Innovation and the business of changing the world: Stuti Srivastava’s journey in tech
Mehdi Comeau·Oct 30, 2024
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Innovation and the business of changing the world: Stuti Srivastava’s journey in tech
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Mehdi Comeau
Copywriter
Oct 30, 2024 · 4 min read
Stuti Srivastava grew up with a big ambition: to be like Bill Gates. Her childhood dream launched her career in tech. Today, she’s a product manager for TomTom Traffic, working on solutions to revolutionize mobility for drivers, cities and businesses around the world. Her journey getting here strays from convention. We spoke to Stuti to hear how each step has shaped her evolving passion for tech and changing the world.
“I had no idea what Bill Gates looked like, but I was convinced I needed to be him,” Stuti recalls. Her fascination with technology grew even stronger when she first saw a Windows computer. "It was the most colorful thing I’d ever seen. The interface was magical," she says. Stuti was hooked, seeking to understand how everything worked behind the screen.
“I went down the rabbit hole of coding,” she says. And she didn’t stop. Stuti expanded into development and joined the Bing team as a developer at Microsoft, fresh out of university.Taking development on the road
Stuti’s career took some unexpected turns. “The wanderlust had started kicking in,” she says. So, after several years as a developer, she decided to become a freelance digital nomad. "I was connecting with global entrepreneurs and living in a different country every month, mostly for the food,” she jokes. At one point, “a few investors kindly suggested I learn more about business if I want to take my ideas further,” she says. Inspired, Stuti went back to the books and got an MBA. “That was a real game-changer for my perspective on technology and product management.” After getting her MBA, Stuti was inspired to shift into the business side of tech. “And, as much as I loved the freedom of freelancing, I missed the structure of working with a team,” she admits. So, now with a renewed focus, Stuti set out to find what she was looking for.From Silicon Valley to TomTom
Stuti found her next team in Silicon Valley, joining a cybersecurity scale-up where she started in product management. As fate would have it, she relocated to the company’s Netherlands office and became acquainted with TomTom. TomTom’s vision and tech for the future of mobility drew Stuti in. “The challenge of working on a “new map” was too exciting to pass up,” she says. Joining in late 2021, Stuti was part of an early team laying the groundwork for TomTom’s unique new mapping solution, TomTom Orbis Maps. More recently, she’s shifted to working more with automotive customers, designing innovative safety solutions for drivers and autonomous vehicles. “I get to geek out about how to make driving smarter, safer and a little less stressful for everyone on the road,” she says with a smile.Building the future of TomTom Traffic
One of the key products that Stuti’s excited about and focused on right now is TomTom Traffic. “Our product has gone from helping you avoid annoying roadwork to full-blown, real-time traffic wizardry," she says.“The innovation Stuti and her team are working on is crucial for the future of driving, cars and cities, as advancements in traffic and mapping solutions contribute significantly to making urban mobility cleaner and less congested. What does that future tech look like? "I can’t spill too much, but let’s just say it’s going to get a whole lot more intelligent. Picture predictive traffic that will make your morning commute feel like a scenic drive," she hints.Stuti Srivastava
Product Manager, TomTom
Bring on the challenge
When it comes to building cutting-edge tech for systems as complex as modern cities and transportation, there will be challenges ahead. However, overcoming these challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible is exactly what lights Stuti up most. "I’m passionate about the future of mobility, and I love being at the forefront of making transportation safer and smarter," she says. Her goal is to continue making a tangible, positive impact. “I see myself continuing to work on things that change how we experience the world,” she says. Looking down the road, she muses, "Maybe one day, we’ll all be laughing about how we used to drive cars ourselves."The adventure continues at TomTom
From her early days as a curious coder to her current role as a product visionary, it’s clear that Stuti’s journey is far from over. If you’re excited to see where it leads, she encourages you to join her on the adventure at TomTom. “It’s like a treasure trove of ideas and innovation at TomTom. Every day brings a new challenge, and it never gets boring,” she says. In Stuti’s experience, the team and atmosphere are huge strengths. “You’re surrounded by people who are just as passionate about problem-solving as you are. Plus, the culture is collaborative and super supportive.” It’s evident that Stuti loves what she’s working on, standing as a testament to her own words: “Our founders are still involved and have built an environment where people feel invested in what they’re creating.”All in all, she emphasizes one piece of advice: "If you want to work on tech that genuinely makes life better for people, this is the place to do it." Are you in?
All in all, she emphasizes one piece of advice: "If you want to work on tech that genuinely makes life better for people, this is the place to do it." Are you in? Then check out our open roles.
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