CEO Interview Questions for Amit Mehta (AQe Digital)

  • 29 November, 2025
  • 596 Views
Interview of
Amit Mehta
Sharing His Journey With Topfirms
Founder
Enterprise Data & Cloud Transformation

Q1: AQe Digital has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1997. Looking back, what were some of the key turning points that shaped the company into what it is today?

A: When I look back, AQe Digital’s journey has been shaped by several defining moments rather than a single breakthrough. Our journey began in 1997 with a couple of computers and a small office. In 1999, we registered Ace Infoway Pvt Ltd. We had a clear purpose- using technology to solve real business problems, and this mindset became our foundation. A critical moment in our journey came in 2015, when we decided to venture into the eCommerce business, creating solutions for global B2C brands. We embraced digital transformation as a core offering, creating an umbrella of “Qe (Quintessential)” services.

Instead of simply building software, we started helping companies to modernize, optimize, and rethink how they operate. That shift changed the trajectory of our growth and the kind of clients we attracted.

In 2023, the rise of AI and advanced data capabilities presented another turning point. We decided early on to integrate AI/ML into our solutions, not as a trend, but as an inevitable future. That decision expanded our technological depth and enabled us to deliver smarter, more predictive outcomes for our clients.

And finally, one of the most meaningful shifts came in 2025, where we embraced a people-first approach towards every aspect of internal workflows and processes. It helped us retain our agility even as we grew into a global company.

Q2: The “Vision 3x2Yr” initiative aims for 300% growth in the next two years. Can you share how AQe Digital plans to achieve this ambitious target while maintaining quality and innovation?

A: “Vision 3x2Yr” is ambitious by design, but it’s not a leap of faith. It’s a structured, multi-layered growth strategy rooted in clarity, capability, and long-term discipline. We’re aiming for 300% growth, but not at the expense of who we are or what we stand for.

The first pillar is strategic expansion. We’re deepening our presence across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, not just by adding clients, but by building sector-specific solutions for industries like automotive, healthcare, hospitality, and retail. At the same time, we are scaling our existing business divisions and launching new ones that address emerging technology needs.

The second driver is innovation. We are doubling down on AI, machine learning, data intelligence, and automation, ensuring these capabilities are seamlessly embedded into every solution we deliver.

The third focus area is operational excellence. To grow at this pace, we’re investing in repeatable delivery frameworks, reusable components, automation-led development, and stronger knowledge systems.

Most importantly, quality remains non-negotiable. Our “Quality by Design” approach, transparent collaboration, continuous learning culture, and leadership accessibility safeguard consistency across teams, geographies, and projects. Growth must feel equally rewarding to employees, clients, and partners; that’s the accurate measure of success.

Q3: You’ve united 12 brands under one name — AQe Digital. What strategic thinking underpinned this consolidation, and how has it transformed your operations and brand identity?

A: Consolidating 12 independent brands into AQe Digital was a strategic evolution driven by clarity, focus, and long-term value creation. Over the years, each brand built strong capabilities in its own niche, but our clients increasingly needed integrated, end-to-end transformation support.

Unifying under one identity allowed us to remove friction, simplify engagement, and deliver a seamless experience across all business divisions.

Internally, it boosted collaboration at a much deeper level. Teams that once operated in parallel now innovate together, share knowledge, and accelerate delivery cycles. Externally, it strengthened trust.

Clients now see a single, scalable powerhouse rather than multiple specialized entities. The consolidation has amplified our global presence, sharpened our messaging, and positioned AQe Digital as a unified force in digital innovation.

Q4: AQe Digital emphasizes a fun, lively work culture. How do you balance a results-driven environment with this culture of enjoyment and creativity?

A: To me, performance and enjoyment are not opposites but fuel each other. When people feel energized, respected, and emotionally connected to their workplace, they naturally produce their best work. Our culture encourages curiosity, humor, collaboration, and celebration, while also reinforcing accountability, ownership, and excellence.

We create structured spaces for both focused delivery time and moments where teams can unwind, brainstorm freely, or simply connect as humans. Leaders play a key role at AQe Digital; they model balance, not burnout.

The result is a workplace where creativity thrives, innovation feels natural, and high performance becomes a shared achievement rather than a pressure point.

Q5: With over 40% of your workforce being women, AQe Digital stands out in terms of gender inclusivity. How do you ensure equal growth opportunities and empowerment within your teams?

A: Diversity isn’t a hiring metric for us; it's a belief system. We succeed because different perspectives sit at the same table. To ensure equal opportunity, we’ve built structures that support transparent career pathways, unbiased evaluation processes, leadership development programs, and mentorship initiatives. All of which is designed to help women step into influential roles with confidence.

We also invest in creating a workplace where women feel heard, supported, and professionally and personally safe. The recognition we’ve received as one of India’s Best Workplaces for Women reflects lived experiences and not just organizational claims.

Q6: The company’s core values — AQEIANS — highlight ownership, authenticity, and unity. How do these principles reflect in your leadership style and decision-making process?

A: AQEIANS is not just a value statement; it’s the lens through which we lead, communicate, hire, resolve conflicts, and make decisions. As a leader, I believe ownership begins with me. So I stay accessible, accountable, and deeply involved in what we build. Authenticity means being transparent about challenges, not just celebrating achievements. Unity reminds us that success is shared, and every contribution matters. When faced with a decision, I always ask, “Does this align with our values?” “serve our people,” and “create long-term impact for our clients?” If the answer isn’t yes on all three fronts, we rethink it.

Q7: Technology is evolving rapidly with AI, automation, and emerging digital ecosystems. How is AQe Digital leveraging these advancements to stay ahead of the curve?

A: We’ve adopted a simple guiding principle- don’t chase technology but shape it. At AQe Digital, AI, automation, data engineering, and emerging tech aren’t standalone offerings; they are becoming the foundation of every solution we build. From predictive analytics to intelligent workflows and human-centered digital experiences, we’re helping businesses operate smarter, faster, and with greater precision.

We also invest heavily in research, internal product development, capability building, and experimentation. Our teams are encouraged to continuously prototype, challenge assumptions, and reimagine what’s possible. The goal isn’t just to keep up with the future, it’s to participate in building it.

Q8: AQe Digital’s journey from Planet Ace to a publicly listed company on BSE is inspiring. What advice would you give to startups aiming for long-term sustainability and growth?

A: Always focus on the four Ps- purpose, patience, people, and principles. Startups often feel pressured to scale fast, raise capital, or follow trends. But sustainable growth comes from understanding why you exist, who you serve, and what value you consistently deliver.

Build a business that clients return to, not just engage once. Invest in people early. Skills can be trained, but values and mindset must align. And most importantly, protect your principles, especially when growth presents shortcuts. We scaled organically because we believed in responsibility, not just expansion.

Q9: You’ve often emphasized that success isn’t just measured in numbers but also in happiness. What initiatives does AQe Digital take to ensure employee satisfaction and personal growth?

A: Success feels incomplete if the people building it aren’t fulfilled. At AQe Digital, we define happiness as growth, belonging, purpose, and wellbeing. We focus on emotional and mental wellness, flexibility, approachable leadership, open communication channels, and platforms that genuinely value voices. We also create room for smart risk-taking and the freedom to fail, because innovation thrives when people aren’t afraid to try.

The AAA initiative, Ask Amit Anything, ensures every employee has access to leadership without hierarchy. When people feel seen, supported, and encouraged to grow, happiness becomes a natural part of work life.

Q10: Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for AQe Digital? How do you see the company/ and the digital industry evolving over the next decade?

A: The next decade belongs to intelligent, ethical, deeply integrated digital ecosystems. My vision is for AQe Digital to become a global innovation partner, shaping industry transformation rather than just participating in it. We will continue expanding our international footprint, building specialized technology capabilities, investing in AI-led solutions, and nurturing leaders who can carry the culture forward.

But growth alone isn’t the goal; impact is. We want to help businesses operate with greater clarity, efficiency, empathy, and human value. Technology should elevate lives, not replace them. If we can stay curious, remain purpose-driven, and continue building with integrity, AQe Digital will not just grow, it will create meaningful change in the world.

LinkedIn profile: Amit Mehta