The Founder’s Playbook: How Thejo Kote Built and Sold Two Startups for $440M
Thejo Kote is a serial entrepreneur who has built and successfully exited two companies, Automatic and Airbase, for a combined total of $440M. His journey from an aspiring founder to a seasoned entrepreneur provides valuable insights into the complexities of scaling, securing funding, and building high-performing teams. In this session, Thejo will discuss the key lessons he learned while navigating the challenges of growing a hardware startup with Automatic, which was sold to SiriusXM for $115M, and later transitioning to enterprise software with Airbase, which was acquired by Paylocity for $325M.
He will share his experiences in developing a strategic approach to business growth, balancing financial discipline with bold decision-making, and shaping company culture to support long-term success. Thejo's insights into fundraising, market positioning, and leadership will provide attendees with actionable strategies to tackle the common pitfalls faced by early-stage founders. From overcoming operational hurdles to embracing intellectual honesty and adaptability, Thejo’s story serves as a playbook for entrepreneurs looking to build scalable and successful businesses.
Join us for an in-depth conversation where Thejo will offer practical advice, candid reflections, and strategic frameworks that can help founders at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT
Join us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner, Head of Member Success at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.
Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT
Thejo Kote is the Founder and former CEO of Airbase, a spend management platform designed for mid-market and enterprise companies. Prior to Airbase, Thejo co-founded Automatic, a connected car platform acquired by SiriusXM in 2017.
He also co-founded NextDrop, where he served as co-founder and advisor from 2009 to 2016. Earlier in his career, he was a senior engineer at Netcore Solutions and a software engineer at Infosys Technologies.
Thejo holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (2000-2004). He later pursued a Master’s degree at University of California, Berkeley, in the School of Information (2009-2011), which provided him with the technical and analytical skills that have been instrumental in his successful career in the tech industry.
Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT
Confidentiality Policy:
All information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors, members, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity, Humility, Authenticity and Inclusivity.