News Archives - Mercari India

May 28, 2025

Inside the manager’s mind : Manjunath Sagar

Welcome to inside the manager’s mind — a space where leadership meets reality. Explore the highs, lows, and everyday decisions that shape teams and drive success. From strategic thinking to people management, this blog offers raw insights and practical wisdom for those leading or aspiring to lead. In this feature we’d like you to meet Sagar! Sagar : At Mercari India, rapid expansion is more than just scaling numbers—it’s about intentional leadership that fosters clarity, unlocks potential, and nurtures an empowered culture. For me, effective management isn’t just about driving performance; it’s about guiding with steadiness, leading with empathy, and creating a foundation of trust. As we continue to grow, I find myself leaning on a set of principles—some expected, some unconventional—that have shaped the way I support my team. Whether it’s welcoming new talent, refining HR initiatives, or championing individual growth, these values remain at the core of how I lead. 1. Anchor in Calm Amidst Chaos Change fuels innovation, but it also brings uncertainty. In high-growth environments, teams don’t just look to their leaders for solutions—they look for steadiness. My guiding principle: My calm creates their safety; my clarity gives them direction. What I do: Every one-on-one starts the same way—with a genuine “How are you doing?” before diving into work. This small act of care fosters trust and sets the tone for a culture of support. 2. Empower Through Context, Not Control Momentum thrives when people feel empowered, not micromanaged. Providing context allows teams to move with confidence and make decisions independently. What I do: During onboarding and team syncs, I take extra time to explain the reasoning behind our goals—not just what we’re doing, but why it matters. The result? A team that thinks critically, acts decisively, and continuously grows. 3. Normalize “I Don’t Know” Leadership… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/mercari-india/inside-the-managers-mind-manjunath-sagar/">Continue reading Inside the manager’s mind : Manjunath Sagar</a>

May 9, 2025

From Day 1 to Day 100 at Mercari: A Journey of Growth and Memories

Aashutosh Agrawal When I first heard that Mercari was coming to our campus, I was excited but also a little nervous. It felt like a huge opportunity — and looking back now, I realize it was one of the best experiences I’ve had so far. The Beginning: Placement Journey The process kicked off with an Online Assessment (OA) consisting of two medium-level DSA questions. It tested not just speed but also our ability to think critically under pressure. After clearing the OA, I had my technical interview with Rajat, where we discussed coding approaches, problem-solving techniques, and a few OS and computer science fundamentals. What stood out was how the conversation was more collaborative than a “grill” session. Next was the managerial round with Atif, where the focus shifted towards understanding my motivations, how I work in teams, and cultural fit. It was refreshing to have an open, honest conversation rather than just technical questions. Finally, I remember the day I received the confirmation letter — a mix of relief, excitement, and pride. It was the start of something new. Day 1: A Warm Welcome The first day at Mercari was truly special. From being welcomed with a thoughtfully curated goodies kit to meeting fellow interns and full-time employees during the onboarding, everything felt smooth and personal. The highlight was the team dinner later in the evening — good food, casual chats, and laughter with people who, until a few hours ago, were complete strangers. January: Settling In, Learning the Foundations, and a Special Cricket Memory January was all about getting familiar with Mercari’s world and setting a strong foundation. We started with our common onboarding sessions — diving into essential tools like GitHub, Confluence, Slack, JIRA, understanding Mercari’s overall architecture, and exploring key repositories. These sessions were packed with… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/uncategorized/from-day-1-to-day-100-at-mercari-a-journey-of-growth-and-memories/">Continue reading From Day 1 to Day 100 at Mercari: A Journey of Growth and Memories</a>

March 19, 2025

My Work Trip to Japan: Insights, Observations & Key Takeaways

At the end of January 2025, my colleagues from the XB Supply team and I finally visited Mercari’s Tokyo office after collaborating remotely with the Japan team for nearly six months. For two of us, including myself, it was our first visit to the Tokyo office after being at Mercari for over 1.5 years, while others had visited before. It was a great opportunity to move beyond Slack profiles and Google Meet headshots and connect with our past and present colleagues in person. Work, Strategy & Strengthening Collaboration The primary purpose of our trip was to participate in business strategy and feature planning for the year, focusing on XB (Cross Border) Supply. Another key objective was to strengthen collaboration by meeting colleagues from various teams working on the XB Supply mission, as well as frequent collaborators like the Shops(B2C) team. Building trust, improving communication, and fostering openness were crucial as we transitioned into the “Back to Startup” phase. In a startup environment, strong personal connections and close collaboration are essential. During our visit, we had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with several key teams, including the XB Supply product team, business development, design, analytics, marketing, and executives. We also connected casually over lunch with other XB engineers. A major highlight was a high-level OKR discussion with the entire Shops division, followed by a dinner with some of the Shops team members. One of the key moments of the trip was a full-day workshop where the XB Supply JP and IN teams came together to brainstorm ideas for the initiative. I also had the chance to reconnect with colleagues from my previous teams (Team Orion and LTVG). Beyond these meetings, it was insightful to physically attend the XB All-Hands and Japan All-Hands, experiencing the energy and alignment in person. I… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/my-work-trip-to-japan-insights-observations-key-takeaways/">Continue reading My Work Trip to Japan: Insights, Observations & Key Takeaways</a>

February 24, 2025

Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal

Welcome to inside the manager’s mind — a space where leadership meets reality. Explore the highs, lows, and everyday decisions that shape teams and drive success. From strategic thinking to people management, this blog offers raw insights and practical wisdom for those leading or aspiring to lead. In this feature we’d like you to meet Gaurav Bansal! Gaurav Bansal: As a manager, my constant focus is on solving challenges that my team faces. The key is staying aware of these challenges, acknowledging them, and taking decisive action. Let me share how I approach some common management challenges. Building Cross-Functional Collaboration When my team expanded from client-only developers to include Backend developers, I noticed collaboration gaps emerging. While client developers had strong relationships from working together for a year, the integration with Backend developers needed attention. To address this, we focused on creating a collaborative environment through regular team activities, including recent bowling and dinner events that helped break down barriers and foster natural connections. We’ve made significant strides in fostering technical understanding between teams. Our backend team now regularly shares insights about API performance, which has led to client teams implementing more effective loading states. Similarly, when client teams demonstrate user interactions, it helps backend developers design more intuitive API endpoints. These exchanges have transformed our team’s mindset from “That’s not my job” to “How can I help?” Maintaining Team Motivation Recognition plays a crucial role in keeping the team motivated throughout the development lifecycle. We celebrate joint wins and team contributions, making sure everyone feels valued for their unique contributions. Mercari’s employee-centric culture and various club activities provide additional avenues for engagement and motivation.Work-life balance is another cornerstone of our approach. We’ve implemented flexible working hours, understanding that some team members are early birds while others peak later in… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/inside-the-managers-mind-gaurav-bansal/">Continue reading Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal</a>

January 31, 2025

Celebrating Togetherness: Mercari India’s First Family Day

At Mercari India, we believe our strength lies not only in our innovative spirit and commitment to excellence but also in the strong bonds we share as a team. This belief was beautifully celebrated during our first-ever Family Day, a heartwarming and fun-filled event that brought our work family and real families together. In the fast-paced corporate world, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, often leading to stress and burnout. Family Day serves as a refreshing reminder of the importance of work-life balance. It acknowledges the incredible support systems behind each of our team members and celebrates the holistic approach to professional success. The event was brimming with joy, laughter, and a plethora of activities designed to engage everyone, from the youngest family members to the seasoned professionals. There were games, music, delicious food, and an overall atmosphere of camaraderie and togetherness. This day was not just about having fun; it was about strengthening the bonds that make Mercari India a close-knit community. In today’s corporate landscape, the emphasis on productivity and results can sometimes overshadow the human aspect of our work environment. Family Day is a powerful counterbalance to this trend. It allows employees to unwind, connect with their colleagues on a personal level, and recharge their spirits. This, in turn, enhances job satisfaction, boosts morale, and ultimately leads to increased productivity. Following in the footsteps of our HQ, Mercari Japan, we are dedicated to creating a work culture that values both professional excellence and personal well-being. As we reflect on the success of our first Family Day, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible team and their families who made this day unforgettable. We look forward to many more such celebrations as we continue to foster a work culture that values both professional… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/celebrating-togetherness-mercari-indias-first-family-day-2/">Continue reading Celebrating Togetherness: Mercari India’s First Family Day</a>

January 9, 2025

Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Cross Border 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 with the Engineering Manager – Atif Shaik Mercari India: Can you tell us a bit about what a typical day looks like for the Cross Border team? Atif: We’re one of the teams building the next big thing at Mercari, so our days are packed with energy and purpose. We start with a quick sync to catch up on where everyone is with their tasks and anything exciting (or challenging) from the day before. After that, we often have discussions with our product manager and maybe a few other team members to make sure everyone is aligned. Once we’re on the same page, we dive deep into focused work—building the core pieces of our new app. It’s pretty intense, but knowing we’re building something global makes it super rewarding. Mercari India: Tell us more about the engineers you are currently hiring for, and what qualities do you look for in potential candidates? Atif: We’re looking for a passionate folks to join us—a true enthusiast who’s excited by the idea of building for a global audience. It’s fast-paced here, but if you love learning quickly and tackling fresh challenges, you’ll fit right in. We’re after someone who doesn’t just think about the tech; we want someone who has a real appreciation for the product and the experience we’re delivering to people. It’s not just about code; it’s about crafting something people will love using. Mercari India: How does your team collaborate and what tools or methods do you use to stay connected and productive? Atif: Slack is our… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/building-bridges-introducing-our-dynamic-cross-border-team/">Continue reading Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Cross Border Team</a>

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>

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