Empowering Entrepreneurs: Neha Sampat's Journey with Springboard
October 2, 2024
As a Springboard alumna and this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Neha Sampat has navigated the challenging journey of building successful companies while breaking barriers as an underrepresented female founder in tech. In this interview, she reflects on how Springboard has played an important role in her entrepreneurial success – from early mentorship to strategic business decisions and fundraising expertise. Read on to learn more about her journey!
Q&A:
Based on your experience, what was the most valuable part of participating in the Springboard program?
I joined Springboard early in my entrepreneurial journey; there are just some things that you can’t learn in business school. As a young mentee, they offered me support, encouragement and some “real talk” feedback.
Springboard helped me decide to restructure my companies. I was originally reticent but ultimately making that change resulted in multiplying the value of my companies by 10X.
I was also new to fundraising. Springboard introduced me to pitch practice, helped with understanding term sheets, and played a role in the investor ecosystem that ultimately led to my first round of funding.
I’ve now founded three companies and built Contentstack to nearly 500 employees, raised $169M in venture funding, and worked with the world’s best brands to empower their digital experiences.”
How has your experience with Springboard impacted your entrepreneurial journey throughout the years?
The founder journey isn’t easy, especially as an underrepresented female tech founder. Springboard understands that not everyone’s paths are the same and works to level the playing field for entrepreneurs like myself.
One way they accomplished that was by helping me learn how to fundraise the right way. I wasn’t simply looking for someone to invest in, I was looking for a partner aligned with us on the most important things. For Contentstack, that was our values and finding someone we could solve difficult problems with. Because when you have commonality on the goals you’re trying to achieve, the road is easier. Sharing values also meant our investors would have our back when it came to the way we planned to approach the market and be open to supporting a unique founder.
This program gave me the tools I needed to succeed as a founder, and it inspired me to help other women do that as well. Today, I try to use my platform to build a supportive community and provide resources others need for success – like Springboard did for me.
What has been the most valuable advice you’ve ever received from a mentor?
Everyone has something to give. Whether it’s time, expertise, or money – there’s always someone out there who can benefit.
It’s one of the ways we achieve equity in a world that doesn’t start on a level playing field.
