Description:
In this episode of The Builders, I sit down with Akash Agarwal—CEO of Conmitto and the builder behind Dock Optimizer—for a deep dive into how spotting inefficiencies in logistics led to a freight tech breakthrough.
From his early days in fintech and retail apps to recognizing massive gaps in the rail and trucking industries, Akash shares how powerful networking, clear customer pain points, and a passion for building simple solutions shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
Key Takeaways:
- Real Problems Build Real Solutions: Akash’s journey began not with a business plan—but with a question: “Do you want a real problem?” That moment sparked the creation of Dock Optimizer.
- The Power of Pivoting: When the railroad industry changed course, Akash saw greater opportunity in the fragmented trucking space. Being adaptable opened new doors.
- AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement: Dock Optimizer uses AI to enhance productivity—automating tasks, surfacing insights, and letting humans focus on high-impact decisions.
- Bootstrapping with Intention: Self-funding gave Akash flexibility and focus. Instead of chasing VC pressure, he followed customer needs and grew sustainably.
- Networking Is Everything: From college connections to industry events, meaningful relationships led to partnerships, product validation, and new opportunities.
- Digitizing Old Industries: The logistics world is still full of paper-based workflows. Akash is bringing tech to these spaces—one micro-app at a time.
Akash Agarwal
I'm the Founder of Conmitto (and our leading SaaS platform) Dock Optimizer—a solution built to streamline operations and drive efficiency for modern warehousing businesses.
I'm passionate about building the technology, processes, and teams to support innovation.
At Conmitto, I help build teams and refine our products so we can implement maintenance management and supply chain management solutions. Our customers use our technology to find hidden maintenance and logistics savings in their operations.
In my free time, I advise companies as a board member or advisor.
THE MEAT OF IT!
1. Meet the Builder: Akash’s Origin Story
- From computer science & industrial engineering to fintech
- How retail apps and early tech work laid the foundation
2. The Entrepreneurial Spark
- Spotting inefficiencies in the logistics industry
- A Christmas party and a pivotal conversation
- From rail to road: why trucking was the right pivot
3. Building the First Product
- Solving for siloed data in railroad maintenance
- Bootstrapping and forming a startup team
- Lessons learned from customer feedback
4. Pivot to Trucking and the Birth of Dock Optimizer
- Fragmentation in the trucking industry
- Why pen-and-paper ops were ripe for transformation
- How Dock Optimizer took shape
5. AI and the Future of Freight Tech
- Using AI for automating reports and optimizing schedules
- Real examples of time savings and productivity gains
- “It’s not AI that replaces people—it’s people using AI.”
6. Business Lessons from the Journey
- Strategic networking and trust as growth multipliers
- Why bootstrapping gave Akash more control
- Navigating tech transformation in legacy industries
7. What's Next for Akash and Conmitto
- Expanding into pharmaceuticals and regulated industries
- The customer-first innovation mindset
- Final advice for aspiring builders
Click to See Episode Chapters and Timestamp
| Timestamp | Summary |
| 0:00 | Building Businesses Through Innovation and Networking |
| 3:02 | Transforming Logistics with Micro Apps and Generational Shifts |
| 7:12 | From Fintech to Logistics: Akash's Entrepreneurial Journey |
| 13:39 | Solving Siloed Data Issues in Maintenance Planning |
| 15:00 | Pivoting From Train to Trucking Industry With Strategic Networking |
| 21:09 | Dock Optimizer Revolutionizes Warehouse and Trucking Coordination |
| 24:54 | Digital Transformation and Its Impact on Business Survival |
| 27:16 | AI Enhancements Streamline Business Processes and Increase Efficiency |
| 30:13 | The Impact of AI on Jobs and Economic Transformation |
| 31:54 | AI's Role in Refactoring and Future-Proofing Codebases |
| 35:26 | AI's Impact on Web Development and Business Efficiency |
| 38:59 | Digitizing Pharmaceutical Supply Chains with IoT and AI |
| 42:51 | Lessons in Bootstrapping and Building Trust in Entrepreneurship |
| 47:10 | Connecting with Akash and Exploring Comitto's Offerings |
Check out these related Episodes:
- Episode 216: Andreas Pettersson – Corporate Exec to Scrappy Builder: Master the Mindset of Growth & Action
- Episode 215: Ken Cox – Building InLink: AI Employees + All-in-One Solutions = The Future of Business
- Episode 214: Erich Archer – Building Smarty Pants GPTs, Creating Faster, Smarter Workflows
