In a world driven by rapid innovation and constant change, the habit of asking simple questions often leads to profound insights. Recently, I experienced this firsthand during an encounter on a flight where I was seated next to Suresh Sambandam, the Founder of Kissflow and MudhalVC. Known for his transformative contributions to the startup ecosystem, Suresh exudes curiosity, and one particular aspect of our interaction stood out to me—his unwavering habit of asking “Why?”.
This seemingly simple question, repeated in various contexts, revealed the mindset behind Suresh’s success. At the airport, while going through security, he remarked on how hot the weather was and asked, “Why?”. Later, during the flight, when we encountered a bad odor, he asked the same question—”Why?”. At first, these might seem like trivial questions, but they reflect a deeper inquisitiveness, a constant search for understanding, and a drive to improve the world around him.
Curiosity Fuels Innovation
Reflecting on this, I realized that Suresh’s habit of questioning everything is not just a quirk—it is likely a key factor behind his success. His insatiable curiosity and refusal to accept things at face value have enabled him to challenge conventional thinking, innovate boldly, and set ambitious goals. One such goal that he passionately advocates for is his vision of Tamil Nadu becoming a One Trillion Dollar Economy. It is through this curiosity-driven approach that he has shaped Kissflow, a leading low-code platform, and launched MudhalVC, a venture capital firm supporting early-stage startups.
For startup founders, the habit of asking “Why?” is not only useful—it is critical. Whether it is understanding customer needs, challenging business strategies, or addressing operational inefficiencies, the question “Why?” leads to deeper insights, smarter decisions, and innovative solutions.
Unlocking the Core Problem
Founders often fall in love with their solutions rather than focusing on the problems they aim to solve. In such cases, continuously asking “Why?” serves as a compass that guides founders toward the true pain points of their users. This process of questioning helps in peeling away the layers of complexity to uncover the core issue.
Take Airbnb as an example. The company didn’t just set out to create an alternative to traditional hotel booking. The founders asked why people would seek alternatives, ultimately realizing that travelers wanted affordable, trustworthy, and unique lodging experiences. Their ability to ask “Why?” led them to disrupt the global hospitality industry.
Fostering Innovation
Innovation thrives in environments where questions are encouraged, and established norms are challenged. The simple act of questioning opens up avenues for new ideas and creative solutions. Take Tesla, for instance. Elon Musk’s relentless questioning of why the world continues to depend on fossil fuels when cleaner alternatives exist led to the creation of electric vehicles that have redefined the auto industry.
Similarly, Suresh Sambandam’s “Why not?” approach to making Tamil Nadu a one-trillion-dollar economy challenges conventional boundaries and inspires others to think bigger.
Developing Resilience
The startup journey is paved with setbacks and failures, but founders who consistently ask “Why?” after every failure gain a unique advantage—they learn, adapt, and grow stronger. For instance, Instagram initially launched as a location-based social app called “Burbn.” However, by asking why users gravitated toward photo-sharing, the founders pivoted and created one of the most popular platforms in social media history.
Driving Clarity and Purpose
In moments of doubt, asking “Why?” brings clarity and realigns focus with long-term goals. Suresh’s vision for Tamil Nadu’s future and his ability to innovate stems from his relentless questioning of the status quo. As founders, staying connected to your purpose through inquiry can keep you aligned with what truly matters, both for your company and your customers.
Suresh’s curiosity and his habit of questioning everything have allowed him to build remarkable ventures and set ambitious goals that shape the startup ecosystem. For startup founders, asking “Why?” is more than just a tool for curiosity—it is a tool for growth, innovation, and resilience. It is a reminder that sometimes, the simplest questions lead to the biggest breakthroughs.
Thank you, Suresh, for the inspiration and for reminding us all that a single word—“Why?”—has the power to unlock infinite possibilities.
