When Nikita Shamgunov left SingleStore, a company he had built to a $1.5 billion valuation, many were surprised. But the database expert and serial entrepreneur saw something transformative on the horizon that demanded a fresh start.
“The world changed and the reason is AI,” Shamgunov stated firmly during a recent interview. His new venture, Neon, began as a serverless Postgres database service but is rapidly evolving alongside the AI revolution. “Neon is expanding its mission from being a database as a service to platform as a service,” he explained.
Shamgunov believes adaptability is crucial in today’s tech landscape. Throughout our conversation, he repeatedly stressed the importance of recognizing when market conditions shift and having the courage to pivot accordingly.
When asked about maintaining strategic focus while navigating industry changes, he advocates for transparency and authenticity.
“It’s good to be honest with yourself when you’re changing the plan.” he said. “Communicate this to your investors, board, employees, and then to yourself when you look at yourself in the mirror that the plan is now a new plan and that’s okay.”
He advises founders to stay vigilant about emerging opportunities rather than clinging to original visions that may no longer align with market realities. According to Shamgunov, success comes from acknowledging how external forces reshape the landscape.
This approach has paid off for Neon, which grew six times in revenue last year. The company is now reaching into areas they hadn’t initially considered, particularly in the AI space.
Shamgunov acknowledges the challenges of entrepreneurship but maintains that growth makes the journey worthwhile. The experienced founder reveals how Neon is addressing AI-driven market demands, noting that their product has found strong market fit as more customers join the platform daily.
For Shamgunov, entrepreneurship in the AI era requires both discipline and flexibility — a balance he continues to master at Neon.
