About Us
The Founders
At the helm of Nestingale are our dynamic founders, Brijesh Dutta and Vijay Vadali, whose combined expertise and passion drive our mission to redefine home decor.
Brijesh Dutta, Co-Founder & CEO
Brijesh Dutta, armed with an MBA and BE, is a visionary in product and technology. His impressive career includes leading marketplace growth at Groupon as Senior Product Director and enhancing consumer experiences at Shutterfly as Product Director. Brijesh's entrepreneurial spirit shone through during his time at Stem, contributing to its IPO success in 2021. His strategic insight and dedication fuel Nestingale’s innovation and customer-centric approach.
Vijay Vadali, Co-Founder & CTO
Vijay Vadali, a technology powerhouse in e-commerce and retail, has an illustrious background as Engineering Director at Shutterfly and Solution Architect at Skillnet. His deep technical knowledge and leadership skills ensure that Nestingale's platform is cutting-edge and seamless, delivering exceptional user experiences.
Our Story
Back in 2015, my wife and I bought our first home. We were so excited to have a place of our own that we could design and decorate however we wanted! However, during the next few years, we struggled to transform our space into the dream home that we had envisioned.
We made lots of avoidable (and costly!) mistakes, such as painting rooms the wrong colors, purchasing the wrong size sofa, and buying accessories that didn’t match the vibe we wanted. Ultimately, we wasted a lot of money on items that we didn’t love, and a lot of valuable time making multiple trips to stores, returning items, repainting rooms, making decisions, and then second guessing those decisions.
I remember thinking “surely there must be an easier way,” but It took a global pandemic and a conversation with a good friend to inspire me to actually build that easier way.
In 2020 when COVID had us all locked in at home, I really came to understand the vital role that homes play in our lives. From sharing special moments and milestones with family and friends, to working, to resting and rejuvenating, to expressing our individuality, our homes play a central role in our lives every day.
I had been thinking about this idea almost non-stop but it wasn’t until early 2023, when I shared my ideas with my friend Vijay that the idea for Nestingale really was born. Vijay had experienced his own frustrations getting his living space just right. Over the years he had “spent countless hours moving his furniture around to optimize his space and create the right aesthetic”, which typically resulted in “wasted time, frustration when it didn’t fit, and a lot of avoidable back pain!”
As an engineer, Vijay was intrigued by the opportunity to use technology to solve common problems that he and his friends had encountered when working to enhance their homes.
Vijay and I had worked closely at Shutterfly where I was the Director of Product Management and he was the Director of Engineering, on multiple initiatives that utilized technology to build better, easier-to-use products, so we decided to join together again to solve this problem space…and voilà, Nestingale was born.
Our Service:
For Homeowners: We empower homeowners to design their dream home using an immersive digital design assistant with personalized recommendations, and then to bring their vision to life with direct access to products and services from trusted brands. We do not charge homeowners to use our service but we earn a small fee from manufacturers and suppliers if you decide to purchase from our platform.
Suppliers
Brijesh with some of the suppliers
For Product Brands & Service Providers: We offer SaaS solutions, tools, and marketing services that enhance product content, connect brands and service providers with in-market homeowners, and enable more efficient processes across the homeowners’ journey, resulting in profitable sales and client engagements.
Vijay scanning a product and trying out our app.
Our Team
Advisors
Naeem Zafar
As a 7-time entrepreneur and 5-time CEO with multiple successful exits, Naeem Zafar brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to Nestingale. His expertise, honed through teaching at Northeastern University and UC Berkeley, guides our growth and innovation strategies.
Jillian Balis, Advisor & CMO
With her role as CGO at Tovala and former CMO at Groupon, Jillian Balis contributes significant expertise in marketing and growth. Her strategic vision and marketing acumen are instrumental in driving Nestingale's brand and market expansion.
Jimmie Sato, Advisor
Former CTO at Snapfish, Jimmie Sato offers invaluable technical leadership and a deep understanding of scalable technology solutions. His experience ensures Nestingale's platform is robust, reliable, and ready for future challenges
Jason Yelverton, Advisor
As VP of Ecommerce at A-America, Jason Yelverton provides key insights into e-commerce operations and growth strategies. His knowledge helps Nestingale optimize its online presence and enhance customer experience.
.