We're cofounders who left Amazon to build our own startup. We learned the hard way why Big Tech habits don't always translate.

Two former Amazon employees, Shalini Aggarwal and Andy Ratsirason, have embarked on an entrepreneurial journey as cofounders of Tenfali, an AI-driven startup. Their transition from the comforts of a corporate giant to the dynamic world of startups has revealed both challenges and enlightening experiences. Aggarwal and Ratsirason first crossed paths in 2015, collaborating on various projects at Amazon. Their professional paths diverged when they left the tech giant, with Aggarwal departing in 2024 after a significant tenure in AI development, while Ratsirason left for the second time in 2023 to pursue his startup ambitions. Upon reuniting, the duo quickly recognized the stark differences between enterprise operations and startup environments. The resources and systems they once took for granted at Amazon were no longer available. They found themselves needing to rethink their approach, particularly in understanding market demand before developing products. Aggarwal's inspiration for creating AI solutions stemmed from personal experiences during the pandemic, highlighting the need for companionship among the elderly. This led to the concept of an AI companion that could provide personalized recommendations for older adults. Meanwhile, Ratsirason faced a pivotal moment when he had to choose between the security of a Big Tech salary and the uncertainty of launching a startup. One of the most significant lessons learned was the importance of customer engagement before product launch. The duo initially experienced a lack of interest upon releasing their product, which prompted them to pivot their strategy. They began to prioritize customer feedback and market testing to refine their offerings before investing heavily in product development. Financial prudence became crucial as they navigated startup challenges. After receiving AWS credits that were quickly exhausted due to over-provisioning, they implemented stricter cost monitoring and adjusted their operational practices to ensure sustainability. AI has played a transformative role in their startup, allowing them to streamline processes and enhance productivity. They utilize AI tools to manage coding tasks and summarize extensive research, freeing them to focus on direct engagement with potential customers. Though their backgrounds at Amazon provided valuable insights, they also faced biases that questioned their capability to operate a lean startup. Overcoming the fear of launching an imperfect product has been a learning curve, emphasizing that the real risk lies in developing something that does not meet user needs. As they move forward, Aggarwal and Ratsirason are grateful to be part of the AI evolution, leveraging their experiences to build a company that addresses real-world challenges. Their journey illustrates that while the transition from Big Tech to startup life is fraught with obstacles, it also offers unique opportunities for innovation and growth.