It was supposed to be just another quick meetup.
Manan (Tech Lead at Infosys) and I had planned to catch up with Vishal, the founder of Zybra Finance Solutions, for a 30-minute coffee chat. You know — quick hellos, a few founder questions, and back to the daily hustle.
But 30 minutes turned into four hours.
And honestly? It still didn’t feel like enough.
What unfolded was less of a meeting and more of a masterclass in SaaS entrepreneurship — packed with wisdom, stories, laughter, and raw insights that most pe ople pay big money to hear at startup conferences.
Meet Vishal: The Quiet Giant Behind a SaaS Powerhouse
If you don’t know Zybra, it’s an Indian-born accounting SaaS platform that competes with the likes of Xero and Tally — and they’re not just surviving; they’re winning.
With over 1 million active users annually, Zybra is proving that with patience, grit, and clarity, Indian SaaS startups can play on a global field.
And Vishal? He’s as grounded as they come — humble, sharp, and a true open book. The kind of founder who doesn’t just talk wins but walks you through the why and how behind each lesson.
Here’s What We Learned in 4 Powerful Hours
1. SaaS is Not a Sprint — It’s a Marathon
“Don’t expect quick results,” Vishal said.
“SaaS is a long-term game. You’re building a system, not chasing virality.”
That hit hard. Especially in a world where founders are often glorified for exits rather than endurance.
2. You Don’t Need to Fear the Big Guys
Xero. Tally. Global giants.
And yet, Zybra carved its space.
How?
“Be obsessed with solving a specific user’s problem better than anyone else,” Vishal shared.
Competing with giants isn’t about matching features. It’s about understanding users deeply and delivering clarity.
3. Validate Before You Build
This was gold:
“Don’t fall in love with your idea. Fall in love with your user’s pain.”
Before Zybra even built the product, they validated the market need, refined use cases, and fine-tuned their pitch — all before writing thousands of lines of code.
4. High-Touch Beats High-Tech (Initially)
In an era of automated demos and self-serve onboarding, Zybra did the opposite.
They grew by meeting clients one-on-one, demoing their tool, answering questions, and building trust.
Old-school? Maybe.
Effective? 100%.
5. Stay Lean, Stay Disciplined
“Don’t chase growth at any cost,” Vishal warned.
While most startups burn cash chasing vanity metrics, Zybra focused on being lean, sustainable, and profitable. It’s not sexy, but it’s smart.
6. Funding Is a Strategy, Not a Lifeline
Bootstrapped? Funded? Both?
Vishal broke down the pros and cons of each stage and reminded us that raising money isn’t the goal. Solving real problems profitably is. The rest follows.
What Really Stood Out? Humility.
Despite his success, Vishal wasn’t guarded, rushed, or salesy.
He was warm, brutally honest, and generous with his time.
No slides.
No jargon.
Just someone who truly wants the next generation of entrepreneurs to win — without making the same mistakes.
That’s rare. And it’s inspiring.
My Takeaways (and Yours, If You’re Building in SaaS)
If you’re an aspiring founder or already knee-deep in the trenches, here are a few things I hope you’ll remember:
- Validate relentlessly. Ask before you build. Solve before you scale.
- Don’t rush automation. Start with people. Learn. Then systemize.
- Keep your costs lean. The real burn is not knowing where your money’s going.
- Play the long game. Building trust takes time.
- Humility wins. In teams, in client relationships, in life.
Bonus Thought (because I had to…)
In the group pic we clicked?
Yeah, let’s just say the startup weight gain arc is real. 😅
Note to self: It’s time to build “Startup Body 2.0.”
Because as much as I love learning from founders, I need to learn from my weighing scale too.
Final Thoughts
You don’t always need a mic to start a podcast.
You don’t need a million dollars to build something valuable.
You just need the right people, the right intentions, and relentless curiosity.
That’s what this meetup was for me and Manan — not just a coffee chat but a refuel for the soul.
Thanks, Vishal, for being the kind of founder who lifts others while climbing. Your story, honesty, and lessons are going to stay with us and hopefully inspire many more.
If you’ve had a similar moment or conversation that changed your view of business or life, drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear your story, too.
