Toast Careers 

Meet Kavita V., SVP and India Country Lead, who is passionate about turning challenges into opportunities and driving sustainable growth. In this spotlight, Kavita shares her background, what brought her to Toast, her advice for others, and insights into what it’s like to work at Toast India.

Tell us a little bit about your background. 

I was born and raised in Mumbai, the vibrant financial and film capital of India. While I grew up surrounded by the energy of these industries, my passion led me down a different path — software engineering.

As the youngest of three siblings, I was often seen as the outlier, not just because of my career choice but also my interests outside academics. I played basketball competitively at the state level, trek annually in the Himalayas for weeks, and am an avid birdwatcher — if I’m ever on leave, there's a good chance I’m out chasing birds!

I began my professional journey as a software developer in the financial services sector, building products for investment and brokerage firms. A pivotal moment came when I joined Oracle, which led me to relocate from Mumbai to Bangalore — the software capital of India — marking a new chapter in my career.

What drew you to Toast and the restaurant tech industry?

My husband was in the food tech space, running a bakery chain in India and leveraging technology to automate operations wherever possible. It was during this time that I first came across Toast. These were still early days for the company, but what immediately caught my attention was how Toast was one of the rare vertical SaaS companies that achieved significant success, despite serving a traditionally low-tech industry like restaurants.

This growth story was clearly fueled by an exceptional product that deeply understood and served customer needs. What stood out to me even more was the passion of the people behind Toast and their close connection with the community they served — something truly unique, and perhaps the real "secret sauce" behind their success.

What do you think differentiates Toast’s technology team and what excites you about the growth opportunity ahead?

Toast’s Technology team is led by a highly experienced group of leaders who have a proven track record of building and scaling successful products. What sets us apart is our ability to think ahead of the curve, embrace the latest tools and technologies, and our willingness to experiment — especially when it drives meaningful value for our customers.

There is a huge opportunity ahead of us with growth in new geographies, new verticals and in enterprise - such an incredibly exciting time to be a part of the company.

How would you describe the Toast culture in India?

Toast in India serves as a vibrant hub for R&D, G&A, Customer Care and multiple operational teams across our Bangalore and Chennai offices. We operate as One Team, with a vision to build a site that is a truly integral part of the entire Toast ecosystem.

India’s culture is incredibly diverse, with nuances that vary from state to state. Yet what unites us as “India Toasters” is our ability to embrace the Toast culture while giving it a uniquely Indian flavor. Whether it's our relentless focus on Customer Success or the ownership mindset we bring to our work, passion runs deep in everything we do.

And if you ever visit us in India, there’s one thing you’ll notice immediately — we are Hungry to Build and Learn!

Which Toast value resonates with you the most?

At Toast, we believe we are all in Customer Success — and this is the top value I personally identify with. Customers are at the center of everything we do. Whenever I'm faced with a decision or in doubt, I ask myself: Will this activity or decision impact the customer, and how?

Being truly customer-centric — putting the customer before self or team — ensures that we are always moving in the right direction. It's this mindset that drives meaningful impact and lasting success.

What advice would you give to someone looking to join the Toast team in India?

If you are hungry to learn and passionate about building, then you’re missing out by not being part of Toast India. Today, we are in an exciting phase of building and scaling our teams here. But we aren’t just looking for talented A-players — we’re looking for people who are willing to go above and beyond for our customers and truly enjoy the journey.

We need bar raisers — individuals who are committed to pushing boundaries, setting new standards, and making a real impact.

How do you balance global best practices with local market dynamics to create an effective work culture?

Global best practices have earned their name because they are tried, tested, and proven across different businesses and industries. However, to ensure they work as intended, it’s critical to adapt them thoughtfully to the local culture, people, and market nuances.

If we take a cookie-cutter approach and apply best practices without tailoring them, we run a high risk of failure — or, at the very least, unintended outcomes. True success lies in balancing proven models with local relevance.

For instance, continuous feedback is a global best practice to supplement annual reviews. In markets like India, where direct feedback can be sensitive, the approach needs adapting — such as using more structured, appreciative feedback formats instead of casual, real-time conversations.The principle stays the same, but the delivery respects local culture, making it far more effective.

What key industry trends do you believe will shape the software sector in India in the coming years?

1. Accelerated AI and Automation Adoption

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing the software industry in India. By 2025, it's projected that 75% of Indian enterprises will integrate AI into their processes. Companies are investing heavily in India, with plans to increase their workforce to leverage the country's AI talent. Not just that, we have also seen multi nationals setting up their Centres of Excellence for AI in India due to the talent density in this domain.

2. Growth in Software Product Market

India's software product market is experiencing robust growth, projected to reach USD 101.64 billion by 2030, up from USD 43.1 billion in 2024, reflecting a CAGR of 15.2% (Research & Markets). This expansion is fueled by increasing domestic innovation and a growing appetite for enterprise software solutions.​

3. Emphasis on Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

With the proliferation of digital services, there is a heightened focus on cybersecurity. As businesses adopt AI and cloud technologies, ensuring robust data protection and compliance with global standards becomes paramount.

4. Rise of Generative AI and DeepTech

Generative AI is gaining traction in India, with applications in content creation, product design, and customer service. The government's IndiaAI Mission is enhancing access to AI resources, aiming to foster innovation and support developers with affordable computing infrastructure.

These trends indicate a dynamic and rapidly evolving software landscape in India, presenting opportunities for innovation, investment, and global collaboration.​

What leadership lessons have shaped your career, and how do they guide your decisions today?

Lead with humility and conviction, but show compassion. Leading a business is different from leading people, but excelling at both is crucial for success. Business decisions are data-driven, objective, and focused on customer needs and business metrics. However, leading people is about valuing individuals for who they are, embracing diversity, and, at times, making tough decisions — but always doing so with humility. For me, striking the right balance between these two is key to effective leadership.