Hugga - HR Tech Startup
Overview
As CTO of Hugga, an internal HR tech startup focused on revolutionizing employee engagement and human resources management, I led the complete technology strategy, team building, and infrastructure design. The role required balancing rapid startup growth with cost efficiency while maintaining technical excellence and scalability.
Cost Optimization
Achieved 36% cost reduction through strategic role selection and efficient technology stack choices.
Agile Methodology
Introduced Shape Up methodology ensuring rapid adaptability and delivery within established timelines.
Leadership & Strategy
Technology Roadmap
- •Defined and executed comprehensive technology roadmap aligned with business objectives
- •Strategically selected team composition and roles to optimize costs while maintaining delivery quality
- •Optimized infrastructure and vendor management to support rapid growth in uncertain startup conditions
- •Implemented continuous system monitoring and risk mitigation strategies to ensure on-time, within-budget delivery
Agile Transformation
Shape Up Methodology
Introduced Basecamp's Shape Up framework to replace traditional sprint-based development, enabling the team to work in focused 6-week cycles with intentional cooldown periods.
Technical Architecture
Infrastructure Design
- •Container Orchestration: Kubernetes deployment for high availability and scalability
- •Database Strategy: PostgreSQL for relational data, Azure Cosmos DB Gremlin API for graph-based relationship modeling
- •Frontend: Modern React application with responsive design and real-time updates
- •Backend: Quarkus (supersonic subatomic Java) for high-performance microservices
Why Graph Database?
Leveraged Azure Cosmos DB's Gremlin API to model complex organizational hierarchies, employee relationships, and dynamic team structures efficiently—a natural fit for HR tech applications where relationships are as important as entities themselves.
Key Achievements
Cost-Effective Scaling
Reduced operational costs by 36% through strategic technology choices and efficient team composition, enabling the startup to extend runway and achieve key milestones.
Rapid Delivery
Supervised projects with Shape Up methodology, ensuring consistent on-time and within-budget delivery while maintaining team autonomy and creativity.
Scalable Foundation
Built infrastructure capable of supporting rapid user growth and feature expansion, with automated deployments and comprehensive monitoring.