The Founder Catalyst
Real Lesson To Transform Founders Into CEOS
“No jargon. No Silicon Valley fairy tales. Just honest, hard-won lessons from a founder who’s seen it all.”
Founder Catalyst is a no-nonsense guide for startup founders who want to become decisive, authentic CEOs—without losing their soul along the way.
In this deeply practical and refreshingly honest book, entrepreneur and mentor Venkatarangan Thirumalai shares lessons he’s lived—not just learned—over three decades of building, leading, and advising companies. From early product bets to strategic pivots, from hiring giants to leading remote teams, and from pitching with clarity to navigating the messy, noisy world of AI—this book gives you what most founders wish they’d known earlier.
With stories drawn from his own journey and real-world insights from companies like Microsoft, Airbnb, Tata, Nykaa, and Ogilvy, this is not a book of frameworks. It’s a field guide for the Indian founder—and any builder anywhere—ready to lead with humility, clarity, and confidence.
Whether you’re shipping your first product or scaling toward your next milestone, Founder Catalyst is the companion that keeps you grounded, focused, and ready for what’s next.
I’m Venkatarangan Thirumalai
I’m a lifelong entrepreneur, mentor, and keynote speaker who has built software products, scaled businesses, and advised CEOs on strategy, growth, and AI. My Tamil book Nutpam on consumer technology was published by Madras Paper. I serve as a trusted advisor to the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation, Rameswaram. Today, I am a sought-after speaker on Generative AI and its real-world impact on founders, teams, and business growth. In Founder Catalyst, I share hard-won lessons from my own founder journey—offering practical insights for anyone building a business in the age of AI.
I’m Venkatarangan Thirumalai
I’m a lifelong entrepreneur, mentor, and keynote speaker who has built software products, scaled businesses, and advised CEOs on strategy, growth, and AI. My Tamil book Nutpam on consumer technology was published by Madras Paper. I serve as a trusted advisor to the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation, Rameswaram. Today, I am a sought-after speaker on Generative AI and its real-world impact on founders, teams, and business growth. In Founder Catalyst, I share hard-won lessons from my own founder journey—offering practical insights for anyone building a business in the age of AI.
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