Devendra Parulekar
From Workstation to StayCation
An avid traveler, photographer and a hacker/ cyber security specialist, Mr. Devendra Parulekar is the Founder of SaffronStays – Where Families Bond, a hospitality collective.
Devendra is a management graduate from University of Mumbai with over 18 years’ experience in the Information Technology Industry. An Ex-Partner and Practice Leader-Cyber Security, India at Ernst & Young LLP, Devendra left his cushioned corporate job in July 2016 to pursue the vision of transforming the hospitality and real-estate market in India. With an objective to charter a legacy for himself, Devendra took a risk by leaving job at EY, when SaffronStays was in its early stages.
As an entrepreneur, he was ready to postpone gratification for himself and his family, in lieu of a brighter future. For instance, while his ex- partners (in EY) were getting fancy cars and luxury apartments, he wanted to create the perfect destination to take those cars – filled with families – too. The agility of business, the freedom to execute ideas and onus of taking risks and responsibility motivated Devendra to formulate SaffronStays along with his wife, Chartered Account, ex Banker and Founder, Tejas Parulekar.
His first rendezvous with SaffronStays was as the Chief Investor and Strategist/ Mentor. Being a techie at heart, he even did the primary coding for the website. Devendra and his wife/ founder Tejas Parulekar whirled into the hospitality industry with an aim to give vacation homes to larger groups and families accompanied by a pleasing holiday experience.
Devendra intends to build sustained growth for SaffronStays and build a scale and width of corporate business as that of EY.
Devendra thoroughly enjoys non-fiction, loves playing tennis, swimming and is passionate about photography. He abides by an idiom ‘Think big. Then, multiply that 10 times. That should be your DREAM.’ Although the foundation for their dream had been set by Tejas, Devendra brings his vast experience, leadership skills, and passion to their business to offer unique vacations!