yet, after a decade in the Bay Area, Soni yearned for a new challenge—building something entirely his own.The Birth of a Vision: Why Healthcare?
Soni’s entrepreneurial spirit couldn’t be suppressed. While working on Moto X, he realized the potential of voice interfaces and the emerging field of artificial intelligence. Conversations with former colleagues who ventured into education and healthcare inspired him to explore areas where he could make a tangible impact. Healthcare, in particular, stood out as a sector ripe for innovation.Suki was born from this vision—a platform to streamline healthcare technology and allow doctors to focus more on patient care. Despite initial skepticism, Soni’s family encouraged him to pursue his dream. In 2016, he left Flipkart and spent six months settling into a new life in the States. With resources saved from his corporate days, he launched Suki, ready to tackle the unpredictable world of startups.Adapting to the Founder Mindset: A World of Extremes
Transitioning from a senior executive to a founder meant adapting to a drastically different lifestyle. At Google and Flipkart, Soni had a structured routine and a team to support him. At Suki, he had to wear multiple hats, from managing finances to handling operations. The emotional and mental toll was significant. Some days felt empowering, while others were exhausting and frustrating.Entrepreneurship can be a lonely path, especially when facing failures and setbacks. Soni admits to making every founder mistake imaginable—from sleepless nights to emotional outbursts. However, these experiences taught him valuable lessons about channeling energy constructively and investing in the right people. Hiring candidates who surpassed him in skills became a priority, ensuring a strong foundation for Suki’s growth.The Rewards of Building Something Meaningful
Despite the challenges, Soni finds immense pride in building a company that has real-world impact. Over 350 healthcare systems now use Suki, enabling doctors to focus on what truly matters—patient care. The autonomy and control he enjoys as CEO are unparalleled. Soni aims to foster a drama-free environment at Suki, promoting open feedback and collective success.Financially, Soni maintained a middle-class lifestyle, avoiding dramatic changes despite the risks of entrepreneurship. Building a company is not just a professional or financial decision; it’s a romantic one. You need to love your idea and possess the emotional intelligence to see it through. While Soni doesn’t wish entrepreneurship on everyone due to its inherent risks, he loves what he does most days. The thrill of creating something meaningful from the ground up continues to drive him forward.