Ajay Y.

Now, I’m back in the founder seat, focusing on building a vertical AI SaaS startup. I will be building this venture in public, sharing my experiences and insights on growth and revenue strategies along the way.

In 2021, I co-founded Simplified, an AI-driven platform designed to support SMB marketing teams with content creation, distribution, and collaboration in one place. We raised over $14M from Khosla Ventures and Craft, scaled to over 17 million users.

I began my entrepreneurial journey as a solo founder, building a marketplace in New York to help people find roommates. This venture raised over $20M in capital, grew to over 5 million users, and reached profitability.

Co-Founder

SoftBank just came back to India.
Not for fintech. Not for e-commerce.
For an AI app builder.

Emergent just closed a $70M Series B led by SoftBank and Khosla Ventures - with other leading investors globally.

Here's what caught my attention:
In 7 months: 
→ 5M+ builders 
→ $50M ARR 
→ 6M+ apps shipped 
→ Live in 190+ countries

Those aren't vanity metrics. That's a product people actually use to ship real software.

I've been deep in the vibecoding space for a while now. Most AI builders give you a prototype that breaks the moment you add users, payments, or a team.
Emergent's entire pitch is reliability. Production-grade from day one. Backend, auth, deployment, mobile - all native.

Real examples:
- UK's largest energy company deployed an AI app in 2 days (saved ~2,000 dev hours)
- Up Your Bids: built in 80 hours → raised $150K
- Voxsmyth: a microbiologist built a multi-voice audiobook platform no other no-code tool could handle

The AI app builder war is narrowing to 3 players: Lovable, Replit, and Emergent.
Emergent just got the war chest to pull ahead.

Mukund Jha Madhav Jha Emergent
#emergent #emergentai

Building @ Otto AI | Prev. co-founder @ Simplified AI (20M+ Users), backed by Khosla & Craft Ventures

Cummins Inc.

•	Led cross-functional collaboration across design, manufacturing, and quality teams to accelerate product development timelines by 15%, ensuring alignment from concept through launch.
•	Redesigned components using advanced DFM/DFA principles, leading to a 20% reduction in manufacturing costs while enhancing product reliability.
•	Conducted supplier quality reviews and drawing audits, reducing drawing errors by 25% and minimizing downstream rework.
•	Applied structured problem-solving tools (8D, 5 Whys, RCA) to eliminate recurring quality issues, delivering a 30% drop in product defects and 15% fewer customer complaints.
•	Directed prototype builds and testing, enabling a 10% faster time-to-market and smoother design validation.
•	Implemented cost-saving initiatives (material substitution, process optimization) resulting in 10% material cost savings without compromising functional performance.
•	Supported engineering change management (ECM) processes to ensure seamless product updates across manufacturing and supplier ecosystems.

Product Engineering Specialist – Manufacturing & Engineering Optimization | DFM | Six Sigma

•	Bridged the gap between design and manufacturing, reviewing new product designs for manufacturability (DFM) and recommending process-optimized design changes, reducing time-to-production.
•	Collaborated with global suppliers and local manufacturing teams to support rapid prototyping and ensure production readiness, minimizing delays during early product builds.
•	Resolved critical design issues on-site at supplier locations and plant facilities, leading to smoother SOPs and enhanced line stability.
•	Implemented and maintained an Engineering Change Management (ECM) system, streamlining approval workflows and improving response time for design updates across global sites.
•	Managed deviation approvals and waiver processes, ensuring compliance with design intent and manufacturing standards without impacting delivery timelines.
•	Led cross-location alignment on recurring manufacturing challenges, driving global standardization and knowledge-sharing across teams.

Product Engineer – DFM | Engineering Change Management | Supplier Integration

Emerson Climate Technologies

•	Implemented advanced GD&T principles to interpret complex part drawings and enhance inspection precision, achieving a 98% first-pass yield and reducing inspection time by 15%.
•	Developed and maintained metrology programs using advanced tools (CMMs, gauges, etc.), ensuring zero downtime in measurement systems and increasing team productivity by 20% through training and SOP improvements.
•	Led continuous improvement initiatives by applying Root Cause Analysis (RCA), 8D, and 5 Whys methodologies, resulting in a 30% reduction in defects and a 20% improvement in process efficiency.
•	Managed Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), reducing change integration time by 25% while maintaining product reliability across manufacturing lines.
•	Resolved customer complaints through cross-functional collaboration, reducing line rejections by 15% and enhancing overall customer satisfaction scores.

Quality Assurance Engineer – GD&T | Metrology | Root Cause Analysis | ECM

•	Designed and developed custom tooling and fixtures, increasing production capacity by 20% and meeting target line output rates.
•	Led line balancing and cycle time reduction initiatives, boosting line efficiency by 30% and reducing cycle time by 10% using Lean tools and time-motion studies.
•	Implemented Poka-yoke (error-proofing) systems across critical assembly stations, cutting human errors by 25% and improving first-time-right quality.
•	Executed capital manufacturing projects from concept to SOP, delivering all projects on time and within budget, while aligning line capability with future volume projections.
•	Created and managed Quality Control Plans and Process Flow Diagrams, ensuring 100% compliance with internal documentation and traceability standards under IATF 16949.

Manufacturing Engineer – Advanced Manufacturing | Tooling | Lean Production Systems | Projects

Process Optimization Initiatives: Contributed to the development of manufacturing processes, improving production efficiency by 10% through hands-on support in project execution.

Learning and Implementation: Built foundational skills in manufacturing engineering, including process validation, project planning, and tooling development.

Graduate Engineering Trainee

I’m a Product Engineering Specialist with 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, quality assurance, and product development — and I thrive at the intersection of hands-on problem-solving and strategic execution.

Over the years, I’ve helped companies reduce production costs by 20%, boost efficiency by 30%, and streamline development cycles by 15%. Whether I’m leading a VPCR rollout, conducting a GD&T review, or improving process capability with Six Sigma tools, I bring a focus on results, reliability, and continuous improvement.

🛠️ My key strengths include:

•	Driving lean manufacturing through DFM/DFA, SMED, TPM, and OEE.
•	Implementing robust quality systems (IATF 16949, ISO standards) and leading internal audits.
•	Solving chronic issues with 8D, 5 Whys, and RCA, resulting in a 30% drop in product defects.
•	Leading cross-functional teams to deliver projects on-time and under budget.


I’m also passionate about coaching and thought leadership. Through my Linkedin and mentoring efforts, I help professionals navigate career challenges, master quality tools, and grow with clarity.

If you're building something impactful in manufacturing or quality — or simply want to swap insights on engineering excellence — let’s connect. I’m always open to meaningful conversations and new opportunities.

📩 Reach out: akshaymedhekar620@gmail.com
🔗 Let’s connect here on LinkedIn!

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