In this episode, Tracy Young chats with Gaurav Bhattacharya, co-founder and CEO of GVA, about his incredible journey from a blue-collar childhood in New Delhi to leading a fast-growing AI startup in the U.S. Gaurav shares his early love for coding, the lessons learned from bootstrapping and pivoting, and how his background in aerospace engineering shapes his approach to building complex AI systems.

The conversation spans topics like tech debt, full-stack sales reps, the role of AI in sales, and the enduring importance of human connection in business. Gaurav also reflects on his personal definition of success, the long road to U.S. citizenship, and the mentors who shaped his leadership.

Whether you’re a first-time founder, an operator navigating change, or just AI-curious, this episode is packed with candid insights and practical wisdom.

Highlights:

• Growing up in New Delhi and finding purpose through coding

• Lessons from bootstrapping and exiting his first startup

• Pivoting GVA and going from $0 to $5M ARR in 7 months

• Why AI won’t replace great salespeople

• How to manage tech debt without losing velocity

• The human side of leadership during a crisis

• Gaurav’s vision to create a million jobs