APIplatform.io: Saldin Samuel on Democratizing API Development with No-Code Innovation
In the modern digital economy, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the invisible threads that hold the web together. Every time you check a price on Amazon or book a flight on Expedia, hundreds of APIs are firing in the background. Yet, for all their importance, building and managing APIs remains a slow, expensive, and code-intensive process. Saldin Samuel, the creator of APIplatform.io, is on a mission to change that. By launching the first-ever no-code platform for API development, Saldin is reducing time-to-market from weeks to mere minutes.
The Problem: The 'Two-Week' API Trap
With over 21 years of experience at giants like Oracle, eBay, and Expedia, Saldin saw a recurring inefficiency in software engineering. "Even a simple API, like fetching a list of countries, could take two weeks to deliver," Saldin explains. "The complexity of continuous integration, testing, and deployment adds layers of cost and time that many organizations simply can't afford."
This frustration led to the birth of APIplatform.io. The platform serves as a one-stop shop where developers can design, manage, and monitor APIs without writing a single line of code. It effectively automates the backend logic, allowing companies to focus on their core product rather than the plumbing.
The Power of the Patent
Unlike many software founders who focus solely on speed, Saldin prioritized intellectual property from the start. He has filed multiple patents for his no-code API creation and delivery mechanisms. "A patent is a way to validate your idea's novelty," he notes. "It's an IP protection that allows you to safeguard your invention against competition."
The Patent Process in India vs. US
- Validation: Use patents to verify if your idea is truly new before scaling.
- Cost: Filing in India costs roughly ₹60,000, while in the US it can reach $10,000.
- Complexity: Saldin recommends using a patent attorney to navigate the rigorous documentation and search requirements.
Building a YC-Backed Legacy
Saldin's journey hasn't been a solo flight. After prototyping the platform himself, he recruited a team of "entrepreneurial minds" from his alma mater, **PSG College of Technology**. With a clear vision and a working MVP, he joined the prestigious **Y Combinator** program, gaining the mentorship and global network needed to scale APIplatform.io into a worldwide entity.
APIplatform.io Scale
- Global Reach: Co-founding members in the US, Australia, and India.
- Team: 9 full-time engineers and a team of technical consultants.
- Funding: Well-funded with a runway of over a year, currently raising angel and seed rounds.
The 'New Normal' of Software Development
Saldin believes the pandemic has accelerated the need for "no-code" and "low-code" solutions. As companies shift to a "new normal" with reduced commute times and digital-first operations, the demand for rapid technology invention has never been higher. "We need loads of strong entrepreneurial minds to think beyond the current circumstances," he urges.
Saldin’s Advice for Aspiring Tech Founders
- Prototype Early: Don't wait for a team. Start coding or building your MVP yourself to prove the concept.
- Validate with Accelerators: Programs like Y Combinator, Upeka, or Axel can help you groom your idea and reach the right VCs.
- GTM is Key: Go-to-market is often the hardest challenge. If possible, operate or network in technology capitals like the US to drive global adoption.
- Manage Your Time: For students and graduates, organic growth is essential. Learn to balance your regular work with consistent contribution to your venture.
The 'Baby' vs. the 'Forest'
When asked to compare a 9-to-5 job with entrepreneurship, Saldin uses a poignant metaphor. "A startup is your own baby. You seed it, you see it budding and growing into a fruit-bearing tree. The happiness you get from that fruit is enormous. A corporate job is like a forest planted by others—the fruit is there, but it's not truly yours."
Saldin Samuel continues to nurture his "baby" from the heart of Bangalore’s Indiranagar, redefining the future of backend engineering one API at a time.