In the world of technology, Sarika Malhotra, Co-Founder at C3IT has been a determined evan­gelist who has been passionate about transform­ing organizations with technology. From her early days marked by personal loss to her present-day role as an influential businesswoman, Sarika's story is a tes­tament to the power of perseverance, the importance of role models, and the impact of spirituality. Sarika's journey began with a significant loss – her father's passing when she was just 14. Despite the challenges, her mother emerged as an indomitable force, nurtur­ing her and her younger sister with love and a strong resolve. In her mother, Sarika found an inspirational role model who instilled key values of integrity, the significance of education, and financial independence. Her dad who was an engineer in the ‘Bombay Sappers Group’ of the Indian Army, taught her resilience. This foundation played a pivotal role in shaping Sarika's character and approach to life.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepre­neur magazine, Sarika Malhotra, Co-Founder at C3IT walks us through her illustrious educational and pro­fessional journey.

Take us through your educational qualification and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

I'm a tech-driven engineer with a passion for innova­tion. After my MTech from IIT Roorkee, I joined TCS in 1991, joining a team specializing in cutting-edge bank­ing solutions. Working with clients like State Bank of Hyderabad, I gained implementation experience. Seek­ing new challenges, and to make time for my young daughter at a time when daycares were not so common; I started offering offering freelance architectural and database consulting. Surprisingly, freelancing thrived. But I had free time, wanted to do more, and would sit nights programming and building small software prod­ucts, leading to my first venture, Bits and Bytes in 1997.

With a dedicated team, we launched four products, serving a growing customer base. Merged this venture with another company and in 2002, I co-founded my second venture, 'C3IT’.

“An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff & builds a plane on the way down' - reid hoffman. This totally defines me and my journey”

What led you to establish C3IT Software Solutions? Tell us about the underlying idea behind establishing the venture.

'An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down' - Reid Hoffman. This totally defines me and my journey. My entrepreneurial journey started unexpectedly, with my first company's growth driven by customer demand and successful products rather than any planning. The second time, I took a more planned approach, focusing on the emerg­ing smartphone and PDA market's potential. We found­ed C3IT, specializing in mobile product development as a 100 percent export-oriented unit.

As devices advanced, we entered mobile games due to their capabilities. Telecom revenue challenges led us to the enterprise space. Using our device content deliv­ery expertise, we shifted to content management sys­tems for enterprises, offering solutions like document management. Expanding to Europe, we gained clients like KPMG in Denmark. The 2008 recession brought challenges, but we rebuilt by focusing on the domestic market and becoming a Microsoft Gold Partner, rebuild­ing our business on Microsoft platforms and technolo­gies.

What are the various responsibilities you shoulder as the CEO of C3IT Software Solutions. What are your primary focus areas in terms of driving growth for the company?

As an experienced professional with a strong techni­cal background, I take pride in being a driving force within the company. My responsibilities encompass innovation which is vital for our company's growth. As staying updated with the latest technological advance­ments is pivotal, I incubate novel technologies to cater to our customers' needs and advise them on leveraging technology for their objectives. Internally, I collaborate to develop robust architectures, fulfilling commitments to our esteemed customers. With enthusiasm and te­nacity, I strive for excellence, propelling our company towards eminence in the dynamic world of technology.

Tell us about some of the professional milestones you have achieved over the years?

One of the pivotal milestones was taking a Strategy and Finance course with INSEAD, Paris; providing in­valuable insights into financial metrics, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cost control. Becoming a Microsoft partner also shaped our business. Joining the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) as a volunteer and eventually becom­ing its international president in 2020, I fostered knowl­edge sharing and collaboration among partners in 40 countries, leading to collective growth and meeting diverse customer needs. These milestones empowered my growth as an entrepreneur and fueled our compa­ny's success in a competitive market.

What has your success mantra been as a leader? What role has your Alma Mater IIT Roorkee played in shaping you as a business leader?

I always believed in the saying, 'Ignore people who say it can't be done.' This has been the guiding light for our bootstrapped technology company. Our passion for technology and customer needs drive us, balanc­ing innovation and meeting objectives. As a leader, my enthusiasm for tech and love for experimenting moti­vate others. Even after transitioning from coding, I got our in house AI lab started and rediscovered the joy of programming. IIT Roorkee has really helped me shape my leadership qualities. Decision-making for student activities and working with diverse crowds honed my ability to collaborate. The residential setting at IIT Ro­orkee exposed me to diverse viewpoints and taught me to live harmoniously with others enriched our overall development. I credit IIT Roorkee and so many other institutions where I have studied for shaping my lead­ership skills and fostering appreciation for diversity.

Sarika Malhotra, CEO, C3IT Software Solutions

Sarika's journey is an embodiment of resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to growth, wherein, her career harmonizes tech expertise, consulting, and entrepreneurship - a journey of learning fueled by my unwavering passion for tech and innovation.