“You don’t hire the best team. You hire the team and make it the best”, so goes the fundamental principle of Waqas Khan Pitafi, the founder and CEO of global artificial intelligence leader and Fortune 500 companies’ long-term partner, DevBatch.
Having spent over 25 years in software development business and coming all the way from launching a startup in a rented drawing room to securing multi-million contracts with some of the world’s most iconic brands, Pitafi points out the significance of people as the most valuable asset in reaching the goals of any entrepreneurial journey.
“The biggest mistake one can make in business is not paying sufficient attention to people around you”, highlights Pitafi. “Whichever industry we choose, we will always depend on people, one way or another, and you never know which acquaintance might become a deciding factor in the fate of your endeavour. Respect your employees, respect your customers, network with fellow specialists in your field. Find a way to build good relationships with everyone around, and things will go right.”
Experienced in leading and mentoring the teams of 1000+ software engineers across Americas, Europe, and Asia, Pitafi has built numerous multi-million companies across the globe, starting from the Middle East and eventually conquering the US artificial intelligence and machine learning market.
DevBatch has grown into the leading generator of innovative iOS, Android, and Appian solutions across three continents, developing applications for legendary brands like Pepsi and Staples, national railways and banks.
The extensive list of the company’s awards is topped by “The Best Software Company” one issued directly by the president of Pitafi’s home country.
Today, however, we asked the award-winning serial entrepreneur to go back to the start and share the story of how it all began, and advice the new generation of aspiring entrepreneurs on what the business-building race is about.
“Pursuing the tech entrepreneurship sector is an extremely challenging task”, shares Pitafi. “Every day I must compete with so many people, and I can tell for sure that the victories I am honoured with now have been preceded by many failures, losses, and sleepless nights spent on trying to stop the disaster. It is a very high risk-taking industry, and it certainly does not suite those who are not willing to leave their comfort zone.”
Pitafi’s journey could be called a manual to achieving the American dream. Starting from scratch and having to struggle for every little step on the way to the top, DevBatch has now transformed over 200 major businesses with its unique new-generation solutions that apply the latest artificial intelligence algorithms to bring global corporations to the next level of advanced digital analytics, smart visual graphics, speech recognition systems, and enhanced fraud detection tools.
The holder of the “Top Mobile App Developers” title, DevBatch continuously re-shapes contemporary approach to the symbiosis of human and machine intellect in software architecture and cybersecurity, making technologies of tomorrow available today.
And under Mr. Pitafi’s leadership, DevBatch is establishing a cutting-edge AI research and development center in the United States. This center will serve as a hub for innovation to push the boundaries of AI technology.
“I always say that the highs and the lows of a business owner are hundred percent stronger and more impactful comparing to anything that you can ever experience as an employee”, continues Pitafi. “When the company you founded from scratch acquires a major contract, doubles the revenue, and gets to the top, the palette of emotions you feel is something that regular office workers can’t even imagine. It is a very big high. However, as an employee, you can never feel the blood-curdling pressure of a bankruptcy risk.”
“The worst thing that can happen to an employee is simply getting fired, which is not the end of the world”, expands Pitafi. “
The job market is so big, sooner or later, you will find a new opportunity, and everything will be fine. Going bankrupt as an employer, however, is much trickier.
When you give everything to your endeavour, put everything on stake, and then it just collapses, leaving you in a situation where you don’t know how to pay your team on time, it’s not easy to find a way out and not end up in the deepest depression.”
Pitafi started his first business from zero. “I had just lost a job, and had no investments, no sponsors, and no income. All I had was a firm decision to make a change and an idea that I was trying to bring to life in the drawing room I rented on my last savings”, he shares.
The company grew to ten people and just started making its first accomplishments when it collapsed, and Pitafi had to re-start from almost zero again. However, none of the challenges could stop him.
Today, Pitafi has companies all over the world and makes millions of dollars in a single ticket. DevBatch has turned into the icon of AI and Human Intelligence integration.
This story is a bright example of how commitment, dedication, and willingness to rise and keep going forward after you fall can make even the boldest aspirations come true.
“Over all these years, I’ve had a chance to witness first-hand the illustrious transformative power of technology entrepreneurship”, shares Pitafi. “When I look back, I see that every challenge that came my way was worth it.”
