The Founder Catalyst

“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.