V. Amrutha | 8 Mile
Ever feel like technology is moving so fast, it’s speaking a different language every week? In the world of product development, especially in a vibrant market like India, staying ahead of the curve feels like learning a dozen new dialects while trying to build something everyone understands. It takes a unique kind of visionary to translate these tech trends and weave them into products that truly go with users.
In this high-stakes arena, 8Mile Pte Ltd stands as a notable player. At the helm of their product strategy is V. Amrutha, the Head of Product & Engineering (formerly with iSabel Health Tech). V. Amrutha’s journey is characterized by a profound curiosity about leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges. Starting in engineering, V. Amrutha recognized the critical interplay between building a product well and building the right product. This led to a transition into product-focused roles, operating at the crucial intersection of technology, business strategy, and user experience. Through hands-on experience, invaluable mentorship, and the leadership of diverse teams, V. Amrutha has become a driving force in product innovation.
V. Amrutha’s approach to product design and management is deeply rooted in empathy. Teams are told to immerse themselves in understanding user frustrations and translate these insights into the product development process. Innovation, for V. Amrutha, comes from the convergence of user-centric insights with emerging technology trends, challenging conventional approaches to create impactful solutions. A key element of their methodology is a continuous cycle of listening to users, learning from their feedback, rapidly building Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and iterating based on real-world usage.
In the spotlight is V. Amrutha, the Head of Product & Engineering at 8 Mile (formerly iSabel Health Tech), in an insightful interview for our prestigious “The Most Creative Chief Product Officers in India 2025” edition. Join us as we delve into V. Amrutha’s insights and the valuable lessons learned throughout her journey. Stay tuned to know her inspiring tale of innovation and leadership.
Prime Insights: What inspired you to pursue a career in product management, and how did you rise to the role of chief product officer?
My journey began with a deep curiosity about how technology can solve real-world problems. Starting in engineering, I realized that building the right product was just as important as building it well. I transitioned into product roles where I could work at the intersection of technology, business, and user experience. Over time, through hands-on experience, mentorship, and leading many teams, I rose to the CPO role.
Prime Insights: How do you use creativity and innovation in designing and managing products?
Creativity often starts with empathy. I tell teams to spend time with users, understand their frustrations, and bring those insights back into the product design process. Innovation comes when we connect these insights with technology trends and challenge ourselves to rethink old approaches.
Prime Insights: What is your process for identifying unmet customer needs and translating them into successful products?
We use a mix of qualitative user interviews and quantitative analytics to find gaps. Once we pinpoint pain points, we ideate solutions, test MVPs rapidly, and iterate. It’s a cycle of listening, learning, building, and refining.
Prime Insights: Can you share an example of a product you developed that made a significant impact in the market?
One of the products I led was a vernacular-first digital payments platform aimed at Tier 2 and Tier 3 India. It drastically improved financial inclusion for users who were previously underserved by mainstream apps, and it saw adoption rates that exceeded our projections by 2x.
Prime Insights: How do you balance creativity with practicality when bringing new products to life?
We start with bold ideas but always validate them through small experiments. Creativity fuels ideation, but we ground our roadmap in data, feasibility, and market feedback. It’s about making room for innovation without losing sight of execution.
Prime Insights: What strategies do you use to stay ahead of emerging trends and consumer demands in the Indian market?
I maintain close contact with startups, attend industry events, and engage with users regularly. India’s market evolves rapidly, so staying connected on the ground level—both digitally and physically—is crucial.
Prime Insights: How do you look after the collaboration between cross-functional teams like engineering, marketing, and design?
We foster collaboration through a shared vision, open communication, and inclusive planning sessions. Everyone’s voice matters from ideation to release. Tools like shared OKRs, agile rituals, and regular cross-functional reviews keep us aligned.
Prime Insights: What role does data-driven decision-making play in your product development process?
Data is our compass. We combine it with user insights to make decisions, whether it’s refining a feature or pivoting strategy. However, we also recognize when to take calculated bets that the data might not yet support.
Prime Insights: How do you build a culture of creativity and innovation within your product teams?
By having experimentation and rewarding learning, success or failure. We host monthly “hack and pitch” sessions and provide time for teams to explore ideas outside of the roadmap.
Prime Insights: What challenges have you faced as a product leader in a dynamic and competitive market like India, and how have you overcome them?
One challenge is addressing the vast diversity in user needs across regions. We solved this through hyper-localization and modular product design. Listening to regional users early in the process helped us build more inclusive and scalable solutions.
Prime Insights: How do you use sustainability and social responsibility into your product strategies?
We evaluate the environmental and social impact of our products, from energy-efficient tech infrastructure to features that promote digital literacy and inclusion. Long-term value is a key KPI in our planning.
Prime Insights: What advice would you give to aspiring product managers who want to reach a leadership role like yours?
Be relentlessly curious, stay close to your users, and never stop learning. Leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers but about helping others to succeed. Empathy and resilience will take you far.
Prime Insights: Can you share how the Indian tech landscape influences product innovation and development?
India’s mobile-first user base, diverse linguistic landscape, and booming startup ecosystem create fertile ground for innovation. Many global firsts now happen here—driven by necessity, scale, and creativity.
Prime Insights: What exciting new products are you currently working on, and how do they look after market needs?
We’re working on an AI-driven career discovery platform for youth in non-metro cities, helping them explore jobs based on interests and skills rather than just traditional pathways. It looks after both skills and employment gaps.
Prime Insights: Finally, what is your vision for the future of product leadership in India, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I envision product leadership in India to be deeply empathetic, globally influential, and socially responsible. I hope to be remembered as someone who built with heart and helped others rise along the way.
