Bridging Deep Tech, Security, and Scalable Innovation

SPARSH SAXENA

AI Product Leader and Technologist

In a time when 72% of global CEOs say rapid technological change is their biggest challenge, leadership is being redefined. It’s no longer just about managing operations—it’s about foresight, adaptability, and turning complex technologies into meaningful, human-centered solutions. The unpredictability of today’s business landscape, marked by AI advancements, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory shifts, demands more from leaders. They must not only navigate change but simplify it, humanize it, and build trust around technology’s role in shaping the future. This is where technologists and innovators like Sparsh Saxena shine. With an impressive track record at Microsoft, Shopify, and mission-driven software firms, Sparsh stands at the intersection of technical expertise, UX vision, and enterprise-grade product strategy. His work spans database architecture, system migrations, security engineering, and stakeholder alignment— making him part of a new wave of systemlevel innovators. At Microsoft, Sparsh led initiatives in the M365 Security division, securing Microsoft’s infrastructure and engineering systems — work that was business critical for Microsoft’s customers, including Fortune 500 companies and government entities.

"Whether at Microsoft or through independent projects, my goal has always been the same— turn complexity into clarity, and technology into something people can actually use." Sparsh Saxena

Beyond corporate roles, Sparsh’s commitment to democratizing technology led to projects like UnSQL AI—a technically ambitious AI tool he created independently to simplify access to legacy databases through natural language. Designed to empower businesses without technical teams, UnSQL AI unlocked value from outdated systems. Its real-world impact and eventual acquisition by a Canadian entrepreneur underscore its technical and business significance. In an exclusive conversation with TradeFlock, Sparsh Saxena discusses his career journey, leadership philosophy, and how thoughtful, product-driven innovation can create meaningful change for people and businesses alike.

What inspired you to move from big tech roles to building UnSQL AI?

I’ve always believed that the best ideas live at the edge of curiosity and experience. My time at Shopify and Microsoft taught me how small product decisions can impact millions — from streamlining global shipping to protecting sensitive data at scale. But over time, I realized, “AI will reshape everything, and I had the right mix of experience to build something meaningful with it.” That’s what led me to experiment on the side with projects like UnSQL — a personal tech initiative that eventually got acquired. For me, it was never about leaving big tech; it was about being closer to what’s next.

What lessons from Avid Bags shaped how you built UnSQL AI?

Looking back, Avid Bags wasn’t just an e-commerce experiment — it was a crash course in how great products alone aren’t enough. While working at Shopify, I saw entrepreneurs thrive not because they had the best products, but because they knew how to tell their story. That experience taught me that a good product gets built, but a great product gets noticed. So when I worked on UnSQL as a side project, I approached it differently — focusing not just on the tech, but on how to make its value clear to the people who needed it most.

What inspired you to build Rustic Flute and make angel investing insights accessible?

I didn’t start Rustic Flute because I had all the answers—I started it because I couldn’t find them. When I began learning about angel investing, I was overwhelmed by noise and scattered information. So I thought, “If I’m doing the hard work to figure this out, why not share the journey so others can learn too?” Rustic Flute has since evolved into a widely-read content platform cited in independent newsletters like TL;DR, reaching thousands of global investors curious about India’s startup ecosystem. Through research-driven content, Sparsh is bridging the information gap between U.S.- based investors and emerging Indian startups—earning recognition as a credible voice in cross-border investing. From securing complex systems to independently building AI-driven tools with real-world applications, Sparsh Saxena’s career is a case study in multidisciplinary excellence. His contributions—spanning enterprise software, security, AI-driven automation, and product strategy—have not only earned third-party recognition but also helped define what it means to build technology with both purpose and precision.

What motivated you to turn outdated databases into assets with UnSQL AI?

I’ve always noticed that in tech, no one wants to deal with the “boring” problems — and that’s exactly why I was drawn to legacy databases. They were t reated like liabilities, but the real issue was that businesses were stuck spending millions maintaining them or hiring rare consultants just to run basic queries. I realized, “AI was the perfect solution to fix this problem, if done well.” That’s what led me to experiment with UnSQL as a personal tech initiative. The idea wasn’t just to help big companies — the goal was to make advanced data access possible for small and traditional businesses who didn’t have the luxury of hiring expensive data engineers.

How do you ensure both tech expertise and business skills in your leadership team?

I’ve never believed in dividing people into “business” or “tech” boxes — especially in the early days. When I worked on UnSQL as a personal project, I looked for something simple: small, high-agency, ridiculously talented people who could do a bit of everything. I’ve learned that, “In the beginning, the best teams blur the lines — the CTO should talk to customers, and the CEO should know how the product is built.” That overlap creates speed, clarity, and real ownership. Later, when things scale, roles evolve — but at the start, everyone has to know the whole game.