Chika Minamide, Author at Mercari India

October 23, 2024

Mercari India Security Conclave: A Day of Insightful Discussions and Networking

The Mercari India Security Conclave has officially concluded, and we are thrilled to reflect on the meaningful experiences and profound insights that marked this significant event. Bringing together industry leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and enthusiastic participants, the conclave served as a platform for enlightening discussions, practical strategies, and valuable networking opportunities. A Welcoming Opening The day commenced with an atmosphere filled with anticipation. Participants arrived eager to engage with thought leaders and learn more about the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape. Vish Magapu, who leads the Mercari India organization, opened the event with a warm welcome. His welcoming remarks provided a clear overview of Mercari’s vision and introduced the company’s core values, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing both current and future cybersecurity challenges. This effectively set a tone of community and shared purpose for the day’s discussions. Insightful Talks The heart of the event featured a series of thought-provoking talks from our esteemed speakers: Jason took the stage with an inspiring presentation on “Security as a Business Accelerator.” He articulated how integrating robust security measures into core business strategies can enhance operational efficiency while safeguarding assets. Jason discussed the philosophy of integrating security early into the design process while also sharing valuable insights on how Mercari is harnessing the latest advancements in AI. He explained how the company is automating various routine tasks related to asset management, compliance reporting, and even streamlining security reviews for external products. This automation significantly enhances the efficiency and speed of business operations. Following Jason, Nemo captivated the audience with his session titled “Stop Chasing CVEs.” Drawing from his extensive experience in vulnerability management, he provided attendees with practical strategies for prioritizing vulnerabilities and adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Nemo illustrated with practical examples how the CVE database can be outdated or delayed,… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/event/mercari-india-security-conclave-a-day-of-insightful-discussions-and-networking/">Continue reading Mercari India Security Conclave: A Day of Insightful Discussions and Networking</a>

October 22, 2024

Sparking Innovation & Collaboration: Inside Mercari India Hackathon 2.0

At Mercari, we’re driven by a spirit of innovation, an eagerness to build solutions that redefine landscapes, and our value of going bold. It is this culture and spirit that has helped us design a product and platform that is a market leader and growing consistently. Never is this spirit and culture more visible than during our annual hackathon. The first iteration of this hackathon happened with great success last year, and therefore, when I got the opportunity to be on the organizing team for Hackathon 2.0, I was beyond excited! It was, of course, going to be bigger than ever! The hackathon was evolving into a global Mercari construct where winners from different geographies would come together and compete for the ultimate recognition at the finale in our Japan HQ. But first, why even do a hackathon? We do it because it creates a unique space for employees to think outside the box and challenge themselves. In a structured work environment, it’s easy to get engrossed in daily responsibilities and deadlines. A hackathon allows us to hit the pause button on these routines and encourages team members to brainstorm solutions that might not typically emerge. This not only sparks innovation but also cultivates a sense of ownership and pride in one’s ideas. Building the Construct Step 1 of the process was putting together a dream team that would help us put an event of this magnitude together. For this, we searched across experience levels, job roles and domains to put together a diverse team. This was critical so that we could bring in different kinds of perspectives and cover all aspects that would go into making this event successful. The team – Rafael Marcos da Silva, Priyanka Sharma, Gaurav Bansal, Sanu Satyadarshi, Samkit Jain, Yogesh Gophane, Adarsh Gupta, Noush… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/mercari-india-hackathon-2024/">Continue reading Sparking Innovation & Collaboration: Inside Mercari India Hackathon 2.0</a>

October 9, 2024

Mercari India’s First CSR Activity: A Heartwarming Visit to Saanthvana Seva

Our visit to Saanthvana Seva was not just another CSR initiative; it was a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and human connection. The day was filled with joy, introspection, and a profound sense of fulfillment. As we departed, we carried with us the heartfelt stories we heard, along with a strengthened commitment to continue making a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most. Understanding CSR: More Than Just a Mandate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than just a legal obligation for companies; it’s a philosophy that embodies the essence of ethical business practices and the commitment to contributing positively to society. Through CSR initiatives, companies can address societal challenges, promote sustainable development, and uplift communities. At Mercari India, we view CSR as a vital aspect of our mission to create a meaningful impact beyond our business goals. The Story Behind Saanthvana Seva Saanthvana Seva Old Age Home and Rehabilitation Centre is an extraordinary place, founded by Dr. Kumada GC and Sridhar V, a compassionate Doctor and Engineer couple. Over the past seven years, they have dedicated their lives to running this old age home, which now operates across three buildings. Their mission is simple yet profound: to provide not just shelter and food but also love and care to the elderly residents who call this place home. What makes Saanthvana Seva truly special is the involvement of the entire family in this noble cause. Dr. Kumada and Sridhar’s two children, along with their mother-in-law and father-in-law, all contribute to the daily lives of the residents. Together, they create an environment where the elderly are not just cared for but cherished. A Day of Joy and Connection On August 29th, 14 of our employees visited Saanthvana Seva, marking the first time in seven years… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/events/mercari-indias-first-csr-activity-a-heartwarming-visit-to-saanthvana-seva/">Continue reading Mercari India’s First CSR Activity: A Heartwarming Visit to Saanthvana Seva</a>

September 30, 2024

Mercari’s Role as a Startup Hiring Indian Engineers Highlighted as Japan’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Visits Mercari’s India Office, Meets with India PM Modi

September 11, 2024

Day 1 vs Day 90: My Journey from Software Engineer Intern to Full-Time Engineer at Mercari India, Vandana Kumari

The Beginning I was filled with excitement when I received my offer letter from Mercari. The letter not only confirmed my role as a software engineer intern but also detailed my start date, which I eagerly awaited. I prepared myself for the most anticipated day of my life, ready to embark on a new journey First Day at the Company Arriving at the office dressed in full formal attire, I aimed to make a good first impression. While waiting for the onboarding process to begin, I took the opportunity to explore the campus and office. Being part of such a beautiful organization was an incredible experience, and I couldn’t wait to dive into my new role. Office Culture at Mercari Mercari indeed has a vibrant and inclusive culture that stands out. Their core values—“Go Bold,” “All for One,” and “Be a Pro”—are deeply ingrained in their daily operations and decision-making processes12. These values guide everything from hiring criteria to employee evaluations, ensuring that everyone is aligned towards the company’s mission. The mentorship and support system you experienced is a testament to Mercari’s commitment to fostering growth and collaboration. Team bonding events, like the dinner you mentioned, are integral to building a strong sense of community and belonging within the organization12 Learning and Adaptation at Mercari Mercari has an integrated and comprehensive onboarding program that ensures new hires can smoothly transition into their roles without feeling overwhelmed. The onboarding materials and resources are well-organized, making it easy to navigate through the initial stages and quickly adapt to the company’s workflow and expectations. Completing the Onboarding Process The initial days at Mercari were filled with activities aimed at setting us up for success. We completed the necessary onboarding documents and set up various tools required for our roles. We had several sessions introducing us… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/day-1-vs-day-90-my-journey-from-software-engineer-intern-to-full-time-engineer-at-mercari-india-vandana-kumari/">Continue reading Day 1 vs Day 90: My Journey from Software Engineer Intern to Full-Time Engineer at Mercari India, Vandana Kumari</a>

August 6, 2024

Two Sides of the Desk: An Intern-Mentor Journey ft. Prajwal and Minal at Mercari India

Welcome to Two Sides of the Desk, a blog series where we share the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of interns and their mentors. This blog explores the dynamic relationship between mentor and mentee, offering insights from both sides of the desk. Whether you’re a seasoned mentor, a budding intern, or simply curious about the mentorship journey, our stories and reflections aim to inspire, educate, and foster a deeper understanding of this transformative partnership. Mercari India: How do you approach balancing guidance and autonomy for your interns to ensure they’re both learning and contributing meaningfully to projects? Prajwal: Balancing guidance and autonomy involves setting a solid foundation with clear expectations, equipping interns with the right set of tools and resources, providing structured support, and gradually increasing autonomy as interns grow more confident and capable. Regular communication and feedback are key to ensuring they are both learning and contributing meaningfully to projects. Mercari India: Can you provide an example of a particularly challenging situation you’ve encountered while mentoring an intern, and how you navigated it to ensure their growth and success? Prajwal: Introducing the codebase was challenging given its size, structure, and complexity. To avoid overwhelming the intern with technical jargon, I decided to present an eagle’s eye view of the codebase instead of navigating file by file. I sliced the codebase into blocks of predefined functionalities. To reinforce her understanding, I recommended she explore a recently built feature that was a fresh implementation and less entangled with the rest of the codebase. This approach set her perspective on the outline of the end-to-end logical structure of a given screen. This atomic exploration enabled her to understand the composition of the rest of the app by inference and led her to successfully complete her first business KR with minimal supervision. Mercari… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/intern-series/two-sides-of-the-desk-an-intern-mentor-journey-ft-prajwal-and-minal-at-mercari-india/">Continue reading Two Sides of the Desk: An Intern-Mentor Journey ft. Prajwal and Minal at Mercari India</a>

July 15, 2024

Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Platform Team

Welcome to our hiring series- Building Bridges. At Mercari we pride ourselves on building a talented and dynamic team. In this series, you’ll get to know the faces behind the teams that run our organisation. Let’s dive in and get to know them better! Team Introduction Mercari comprises four main divisions: Marketplace, Merpay, Mercoin, and Souzoh. Within these divisions, there are hundreds of microservices. The Platform group serves as the foundation for all services across the entire organization. Our Platform Engineering teams play a crucial role in assisting engineers at Mercari and its subsidiaries in building and delivering superior products to our customers. We provide the necessary infrastructure and DevOps toolchains to enhance the reliability, security, and observability of our services, making engineers’ work more efficient. At Mercari, our mission is to empower the business to take and scale risks, enabling the discovery of new opportunities and driving growth. Mercari India: Can you tell us a bit about what a typical day looks like for the Platform team? Rajesh: As platform engineers, we take end-to-end responsibility for the entire platform. A typical day involves a mix of various activities, including working on new initiatives, enhancing existing components, aligning with stakeholders, and providing support to our customers—primarily developers. You can expect to spend: Mercari India: Tell us more about the role you are currently hiring for, and what qualities do you look for in potential candidates? Rajesh: The Platform group at Mercari consists of multiple teams working together, each focusing on dedicated areas. These teams include Infrastructure/Observability, Network, CI/CD, Developer Experience (DX), MLOps, Experimentation Platform, and Data Platform. Each team has specific ownership and responsibilities.In Mercari India, we have extended Infrastructure/Observability and Network teams. Despite being in different geographical locations, these teams function as a single cohesive unit. We are looking… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/building-bridges-introducing-our-dynamic-platform-team/">Continue reading Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Platform Team</a>

July 4, 2024

Mercari Spotlight: Celebrating One Year at Mercari – Sanu Satyadarshi, Lead Software Engineer-Platform Engineering

It’s incredible to reflect on my first year at Mercari as a Lead Software Engineer. This journey has been filled with remarkable achievements and personal growth, shaping both my career and our team’s success. A core aspect of my role has been enhancing our team’s capabilities through strategic hiring and development. Over the past year, I’ve streamlined our hiring process, reviewed countless resumes, conducted interviews, and successfully onboarded new talent. By standardizing interview formats and employing innovative onboarding techniques, we’ve accelerated team expansion and significantly increased our offer acceptance rates. On the technical front, I’ve led critical projects aimed at optimizing our infrastructure and improving operational efficiency. This includes spearheading multi-regional initiatives and enhancing service reliability through structured service tiers and clear SLAs. These efforts have not only strengthened our technical capabilities but also positioned us for future scalability and innovation. Beyond technical achievements, I’ve enjoyed mentoring and guiding team members, helping them navigate challenges and grow professionally. Participating in initiatives like Build@Mercari and engaging with top talent from premier institutions has been particularly rewarding, reflecting Mercari’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a vibrant community. Traveling to Japan for team-building activities has been invaluable, fostering stronger bonds and enhancing collaboration across our global teams. These experiences have enriched my understanding of our company culture and reinforced the importance of cross-functional teamwork. As I reflect on this milestone, I’m grateful for the opportunities and support I’ve received at Mercari. The past year has been a testament to our collective dedication to excellence and innovation. I look forward to continuing this journey with my exceptional colleagues as we strive to make meaningful contributions to Mercari’s mission and vision. Here’s to many more milestones and successes ahead! If our stories resonate with you and you are inspired to be part of an… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/mercari-spotlight-celebrating-one-year-at-mercari-sanu-satyadarshi-senior-software-engineer-platform-engineering/">Continue reading Mercari Spotlight: Celebrating One Year at Mercari – Sanu Satyadarshi, Lead Software Engineer-Platform Engineering</a>

June 12, 2024

Two Sides of the Desk: An Intern-Mentor Journey ft. Paras and Nikita at Mercari India

Welcome to Two Sides of the Desk, a blog series where we share the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of interns and their mentors. This blog explores the dynamic relationship between mentor and mentee, offering insights from both sides of the desk. Whether you’re a seasoned mentor, a budding intern, or simply curious about the mentorship journey, our stories and reflections aim to inspire, educate, and foster a deeper understanding of this transformative partnership. Mercari India: How do you approach balancing guidance and autonomy for your interns to ensure they’re both learning and contributing meaningfully to projects? Paras: As a mentor, I prioritize a balanced blend of guidance and autonomy to effectively nurture interns’ growth. Thorough onboarding is crucial, introducing them to our systems and pairing them with experienced team members for initial tasks, ensuring seamless integration into our workflow. Early establishment of clear and achievable goals aligns their learning objectives with meaningful contributions to our projects. Beginning with structured assignments, I gradually foster their autonomy as their skills develop.Regular check-ins and constructive feedback sessions are crucial in assisting interns to tackle challenges independently while refining their problem-solving abilities. Collaborative projects play a vital role in providing insights into system interactions and leveraging the collective knowledge of the team. An open-door policy is maintained to encourage questions, facilitate idea sharing, and cultivate a supportive environment where interns can thrive and effectively prepare for future responsibilities. Mercari India: Can you provide an example of a particularly challenging situation you’ve encountered while mentoring an intern, and how you navigated it to ensure their growth and success? Paras: In mentoring Nikita through her journey into backend development, we embarked on a project exploring server-side logic and API development. Initially, Nikita felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty, but I reassured her that growth… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/two-sides-of-the-desk-an-intern-mentor-journey-ft-paras-and-nikita-at-mercari-india/">Continue reading Two Sides of the Desk: An Intern-Mentor Journey ft. Paras and Nikita at Mercari India</a>

April 10, 2024

Mentoring the Future: My Experience with Build@Mercari Program

Hello everyone, I’m Sanu Satyadarshi, currently serving as a Lead Software Engineer at Mercari. Recently, I had the privilege of being a mentor for the Build@Mercari 2024 program, and I’m excited to share my experiences from this incredible event. Build@Mercari stands as Mercari Inc.’s premier pre-internship initiative, offering online training and internship opportunities to university students worldwide. This immersive program provides hands-on training, allowing students to dive into the tech stack commonly used in the industry. Selected participants are grouped into teams, with each team being assigned 1-2 mentors. Throughout the program, students undergo comprehensive training covering essential skills such as Git, GoLang/Python, Web API development, Docker, CI/CD, and more. This year, the event commenced on Feb 16, 2024, accommodating both online and offline formats. Online sessions catered to English-speaking students, while offline sessions were tailored for Japanese-speaking students. I had the privilege of mentoring the English-speaking group (while still honing my Japanese language skills 😞). Our initial session focused on assisting students in installing and setting up Git, a fundamental skill for any Software Engineer. Following this, students were divided into smaller groups, with dedicated mentors assigned to each team. The experience was incredibly engaging. We began by configuring our development environments, setting up Golang/Python on our laptops, and deploying a sample web application to showcase the iconic “Hello World!” message on our browsers. As the Build@Mercari sessions emphasize technical proficiency, I volunteered to lead sessions on Docker and CI, in addition to the introductory GoLang session. During the Docker session, I introduced the concept of containers, followed by a demonstration and hands-on exercise on containerizing a GoLang application. Students successfully created containerized applications and executed them on their laptops. In the CI session, we utilized GitHub actions to automate the building of Docker images upon each PR merge, highlighting… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/mentoring-the-future-my-experience-with-buildmercari-program/">Continue reading Mentoring the Future: My Experience with Build@Mercari Program</a>

April 9, 2024

Swift Innovations Unleashed: A Look Inside the Mercari India Meetup

Hello, I’m Archita Bansal, currently working as a Lead Software Engineer at Mercari India. What an incredible day we had on February 10th at Mercari India! The Swift Meetup transformed into a unique gathering of Swift developers from various backgrounds, making it a special day filled with insights and collaboration. This event was much more than a Mercari India initiative; it was a testament to community collaboration. By welcoming Swift developers from different companies, we fostered an environment rich in shared learning and connections. Our attendees had the chance to engage with top Swift technology experts, including Mercari India’s own speakers and notable external specialists. Together, they navigated a wide array of topics, from optimizing build speeds in both local and CI environments to ensuring applications are accessible through comprehensive accessibility audits. The discussions didn’t stop there—they also covered practical tips for applying SwiftUI in production apps, showcasing the framework’s incredible power and flexibility, and delved into the innovative potential of MapKit in SwiftUI. The evident enthusiasm and passion from each presentation truly highlighted the vibrant spirit of the Swift community. It was a day of innovation, learning, and community building, a sentiment strongly supported by the positive feedback we received across social media. The meetup transcended the bounds of mere technical presentations; it embodied the spirit of collective growth and vision. Guided by our leadership, insights were shared that illuminated the core of iOS development at Mercari, revealing the ambitions and principles that unite us all. Being part of such community events demonstrates Mercari India’s dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, reaching beyond our immediate space. Reflecting on the meetup, we’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the moments we shared, the knowledge we exchanged, and the connections we forged. This event was a collaborative effort that benefitted… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/swift-innovations-unleashed-a-look-inside-the-mercari-india-meetup/">Continue reading Swift Innovations Unleashed: A Look Inside the Mercari India Meetup</a>

February 29, 2024

Event Report: Round Table Conference on GenAI

We hosted a round table conference on generative AI at Mercari India on February 23rd in association with The Fifth Elephant community. The event was aimed to get the insights from some of the great minds working in the space and also share and popularize the initiatives that Mercari is working on in the field of Generative AI. Participants We were joined by over 20 participants, including CxO’s of multiple startups, Heads of Generative AI verticals, and renowned industry experts that made the event a huge success. Mercari’s participation was represented by Yuki ISHIKAWA and Vish Magapu along with Sharma RAJESH and Vaibhav Khurana Highlights from the Conference If you are interested in learning about Mercari’s efforts in Generative AI, please visit this page / Mercari AI Also, be sure to follow Mercari India’s social media accounts!

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Author: Chika Minamide