The parallels between competitive tennis and running a startup are striking. Both require an unwavering focus on the present moment and the ability to bounce back from setbacks instantly. As someone who has experienced both worlds firsthand, these lessons have shaped Bijan Moallemi’s approach to business and to his life.
In tennis, dwelling on a lost point is a recipe for disaster. The same principle applies to entrepreneurship – you must learn, adapt, and move forward quickly. This mindset proved invaluable for Bijan when building Mosaic.tech, a strategic finance platform that’s now ranked among the top 100 fastest-growing tech companies on the Deloitte Fast 500. After watching the full sit-down interview from EO with Bijan Moallemi from mosaic.tech, here is what I learned.
The Power of Persistence
Bijan’s approach to challenges was shaped early by his family’s story. His father fled the Iranian revolution at 18, worked three jobs to fund his education, and completed two degrees in three years while supporting his family back home. This extraordinary work ethic became the foundation of Bijan’s own drive for success.
On the tennis court, he wasn’t the most naturally gifted player. But he developed a competitive edge through sheer determination and unconventional training methods. He would purposely train in sweatpants and hoodies under the scorching Palm Springs sun to prepare for humid tournaments in places like San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale. This mentality of pushing beyond comfort zones has served Bijan well in the business world.
Learning from Palantir’s Growth Journey
His experience at Palantir, where he witnessed the company’s growth from 100 employees to generating nearly $3 billion in quarterly revenue, revealed a critical gap in the finance sector. Despite being a cutting-edge technology company, they struggled with basic financial questions because they relied on outdated tools and processes.
The fundamental problem became clear: finance teams were stuck in the past while other departments evolved with modern technology. This realization eventually led to the creation of Mosaic.tech.
Turning Rejection into Opportunity
Early in Mosaic’s journey, Bijan faced numerous rejections. One particularly memorable moment was receiving a “no” from an investor while taking the call from his master bedroom closet – his makeshift office was so crowded with team members that it was the only quiet space available.
Instead of viewing this as a setback, he used it as motivation to improve. Months later, that same investor approached him, impressed by their progress, wanting to participate in his Series A round. This experience reinforced his belief that rejection isn’t failure – failure is repeating mistakes without learning from them.
Building Customer-Centric Solutions
Bijan’s success at Mosaic stems from three key principles in customer engagement:
- Identifying and adapting to the right customer segment as the business evolves
- Avoiding the trap of bending the product roadmap for a single large customer
- Maintaining focus on core objectives while being responsive to customer needs
They implemented a rapid response team to handle smaller feature requests without derailing their main development priorities. This approach has allowed Bijan to stay focused while demonstrating responsiveness to customer needs.
The Future of Financial Technology
For four decades, finance teams have been stuck using spreadsheets while other business functions have benefited from technological advancement. Bijan’s mission is to revolutionize how finance teams work by bringing modern technology to a traditionally underserved sector.
The role of CFO is evolving, and the tools supporting this evolution must keep pace. By automating manual processes and providing real-time insights, Bijan is helping finance teams transition from backward-looking number crunchers to strategic business partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes Mosaic.tech different from traditional financial software?
Mosaic.tech integrates data from various business systems to automate manual financial processes, providing real-time insights and analysis capabilities that traditional spreadsheet-based solutions cannot match.
Q: How important is persistence in startup success?
Persistence is crucial for startup success. It’s about maintaining momentum through challenges, learning from setbacks, and continuing to push forward even during difficult times. The ability to persist through adversity often determines a startup’s survival.
Q: What should entrepreneurs consider before starting a company?
Entrepreneurs should assess their readiness for long-term commitment, ability to handle persistent challenges, and willingness to maintain high energy levels for several years. The founder’s journey requires exceptional resilience and dedication.
Q: How should startups approach customer feedback?
Startups should focus on feedback from their target market segment, avoid over-indexing on individual customer requests, and maintain a balance between responsiveness and staying true to their core product vision.
Q: What role does rejection play in entrepreneurial success?
Rejection should be viewed as an opportunity for learning and improvement rather than failure. Successful entrepreneurs use rejection as motivation to refine their approach and strengthen their business model.
