Long before the start-up storm swept the city, when a plate of masala dosa cost just one rupee, Chethan Raj was born into a modest family in Bengaluru in the 70s. Under the calm, tree-lined streets of Bengaluru, Chethan spent his childhood cycling and playing Gilli Dandu with his friends. An idyllic childhood.

And while his days were packed with outdoor adventures, something a bit quieter – but just as important – was happening indoors. He and his cousins immersed themselves in reading Amar Chitra Katha comics that were stacked inside their grandmother’s cupboard. The stories of gods, kings, and warriors entered his young mind and fascinated him. They spoke less about winning and more about duty. About doing what one must, regardless of outcome. These ideals slowly began influencing his moral compass. 

College, Competition, and the Joy of Participation

After his schooling, Chethan completed his PUC and joined a hotel. There, he worked for two years, first as a cook and later in the Food & Beverage office. Those early years taught him discipline, and customer service. Then he joined Bangalore University to complete his bachelor's degree in economics. For Chethan, college life really showed off his natural knack for, well, everything. Sports, athletics, cultural events – it hardly mattered which arena he stepped into. What mattered to him was 100% effort from his end. Result? Chethan won across so many categories that he was awarded the title of Champion of the College. 

Entering the Corporate World

The 90s were a defining decade for Bengaluru, as the IT ecosystem began blooming. Chethan found himself at the right place at the right time. In 1995, he joined Wipro and stepped into the IT industry, beginning his career in HR. From day one, he had this one super clear guiding principle: your job is to do your work well and not to fret about the outcome. Just like Arjuna did his duty under the guidance of Krishna, Chethan focused on the work before him and gave his 100%. Naturally, in the next two decades, he rose through the corporate ladder to new heights and acquired top leadership positions! But, as he climbed the corporate ladder, he reached a point in his career where he wanted to start something new of his own. So, in 2012, he resigned from his job and took a break.

The Sabbatical That Changed Everything

Now, Chethan wasn’t one to quit without a proper plan. He’d already thought up the concept for a mobile-first recruitment tool. So, he spent his time chasing investors to transform his idea into a tangible product. And as he did that, he also saw this sabbatical as an opportunity to learn photography at a deeper level. This decision rewired his life forever! 

Carrying his camera, he travelled to different destinations, trekking different hilly trails where ancient temples were seated. He went to these places well before sunrise and waited for the perfect moment to click pictures. While waiting, he observed the interplay of lighting, timing, and ancient architecture, where the sky changed its colour every hour. It was during these moments he realised that these places have a divine significance. From then on, he made it his mission to chase the divine summits around India. Whenever he could snatch a moment, he took his bike and went searching for summits, venturing far from the city, deep into the remote corners of the country.  

Returning to Corporate and launching India’s First-of-its-Kind App 

Alongside conquering summits, he returned to the corporate world and joined HCL in 2012. While working there, he got exposure to the technology and knowledge that would be critical for building digital products. For three years, he absorbed, learnt, and prepared. In 2015, he finally took the leap and launched MyChoice, India’s first mobile-based recruitment tool. He worked hard to take it to the people. But, unfortunately, the market was not ready for such an advanced tool. He was atleast two years ahead. So, the app never really took off, and the investors withdrew in 2017.

For many, this would have been a devastating blow. But Chethan did not see it as an end. He strongly believed a better chance will come up and understood one’s duty remains unchanged regardless. So, with years of expertise behind him, he turned to consulting. For several years, he advised organisations, stayed relevant, and continued working. He did not force success. He waited, prepared, and stayed committed to his craft for 7 years.  

Chance Knocks on His Door Again

As Chethan pressed on, chance eventually knocked at his door in the form of AI. He saw how integrating AI into the hiring platform could be a game changer. So, with no delay, he began working on it. In 2024, Chethan finally founded Hirify, an AI-powered hiring platform designed to simplify recruitment. The world was technologically ready now. The timing aligned. His venture gained traction and is now looking at a promising future.  

Chasing Sunrises With Ducati

Beyond the remarkable man we know lies a side of Chethan that is effortlessly cool. In the year 2015, two new chapters began. One is, as we already discussed, his entrepreneurial venture. The second was his Ducati chapter. In 2015, he strode into the UB City Ducati showroom and rode out on a Ducati Scrambler. Since then, he has owned three Ducati models and achieved a rare feat in India: 115,000 kilometres on Ducati bikes alone! As President of Ducati Owner's Club, he leads a pack of 450 riders, the largest riding group in India. Either as solo or with treasured riding friends, he goes on a 'temple run' takes place ‘Temple Run’ trips to sacred summits across Devabhumi (Uttarakhand).

Final Thoughts

Chethan Raj’s life is a reminder about in success rooted in fundamentals. He shows us that excellence begins with doing one’s duty with integrity, rather than chasing outcomes. His journey also reminds us that professional rigour need not limit the rest of life. One can excel at work and still grow, give, and become more.