Shakti Mani Tripathi, co-founder of the AI startup Reflecc, has shared a heartfelt reflection on his challenging entrepreneurial journey after leaving a lucrative ₹1 crore job at Amazon. In a recent post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Tripathi detailed his experiences throughout 2024, a year he described as “wild,” and expressed hope for a kinder 2025.
Leaving Stability for Ambition
Tripathi’s decision to leave his high-paying position at Amazon stemmed from a desire to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. He launched his first startup, Hoobahoo AI, aiming to automate business workflows. Despite an initial surge in user engagement, with around 3,000 users within three weeks, the venture faced significant challenges. After being rejected by Y Combinator and failing to secure funding from over 30 venture capitalists, Hoobahoo AI ultimately shut down due to high customer acquisition costs and lack of financial support.
Navigating Setbacks and Pivots
Undeterred by his initial failure, Tripathi partnered with Kunal Ranjan through Y Combinator’s co-founder matching program. Together, they attempted to create various products, including a B2B SaaS tool for monitoring engineering productivity and an AI agent for developers’ tasks. However, both ideas were abandoned due to market saturation and the complexities of measuring software productivity.
Recognizing the need for a more focused approach, Tripathi and Ranjan pivoted once again, leading to the development of Reflecc AI. In just seven days, they built a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and conducted interviews with over 50 industry leaders to validate their concept. Their efforts garnered three Letters of Intent (LOIs) from potential clients, indicating genuine interest in their product.
2024 has been a WILD year for me 😵💫
– Left my ₹1 crore job at Amazon without any backup, out of an urge to finally ‘start up’
– Became International Master on Codeforces from my ex-girlfriend’s handle
– Founded my first startup @hoobahoo_ai
– Got rejected by YC
– In just 3…— Shakti Mani Tripathi (@shaktimtripathi) December 30, 2024
A New Direction
Despite making it into the top 10% of Y Combinator applications, Reflecc AI faced another setback when it was ultimately rejected. Reflecting on their journey, Tripathi acknowledged that they had been trying to address too many issues at once. They have since decided to narrow their focus and are currently developing an AI Digital Marketer aimed at automating business and operational workflows.
Looking Ahead
In his social media post, Tripathi candidly shared his hopes for the upcoming year: “I hope 2025 doesn’t force me to quit my entrepreneurial journey and return to being an employee… once again. 2025, please be kind.” His message resonated with many, garnering support and encouragement from fellow entrepreneurs who shared their own experiences with failure and resilience.
Conclusion
Shakti Mani Tripathi’s journey underscores the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the tech industry, particularly in navigating failures while striving for success. As he looks forward to 2025, Tripathi’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs facing similar hurdles.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals regarding their entrepreneurial pursuits.
