He wrote the HR manual for startups. Because no one else would

What happens when an HR leader gets laid off at 45 – and ends up becoming a founder, author, and marathoner?

In this episode of CuHRious Show, I speak with Saurabh Nigam—someone who’s spent nearly two decades building people practices at top startups. But the past five years changed everything. From rediscovering himself after COVID, to launching ProGrowth People Solutions, to writing a book that codifies 18 years of HR wisdom, Saurabh shares how he rewrote the rules of career, culture, and leadership.

We talk about what startups get wrong about people, why most culture rounds miss the point, and how to design orgs where wellbeing isn’t a perk—it’s a byproduct of clarity. If you work in HR or care about building better teams, this one’s for you.

Discussion Points: He wrote the HR manual for startups

• Three wild twists at 45—guess what they are?
• “One day I’ll run 42 km”—and then he did
• Laid off. No Plan B. What happened next?
• He’d never written before 2020—now there’s a book
• Why do founders forget the most important thing?
• Want better mental health at work? Start here
• The real reason ‘work-life balance’ doesn’t work
• Culture fit: decoded like never before
• Nervous about interviews? Try this instead
• His first job was… copying error codes?
• The one HR skill no one tells you to master
• Will AI replace HR? Here’s the real answer

Our Guest: Saurabh Nigam

Fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and running are my passions! I’m learning and growing every day alongside my daughter, Meher, as she navigates her early school years, while also pushing my own boundaries on the running track and in the world of business. I’m driven by a desire to contribute to building world-class organizations and scaling startups in India, helping them multiply their impact by creating strong people practices.

My professional journey spans over 20 years in the HR space. I’ve partnered with startups and early-stage organizations across diverse sectors, including Retail, BFSI, KPO, E-commerce, Education, and Technology.

What I do:

• Build strong HR foundations: I help startups establish robust people practices, including talent acquisition strategies, compensation structures, performance management systems, and employee development programs.
• Provide fractional CHRO services: As the Founder & CEO of ProGrowth People Solutions, I offer expert HR leadership to growing businesses on a flexible, cost-effective basis.
• Invest in the future of HR: I’m an angel investor with a keen interest in supporting innovative HR tech solutions in India.
• Share my expertise: I’m a frequent speaker and writer on topics related to HR, talent management, and leadership development.