Journey So Far 🚀

It began with an curiosity about how computers and the internet connect with electronics. This interest pushed me to pursue a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, where I focused on IoT and sensor technologies. During my studies, I built a strong technical foundation, but something kept nudging me, a desire to bring my ideas to life, test them in the real world, and solve problems through practical experience.

In my final semester, I landed a full-time job and worked there for two years. After 2 years in engineering at TATA Technologies, I realized I wanted to build products end-to-end — not just models and systems. So I joined a 15-member startup, worked without pay initially, and took on everything: client discussions, product strategy, hardware design, and building IoT systems.

That experience changed everything. I built a smart vending machine from scratch, learned how to validate ideas quickly, and understood what real ownership feels like.

Today, I work as a Product Manager building systems that scale — from IoT hardware to quick-commerce workflows powering 300K+ monthly orders. I focus on solving real problems with clear thinking, fast iteration, and a mindset that treats every challenge as an opportunity to grow.

A Product I Worked On 🛠️

What I Did
I built a smart vending machine, inspired by "Amazon Go," but shaped like a fridge. It was fully autonomous and works by weighing the items people took out of it.

How I Did It
  • Leveraged my domain knowledge to design the architecture of the machine.
  • Self-funded the project, with additional support from O2Labs.
  • Collaborated with senior developers to create the software and hardware.
  • Designed and fabricated the enclosure, then deployed it at our incubation center for user feedback and iteration.
Why I Did It and Its Impact
Traditional vending machines drop products, which isn’t ideal for delicate items. My vending machine solved this by allowing users to:
  • Open the fridge.
  • Pick items.
  • Pay based on the weight of the items removed.
This approach reduced product damage, offered seamless shopping, and provided a much better user experience compared to conventional systems.
What I Learned đź“‹
  • Building a product from scratch is deeply rewarding.
  • Iteration is key—every round of feedback makes the product better.
  • Patience and adaptability are essential when solving real-world problems.
  • End-to-end ownership requires teamwork, active listening, and a growth mindset.
Nithish Ravella