From 2 Guys in a Garage to 700+ Employees with Scott Henderson, CTO & Co-founder at Celigo - Modern CTO Recap

Podcast: Modern CTO

Published: 2025-11-10

Duration: 52 min

Summary

Scott Henderson shares his journey from joining a startup in a garage to leading Celigo, emphasizing the importance of adapting to challenges like AI while fostering a positive company culture.

What Happened

In this episode, Scott Henderson, CTO and co-founder of Celigo, recounts his early days and motivations for starting the company, which began in a garage back in 2006. He was inspired by the adventure of startups and had a strong desire to create something impactful. Joining forces with his former boss from NetSuite, Scott brought expertise in NetSuite integrations, positioning himself as a valuable asset for the fledgling company. This decision was not without risk, as he left a secure job at a pre-IPO company, but his passion for the project and encouragement from his father ultimately led him to take the leap.

As Celigo grew from its humble beginnings, Scott highlights their focus on maintaining a healthy work culture. They intentionally avoided making employees work weekends and sought to build a team of talented individuals who shared their values. This focus on culture has been crucial in creating a supportive work environment, which Scott believes is just as important as building great products. Now, nearly two decades later, Celigo boasts around 700 employees and has remained profitable, showcasing their organic growth strategy without relying heavily on external funding.

Scott also discusses the challenges posed by the rapid evolution of AI technologies, admitting that while he believes AI is overhyped, it is essential for companies to adopt it quickly. He reflects on how AI has changed the landscape of their business and the importance of staying ahead of the curve in this fast-paced environment. The conversation underscores the reality of startup life as a constant grind, filled with both challenges and victories, and Scott shares valuable insights on perseverance and adapting to change.

Key Insights

• The journey of a startup often begins with risk and adventure.
• Maintaining a positive company culture is essential for long-term success.
• Adapting to rapid changes in technology, such as AI, is crucial for survival.
• The grind of entrepreneurship is filled with continuous challenges and learning experiences.

Key Questions Answered

What motivated Scott Henderson to join Celigo?

Scott was driven by the adventure aspect of startups and the excitement of creating something impactful. He had been inspired by stories of companies starting in garages and wanted to pursue that same excitement. After working at NetSuite, he reached out to his former boss, who had just started Celigo, expressing his desire to join the journey, which led to a pivotal moment in his career.

How did Celigo maintain its company culture?

Celigo was very intentional about its company culture from the beginning. Scott and his co-founder decided not to require employees to work on weekends, having both experienced the negative impacts of such a culture in previous jobs. They focused on hiring talented individuals who were aligned with their values, which helped build a supportive environment that has attracted and retained good people over the years.

What risks did Scott face when leaving NetSuite for Celigo?

Leaving NetSuite was a significant risk for Scott because it was a pre-IPO company with a promising future and many career opportunities. He had to weigh the security of a stable job against the uncertainty of joining a startup. Ultimately, advice from his father, who recognized Scott's excitement for the startup, encouraged him to take the plunge and pursue his passion.

How has AI affected Celigo's operations?

Scott acknowledges the whirlwind of changes brought on by AI, noting that while he believes it is overhyped, companies must adopt it quickly to remain competitive. Celigo has managed to stay ahead of the curve and leverage AI technologies effectively, which has transformed their business landscape. Adapting to these changes has been challenging, but Scott emphasizes that it's crucial to decipher what is real and relevant in the rapidly evolving tech environment.

What key takeaway would Scott give to his younger self?

Scott reflects that he would prepare himself for the grind of entrepreneurship. He didn't fully grasp the relentless nature of building a startup and the constant stream of challenges that come with it. His experience has taught him that it's a journey filled with setbacks and learning opportunities, and being prepared for this reality is essential for any aspiring entrepreneur.