DECA alumni are more than just former members—they are changemakers, innovators and leaders in their careers. From launching successful startups to driving impact in the business world, their careers are a testament to the power of ambition, hard work and the lessons learned from their time in DECA. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply looking for career inspiration, these stories will motivate you to be the one in your DECA journey.
Meet Gautam Ajjarapu
Gautam is the founder and CEO of Glide, a fintech startup that helps modernize community banks and credit unions. Glide is backed by some of the country’s most prominent fintech investors, including Pear VC and the founders of Plaid and Robinhood.
Previously, Gautam and his co-founders built and launched products for over one million Gen Z and millennial users worldwide.
Recently, Gautam was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 for his work helping financial institutions nationwide.
In high school, Gautam served as the President of his DECA Chapter, Monta Vista DECA. In his 4 years competing, Gautam placed at ICDC 3 times, with wins in SEPP (1st, 3rd) and STDM (3rd).
Learn more about Gautam's DECA experience and his impressive career below:
Gautam's DECA Story
- Tell us about your “DECA Story.”
I joined DECA because I loved building projects but wasn’t quite sure how to grow them into real companies. DECA gave me my first hands-on experiences—like creating marketing plans for LA Fitness and Equinox, developing project ideas for Oculus VR, and designing a helmet prototype that reduced football injuries. These projects led to three ICDC wins, including one first-place finish. I was also honored to serve as President of Monta Vista DECA, known for being one of the best chapters in the country. - What is your favorite DECA memory?
My favorite DECA memory is our Saturday Study Sessions in the Monta Vista Library. We spent countless hours practicing role-plays and delivering mock presentations, guided by tips from former ICDC champions and our advisors’ real-world insights. Sometimes, we’d get kicked out of the library for staying too long, but we would still spend hours outside devouring pizza. Those long hours taught me that working hard can be enjoyable and rewarding when you’re part of a strong, motivated team. - How did your involvement in DECA shape your career path?
DECA was the most influential part of my education. It helped me develop public speaking skills, build confidence and learn to thrive under pressure. I developed a unique ability to analyze business problems and clearly present solutions through DECA. DECA also showed me the breadth of running a business, which inspired me to transform my mock projects into real ventures which eventually led to starting my own company. - What advice would you give current members when planning for college and careers?
Embrace every chance to challenge yourself, regardless of embarrassment or failure. I can’t count the number of presentations I bombed in front of the MVDECA team – but a great team is a support system that will allow you to grow from those failures. The best DECA competitors, and some of the best entrepreneurs I know today, weren’t the most skilled when they started. Finally, build a set of transferrable skills—like communication, collaboration, and problem-solving—that will serve you no matter what career path you choose.
Gautam's Career
- Your company, Glide, is featured in your recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Can you tell us more about Glide?
I co-founded Glide with another Monta Vista DECA alumnus, Sameer Kapur, and a friend from college, Vishnu Chakroborty. Glide modernizes traditional banks and credit unions by giving them the tools to let their customers open accounts, apply for loans and handle payments from their phones. Even though we didn’t previously have any work experience in this field, we’ve grown to serve dozens of financial institutions, surpassed multi-million-dollar annual revenues and raised $6 million from top venture capital firms in the country. - What motivates you to continue growing?
Hearing from customers and team members about how Glide makes their work and lives simpler is what keeps me going. Each time our platform saves someone a headache or speeds up a process, it reinforces our mission. We also have an incredible network of mentors, advisors and clients who push us to keep innovating. With their support, we believe we can make a real difference in the financial services industry. - What are you hoping to accomplish in your future career? Are there any specific roles or areas you’d like to explore or goals you’d like to meet?
I’ve been intrigued by finance since participating in DECA Finance competitions. In the future, I plan to continue exploring fintech to build solutions that simplify financial services for everyone. My goal is to explore and develop new technologies that can positively reshape how people interact with money and technology.
Check out Gautam Ajjarapu's Forbes 30 Under 30 profile to read more about his exciting career.
