In this edition of “The Executive Outlook”, we explore the inspiring story of Jay Marwaha, the Founder and CEO of SYNTASA. Jay is an innovative leader in data analytics and AI who has built a remarkable career driven by resilience, strategy, and a passion for using data to fuel business success. His journey is not just about building companies, it’s about how technology, strategy, and a sense of purpose can come together to create meaningful impact.
Jay chuckles when asked how his typical day unfolds and he reflects on his routine,
“I start my day around 5:30 or 6 AM. It’s a mix of gym time and catching up on work. I try to work out for an hour, sometimes at the gym or just at home. But even during those hours, I’m taking calls.”
When asked about my work-life balance, I usually laugh and admit, “Honestly, my routine is probably 80% work and 20% sleep.” But the key for me is staying engaged. That’s what keeps me going. I speak with customers across the globe every day, from Australia to Europe and all over the U.S., and I love it. For me, it’s all about keeping the customers happy.
Jay further added: After completing MBA, my career took a dramatic turn. I joined a small startup in the U.S. that would set the foundation for his innovative and enterprising spirit. “It was a startup called TARP, and I was one of the early employees. The founders were both graduates of Harvard and working with them was an eye-opener for me. It was my first real taste of how startups work.”
But as much I enjoyed this new venture, fate had a different kind of test in store for me. “In 2001, I was working in one of the buildings when the 9/11 attacks happened,” Jay shares somberly. “I was one of the lucky ones who survived, but I lost 11 to 12 close friends that day. That experience shook me to the core. It made me rethink everything.”
He got a little emotional and further added: I wanted to go back to my roots, Syntasa was born out of my love for technology and my desire to create something that could have a significant impact on how businesses make data-driven decisions.What sets Syntasa apart is the power of open-source technology. I didn’t want customers to be locked into a proprietary system. I wanted them to have the freedom to choose the best technology for their needs, even if that meant moving away from Syntasa with conviction.
The early years of Syntasa were tough,” Jay admits. “We were up against bigger, more established players, and there were times I wondered if we’d make it. But what kept us going was our belief in the product and our ability to adapt.”
Editor Bio
I’m Isha Taneja, serving as the Editor-in-Chief at "The Executive Outlook." Here, I interview industry leaders to share their personal opinions and provide valuable insights to the industry. Additionally, I am the CEO of Complere Infosystem, where I work with data to help businesses make smart decisions. Based in India, I leverage the latest technology to transform complex data into simple and actionable insights, ensuring companies utilize their data effectively.
In my free time, I enjoy writing blog posts to share my knowledge, aiming to make complex topics easy to understand for everyone.
