Neha Sampat is the founder and CEO of Contentstack, the only adaptive digital experience platform built for an AI era, representing the next stage of market disruption and as well as showcasing Contentstack’s long-standing commitment to digital experience innovation and leadership.
She is also a three-time tech founder and CEO of Raw Engineering and Built.io. Neha sold one of her companies to a global tech firm at the same time that she spun off Contentstack into a standalone organisation. She has since grown Contentstack to over 500 employees worldwide and $169M raised. Contentstack is a proud supporter of causes that pursue equity and use technology to break down barriers — including Pledge 1% and Code2College.
- Can you tell us a little about your background and your company?
I always say that I was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. My first “business” was the New Kids on the Block fan club I started at 12 – but my real start came much later when I launched a PR agency with friends in Silicon Valley. We helped brands tell their stories during the dot-com boom, and that experience shaped the way I think about business and innovation.
I was working in product marketing at tech organisations during the time when brands were just starting to figure out what to do with new mobile and cloud technology. I realised there was a real opportunity to help brands, and that’s when I started Raw Engineering, a digital consultancy designed to help businesses move to cloud technology.
Not long after, my technical co-founder, Nishant Patel, saw another gap: businesses needed a more modern, flexible way to manage their content online. We took everything we had learned from my two previous businesses, Raw Engineering and Built.io (an integration-as-a-service provider), and poured it into that idea—and that’s how Contentstack was born.
Today, Contentstack is changing the game for brands looking to turn data into hyper-personalized, scalable digital experiences. We’re proud to work with big names like Burberry, Walmart, ASICS, Crocs, and Mattel, to push industry standards forward. By blending AI-powered content creation with live data integrations and predictive insights, Contentstack helps brands make smarter decisions, boost engagement, and stay ahead of the competition—all while keeping full control over their digital experiences.
- What inspired you to start your business?
I’ve always felt a pull towards entrepreneurship, but before starting any of my businesses, I was leading e-commerce at VMware. All I kept thinking about was how I wanted to move at the speed of the market, but I knew that big enterprises moved at a slower pace. I also saw a growing disconnect between tech and business teams and thought, “there has to be a better way.”
Each company I’ve built has been a response to a challenge I ran into with the one before, and that’s been my inspiration. For Contentstack, it was the fact that companies needed a more flexible, agile way to manage their digital presence – one that let them bring ideas to life quickly across multiple screens. But at the time, that solution didn’t exist. So, we built it.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Pay attention to customer roadblocks and frustrations. If you focus on solving meaningful problems, growth and success naturally follow.
- How did you create awareness for your brand?
We were lucky to launch the first Contentstack product within Raw Engineering because it gave us a front-row seat to our customers’ biggest challenges. That hands-on experience let us build technology that truly solved their problems. Our Raw Engineering customers became our very first users, and from there, we started growing through referrals and word of mouth. Before long, more brands took notice of our momentum—and many of them became our biggest ambassadors.
But, as any entrepreneur knows, scaling is key—and that means having a solid GTM plan, marketing strategy, repeatable sales processes, and so much more. When we raised money, we finally had the resources to put all of this in place and set ourselves apart as the go-to content solution for enterprises.
We actively engage across marketing channels, and right now, building our brand is a top priority—especially as we go head-to-head with industry giants and work to convince enterprises to embrace modern composable solutions over outdated legacy systems. We also invest significant time and energy into customer marketing, ensuring our clients feel supported at every step. At the end of the day, our biggest aim as a company is to help brands stay relevant in a world that’s constantly evolving. By doing this, we’re not only helping our clients adapt but also creating greater awareness for our brand. The more we empower businesses to succeed, the more our story gets shared, and that momentum helps solidify our place as a trusted leader in the space.
- What strategies helped you secure funding and scale your business?
When we hit around 100 people at Contentstack, spread across the globe, scaling became a real challenge. Funding helped us scale, and while it wasn’t easy as a rookie fundraiser, I stayed true to a consistent theme in my career by choosing the road less traveled.
We accomplished this by looking beyond Silicon Valley for investors, focusing on partners who not only had the tools, expertise, and connections we were missing in-house but also aligned with our values. Our key investors are based in New York, California, and Canada.
When it came to scaling, I knew we needed more structure and process. Every company approaches this differently—some focus on more formal performance reviews, team structures, or salary bands. For us, the big focus was investing in a solid training and development program.
It might seem like an obvious step, but I’ve noticed that many startups don’t put enough emphasis on skill training. For us, this step was essential in getting to the next level. We took a hard look at our current roles and functions, identified where we needed more senior leadership, and built a stronger, more structured onboarding program to set our team up for success.
Clear leadership roles are a must. When you’re in a small team where everyone’s juggling multiple roles, things can get messy fast. It’s easy for responsibilities to blur, making it harder to manage and support your team effectively. The biggest game-changer? Putting your ego aside—no matter your role—and being willing to ask for help. Staying open to coaching and feedback isn’t just helpful; it’s how you grow and succeed.
We also had to ask tough questions and take decisive action. We conduct biannual “tribe vibes” surveys to gather honest feedback from our employees and continuously refine our culture strategy. Building accountability into our structure was essential. At Contentstack, our managers celebrate a values-driven employee every Thursday, ensuring our culture is something we actively reinforce.
Scaling isn’t just about growth—it’s about building and maintaining a strong, values-driven company culture throughout the journey.
- What have been your biggest successes so far?
One of our biggest wins has been staying ahead of the curve and being able to innovate to meet customer needs. Many of these moments come from when we see gaps in the market and act on them quickly. We had already launched a personalisation tool but knew that bringing the data to power personalization in-house meant that we could bring comprehensive audience insights, content analytics, and profile management to the Contentstack platform, unlocking real-time personalisation at scale. So, we set out to find the best solution for our customers and acquired Lytics, the pioneer of the real-time customer data platform in January of this year.
By bringing together our industry-leading headless CMS and real-time CDP capabilities, we’re making it easier than ever for brands to react in the moment with AI-driven decision-making. Ultimately, it’s all about helping companies move fast, stay agile, and build stronger connections with their customers. Now, we’re taking it up another notch with Contentstack EDGE, our new adaptive digital experience platform.
Being named a Visionary in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Experience Platforms was also a huge moment for us—it wasn’t just a validation of everything we’ve been building but it also shows how much the industry is shifting. Enterprises are moving away from outdated systems and looking for more agile and composable solutions. This recognition proves that we’re not just keeping up with that change – we’re leading it. It reinforces that Contentstack is at the forefront, helping brands future-proof their digital experiences and stay ahead of the curve.
Honestly, beyond the business wins, what I’m most proud of is the team and culture we’ve built. Growing a company is one thing, but growing it while staying true to our values is what truly matters.
- What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
I’ve never followed the traditional path as a founder. I didn’t attend an Ivy League school, and as a female, non-technical CEO in a tech-driven world, I had to carve my own path. But being an outsider became my superpower—a perspective I continue to rely on today.
One of the toughest challenges I faced early on was managing cash flow and making sure we had enough runway to survive—especially as a woman founder in a landscape where only 2% of VC funding goes to female teams. Before we secured funding, there were months when I went without a salary to ensure my employees were paid.
In those moments, doubt creeps in, and quitting can feel like the easy way out. But what kept me going was simple—my team was counting on me. Their livelihoods depended on my ability to push forward, and there’s no greater motivation than knowing others are relying on you to succeed.
The biggest challenge today? The status quo. Whether in the market or company culture, I’ve never been satisfied with good enough. That mindset is everywhere, often unnoticed, and pushing past it has been one of our toughest but most important battles. That’s why we look for a “never settle” attitude when we hire.
- What are your plans for the future?
I am focused on leading the DXP category and ensuring the world’s best digital experiences run on Contentstack. We’re here to empower brands to finally achieve those ambitious goals they’ve been chasing for years and connect with their audiences in ways that matter. I am focused on integrating our modern digital experience platform with our new Contentstack Customer Data Platform. With data and content together, AI can now actually make personalisation work at scale and help brands tackle projects that have been backlogged or overly complex for far too long.
On a personal note, I’m focused on raising more awareness and action behind Project ERA, focusing on achieving equity for women, so I do everything I can via my platforms to make this happen. ERA stands for Exposure, Relatability, and Access. Exposure is about growing awareness for the opportunities that already exist. Relatability is about seeing women who look like you in top positions. And Access focuses on building a supportive community and providing resources like educating and funding needed for success. In this world, when many are turning away from diversity, I would like to lean into it. I believe that it’s really important to level the playing field for everyone.
- What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Even if you feel like you’re on top of your game today, it’s important to remember that things can change really quickly. New technologies, shifts in the market, and evolving customer needs can all shake things up overnight. That’s why it’s so important to stay curious—there’s always something new to learn out there!
Think about it: the best leaders are always looking to grow. Don’t shy away from asking yourself those tough questions like, “Where can I improve?” If you find you can’t come up with an answer, it might be a sign that you need to look a little deeper or even consider taking on a new role to challenge yourself. Staying engaged is what really sets great leaders apart.
Whether it’s finding a mentor, picking up new skills, or keeping up with industry trends, there are so many ways to keep that momentum going. Surround yourself with different perspectives, be open to feedback, and actively seek out opportunities to push yourself. Try leading a new project, attending a conference, or diving into some courses to sharpen your skills–every step you take can make a difference!
- What are your top three tips for entrepreneurial success?
Build Resilience
Rejection is part of entrepreneurship. From investors who say no to ideas that don’t take off, setbacks are part of the journey. Learn from failures, stay adaptable, and you’ll emerge stronger on the other side of challenges.
Hire the right people and empower them
Success isn’t a solo effort—it’s about creating a team of experts that believes in the vision. More importantly, great leaders remove obstacles so that employees can thrive and innovate. A founder’s job isn’t just to hire talent but to unblock and rally them toward a shared vision and common goal.
Focus on customer obsession
I think the most successful businesses aren’t just product-driven; they’re customer-obsessed. It’s so important to listen to feedback, anticipate needs, and deliver exceptional experiences that create lasting loyalty and sustainable growth.
By sticking to these principles, entrepreneurs can tackle uncertainty, drive innovation, and build businesses that stand the test of time.
10. Who are five people who inspire you the most, and why?
Dan Chu
When I worked at VMware, I reported to one of the company’s early leaders, Dan Chu. He was a great leader and mentor to me. During my time at VMware with Dan, I felt my calling to become an entrepreneur and start Raw Engineering, so I decided to do that full-time. During my exit interview, Dan said something that I will never forget, “I hope that Raw Engineering becomes a large line item in our budgets moving forward.” His support meant everything, especially since it felt like I was still early in my career. Sadly, we lost Dan a couple years after I left VMware. I am always grateful to him for the lessons I learned.
- Snoop Dogg
I’ve been a fan forever! I’ve owned t-shirts and even plan to write him into part of my book.
What I admire most is his support for entrepreneurs and how he helps guide them in a positive direction. As an entrepreneur myself, it’s amazing to see someone so high-profile—someone I’ve looked up to for so long—who shares the same values for building and supporting businesses.
I got to meet the legend himself in Austin once!
- Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Notorious R.B.G! Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a true trailblazer. Her work on the Supreme Court didn’t just make an impact—it shaped history. She’ll always be remembered as a woman who defied the odds and left an undeniable mark on the world.
What inspires me most is her unwavering commitment. No matter what challenges she faced—whether personal struggles or health battles—she always showed up, kept fighting, and remained a force to be reckoned with until the very end. In my eyes, she’s one of the most admirable figures of our lifetime.
- My Nieces and Nephews
My nieces and nephews always inspire me! The smallest one is 5 and the oldest is 25. It is fantastic to see how smart and curious they are at such a young age. Almost all of them have interned at one of my companies, and one of the 11-year-olds just expressed interest in interning as well. Their level of curiosity and wanting to learn really motivates me to be the best at what I do and build a legacy they can benefit from for years to come.
- Melinda Garvey
Melinda was ahead of the game by starting Austin’s Women Magazine 20 years ago. She managed to build an extremely passionate and inspiring community in Austin. I’ve never seen anything like it before. She knows everyone in the community — what they do, their struggles, their dreams. She’s dedicated her life to lifting them up, and when she needed support she brought others like me in as co-owners!
11. What are your favourite inspirational or motivational quotes?
“If it was easy, anybody would do it. But we’re not just anybody.”
You can connect with Neha on her Linkedin:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehasampat/
