Jyoti Bansal, famous for selling his first venture AppDynamics for a whopping $3.7 billion, has invested his significant profits to form a venture capital firm and two thriving startups. His entrepreneurial tactics and financial strength have fortified his stance as a formidable investor.
Inspired by the dedication of sushi master Jiro Ono in the documentary ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi,’ Bansal likens his own journey to Jiro’s relentless pursuit of perfection. This documentary stands as a significant inspiration in his entrepreneurial journey.
The 2017 deal of AppDynamics served as both a pinnacle and trough in his career. Despite the wealth it brought to numerous employees and returns for investors, the sale left Bansal feeling unfinished and questioning his sense of purpose. He learned that no corporate sale could replace the sheer joy of building a company from the ground up.
Following this, Bansal went on to found a new company, Harness in 2017, specializing in software delivery, and co-founded Traceable AI, an API security startup, in 2019.
Bansal’s entrepreneurial journey post-AppDynamics
Under Bansal’s guidance, Harness has emerged as a force to reckon with in less than five years, in the software delivery industry. Traceable AI, on the other hand, has made its mark in the competitive tech industry with its unique approach to API security.
Harness secured $150 million in funding and is currently valued at around $3.7 billion, whereas Traceable AI reported a triumphant $30 million fundraising round. The considerable funds will enable both companies to further their reach in their respective industries. The successful fundraising endeavours are an indication of the solid confidence investors place in these businesses.
Denoted as the “Elon Musk for B2B businesses”, Bansal’s career has been widely recognized for his unique dedication to B2B businesses. His co-founder at Traceable AI and investor at Harness, Sanjay Nagaraj, openly accredits Bansal for his imprint on the business landscape. This shows the respect and admiration Bansal has earned in the business community.
