In an era where technology and real estate are converging to create transformative solutions, Ravinna Raveenthiran, the founder and CEO of Nesti, stands at the intersection of these industries with a mission to revolutionize the real estate landscape. Her personal journey, marked by profound loss, challenges, and resilience, has shaped a visionary leader whose tech startup, Nesti, is poised to disrupt traditional real estate models and reshape how professionals and clients engage with the market.
The Resilience Behind the Innovation
At just 14 years old, Ravinna Raveenthiran experienced the life-altering loss of her father. Eleven years later, on the same fateful date, she also lost her grandfather, a devastating blow that shaped her worldview. These tragedies instilled in her an appreciation for the fleeting nature of life and motivated her to create a legacy that would honor her family. These early experiences fostered a deep sense of purpose that drives her relentless pursuit of excellence.
“These losses made me realize how fragile life is and how important it is to make each day count. I wanted to create something meaningful that could reflect my journey, values, and honor my family’s legacy,” says Raveenthiran.
In navigating toxic environments and facing personal obstacles, Raveenthiran discovered her own strength. She views every challenge as a building block, allowing her to transform adversity into opportunity.
“Obstacles have become my teachers. They’ve taught me to convert pain into power, criticism into self-improvement, and failure into success,” she reflects.
A Natural Entrepreneur
Raveenthiran’s entrepreneurial spirit began to emerge early. At the age of 19, she started investing and managing her finances with impressive foresight. By 21, she had launched her first business, Melano Skincare, a venture dedicated to celebrating the beauty of women of color. The brand focused on promoting self-love and inclusion, resonating deeply with a growing customer base.
“Melano Skincare was about much more than products—it was about creating a space for women to feel seen and valued, to feel empowered in their own skin,” Raveenthiran says. The brand’s rapid success, with products being sold out in spas and other locations, proved her innate business acumen.
By 24, Raveenthiran had purchased her first investment property, sparking her passion for real estate and paving the way for her next big move—Nesti.
The Birth of Nesti: Transforming Real Estate with Technology
Ravinna Raveenthiran
At 25, Ravinna Raveenthiran launched Nesti, a tech startup designed to reshape the real estate sector by integrating AI-driven solutions. Nesti aims to empower real estate professionals by offering them the tools they need to thrive in a competitive and complex market. The platform focuses on connecting realtors with high-quality clients, offering insights that streamline marketing strategies, and providing a holistic experience for everyone involved in real estate transactions.
“I noticed a gap in the market where realtors struggled with client acquisition and effective marketing strategies. Nesti fills that gap by offering AI-based solutions that empower professionals to make more informed decisions,” she explains.
Nesti is not just a business—it’s a revolution in how real estate professionals operate. The platform offers educational tools and services that are comprehensive, ensuring that every party involved in the real estate process—buyers, sellers, agents, and legal professionals—can benefit.
“Our vision is to become the Shopify of real estate,” says Raveenthiran. “We want to be the all-in-one solution for marketing in real estate, providing value for brokers, agents, and real estate lawyers.”
Nesti’s mission goes beyond the bottom line. With its focus on transparency, fairness, and education, the platform seeks to elevate industry standards while making the entire real estate process more accessible to all.
Spiritual Growth and Business Leadership
While her entrepreneurial journey is impressive, what sets Raveenthiran apart is her deep commitment to personal and spiritual growth. Her journey of self-discovery led her to revert to Islam, a decision that profoundly influences her leadership style and ethical approach to business.
“My faith has taught me to act with integrity, to treat people with compassion, and to create value that extends beyond monetary success,” Raveenthiran notes.
This alignment of spiritual and business values is at the core of her leadership at Nesti. For Raveenthiran, entrepreneurship is not solely about profit—it’s about creating a positive ripple effect that uplifts others.
“Real estate transactions are about much more than just property—they’re about life-changing decisions. We want to empower individuals to make informed, confident choices,” she adds.
Overcoming Doubts, Breaking Barriers
As a young woman of color in the tech and real estate sectors, Raveenthiran faced her fair share of doubts and obstacles, from family dynamics to societal expectations. Yet, she remained undeterred, always viewing adversity as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
“I’ve had to overcome a lot of self-doubt and external criticism, but I’ve learned to use these challenges as motivation to continue growing and improving,” Raveenthiran reflects. Through therapy and self-reflection, she has cultivated a mindset that embraces feedback and continuous self-improvement.
This growth mindset has been pivotal in navigating the challenges of building a tech startup in a competitive industry. Raveenthiran’s commitment to resilience and self-awareness has laid the foundation for Nesti’s rapid growth and success.
The Future of Nesti: A Billion-Dollar Vision
Raveenthiran’s ambitions for Nesti are grand. She envisions the company scaling to become a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, revolutionizing the way real estate professionals operate and how clients interact with the market. She hopes to inspire other women of color to pursue their dreams in the tech space and to break barriers in industries that have historically been male-dominated.
“I want to be on the cover of Forbes’ 30 Under 30, not just for the accolade but to show other women of color what’s possible,” she says. “I want Nesti to set new standards for innovation and inclusivity in real estate technology.”
Beyond financial success, Raveenthiran aims for Nesti to leave a lasting impact on the real estate industry, fostering a culture of transparency, inclusivity, and education. With her ambitious goal of reaching 1,000,000 users through Nesti’s app waitlist and newsletter, she’s well on her way to making that vision a reality.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from a Rising Entrepreneur
Ravinna Raveenthiran’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and purposeful leadership. Her experiences offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals:
- Embrace adversity: Challenges and failures are stepping stones to success.
- Stay true to your values: Authenticity and integrity are key to sustainable success.
- Be open to growth: Continuously seek self-improvement and embrace constructive feedback.
- Follow your intuition: Trust your instincts and have faith in your vision.
- Give back: Use your platform to uplift others and create lasting positive impact.
As Raveenthiran continues to push the boundaries of real estate technology with Nesti, she exemplifies the power of aligning business goals with personal growth and social responsibility. Her journey is a beacon of inspiration, illustrating what is possible when determination, resilience, and vision come together.
For more insights into Ravinna Raveenthiran’s journey and to learn more about Nesti, visit her LinkedIn, explore the Nesti website, or follow her on Instagram at @ravinnaravi.