Srihari Prahalad, CEO and Co-Founder, SpryEN Solutions and SpryntZ Technologies LLC
What is the true purpose of entrepreneurship? For some, it’s merely about chasing profits, striving to outdo competitors, and accumulating wealth and fame. But beyond the glitz and glamour of the business world lies a deeper calling, a quest for meaning and impact that only a select few dare to pursue. In a world where the bottom line often overshadows all else, there are those who view business not just as a means to financial success but as a vehicle for meaningful impact and societal change. These trailblazers are driven by a profound sense of responsibility—to their communities, to the planet, and to future generations. They understand that entrepreneurship is not just about building empires; it’s about building a legacy of positive change. They see every challenge as an opportunity to innovate, and every setback as a chance to learn and grow. For them, success is not measured solely in profits but in the lives they touch, the problems they solve, and the world they leave behind. One such purpose-driven business leader who is relentlessly working to tackle pressing societal issues and drive meaningful change through his ventures is Srihari Prahalad, the CEO and Co-Founder of SpryEN Solutions and SpryntZ Technologies LLC.
A seasoned entrepreneur with a solid engineering background and management acumen, Srihari is a true jack-of-all-trades with over 23 years of industry experience. Over the years, he’s dipped his toes in various industries, notably founding and successfully exiting two companies. But not one to rest on his laurels, Srihari has always been driven to explore new frontiers. Presently, his focus is on addressing the growing concerns of digital wellness in India through his venture, SpryEN. On another front, understanding the economics and dynamics of food aggregators in the UAE, Srihari launched SpryntZ, an innovative food aggregator software. Outside the boardroom, Srihari wears multiple hats – he’s an avid sports enthusiast, a musician, a TEDx speaker, and at heart, an academician who thrives on sharing knowledge and inspiring others.
Transforming Dining Experiences and Promoting Digital Wellness
SpryntZ is revolutionizing the online food ordering industry by providing a subscription-based storytelling platform that fosters a closer connection between eateries and their patrons. By offering a unique loyalty program that rewards repeat customers with enticing perks, SpryntZ enables restaurants to communicate their values and have the consumers order for what they stand, and not only for cheaper food. Using the platform’s sophisticated marketing tools to share their stories, restaurants can attract customers who seek more than just convenience in their dining choices. “Do you want to watch the story behind a restaurant and order from them directly, while doing so? With SpryntZ, restaurants are empowered to showcase their story reels and engage with their community in meaningful ways, setting them apart in a highly competitive market. Download “SpryntZ” from your app store and enjoy its benefits. As of now, it is serving a radius of 15 km from Mankhool, spreading rapidly all across Dubai, UAE,” shares Srihari.
Meanwhile, SpryEN, born out of Srihari’s passion is a company determined to break the digital addiction cycle, especially among children. Srihari underscores the urgency of this issue, emphasizing how a child’s excessive screen time at home can fundamentally alter their brain’s learning patterns and hinder their ability to navigate real-world situations effectively. Over the last two years, SpryEN, through its awareness sessions, has come to realize that a child doesn’t have a role model at home. Parents, who are digital immigrants, are fascinated by the newfound distraction of digital screens and are failing to set an example. This presents a formidable challenge, one that demands urgent attention. At SpryEN, Srihari spearheads awareness sessions for large groups and corporates, followed by the development of innovative products aimed at breaking the addiction cycle and shielding us from the negative impacts of technology.
Rising Above the Challenges with Resilience and Resolve
Srihari’s entrepreneurial journey has been a tumultuous ride, marked by a myriad of challenges that have tested his mettle. But rather than viewing these challenges as roadblocks, he sees them as an opportunity to learn, pivot, and emerge stronger.”I think of entrepreneurship as an enrolment into the lessons of life, taught by the length of time you are enrolled in it. Once you are enrolled in this course, the universe conspires to make you the best entrepreneur, until you don’t exit the course,” he asserts.
Armed with this mindset, Srihari faces each setback with perseverance, tenacity, and an unwavering belief in his solutions. For him, it’s not merely about the destination; it’s equally about relishing the journey and emerging from each trial with newfound wisdom. One significant challenge he encounters in his food ordering venture, SpryntZ, is entrenched consumer behavior. Consumers are trained by an existing ecosystem of aggregators and subtle habits have crept into consumer behavior characterized by chasing pseudo discounts/offers, unwittingly paying more in the long run. To address this challenge, Srihari and his team have adopted a grassroots approach–talking to consumers, helping them unlearn and rewire their food decision-making habits to better support restaurants by usingSpryntZ.
Leading By Example
As the CEO of a thriving company, Srihari approaches leadership with a hands-on philosophy that resonates throughout his organization. He firmly believes in leading from the front, diving into every aspect of the job, and comprehending its demands firsthand before delegating responsibilities. “My leadership philosophy is never to assign jobs which I wouldn’t do myself. I do every aspect of the job, understand what it demands, and delegate,” he emphasizes.
For Srihari, fostering a trustworthy work environment is paramount. He understands that the CEO’s primary role is to inspire and motivate the team. He ensures that everyone is aligned with the company’s mission and vision by maintaining a positive outlook, consistently reminding them of the bigger picture, and instilling a culture of winning.
Fostering Enduring Partnerships With Clients
Srihari doesn’t merely consider clients as transactions but as enduring partnerships built on trust and genuine connections. He believes in the power of genuine conversations, knowing that a meaningful dialogue, though dormant for years, can swiftly resurface upon meeting the individual again. Thus, at SpryntZ and SpryEN, Srihari doesn’t just aim to meet client expectations; he exceeds them by ensuring that every interaction reflects their brand image and business needs. Besides this, transparency is at the core of his ethos. Srihari values open communication and honesty, fostering an environment where clients feel empowered and informed every step of the way. They don’t hide the effort involved but rather highlight challenges and assure customers that they are well suited to dealing with those.“Brand image and brand equity is an outcome of being genuine and transparent. We want to be known as people who have mastered the algorithm to deal with difficult situations and conditions, not someone who has a boilerplate response,” Srihari adds.
Sharing a Simple Strategy for Work-Life Balance
Balancing the helm of two companies and a fulfilling personal life is no easy feat. However, through years of experience as an entrepreneur, Srihari has developed a simple yet effective strategy to keep all the plates spinning. He mentally boxes up each aspect of his life. When he’s at home, his focus is solely on personal matters, with work-related concerns securely tucked away. Conversely, when he steps into the office, the personal box is set aside, allowing him to fully engage in his professional duties. This approach, though not without its difficulties, enables him to navigate the complexities of running two companies while still finding time for himself and his loved ones.
Aspires to Create a Social Impact through his Ventures
Looking ahead, Srihari sees SpryEN and Spryntz not just as businesses, but as catalysts for positive change. With SpryEN, he aims to revolutionize education, unlocking the innate learning potential of every child reached by the platform. Meanwhile, throughSpryntZ, he seeks not just to disrupt but to redefine the food delivery space by giving power rightfully back to the restaurants and having the messenger get his due for services rendered. “The customer always belongs to the restaurant and must ever come to any platform only if they enjoy their favorite restaurants and be an ‘informed consumer’, not because there’s a pseudo discount with no acknowledgment of the food creator,” opines Srihari. With these platforms as his tools, Srihari is poised to create a substantial social impact.
Stay True to Your Cause, Chase Purpose not Profit!
Drawing from his experience as both an entrepreneur and digital wellness advocate, Srihari advises budding entrepreneurs to stay true to their passions. He emphasizes the importance of steering clear of the comparison trap and not losing sleep over competitors. “If there’s a cause you are passionate about, stick to it. Don’t give in to comparisons, don’t worry about competition, heads down, and focus on creating a positive impact, it’s only a matter of time before you get recognized. And here’s the irony, by that time, you wouldn’t need the recognition, as every positive impact you have made will satisfy the craving for recognition,” he affirms. Srihari understands that many start their entrepreneurial journey chasing money and fame but later find themselves at a crossroads, torn between profits and purpose. For Srihari, choosing the latter is paramount, as he knows firsthand that prioritizing impact over income leads to more fulfilling outcomes in the long haul. With his unwavering dedication to transparency, genuine partnerships, and impactful ventures, Srihari is not only redefining the entrepreneurial landscape but also inspiring others to chase purpose over profit, leaving an indelible mark on both the business world and society at large.