From Oil & Gas to Global Impact: Why Sachin Shukla Built UPDEED

After nearly two decades leading global transformation in Oil & Gas, Sachin Shukla space where changemakers and purpose-driven organizations can gain visibility, build community, and drive scalable impact. Here’s how he made it happen.

Tell us a bit about your background, what you are building, and anything you’d like to share

With nearly two decades of global leadership experience in the Oil & Gas sector — shaped by my early years at IIT and further refined at Harvard Business School — I’ve led transformation across industries and continents, from operational execution, strategy to digital innovation.

But the moments that stayed with me the most weren’t tied to profit margins or performance charts. They were about leading people through uncertainty, building trust across cultures, and driving change that meant something — not just to the business, but to the people it touched.

Over time, I felt a growing need to build something more purposeful. Something that could create scalable, human impact — not just in theory, but on the ground.

That vision led to UPDEED — a tech-enabled platform built to empower changemakers and purpose-driven organizations who are working every day to uplift communities and solve real-world problems.

We created UPDEED because good work often goes unseen and unsupported. Around the world, people are doing extraordinary things — but they often lack the recognition, tools, or community to grow their efforts. We built UPDEED to change that.

In today’s digital world, LinkedIn reflects our professional lives. Instagram captures our social moments. But where do we go to express the part of us that wants to make a difference — to contribute, to connect, to create lasting impact?

UPDEED is that space.

Now present in over 150 countries across multiple continents, UPDEED hosts a growing number of campaigns, from grassroots initiatives to global collaborations, all working to amplify impact on the ground. It’s where your impact identity lives, and where visibility meets action to power a global movement for good.

Alongside building UPDEED, I advise businesses on strategic transformation, helping them align execution with purpose, and grow not just efficiently, but meaningfully.

Why did you choose to start a business?

I didn’t start a business just to be an entrepreneur, I started it because I saw a gap between intention and action, especially when it comes to creating meaningful change. I wanted to build something that gives people the tools to support causes beyond donations, to contribute their skills, time, networks, and voice.

Also, after nearly 18 years in corporate leadership roles, I felt the pull to build something from scratch, something that aligns deeply with my values and long-term vision.

How did you start your business?

We began UPDEED not with a finished product, but with a strong conviction: that changemakers, whether individuals or organizations, need better tools to showcase their work, gain support, and collaborate.

We started small and self-funded, building a team committed to creating something meaningful from the ground up. Drawing from my experience in leading large-scale transformations, I focused on setting up solid systems, feedback loops, and user-driven development processes.

Of course, moving from the structured corporate world to the dynamic, uncertain startup environment came with a steep learning curve. But staying connected to the purpose, and to our early users, kept us on track.

What do you wish you’d known before you started your business?

I wish I’d internalized earlier that traction and timing matter more than just the idea. Building something valuable isn’t just about solving a problem, it’s about getting people to care, engage, and act consistently.

Also, in a startup, clarity matters more than certainty. You’ll never have full information, but you must still move forward, make decisions, and iterate.

Did you have any support in your journey?

Yes, absolutely. While the journey is often lonely, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and peers who’ve helped me think through big decisions.

My networks from Harvard Business School, IIT, and years of working across industries have been invaluable, not just for advice, but also for perspective.

That said, the day-to-day journey is one you have to walk yourself. And in those moments, it’s the clarity of purpose and belief in the mission that become your greatest sources of strength.

What is your greatest challenge as a business owner?

One of the biggest challenges has been educating the market. Platforms like UPDEED don’t just plug into existing behavior, they aim to reshape it, by encouraging people to think beyond likes and followers, and focus instead on contribution, visibility, and real-world impact.

Balancing that larger vision with operational realities, product development, partnerships, monetization, is a continuous challenge. But also, the most fulfilling part.

What advice would you give to your past self before opening your own business?

Don’t wait for things to be perfect, progress will teach you far more than preparation ever will. Stay close to your users, stay grounded in your “why,” and embrace the ups and downs as part of the journey.

And build the right team early. Skills can be learned, but values, commitment, and grit are non-negotiable.

Reflecting on your path to entrepreneurship, what key piece of advice would you offer to aspiring founders?

Build something you truly care about, because that’s what will keep you going when the metrics aren’t in your favor.

Don’t just chase scalability, chase meaningful outcomes. The world doesn’t need more apps or platforms; it needs solutions that make people’s lives better, businesses more human, and systems more inclusive.

And finally, stay humble, stay curious, and remember: you already have it in you.