Aashna Doshi, an Indian-origin software engineer, made a significant career move by leaving her position at Google just over a year after joining the tech giant. At 23, Doshi chose to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions, co-founding Bounty, an AI startup.
From Dream Job to Bold Venture
For Doshi, securing a role at Google was a long-held dream and a testament to her hard work. However, she found herself increasingly drawn to the idea of building something from the ground up, rather than being a small part of a large corporation. She articulated her decision on Instagram, explaining that the potential regret of not pursuing her own venture outweighed the security of a prestigious corporate job.
Her path to Google itself showcased her determination. While studying at Georgia Tech, Doshi initially declined a full-time offer from Google because it required her to move to California, whereas she preferred New York City. Despite a challenging job market for new graduates, she held out and later secured a role at Google that allowed her to work from New York.
The Genesis of Bounty
Even while at Google, Doshi's interest in creation extended beyond her day job. She co-founded a podcast, which evolved from a side project into a platform for content creation, community engagement, and exploring diverse ideas. This experience, coupled with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, inspired her to build something entirely her own.
In May, Doshi fully committed to her startup, Bounty. She describes Bounty as an AI-powered platform designed to assist businesses with crucial tasks such as recruitment, outreach, and lead generation, operating on a results-based model. She is building Bounty alongside her podcast co-founder.
Embracing Uncertainty for Ownership
The transition to entrepreneurship has brought financial uncertainty, as Bounty is still in its nascent stages and not yet generating revenue. Despite this, Doshi expresses no regrets, firmly believing that staying at Google and constantly wondering “what if?” would have been the greater risk. Her story highlights a growing trend among young tech professionals choosing ownership and innovation over traditional corporate security.