Ardas is a premier outsourcing software development company dedicated to delivering innovative and customized technology solutions for startups here in Orange County.

The firm is an important part of the Orange County tech startup ecosystem, and a Silver Sponsor of the OC Startup Council.

Enjoy this exclusive interview with Andrew Ryzhokhin, CEO, to learn more about what Ardas does and how their work is helping local founders and startup companies succeed in Orange County:

Andrew, what’s the story behind the name Ardas?

Funny enough, Ardas started with our four founders: Alexey Chernysh, Dmitry Kresin, Dmytro Kudrenko, and me. We combined our initials to create a name that symbolizes teamwork and synergy. But there’s a deeper layer to it.

In Sikh culture, “Ardas” means a prayer—a heartfelt expression of hope and aspiration. That resonated with us because our mission is to help businesses scale and achieve their boldest goals. For us, Ardas isn’t just a name; it’s a promise to empower companies with tools and strategies that turn challenges into opportunities.

As we expand our reach in the US and European markets, Ardas stands for trust, collaboration, and ambition—values that define our approach to custom software development and SaaS projects.

Ardas has long experience in SaaS development. Can you share a bit about your products?

Absolutely. Since 2012, we’ve built three SaaS products in the martech industry. One of our standout tools is Stripo.email, an email template builder used by global giants like Amazon, Netflix, Oracle, and Uber. It’s one of the top email marketing tools worldwide.

Our experience isn’t just limited to building software—we’ve navigated the full SaaS lifecycle. We understand how to take an idea, analyze it, launch it, and scale it successfully. For example, our latest product, Claspo, is currently in the post-MVP phase, and we’re applying everything we’ve learned to bring it to the next level.

I usually emphasize that we not only promise to build something, but we actually KNOW how to do it, thanks to our own products and developed product mindset.

You emphasize a product mindset. Why is that so critical?

True. I’m a loyal advocate of a product mindset for software vendors. I know that it is essential not just for product managers; it’s for everyone in the team. Whether you’re writing code, designing architecture, or leading as a CEO, this approach helps align priorities and focus on delivering real-world value.

For instance, I made the mistake of over-architecting systems for hypothetical scenarios early on. It was a costly lesson, but it taught me to prioritize flexibility and focus on what’s needed NOW while keeping an eye on future growth.

Another example? Balancing big ideas with limited resources. I’ve learned that pragmatism always beats perfection. It’s better to address 80% of user needs with 20% of the effort than to chase unattainable perfection.

So yes, product mindset matters a lot for your product’s success!

Scaling seems to be a big focus for Ardas. Why is it so crucial in SaaS development?

You see, scaling isn’t optional for SaaS companies anymore. It’s a crucial necessity. The cost dynamics in SaaS are unique: your expenses grow linearly, so your revenue must outpace those costs.

Take Stripo.email as an example. In its early stages, we saw how expenses grew steadily. But by scaling effectively—whether through adding features, improving performance, or marketing aggressively—we ensured that revenue grew even faster.

A SaaS business can't sustain itself, let alone thrive, without scaling.

Ardas is known for supporting bold, young startups. How do you approach that?

Supporting startups is in our DNA. We know that early-stage companies face unique challenges: they’re often big on ideas but limited in resources. That’s where we step in.
For instance, in 2024, we were sponsors for LA Tech Week: Business Plan & Pitch Contest. 3 winners received $20.000 in complimentary software development. In 2025, we are working on 3 exciting products!

We aim to empower young and scaling companies to make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and scale effectively.

That’s why we offer a unique service: three free consultations with our experts to help startups validate their ideas, outline a roadmap, and address initial technical hurdles.

These sessions aren't just about small talk and general advice; they're about actionable insights that can save time and money.

By the way, this offer is not just for young star tups! Scaling businesses and repeat, established businesses also benefit from it.

What’s the biggest challenge when scaling, especially with technical debt?

Good question! Technical debt is a major roadblock for many projects we worked on. It includes all the corners you cut during earlier stages—quick fixes, messy architecture, lack of automation, and more. These issues are manageable during the MVP phase but become massive hurdles when scaling.

For example, poor architecture slows development, unreliable infrastructure complicates deployments, and inadequate testing frameworks inflate costs or reduce quality.
So, addressing technical debt is critical for a SaaS development company to ensure smooth scaling and maintain a competitive edge.

How do you usually transform a team to handle scaling?

We start by restructuring roles. Early-stage teams often rely on multi-skilled individuals, but this approach doesn’t scale. Instead, define clear roles: developers, QA, DevOps, data scientists, and so on. This makes it easier to hire and build a resilient team.

Next, we establish robust processes and communication systems. Everyone should know their responsibilities, whom to report to, and how to collaborate effectively. And don’t forget tools, remote teams especially need the right tech to stay connected and efficient.

Outsourcing can also be a smart strategy. While you should keep a strong in-house core team, partnering with a custom software development company like ours allows you to scale specific functions without overloading your internal resources.

Can you share a case study to illustrate successful scaling?

Absolutely. Remember Stripo.email? Let’s go on with their example. They faced challenges during its rapid growth phase. By addressing technical debt, restructuring the team, and focusing on scaling strategies, we helped them achieve significant growth in both user base and revenue.

We implemented best practices in software architecture, automated testing, and CI/CD pipelines. This not only improved product performance but also reduced time-to-market for new features.

Today, Stripo.email stands as a leading SaaS tool in its niche.

Any parting advice for startups looking to scale their SaaS products?

Sure, I have some:

1. Focus on the fundamentals: build a product mindset across your team, tackle technical debt early, and set up a scalable team structure.
2. Consider trusted software vendors, with relevant experience. Working with a SaaS development company that understands these challenges can make a world of difference.
3. Always start with validating your idea. Always.
4. Don’t be afraid to miss out, just start small. Technologies like AI, IoT are real investor magnets, so with working POC or MVP you will make a real difference.
5. And remember, scaling isn’t just about growth, it’s about sustainable growth.

At Ardas, we've been there and are here to help you turn your scaling ambitions into reality.

Thanks to Andrew Ryzhokhin for sharing how Ardas works with startups here in Orange County.

And, thanks again to Ardas for their Silver Sponsorship support of the OC Startup Council and our efforts to accelerate Orange County’s tech ecosystem.