Visionary, builder, and product leader.
I create products and experiences where creativity meets execution, blending design, strategy, and innovation to turn bold ideas into meaningful results.
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About Me
Hi, I’m Sai Srivatsav Gutala—though most people call me Sri.
I’m a product thinker, builder, and storyteller at heart. What excites me most is turning ambitious ideas into something people can actually experience—whether it’s intuitive software, hardware-backed products, or creative experiences that live somewhere in between.
My journey started not in a corporate boardroom—but in a notebook, sketching app concepts at 15, teaching myself design, and launching my first venture-based project at 18. Since then, I’ve built ventures, founded a non-profit, collaborated with manufacturers in Shenzhen, designed user-centric digital products, and driven automation and product strategies within enterprise environments like AT&T, Alarm.com, and Fluid Touch. Across all these experiences, I’ve developed a strong passion for product strategy, user research, experience design, and building things people care about.
I enjoy operating at the intersection of technology, design, and human behavior. Whether I’m mapping workflows for an AI-powered automation system, designing adaptive footwear, or crafting culturally expressive apparel, I focus on user insight, feasibility, and emotional resonance—not just functionality.
Outside of work, music is a huge part of my identity. I sing, write songs, and play guitar and piano. Music keeps me rooted in creativity, storytelling, and emotion—skills that naturally flow into how I build products and experiences. I also love visual design, psychology, fitness, and capturing cinematic content for storytelling or personal branding.
At my core, I believe products should not just work—they should make people feel something.
2.5+YEARS
Corporate Experience
4+YEARS
Venture Experience
5+YEARS
Product Design
Ventures
Hoop Foundation — Social Impact Learning Initiative
Role: Founder & Program Architect
Timeline: 2024–Present
Type: Education Impact | Community Model | AI-Assisted Learning
Scope: Concept → Field Discovery → Program Model Design → Pre-Launch Validation
Product Vision
To expand high-quality education access to underserved children living in Indian slum communities by designing a hybrid community + online learning model — powered by volunteer teachers, remote learning pods, and AI-based learning companions.
“Every child should have access to opportunity, not just information. Education shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code.”
Phase 1 — Vision Architecture & Strategic Partner Alignment
Focused on defining the mission, identifying real-world constraints, and modeling how physical + digital learning can work sustainably in underserved communities.
Key Activities
- Identified and partnered with a grassroots school in Hyderabad, India that is looking to expand beyond its physical location.
- Held exploratory discussions with nonprofit founders, educators, and volunteers to understand current operational and scale limitations.
- Defined the program vision, impact goals, and a preliminary expansion model for bringing structured learning into slum communities.
- Designed an operating framework for a hybrid teaching model: human-led live sessions supported by AI-assisted self-paced learning.
PM Deliverables:
- Vision Statement & Program Narrative
- Stakeholder & Partnership Map
- Expansion Model (Physical School + Remote Learning Pods)
- Program Design Blueprint
Phase 2 — Community Research & Needs Discovery
Conducted field research in Hyderabad slum communities to understand real barriers to learning — beyond just a lack of content or devices.
| Area | Key Focus |
|---|---|
| Parent Interviews | Understood daily routines, learning gaps, financial pressure, and access to smartphones, internet, and safe study space. |
| Child Engagement Sessions | Ran drawing, storytelling, and simple learning games to build rapport and observe motivation and attention span. |
| Learning Constraints | Identified limited device access, absence of quiet learning environments, and the need for on-ground supervision and support. |
| Cultural Understanding | Observed the central role of trust, family permission, and emotional safety in whether children will consistently attend sessions. |
Key Insight → Technology alone won’t work — children need mentorship, emotional support, and structured guidance, not just screens and videos.
Phase 3 — Program Model Definition & Business Design
Focused on designing how learning would actually be delivered and what is operationally feasible at scale.
| Area | What Was Done |
|---|---|
| Teaching Model Design | Proposed a remote learning pod structure: 10–15 children, local facilitator, and tablet-based AI guidance for basic literacy and numeracy. |
| Business Model Canvas | Mapped key partners (NGOs, local schools, edtech tools, volunteers, global donors) and core activities for sustainable program delivery. |
| Scalability Planning | Modeled a phased expansion path: pilot pods → neighborhood clusters → multi-community hubs leveraging AI-assisted content. |
| Volunteer Enablement | Defined structured roles: on-ground facilitators, remote mentors, and AI-learning supervisors responsible for pacing and engagement. |
| Funding Pathway | Designed a donations funnel for education kits, shared devices, and pod setup costs, including recurring sponsorship options. |
Outcome → Designed a “Community + AI Hybrid Learning Model” centered on structured guidance, mentorship, and basic digital tools—not full-tech dependency.
Phase 4 — Pre-Launch Validation & Early Engagement
While full teaching operations haven’t begun yet, early trust-building, presence in the community, and partner alignment have been established.
| Engagement Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Supply Donation Drive | Organized distribution of stationery, books, snacks, and clothing to children in slum communities as a first touchpoint. |
| Volunteer Field Visits | Spent time on the ground with local leaders, observing interest levels, testing classroom engagement, and validating curiosity. |
| Trust-Building | Parents and early volunteers expressed willingness to participate in a structured after-school learning pod once launched. |
| Program Acceptance | Existing school partners endorsed the hybrid model and agreed to host the first pilot pod using their current facilities. |
PM Deliverables: Vision Deck · Operational Model Outline · Early Engagement Report
Outcome & Current Status
| Validation Area | Result |
|---|---|
| Interest in Learning Pods | Confirmed through parent interviews, child engagement, and volunteer enthusiasm for structured after-school learning. |
| Parent Support Readiness | Majority of parents expressed willingness to send children to nearby learning pods if safety and trust are maintained. |
| Digital Readiness | Device access is low, but communities are open to shared devices and structured tech-aided learning when properly supervised. |
| NGO Partner Alignment | Partner organization agreed in principle to pilot the first learning pod using their existing school premises and community trust. |
What I Learned
Real impact products start with community, not code.
Education builds trust before it builds curriculum.
Emotional desirability can be validated before technical feasibility.
In this case, the true MVP isn’t software — it’s community acceptance.
Next Steps (Planned — Not Yet Executed)
- Pilot the first Learning Pod in Hyderabad with 10–15 children.
- Deploy shared tablet-based AI learning assistants (stories, quizzes, basic skills).
- Measure engagement, attendance, and learning progress over an initial 8–12 week period.
- Evolve the AI Companion concept (OneBot) into an early prototype focused on storytelling, doubt clearing, and personalized practice.
Veera Apparel — Lifestyle Activewear Venture
Role: Founder & Product Owner
Timeline: 2024–Present
Type: Apparel & Brand | Lifestyle & Activewear
Scope: Concept → Market Discovery → Design System → Pre-Launch Validation
Veera Apparel Product Render Samples
Product Vision
To design lifestyle activewear that feels premium, minimal, and culturally expressive—without being loud or cliché. Built for everyday wear, not just events or gyms.
“Comfort-first apparel with subtle identity—not costume, not cliché, just confidently expressive.”
Phase 1 — Discovery & Market Insight
Activities:
- Interviewed 50+ early potential users (fitness creators, young professionals, models) on comfort, fit, and cultural expression.
- Analyzed premium activewear brands (Lululemon, Alo, Gymshark) to compare tone, brand language, and perception of quality.
- Identified opportunity in understated cultural identity—not bold graphics or printed symbolism.
PM Deliverables: Problem Statement • Target Persona Profiles • Brand Positioning Axes (Minimal ↔ Loud, Lifestyle ↔ Performance)
Phase 2 — Requirements & Material Exploration
Focused on fabric feel, premium perception, and manufacturability at small scale.
| Area | Key Focus |
|---|---|
| Material Testing | Evaluated cotton-spandex and bamboo blends for softness, stretch, and wash durability |
| Cost Modeling | Created small-batch feasibility plan (50–100 unit drop) |
| Brand Testing | Compared subtle symbolic accents vs cultural graphic printing |
Outcome → Shifted design toward neutral tones, subtle accents, and tone-on-tone motifs.
Phase 3 — Design Iteration
Prototype 1: Graphic-Based Concepts
- Explored strong cultural illustration and printed motifs
- Created mockups in Illustrator and Figma for visualizing placement & identity
- User Insight: “Looks good, but too loud to wear casually.”
Prototype 2: Minimal & Tone-Based Expression
- Refined into clean silhouettes and tone-on-tone symbolic elements
- Focused on matte textures, subtle cultural accents, and premium feel
- Developed Visual Identity System (Design System v1) including:
- Soft neutral palette (charcoal, stone, deep navy)
- Tone-on-tone accents and minimal branding
- Placement rules for symbolic micro-elements
Phase 4 — Brand Identity & Pre-Launch Planning
- Created lifestyle concept visuals (gym, café, everyday casual)
- Developed brand story centered on subtle identity, comfort, and self-expression
- Built early Go-to-Market concept: waitlist, concept testing, influencer sampling (not executed yet)
PM Deliverables: Brand Story • MVP Concept Brief • Design System Snapshot
Outcome & Current Stage
| Insight | Impact |
|---|---|
| People want "premium minimal" more than bold ethnic designs | Shifted away from graphic imagery toward tone-based accents |
| Fabric feel signals quality | Limited materials to mid-weight cotton and cotton-spandex blends |
| Cultural identity must be subtle, not loud | Established symbolic over literal cultural designs |
Next Steps (Pending)
- Produce first fabric prototypes (sampling stage)
- Fit, drape, softness testing with user panel
- Small batch launch (50–75 units) with story-first marketing
What I Learned
Subtlety is a strategy—not just a design choice.
Fabric is the MVP in apparel.
You can validate desirability without producing inventory.
Alphawave Technologies — Smart Footwear Venture
Role: Product Owner & Founder
Timeline: 2020–2023
Type: Hardware + Mobile SaaS | Wearable Tech | IoT
Scope: Concept → Market Discovery → MVP → Technical Pre-Validation
Product Vision
To design the first app-controlled adaptive footwear, enabling users to dynamically change colors and patterns using their phone — blending personalization, fashion, and smart wearable technology.
“Shoes that adapt like your phone wallpaper — customizable, expressive, and digitally intelligent.”
Phase 1 — Product Discovery & Vision Architecture
Defining Mission, Target Market & Use Case
Conducted market gap analysis across fashion tech, smart wearables, and customization products.
Identified growing trend in: Self-expression, modular fashion, sustainable personalization, and youth-driven digital identity.
PM Deliverables built:
- Product Vision Statement
- Problem Statement
- User Personas (Sneakerheads, lifestyle users, creators)
- Market Size Model (~$12B Growing Smart Wearables Market)
- Business Model Canvas (Customizable hardware + digital experiences)
Phase 2 — Requirements Definition & Technical Feasibility
Key Challenge: Can this technology (e-Ink / OLED / color-shifting materials) actually be embedded into a shoe while maintaining flexibility, durability, and battery efficiency?
Activities Performed
| Exploration | What We Did |
|---|---|
| Material Feasibility | Evaluated OLED, LCD mesh, flexible e-Ink, electrochromic film |
| Vendor Discussions | Met with E-Ink Corp and multiple Shenzhen prototyping labs |
| Legal & Patent Research | Conducted IP feasibility, initiated provisional patent development |
| Technical Workshops | Evaluated battery integration, wireless controllers (BLE), flex-PCB constraints |
| Engineering Budgeting | Cost modeling for prototype versioning, BOM analysis |
PM Deliverable Created: Technical Feasibility Assessment & Build vs Buy Matrix
Decision: Pivoted away from OLED screens (fragility / heat / high-cost) → toward static color-shifting e-Ink panels with Bluetooth microcontroller integration.
Phase 3 — Design & Experience Prototyping
Prototype 1 — Concept Modeling (Sketches & 2D Visual Renders)
Goal: Capture form, functionality, and the user experience.
Created concept storyboards, sketch design pack, and usage journey mapping.
Defined mobile app companion concept: Color selection, presets, connectivity, “Style Library.”
Prototype 2 — Low-Fidelity UX Wireframes
Built quick flows using Figma lo-fi, focusing on:
- How users select styles
- How shoe connects to app (Bluetooth scanning)
- Style presets & favorites experience
Deliverables:
- User Flow Maps
- Lo-Fi Wireframes
- Interaction Model Diagram (shoe ↔ phone ↔ cloud preset sync)
Phase 4 — High-Fidelity Design & Physical Prototype Coordination
Hardware: Physical Product Engineering & Manufacturing Enablement
E-ink Prism Model
OLED Model
- Developed detailed 3D renders and engineering-ready shoe models using Blender and Keyshot, integrating battery housing, MCU compartment, wiring channels, and removable color panel slots.
- Built multiple iterations of physical prototypes using Arduino and then ESP32, allowing BLE communication, higher power efficiency, and debugging through the Arduino IDE and VS Code.
- Managed BOM (Bill of Materials) planning and sourcing, coordinating key components: fabric base, e-textile layer, 3.7V LiPo battery, ESP32-based microcontroller, wiring harness, and color-change e-ink panel prototypes.
- Created technical documentation and annotated CAD files to communicate design intent, constraints, and dimensions to Shenzhen-based manufacturing partners for prototyping.
- Engaged with E-ink suppliers and wearable material specialists, evaluating tradeoffs in flexibility, voltage tolerance, durability, and response time for color change modules.
- Coordinated design handoff, prototype approval, and version tracking using supplier communication packets, combining renders, specs, materials, and firmware interactions.
- Incorporated user feedback loops to refine wearability, weight distribution, charging methods, and style preservation—improving user comfort perception and aesthetic appeal.
Embedded Software & Hardware Control
- Iterated from Arduino-based prototypes to ESP32 microcontroller for improved Bluetooth capabilities, battery efficiency, and processing speed.
- Wrote firmware in C/C++ to handle BLE communication, boot sequencing, power management, and LED driver control.
- Designed logic for real-time color switching, synchronization timing, and memory-based preset storage on EEPROM.
- Collaborated with an electrical engineer to build a custom PCB, integrating power regulation, BLE module, LED drivers, and charging components.
- Tested firmware at multiple stages, using serial debugging and edge-case simulations to improve reliability and responsiveness.
Mobile Software – React Native App (User Experience & BLE Integration)
- Built a hybrid mobile application using React Native to support both iOS and Android, prioritizing faster iteration and cost efficiency for prototype testing.
- Designed and documented the BLE command protocol, mapping app interactions to firmware-level actions (hex command strings for color updates, style changes, and preset sync).
- Created high-fidelity Figma screens, then converted them into responsive React Native components—Live Preview, Color Wheel, Preset Editor, and One-Tap Apply Style.
- Structured the app using a modular architecture (UI Layer → BLE Service Layer → Firmware Controller), ensuring scalable integration with hardware.
- Implemented real-time preview simulation in the app using React Native Animated API to mirror actual hardware behavior — helping users visualize style changes before pushing them to the shoe.
- Conducted usability testing across 15+ users, identifying friction in Bluetooth pairing flow; iterated to add automatic device detection and onboarding prompts.
Deliverables:
- Hi-Fi App Design System
- Design Spec Document for Hardware Integration
- Clickable Prototype for Demo & Pre-Investor Pitch
Phase 5 — User Testing & Market Validation
Conducted 100+ tests with: Lifestyle users, Fashion students, and TikTok content creators.
| Feedback | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Customization felt scarce in the footwear market | High | Confirmed interest |
| Users preferred preset-based designs, not complex manual editing | High | Simplified UX model |
| Concerns about durability and weather-resistance | High | Redesigned housing |
| Suggested adding preset “Collections” (Seasonal, Minimal, Streetwear) | Medium | Added Collection concept |
PM Deliverable: Usability Report — Iteration Path for V2
Phase 6 — MVP Concept Definition (Go-to-Market Prep)
Based on feasibility, user desirability, and cost modeling, MVP was defined as:
App-Controlled Static Color-Shifting Shoe (No animation video, just dynamic color panels)
- Mobile App Integration
- Limited battery use (<8hrs per charge)
- Quick style swapping
- Limited initial presets (6–10 styles)
- Fabricated to withstand physical usage
Deliverables:
- MVP Feature List & Prioritization (MoSCoW)
- Go-to-Market MVP Plan
- Pitch Assets for Investor Readiness
Outcome & Learnings
Why MVP Production Paused:
- Supply chain & manufacturing risk too high for bootstrapped budget
- Complexity in durability testing & certifications
- High initial manufacturing cost ($85–$120 per pair — too high without volume)
What I learned:
- Hardware x Software PM requires deep technical feasibility + vendor collaboration
- Human behavior favors simplicity—users don’t need full control, just curated choices
- PM Rule: Faster doesn’t mean better — “Test desirability before building feasibility.”
Next Iteration (Concept for Future)
Knowing GenAI and flexible tech are evolving rapidly, revived concept can become:
AI-Powered Adaptive Footwear — Upload an outfit → App generates matching shoe style → Sends to smart footwear with instant color sync.
SuperStar
(2019 - 2020)
SuperStar was a social media app venture developed over the course of a year, designed to let anyone create and share short films directly from a smartphone. The vision was to give creators a platform for episodic storytelling — a “Netflix for creators” — that democratized film production and distribution.
Throughout development, we engaged with digital creators and actors to test the concept and app features. While the editing tools showed promise, feedback revealed that the short-film creation process was still too complex for a mobile app to simplify, and many creators preferred professional equipment. Market insights also showed that the audience for such a platform was limited at the time, with the broader community not yet ready for this type of product.
Despite these challenges, the venture demonstrated valuable lessons in understanding creator needs, market timing, and product feasibility. The concept remains ahead of its time, with potential to succeed as technology advances and user behavior evolves.
YoungPreneurs
(2018 - 2019)
YoungPreneurs was my first design project and second venture, created to connect startup founders, co-founders, and early investors through a dedicated mobile platform. The goal was to make it easier for entrepreneurs to find essential collaborators and initial funding, with a long-term vision of expanding the network to include venture capitalists and broader startup support.
Building YoungPreneurs offered early lessons in both product design and the startup ecosystem. The project emphasized the challenges founders face when seeking co-founders and funding, and highlighted how critical usability is when designing a platform for networking.
Through the process, I gained insights into the importance of community, relationship-building, and streamlined user experiences — lessons that continue to shape how I approach product design and venture creation today.
Provaloh
(2017 - 2019)
Provaloh was my very first venture experience — a virtual trial room app designed to let users try on clothes digitally before making a purchase. The concept aimed to blend fashion with technology, reducing the uncertainty of online shopping while improving customer confidence in their choices.
To bring this vision to life, I built and led a team of 10 people across engineering, marketing, business, and design. Together, we explored how to merge technical feasibility with customer needs while experimenting with different approaches to user experience and product delivery.
As my first exposure to building a venture, Provaloh provided invaluable lessons in leadership, collaboration, and the fundamentals of product development. It showed me how bold ideas can spark new possibilities, and how execution and teamwork are key to turning vision into reality.
Consulting
I provide consulting in web and app design, as well as product development — helping early-stage founders and teams shape ideas into user-friendly, market-ready products. My focus is on bridging strategy and design, ensuring digital experiences are both functional and engaging.
Corporate Stretch
Corporate Stretch partnered with me to elevate their digital presence and brand identity. The company provides mobile stretch therapy services to athletes, corporate employees, and teams across the Washington, DC metro area, with a mission to improve wellness, energy, and productivity through guided movement.
I worked on positioning Corporate Stretch as a professional, trusted service brand by designing a clean, modern website and refining their messaging. The focus was on highlighting the core problem — workplace fatigue and unproductivity from sitting all day — and presenting Corporate Stretch’s mobile therapy sessions as an energizing solution.
Through this project, I gained experience in shaping a wellness service into a scalable digital brand, balancing approachable design with corporate credibility. It underscored the importance of tone, storytelling, and usability when building trust with both businesses and individual clients.
Bangladrop
Bangladrop was a startup based in Bangladesh seeking support in designing the first iteration of their mobile app for a dropshipping platform. The vision was to create a system similar to Alibaba but focused on connecting global business owners with wholesale sellers in Bangladesh.
I worked closely with the client through multiple meetings to understand their goals and translate them into actionable design solutions. This included customizing wireframes and app flows to align with Bangladrop’s vision, while also engaging with prospective customers and businesses in Bangladesh to ensure the design addressed real user needs.
The project offered valuable experience in global market design, client collaboration, and customer research. It strengthened my ability to conduct interviews, capture client objectives, and deliver designs tailored to diverse audiences — bridging product vision with practical usability.
NECX
NECX engaged me to design their first prototype mobile app, created to showcase innovative solutions for law enforcement agencies to seed investors. The prototype emphasized usability and functionality, translating NECX’s vision into a tangible digital experience for stakeholders and potential customers.
In this project, I collaborated closely with NECX to capture client requests and address the unique challenges of law enforcement information management. Through iterative wireframes and design refinements, I ensured the app balanced industry standards with the client’s goals.
The experience strengthened my ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, prioritize timelines, and adapt to complex requirements. Despite non-disclosure constraints, the NECX project expanded my expertise in designing for specialized industries and highlighted the value of aligning product design with client and market expectations.