Having created many robust, scalable and extensible systems, the co-founder, CTO/COO at Amenify, Danish Chopra has had an interesting journey. Before Amenify, he had the opportunity to work across a variety of impactful Software Engineering and Technology leadership roles in companies like Uber, Cisco, Yolobus (acquired) and Foxpass (acquired).

Each role, depending on the size and type of the company, provided unique challenges—whether it was solving 0-to-1 problems, architecting and scaling critical services used by millions of users and enterprises, and building cross functional teams across geographies to solve complex problems at scale. Before, Chopra studied Computer Science at UIUC and Management Science Engineering at Stanford University.

Below is the conversation that we had with him.

What inspires you at Amenify, and what problem are you trying to solve?

leading technology company providing lifestyle services in the multifamily industry, and we have been steadily making progress toward achieving that goal. We want to address the fragmented and often outdated processes within the big multifamily industry through a reliable, scalable, data-driven platform used by millions of residents, property managers and service providers across the U.S. and other markets.

What are the key strategies Amenify employs to attract top talent, especially in a competitive market?

At Amenify, attracting top talent begins with creating a mission-driven culture that resonates with professionals who are passionate about making a tangible impact and want to be part of something meaningful. We believe in providing a high level of autonomy and ownership where employees can see their contributions directly influencing the company's growth. We also focus on diversity and inclusion, ensuring our workplace remains supportive and dynamic for everyone. In addition, we offer above-market compensation, which reflects the value we place on attracting and retaining top talent.

Can you elaborate on the biggest challenges Amenify faced in its early stages and how you overcame them?

Building and scaling both the Amenify platform and core team has been challenging, especially when we had a distributed team across many different time zones and borders.

Our small team had to build our core platform, improve our apps, support and launch new services, scale operations to new markets, develop tools for sales, marketing, and finance teams, among other things. We all worked hard, built a lot of automations, invested in robust cloud infrastructure and leveraged data analytics to fine-tune our services. Operationally, getting the right teams in place was crucial, which required not only attracting talent but creating a culture of accountability and collaboration.

How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved with the growth of Amenify? What strategies do you use to build and maintain a strong company culture, especially in a startup environment?

My leadership style has always been collaborative, and people-centric. Empowering others to take ownership and make decisions is vital, especially in a startup environment. As Amenify has grown, I’ve become more focused on aligning the teams around a clear mission and vision while giving them the autonomy to innovate and solve problems creatively.

To build and maintain a strong company culture, I focus on transparency and constant communication. I make sure that every team member understands our goals and the bigger picture. Celebrating small wins and creating an environment where failure is viewed as a learning opportunity has helped keep morale high and drive innovation.

We believe in providing a high level of autonomy and ownership where employees can see their contributions directly influencing the company's growth

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those looking to enter the tech industry? Can you share a book, podcast, or mentor that has had a significant impact on your professional journey?

My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs would be to stay curious, resilient and open to learning. The tech industry is constantly evolving, and what works today may not work tomorrow. Embrace change, stay close to your customers, and iterate quickly based on their feedback. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty—understand every aspect of your business, from the technical details to customer interactions, before delegating tasks. This hands-on approach not only builds your own knowledge but also fosters a culture of ownership within your team. Additionally, surround yourself with a strong team that complements your skills.

A mentor that had a significant impact on me was my professor at the University of Illinois, who taught me how to take a very data driven approach to decision making and practicing Emotional intelligence for leadership. As for books, “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries is a great resource for anyone entering the tech world. It emphasizes the importance of rapid iteration and staying close to customer needs, which has been crucial in my journey.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about Amenify, your role, or your experiences as an entrepreneur?

At Amenify, we’ve taken a technology-first approach, using AI and machine learning to transform lifestyle services. It’s fulfilling to see our platform scale and enhance the experience of millions of homes. Being an entrepreneur is about solving problems every day with patience, learning from mistakes, having the willingness to take risks, and maintaining a long-term vision of success. Aligning everyone with the company’s mission while giving them the autonomy to innovate is crucial for driving success. In a dynamic startup environment, the ability to pivot quickly based on market conditions and feedback has been key to our growth. This flexibility and focus on continuous improvement keep us ahead in an ever-changing industry.