ENGAGE Mentor Spotlight: Senthil Ramachandran — From Code to Capital
Professional Background
Senthil Ramachandran is experienced in venture capital, software product design and development, hiring, and more. He co-founded and is currently Chief Technology Officer of Sprint1, a Milwaukee area venture studio that helps early-stage startups build and scale their software and engineering teams. Prior to that, he specialized in software development for employee recruiting firms, including Montage Talent, a startup that grew rapidly and was acquired.
Strengths
Aside from professional expertise, Senthil says one of his biggest strengths is the ability to operate on the edges of multiple disciplines. This includes not only computer science, but also business, funding, and product management. Being good in several areas allows him to talk confidently with customers, ask the right questions, visualize needs, and communicate effectively.
Startups & Mentorship
Senthil’s interest in entrepreneurship began early. Soon after graduating from India’s Madurai Kamaraj University, he worked at a gaming startup. Participating in the growth of Montage Talent magnified that interest. It inspired him to transition to venture capital and put him in a position to help first-time founders. “I always gravitate towards interesting problems, and being exposed to a new startup idea is like opening a can of worms of complex problems.”
Leadership Style & Philosophy
“Go Fast. Break things, Fix Fast.” Senthil is an advocate for rapid iteration and fearless experimentation. Citing lessons from Aesop’s fable about the two-headed snake, he advises entrepreneurs don’t always need to be correct. “You need to take a chance and move forward and correct as you go.” He also believes in building a team before you build a product. A small, supportive group that works in tandem can increase the likelihood of success.
Personal Interests & Insights
Senthil was raised in a small village in India and was ten years old when the country liberalized its economy in the early ‘90s. Seeing the impact of globalization from the small-town perspective in his formative years helped shape his outlook today. Beyond professional endeavors, Senthil is a voracious reader and enjoys historical narratives like Founding Fathers by Joseph Ellis.
The ENGAGE Mentors are a group of experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs who volunteer their time, knowledge, and experience to help UWM innovators develop their ideas and start-ups into stronger companies. They provide useful feedback, advice, suggestions, and action items to keep moving forward. Learn more here.
