In the latest instalment of our "Meet the Team" series, we sat down with Vaibhav Patil, Development Director based at our office in Pune. Vaibhav tells us about his background and current role, his favourite things about working at Xperate, his future visions for the company and more.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Xperate.
With 14 years of experience in the IT industry, I've been fortunate to work alongside Simon Hill, Mark Garnish and Bharat Gidde for nearly a decade. I've also known many of the team members for years, which has made it incredibly easy to strengthen relationships at Xperate.
In September 2021, I joined Xperate as a lead developer. At that time, we were a small but ambitious team of just five members in the development department. Just 3 years later, our team has grown to almost 80 professionals. This rapid growth is a true reflection of the hard work of everyone involved. Within my first year at Xperate, I was promoted to Development Director which is an achievement I am especially proud of.
I truly love working at Xperate. One of the best things is the diversity of projects I've had the opportunity to work on. Thanks to Simon and Mark's large network in the legal tech sector, we've been able to tackle a wide range of challenging and innovative projects. In my current role, I work on my own projects, including a significant US-based project for one of Xperate's major clients, which I manage largely independently. At the same time, I have the opportunity to collaborate closely with our talented team on various projects.
Why did you want to join Xperate and what is it about working at Xperate that you enjoy most?
Having known many team members already, joining Xperate felt like a natural step, though I was initially hesitant about leaving a big company for a startup. However, looking back on things, joining Xperate was definitely the right decision for me and I have absolutely no regrets.
What attracted me most to Xperate is its exceptional policies and employee-friendly approach. The work-life balance here is excellent, and nothing like I’ve ever experienced at any other business.
One aspect of my role that I particularly enjoy is mentoring. I find great satisfaction in sharing my knowledge and experience with others, helping them grow in their careers and tackle complex projects. It's incredibly rewarding to see team members develop their skills and confidence under my guidance.
I always look forward to when Simon and Mark visit India, taking time to individually have conversations with each team member. The exceptional culture at Xperate is a testament to our founders' visionary leadership and their genuine commitment to employee well-being.
How do you overcome any challenges you face in the workplace?
Whilst challenges are a natural part of any business, I can honestly say that in my three years at Xperate, I haven't faced a "real" challenge. This isn't by chance - it's by design.
Our strict interview process ensures that we only hire the best of the best. This careful selection process has been crucial in building a skilled, reliable and adaptable team. It's impressive to see how our staff can handle tight deadlines and high-pressure situations with such composure and efficiency. If we were to lower our standards and bring on board individuals who lack the necessary skills, it would increase the workload and stress on the rest of the team.
This approach to recruitment and team building has created an environment where any potential challenges are addressed before they even arise. We have a team of problem-solvers who are equipped to handle whatever comes their way. Difficult situations still occur, however, we have the best people in place to turn those situations into opportunities for growth and innovation.
Here at Xperate, we solve problems collectively as a team. It's a testament to our team's talent and culture. What might be considered significant challenges elsewhere are often just another day at the office for us.
What motivates you to achieve success?
I am genuinely motivated and excited by new projects, especially those that involve delivering something new or solving a problem that seems unsolvable. It’s especially rewarding to be involved in initiatives where we're creating something from scratch or introducing a solution that transforms how legal professionals work.
I thrive on keeping things fresh and dynamic. The legal tech landscape is constantly evolving, and I love being at the forefront of these changes, continuously learning and adapting.
But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my work is seeing our efforts pay off. There's a real sense of achievement when we get to see the positive impact our solutions have on law firms. When I see how our work makes their operations more efficient, their processes smoother, and ultimately makes them happier and more successful, it makes all the hard work worth it.
Where would you like to see Xperate in 5 years?
Given our current trajectory, I believe we have the potential to more than triple our current size. I would love to see Xperate have more than 300 employees within the next five years. This growth goes beyond just numbers as well. It's about expanding our operations and increasing our ability to take on more complex projects.
I also see Xperate expanding its global footprint as well. While we've already established a strong presence in England, India and Canada, I'd love to see us open more offices in new countries and even new continents. Europe, in particular, holds lots of opportunities for Xperate. I can see us strengthening our presence there, perhaps with multiple offices across different European countries.
This geographical expansion is about creating a truly global network of talent, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, and positioning Xperate to serve clients worldwide with an even deeper understanding of local markets.
As we grow, I want to ensure we maintain the culture and values that have made Xperate special from the start. No matter how large we become, our focus on collaboration and hard work should remain at the forefront of our operations.
How do you unwind outside of work?
One of my favourite ways to unwind is by diving into a good film or a TV series. It's a great way to decompress after a long day of problem-solving. Traditional South Indian movies are my favourite, and whilst I’ve tried to explore English films, I can’t seem to get into them!
I’m extremely keen to explore the mountains of India and go hiking. Whilst it’s not something I have much experience in, I've been talking with my brothers about planning some trekking adventures together. The idea of challenging ourselves physically surrounded by nature is really appealing.
But without a doubt, my favourite thing to do out of the office is spending time with my daughter. Being a dad for the past seven years has been the most rewarding experience of my life and each year, I'm reminded of how much joy she brings to my life and how quickly she's growing.
Connect with Vaibhav on LinkedIn here.