Immigrants of Tech - Ayush Kumar

Meet Ayush Kumar! Ayush is a fintech Group Product Manager leading a $60M+ business, father of 2 boys, and a proud newcomer to Canada.

Here he shares his take on the local product landscape and advice for newcomers looking to get into the Canadian tech industry.

What's your story?

Well, I started as a typical engineer turned MBA—like a superhero origin story but with less spandex and more spreadsheets. I got lucky and stumbled into product management at India’s largest online matchmaking app. And when I say "stumbled," I mean it—like tripping over a great career move. I fell in love with the profession. The app had a million daily active users, and there I was, learning the art of B2C product management amidst all the romantic chaos. Fast forward four years, and I decided to level up by moving to Canada in 2019. Now, here I am, five years later, still amazed by the international work exposure and—bonus!—I've even upgraded my family size from 2 to 4.

What was your path like after moving to Canada?

Besides perfecting my dad jokes? I’ve dabbled in everything from PLG (product-led growth) e-commerce to used car marketplaces, neobanks, and even fintech. Canada’s massive banking industry lured me into fintech—it’s like the final frontier with all the excitement of a gold rush but less muddy. Now, as a group product manager, I’m juggling $60M+ worth of SaaS business across two invoicing and payments apps. I help micro businesses—like your friendly neighborhood electrician—get paid on time. And honestly, who doesn't love a good invoicing app? The growth potential, driven by personalization, embedded finance, and AI, keeps me more caffeinated than a double-double from Tim Hortons.

What led you to choose Canada as the place where you wanted to build your career?

Canada checked all the boxes for me: feasibility (because who doesn't love an easy immigration process?) and desirability (because niceness and professional opportunities). Five years in, and I’m happy to report that Canada’s talent hub reputation holds true. Plus, being close to the US gives you that extra sprinkle of ambition—it’s the best of both worlds.

What are your thoughts on the Canadian product space, given that you've worked in a few different industries?

The Canadian product space is mostly B2B. B2C apps are imports from the US, so we focus on B2B, but that’s a broad spectrum. Whether it’s micro businesses or enterprises, there’s a niche for everyone. Industries like real estate, banking, and grocery are big in Canada—huge and omnipresent. If you’re in tech, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself working in one of these areas at some point.

What advice do you have for newcomers looking to integrate into the tech community here or who are job hunting?

• First off, don't be afraid to ask for help. People are very helpful here. Coming from India, I never engaged in general conversations with random professionals. It was always about an interview or some agenda. Casual conversations with random professionals on LinkedIn didn’t happen much at that time, or maybe I just didn’t engage with them. But in Canada, as I was job searching, I had to. I realized that people are very open to sharing their time—20-30 minutes just talking to you, guiding you, and sharing their experiences. Definitely leverage that.

  
  

• Second, irrespective of the country you come from, there are so many companies you might have worked at that people here might not recognize. Tailor your experience to the Canadian context. If you worked at the "DoorDash of India," say it proudly! It’ll make you relatable, and help give hiring managers a deeper understanding of your domain expertise.

  
  

• Lastly, in a post-COVID world where people are primarily working from home, and in a country like Canada, where there’s a lot of immigration, everyone knows that there’s so much talent coming in from different countries. People want to hire good talent, but when I’m hiring and put out a job post, I receive 1,000 applications. It becomes difficult to find the right fit. So, even beyond just casual conversations with professionals, don’t hesitate to reach out to the product team or whatever line of work you’re in on LinkedIn. Introduce yourself, show your proactiveness and curiosity in that organization, and maybe share why you’re interested in that role. It might help your application stand out.
  

What would you say is the most Canadian experience you've had?

Ah, the time I barbecued in winter at -15 degrees. There’s something uniquely Canadian about grilling when you’re not sure if the propane is going to freeze before your burgers are done. The planning involved was a mix of laughter, physics lessons, and a dash of madness. Spoiler alert: the barbecue did work, and the burgers tasted like victory.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

One thing I’ve realized after five years in Canada is that work is just one slice of the maple pie. People here value their personal time, and everyone has a story outside of work—whether it’s coaching their kid’s soccer team or venturing into the wild for some backcountry camping. That’s something I’ve come to really appreciate—there’s life beyond the laptop, and Canadians have mastered the balance.