Bengaluru vs Seattle: AI startup co-founder runs a 24-hour company across two cities, shares insights on innovation and energy in both tech hubs
When Siddhant (Sid) Masson decided to leave his stable consulting job at Deloitte, he didn’t have a blueprint for what came next—just a growing sense of dissatisfaction and a curiosity about technology’s evolving power. Today, the 37-year-old entrepreneur is the co-founder and CEO of Wokelo AI, a generative AI startup that automates investment research and commercial due diligence. The company operates across two continents, with teams in Seattle and Bengaluru, proving that innovation knows no boundaries.
From Consulting Cubicles to Coding Culture
Masson’s journey began in the world of consulting, where he spent nearly three years at Deloitte. The work was high-paced, the clients impressive—but something felt missing. “I never got to see the impact of my recommendations because by the time they were implemented, I had already moved to the next project,” he told Business Insider.
That lack of fulfillment led him to pivot toward technology. In 2021, he moved to Seattle to pursue a master’s in business analytics at the University of Washington. There, he found himself at the intersection of data, business, and a rapidly evolving field—artificial intelligence.
The Spark of an Idea
While exploring early generative AI technologies, Masson realized their potential to transform the kind of work he used to do—market research, presentations, and analysis. What once required endless consulting hours could now be done in seconds. That insight became the foundation of Wokelo AI, which he co-founded in 2023.
His co-founder, also a former consultant, stayed in India. Together, they built a company that bridges two dynamic tech ecosystems—Seattle’s cloud-powered innovation culture and Bengaluru’s thriving startup energy.
One Firm, Two Time Zones
Running a startup across two continents is no easy feat, but Masson believes it’s their secret advantage. “Having teams in different time zones means our operations never sleep,” he said. While sales and client teams work from the U.S., the product and engineering units are anchored in Bengaluru.
The model also helps balance costs. Bengaluru’s deep talent pool allows Wokelo to attract skilled developers at a fraction of U.S. salaries, without compromising quality. “We don’t treat our Bengaluru office as an outsourcing center. We see ourselves as one firm across time zones,” Masson explained.
Since its inception, Wokelo has raised $5.5 million across two funding rounds, bootstrapping its early operations before investors took notice.
From Consulting Cubicles to Coding Culture
Masson’s journey began in the world of consulting, where he spent nearly three years at Deloitte. The work was high-paced, the clients impressive—but something felt missing. “I never got to see the impact of my recommendations because by the time they were implemented, I had already moved to the next project,” he told Business Insider.
That lack of fulfillment led him to pivot toward technology. In 2021, he moved to Seattle to pursue a master’s in business analytics at the University of Washington. There, he found himself at the intersection of data, business, and a rapidly evolving field—artificial intelligence.
The Spark of an Idea
While exploring early generative AI technologies, Masson realized their potential to transform the kind of work he used to do—market research, presentations, and analysis. What once required endless consulting hours could now be done in seconds. That insight became the foundation of Wokelo AI, which he co-founded in 2023.
His co-founder, also a former consultant, stayed in India. Together, they built a company that bridges two dynamic tech ecosystems—Seattle’s cloud-powered innovation culture and Bengaluru’s thriving startup energy.
One Firm, Two Time Zones
Running a startup across two continents is no easy feat, but Masson believes it’s their secret advantage. “Having teams in different time zones means our operations never sleep,” he said. While sales and client teams work from the U.S., the product and engineering units are anchored in Bengaluru.
The model also helps balance costs. Bengaluru’s deep talent pool allows Wokelo to attract skilled developers at a fraction of U.S. salaries, without compromising quality. “We don’t treat our Bengaluru office as an outsourcing center. We see ourselves as one firm across time zones,” Masson explained.
Since its inception, Wokelo has raised $5.5 million across two funding rounds, bootstrapping its early operations before investors took notice.
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