In this episode, we sit down with Vivek Ramachandran, the solo founder and CEO of SquareX, a company specializing in real-time detection and mitigation of web attacks targeting employees. Vivek shares his inspiration behind starting SquareX, his two-decade-long experience in deep tech cybersecurity, and his journey from working at tech giants like Cisco to presenting at DEF CON and Black Hat.

Discover the pivotal moments that led him to transition from being an entrepreneur with previous ventures like Pentester Academy to founding SquareX. Learn how Vivek tackled technical challenges, raised investments, hired a stellar team, and navigated the complexities of go-to-market strategies. He also provides insights into maintaining company culture, dealing with disappointments, and balancing entrepreneurial drive with personal life.

Join us for an enlightening conversation filled with practical advice and motivational stories.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:54 Company Overview and Founder Background
02:04 Inspiration Behind SquareX
03:07 From Idea to Execution
04:33 Navigating Competition and Market Transparency
06:13 Building the Team and Company Culture
09:25 Challenges of Global Operations
12:42 Transitioning from Technical to Sales
15:52 Hiring Early Stage Salespeople
16:13 Onboarding Process
17:31 Sales and Security Dynamics
17:56 Task Management Strategies
20:28 Importance of OKRs
21:51 Marketing Budget Allocation
23:41 Work-Life Balance
25:38 Handling Disappointments
27:26 Investor Challenges
29:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts