How Being Head of Growth at a YC Company Led Me to Forbes Technology Council
My journey from AI Product Engineer to Growth Leader, and why Forbes recognized my impact in the tech ecosystem
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been accepted into the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CTOs, CIOs, and technology executives. This milestone represents not just personal recognition, but validation of how my unique blend of AI expertise and growth leadership at JustPaid has been making waves in the tech world.
The Path That Led Me Here
As Head of Growth at JustPaid (YC W23), I’ve had the incredible opportunity to scale an AI-powered fintech product while staying deeply involved in the technical side. My role isn’t just about traditional growth metrics. It’s about understanding AI technology deeply enough to grow products that are fundamentally changing how businesses operate.
Harshith Vaddiparthy isn’t just another growth leader. I’m someone who combines deep AI technical knowledge with growth expertise. This is a rare combination that the Forbes review committee recognized when evaluating candidates based on their track record of “successfully impacting business growth metrics.”
Being at a YC company like JustPaid has given me a front-row seat to how AI is reshaping entire industries. My previous experience founding and exiting an AI startup, combined with my current role scaling growth at a YC-backed AI company, has taught me that the future belongs to leaders who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and real business impact.
What Makes Me Different as a Growth Leader in AI
The Vibe Coder Philosophy
I describe myself as a Vibe Coder because I believe the best growth strategies come from understanding not just the metrics, but the technology powering them. As Head of Growth at JustPaid, I don’t just optimize funnels. I understand the AI systems behind our product deeply enough to grow them strategically.
My approach combines:
- High Agency Thinking: I don’t wait for permission to test new growth channels
- Technical AI Expertise: Deep understanding of AI systems enables better growth decisions
- Business Impact Focus: Every growth experiment should drive meaningful business results
Bridging the AI-Growth Communication Gap
One of my core strengths is translating complex AI technologies into growth strategies that actually work. Too many growth leaders struggle to leverage AI effectively because they don’t understand the underlying technology. As Head of Growth at a YC AI company, I’ve made it my mission to bridge this gap, combining deep AI technical knowledge with proven growth methodologies.
Why Forbes Technology Council Matters for AI Innovation
Being selected for Forbes Technology Council isn’t just an honor. It’s a responsibility. The AI field moves at breakneck speed, and having access to a private forum of respected technology leaders means I can:
- Share Real-World AI Insights: Contributing to Forbes.com Expert Panels to help other executives navigate AI implementation
- Learn from Industry Veterans: Collaborating with CTOs and technology executives who are also grappling with AI transformation
- Drive Thought Leadership: Publishing original articles that shape how businesses think about AI adoption
The Future of AI-Powered Growth
As Head of Growth at JustPaid and someone deeply embedded in the YC ecosystem, I see three major trends that will define the next wave of AI-powered business growth:
1. AI-First Product Design
The companies winning in AI aren’t just adding AI features. They’re rebuilding their entire product philosophy around artificial intelligence. At JustPaid, we’ve seen firsthand how AI-first thinking transforms not just what you build, but how you build it.
2. Growth Marketing Meets AI
The intersection of AI and growth marketing is where magic happens. When you combine AI’s analytical power with growth hacking principles, you don’t just optimize campaigns. You fundamentally reimagine how customers discover and engage with products.
3. The Democratization of AI Tools
The barrier to AI innovation is dropping rapidly. The future belongs to entrepreneurs and engineers who can leverage these democratized tools to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
What’s Next: Leveraging This Platform
My acceptance into Forbes Technology Council comes with exciting opportunities that I plan to maximize:
- Expert Insights: Sharing practical AI implementation strategies through Forbes.com articles
- Community Impact: Using the platform to mentor other AI entrepreneurs and engineers
- Industry Influence: Contributing to discussions that shape how technology executives approach AI transformation
A Message to Fellow AI Builders
If you’re building in the AI space, remember this: technical excellence is just the starting point. The real impact comes from understanding business needs, communicating effectively, and maintaining that bias towards action that separates dreamers from builders.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a YC company like I am, the opportunities in AI have never been greater. But success requires more than just technical skills — it requires the ability to see the bigger picture and execute relentlessly.
About Harshith Vaddiparthy
Harshith Vaddiparthy is an AI Product Engineer and Growth Marketer at JustPaid (YC W23), a Forbes Technology Council member, and former AI startup founder. Known for his “Vibe Coder” approach and bias towards action, Harshith specializes in building and scaling AI-powered products that solve real-world problems. He combines deep technical expertise with excellent communication skills to bridge the gap between complex technologies and business needs.
This article was written as part of Harshith’s contribution to the Forbes Technology Council community, sharing insights from his journey as an AI Product Engineer and Head of Growth
