PRASAD ROUTRAY

An Emphatic Leader Driven By Strong Purpose and Passion

PRASAD ROUTRAY

Co-Founder

ZYVKA

The Biggest Privilege to Oneself”—this is how Prasad Routray, Co-Founder of Zyvka, describes entrepreneurship. He believes that entrepreneurship is an experience that offers endless growth and reinvention. After over two decades leading critical business operations and strategic partnerships at Bharti Airtel and Airtel Payments Bank, Prasad took the entrepreneurial plunge to co-found Zyvka. His new venture is already making waves, with innovative solutions like “Startup Box” and “People-asa-Service,” transforming how startups and high-growth companies manage talent, what he refers to as Human Capital. With Zyvka operating across India, the US, UAE, and Canada—and soon expanding to other countries—his journey is a powerful example of reinventing oneself, proving that true leadership lies not just in managing growth but in creating it. In an exclusive interview with TradeFlock, Prasad Routray said, “The entrepreneurial wave in India isn’t just on its way—it’s already here. With initiatives like Startup India and Atal Innovation Mission, the government is actively fostering innovation, offering tax benefits, funding, and simplified regulations to empower entrepreneurs. The opportunities to build something new are limitless, and those who hesitate to take risks are missing out on the future.” We further discussed his challenges during his transition from big corporate roles to entrepreneurship and his vision for the future.

What inspired your shift from Bharti Airtel to entrepreneurship, and how did your experience shape Zyvka’s vision?

After 26 incredible years at Bharti Airtel and Airtel Payments Bank, starting Zyvka didn’t feel like a leap—it felt like the natural evolution of everything I had learned. From being one of Airtel’s founding employees back in 1998, I embraced an entrepreneurial mindset early on, learning how to build and sustain a brand. Consistency, which anchored me through decades of growth, now fuels me through the dynamic ups and downs of Zyvka. Competing at the highest levels— keeping Airtel ahead for years and adopting the latest technologies— gave me the courage to take on global challenges. With these experiences, entrepreneurship with Zyvka is not just a venture—it’s an exciting new adventure for which I was always prepared.

How does Zyvka ensure that startups and highgrowth companies hire their human capital, and what role does technology play in this?

At Zyvka, we don’t just handle recruitment—we operate as a human capital supply chain company. This means we care for the entire human capital lifecycle, from identifying skill gaps to upskilling employees through partnerships with skilling companies like upGrad and Crack-Ed. Our focus isn’t just hiring but nurturing talent from day one. As I always say, “When you hire your first employees, you’re creating the DNA for long-term success.” Our flagship product, StartupBox, emerged from the struggles we faced ourselves as founders. It covers all nine critical functional support for startups, from naming the business to bookkeeping, legal services, digital marketing and funding. To ensure a seamless hiring experience, we leverage a vast network of 500+ partners and 4,000 industry experts who assist with interviews and candidate finalisation. With transparent, founder-friendly pricing, our simple model—People as a Service—is designed to help founders focus on their core strength, which is building products and markets, while we take care of the critical support functions.

What challenges did you face moving from corporate to startup, and how did you tackle them?

Transitioning from a corporate giant like Bharti Airtel to co-founding Zyvka felt like starting over again. You can’t approach a startup with an ownership mindset—there’s no sitting back and watching things fall into place. It’s like raising a child: from conceiving to birth, the process is filled with challenges, uncertainty, and occasional frustration. But as I always say, “The darkness of the tunnel may seem daunting, but it’s the light at the end that keeps you moving.” Overcoming these hurdles required peak energy, treating every day like Day One, and surrounding myself with a tribe of multigenerational entrepreneurs—those who’ve walked the path, shared ideas and offered strategies. The unconditional support from family was equally important as their belief made the toughest transitions feel like exciting new beginnings, proving that the right people around you make all the difference

Please share your vision for Zyvka’s future and what plans are currently in motion

With a solid foundation in India built over the last few months, our journey began at the Founder Institute in the USA, led by Zyvka founder Amber Shrivastava. Zyvka’s future is global, as we operate in the USA, Canada, and UAE today and are expanding further. Our vision is to emerge as one of India’s top HR tech companies, bridging global talent with global opportunities. With AI reshaping the HR landscape—we’re preparing to adapt and evolve. Our goal is to build a future where technology and people work hand-in-hand, making the most of both worlds.

What legacy do you aim to create with Zyvka in the industry?

With Zyvka, I aim to build a legacy that aligns with India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat, a vision to make India a developed nation by 2047. We aim to position Zyvka as a global enabler of human capital, helping talent from India thrive on the world stage. We want Zyvka to be a force that embodies “Bharat for the World,” contributing to a future where Indian startups and professionals are recognised and celebrated globally. By creating innovative solutions and fostering partnerships, we aim to redefine human capital supply chains, ensuring that talent and opportunities flow seamlessly across borders. This journey reflects the essence of Sabka Prayas—collective effort—driving us to be a torchbearer in India’s transformation and its growing role in the global economy.