In our Founder Spotlight this month, we highlight Denzil Eden, the Founder and CEO behind Smarty, the AI that coordinates your calendar!
How did you come up with the idea for Smarty? Has it changed along the way?
The eureka moment for Smarty happened amid the hustle and bustle of my MBA student life. I was juggling academic work, extracurriculars, and those dreaded existential questions about life post-graduation. With my background in AI and software, I knew there had to be a solution for automating a good chunk of my workload. Smarty started as an AI-powered chatbot for personal use, but as I delved deeper, the vision evolved. I realized the transformative potential it held for productivity on a global scale — a digital companion that could automate mundane tasks, leaving more time for what truly matters.
How did you meet your co-founder(s)?
As a solo founder, I didn’t have the traditional co-founder journey. Being a solo founder has its pros and cons. On the positive side, I’ve had the autonomy and speed that comes with solo decision-making and I was able to ensure that the vision for Smarty remained uncompromised. However, the journey has also been daunting and at times, lonely. There have been instances where I’ve missed having a sounding board to discuss ideas, share responsibilities, and simply feel the camaraderie that comes from sharing the same startup journey. But these challenges have also taught me resilience and the importance of building a solid support system, both personally and professionally.
Where did you find your first 5 customers?
Smarty’s first five customers were right in my own backyard! The concept of an intelligent companion for the busy professional resonated with friends, colleagues, and people I interacted with at networking events and in my startup founder communities. Our first customers were eager early adopters willing to give Smarty a try and their feedback was instrumental in shaping the product.
What is the one piece of advice you ignored back then but wish you’d taken now?
In the early days of Smarty, I fell into the common startup trap of believing “If you build it, they will come.” I spent a lot of time on features that I thought were necessary, essentially I was building for myself. Looking back, I wish I had spent more time validating the concept and understanding my users’ needs before I ever started coding. If I could revisit the past, I’d have Figma in the driver’s seat and tell VSCode to get in the back. It’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way. While my early experimentation led to great insights, I’ve still fundamentally reshaped my approach towards product development since then — data and users ALWAYS come first.
Why did you decide to apply for a Harvard MBA?
I believe strongly in the power of continuous learning and growth so I was attracted to the diversity and depth of knowledge Harvard Business School offers. Having only worked at Microsoft before then (both as a PM and as a software engineer), I wanted to gain a more holistic understanding of business, create meaningful networks, and engage with like-minded innovators from different industries than my own. An MBA felt like the perfect way to combine my tech background with business acumen.
Did the MBA program help with your startup? How?
Absolutely! My time at HBS was like a Masterclass in ‘Startup 101’. The mix of strategic thinking, leadership skills, and market insights was priceless. But the real game-changer was the network: it led me to my first investor, Pear Ventures. And my MBA still continues to support my startup journey by connecting me with remarkable founders, advisors, and industry experts. The diversity at HBS — a mix of backgrounds, industries, skills, global origins — was such a unique and enriching environment that has changed how I think and see the world, in the best ways!
Smarty is a product of those rigorous MBA case studies, enlightening debates, and countless cups of coffee shared with inspiring peers!
What has been the most challenging aspects as a founder?
The journey as a solo founder in a highly competitive and crowded space has been a roller-coaster ride. The constant pressure to innovate and stay ahead, all while single-handedly managing every aspect of the business, has been the most challenging part. However, these challenges have become my biggest teachers, instilling in me a resilience and grit I wouldn’t trade for anything. This journey has transformed me, and I’m proud of who I’ve become through the process. The learning curve is steep, but every bit of personal growth, every small win, every stride towards turning my vision into reality, makes it all worth it. I wouldn’t have it any other way: I love being a founder and working on Smarty is my passion!
Learn more about Smarty at www.smarty.ai.
Thanks again to Denzil for sharing your story!
Sterling Road invests in idea stage and pre-seed B2B startups based in the US, Canada and UK.
