An interview with everywoman finalist – Vinita Rathi, Systango

This philosophy highlights the critical role of collaboration between employees and customers in driving a company's success.

With almost two decades in the digital services industry, Rathi began her journey as a software developer, she then worked her way through the ranks of Goldman Sachs before establishing her own company, Systango.

Creating your own path

After Rathi graduated with an engineering degree, she was placed in an IT agency before moving a prominent position at Goldman Sachs in London. Reflecting on her evolution, Rathi shares:

“I was at a point in my career [at Goldman Sachs] where I was thinking about what I wanted to do next. I’d been promoted to VP. I was given the opportunity to work across various sectors. And my manager really looked after me. But I was at the point where I thought, if I stay here for another five years, I will be too comfortable, and I won’t want to leave. And I wanted to do something of my own.”

The realisation that comfort could be a barrier to growth solidified Rathi’s journey into entrepreneurship and set her decision to leave Goldman Sachs and venture into the world of entrepreneurism.

“We set out to start a company similar to Groupon … but in that process, I realised that I’m more of a tech person, so I didn’t end up doing that company. However, during that time, an old colleague reached out to ask for help to set up a team in India for a contract he had, and that’s really how Systango started.”

Systango has grown significantly over 12 years, and it now boasts a portfolio that includes Web3, blockchain, generative AI, and data engineering services. Specialising in working with growth-stage companies, Systango has carved out a niche for itself by adopting agile methodologies and focusing on deep tech work.

Challenges and recognitions

Rathi's journey has not been without challenges. Coming from a conservative background in India, she has navigated biases and societal expectations to reach her current position. Balancing work with personal life, especially as a mother of two, has required support and determination, which, she attests “It can and has been overwhelming a lot of times, but then again, I’ve had the support that I needed.”

It is this support that allows Rathi to thrive in her business and one of her biggest achievements is the public listing of Systango on the National Stock Exchange of India, marking a significant milestone in her career.

everywomen in Tech award nomination

No stranger to the everywoman awards – where she won the ‘Entrepreneur Award’ last year; this year Rathi is a finalist in the new AI category. Speaking on the motivation these awards inspire, Rathi comments:

“These awards allow me to push my boundaries because they motivate me to go that extra mile – especially when you’re working in a field that is very male dominated … And they really help me go to the people who want to be on the same path as me and demonstrate that, if you really believe in yourself, and if you’re really up for the challenge, then this is a reflection of all that hard work, and you can inspire others too.

“I’ve always believed that when you have someone you can look up to, you try harder to develop. These awards give you that credibility. Last year’s everywoman award gave me that credibility and that helps me to encourage more women in tech.”

Fostering inclusivity

Rathi is passionate about creating an environment.

At Systango, there is a tangible commitment to diversity and inclusion, focusing on achieving a gender-balanced workforce. The company has implemented strategies that assist women during their career transitions, fostering an environment that encourages all employees to thrive.

"Today Systango is anywhere between 300 to 325 people, and the number of women that we have in the company is around 20 to 30%. We would like to be at a 50/50 split.

“We see a lot of great women engineers coming in [at university level], but we see a lot of dropouts at mid-level. I think that's the timeline where women would go on maternity leave and start their family. We tried to build our ecosystem around that maximum dropout timeline. All our policies are geared towards getting women back to work after they have had those life changing moments. That’s the area where I personally want to really work on and make sure that we get those engineers back, and hence, we can then really develop them as leaders and then eventually make them leaders in the organisation.”

Advice and a plea to women in tech

“For somebody who’s wanting to join the industry, I will say that from the outside it might look scary, and it might not always feel as welcoming as you would like, but just know that you can take the plunge. Just try your best – because things do fall into place. Perseverance is the key, alongside your own capabilities.”

For those contemplating leaving the industry due to challenges, Rathi urges women to explore all pathways and options before making a decision.

“It's all about doing what you love. If you don’t like what you’re doing, it's okay to change paths or pursue something else. However, if you are leaving because of certain biases or you don’t believe you’re in the right place, then there are several options that you can explore before you decide to leave technology.

“At Systango, we give lots of Flexi work arrangements, from co-sharing work responsibilities to part working. We’ve also built a small group within Systango that caters to anybody who is taking time off, so that they can stay in touch. That way, we get to know about what's going on in their life, and they stay up to date with us; and, whenever they're ready, they can start working again – even in a Flexi, part time capacity. In our experience, this approach has really worked and we see women engineers who would usually be dropping out, actually coming back to work.”

Vinita Rathi's story is not just about her success in establishing and growing Systango but also about her dedication to creating a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.

Her leadership and policies on retaining female talent should be a source of inspiration for others in the industry, demonstrating the power of perseverance, support, and innovation in overcoming barriers and achieving greatness.