A Dream Internship in Silicon Valley
Ten years ago, at just 20 years old, Goel moved from India to San Francisco for a software engineering internship at Rubrik Inc.. At the time, he was earning $8,000 a month — an opportunity many young engineers dream of.
Reflecting on the experience, Goel said the internship felt surreal. Guided by a mentor from IIT Bombay, he developed a deep interest in databases and scalable backend systems. The dynamic work culture and innovative environment at Rubrik left a lasting impression on him. Years later, the company would go on to become a publicly listed tech firm.
However, despite the excitement and opportunities, Goel realised something important during his time in Silicon Valley — he did not want to build his future there.
Choosing India Over Comfort
In July 2016, Goel returned to India with a clear goal: to build something of his own.
During the final year of college, he immersed himself in learning everything beyond engineering. From entrepreneurship and product development to sales and marketing, he focused on understanding what it truly takes to build a successful company.
“Engineering was never my constraint. Business-building became my obsession,” he shared in his post.
Goel also reflected on a quote by Bill Gates that deeply resonated with his journey:
“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”
Building, Failing, and Starting Again
Over the next decade, Goel experienced both achievements and setbacks. He co-founded Cogno AI, successfully bootstrapped the startup to over $1 million in revenue, and eventually saw it acquired.
But the journey did not stop there.
Goel went on to launch GreyLabsAI, which has now emerged as one of India’s growing AI startups. According to him, the company has raised close to ₹100 crore from investors including Z47 and Elevation Capital.
Today, GreyLabsAI employs more than 85 people and works with over 75 major BFSI clients across India. The company has reportedly achieved more than 3x year-on-year growth.
“Bet on Yourself”
Looking back, Goel believes his journey began with three things — a transformative internship, the courage to return home, and the confidence to trust himself.
He encouraged young interns and professionals to pay attention not just to salaries or prestigious brands, but to the kind of work that genuinely excites them.
“The next ten years are waiting,” he wrote.
Internet Applauds the Journey
Goel’s post quickly resonated with social media users, many of whom praised his decision to return to India and build opportunities locally.
One user recalled following his blogs and online posts for years, saying the story motivated them to eventually start something of their own. Another praised Goel for choosing to contribute to India’s startup ecosystem instead of remaining abroad.
Many others highlighted the importance of mentors in shaping careers, calling Goel’s story both relatable and inspiring.
His journey stands as a reminder that success is rarely instant. Instead, it is often built through years of learning, risk-taking, resilience, and the willingness to begin again.
