With a career spanning India, Southeast Asia, and Europe, Aadi Vaidya brings a unique perspective to The Scale Factory. His diverse experiences have given him a deep understanding of the challenges involved in scaling businesses across different markets, and his approach to expansion is rooted in both efficiency and strategic insight.
Aadi’s background in the start-up world spans over a decade, both in operational and advisory roles, where he’s helped businesses refine their strategies and expand across regions. One key lesson he learned early on while leading a start-up’s expansion into Southeast Asia was just how important it is to know where not to expand as much as knowing where to go. “That was a pivotal moment for me,” Aadi reflects.
When Aadi came across The Scale Factory, he was drawn to the company’s practical, tailored approach to scaling. “The team’s hands-on, tailored approach, combined with the experience of working with over 40 businesses across various industries really impressed me,” he says. The mix of a solid scaling framework and a bespoke solution for each client made it the perfect place for him to bring his expertise and contribute to a larger platform.
Aadi’s Approach to Scaling
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aadi faced a difficult challenge. With businesses scrambling under financial pressure, he had to make the tough decision to lay off hundreds of people. It was a hard experience, but one that changed his approach to scaling. “Beyond the regular metrics of revenue and customer growth, I became obsessed with resource-level efficiency while scaling. Putting checkpoints in place to ensure revenue per team member increases over time is now a mantra I swear by,” Aadi says.
Expanding Into New Markets
One of Aadi’s central beliefs is that scaling into new markets requires a nuanced approach. “Treating entire regions like Southeast Asia or Europe as a singular market is a mistake. Each country comes with its own set of challenges,” he advises. Understanding the cultural, economic, and regulatory differences within these regions is key. For example, although countries in the European Union share a common labor market and currency, each country has its own distinct approach to business. “Europe might take longer to warm up to new businesses. But once you’re in, it can provide a strong foundation for long-term growth and a high retention business,” he says. This patient, country-specific strategy is what sets successful expansions apart.
His Drive and Passion
Having lived in three major tech hubs—India, Southeast Asia, and Europe—Aadi has a deep understanding of what works (and what doesn’t) in different markets. “Each region has its own style and way of doing business. India taught me how to think big, Southeast Asia showed me the importance of getting things done efficiently, and Europe taught me how to build sustainable, mature businesses,” Aadi says.
Beyond work, Aadi is passionate about kids' education and gives his time to a non-profit in Berlin that helps set up libraries for children in refugee accommodations. "Education has the power to change lives, and I believe every child deserves access to learning, no matter their background," Aadi says. He’s also a big fan of music, with jazz, country, and Indian classical often playing in the background as he goes through his day.
We’re excited to have Aadi as part of our team and look forward to the impact he’ll make as we continue to support scale-ups on their growth journeys.
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