We were lucky to catch up with Prakash Mana recently and have shared our conversation below.

Prakash , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

The journey from idea to execution for Cloudbrink began with a simple realization: the traditional networking frameworks were ill-equipped to handle the demands of a modern, distributed workforce. We saw the need for a solution that could seamlessly integrate security, speed, and simplicity into enterprise networking, enabling employees to work efficiently from anywhere.

Having been in the secure access market for several years, we knew the market very well and had spoken to hundreds of customers. Our team immersed themselves in analyzing the existing solutions and identifying their shortcomings. It was clear that the market lacked a truly dynamic, software-based approach that could offer unparalleled flexibility and security without the cumbersome hardware dependencies.

We then focused on assembling a team of like-minded, forward-thinking individuals who shared the vision. We needed the best talent to transform the idea into a tangible product. This meant finding leaders who were ready to be deeply involved and committed to the work. We needed leaders who didn’t just know what needed to be done but could actually do it. We needed a marketing leader who could develop the website, write collateral, and create demand. We needed an engineering leader who could write code and a sales leader who could find opportunities and convert them into paying customers. With a skilled team on board, we embarked on a rigorous product development phase, constantly revising our designs to ensure they met the evolving needs of businesses worldwide.

A significant challenge was ensuring our solution could offer exceptional security without compromising on speed or simplicity. We tackled this by developing our service and implementing advanced security measures based on forward-thinking automated moving target defense principles. Through frequent certificate rotations, temporal PoPs we called FAST edges, and ever-changing network paths, we went above and beyond traditional security. We knew that to stand above the incumbent crowd of well-known security vendors, Cloudbrink had to leapfrog the current status quo.
Securing partnerships was another critical milestone. We recognized that collaborating with global integrators like NESIC would be vital for expanding our reach and credibility in the market. These partnerships not only validated our approach but also provided us with the leverage we needed to scale rapidly.

Through strategic planning and relentless innovation, we launched Cloudbrink’s services, positioning ourselves initially as Hybrid Access as a Service. However, the more we investigated the market and spoke to leading industry analysts, it became clear that we were already positioned as leaders in the personal SASE market. Our focus on simplicity, security, and speed resonated with businesses seeking agile, secure, and efficient networking solutions. This journey, though challenging, was a testament to the power of a clear vision, a committed team, and a steadfast commitment to addressing market needs and striving to be better than everyone else.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Prakash Mana, the CEO of Cloudbrink, and my journey into this industry has been driven by a passion for enabling people to work seamlessly and securely from anywhere in the world, revolutionizing how businesses operate in today’s digital age. I have over 25 years of experience, including pivotal roles at Pulse Secure and Citrix.

At Cloudbrink, we provide a cutting-edge networking solution centered on simplicity, security, and speed. Our service is unique because it guarantees exceptional performance and security for remote workers, regardless of their location or network quality. What truly sets us apart is our innovative approach—transforming what other vendors deliver as complex solution sets into a streamlined, user-friendly service. This not only significantly reduces overheads but also minimizes support tickets. We achieve this through advanced technology, proprietary algorithms, and an infrastructure designed to prioritize user experience without compromising security or speed.

Our high-performance access solution addresses a critical need for organizations with distributed workforces, especially when traditional VPNs and legacy systems fall short. Cloudbrink’s competitive edge lies in its relentless focus on delivering “invisible” connectivity—fast, secure, and dependable. Our personal SASE service empowers users to work from anywhere without sacrificing the security and efficiency of an in-office experience.

Cloudbrink differentiates itself with a customer-centric approach. We see our clients as collaborative design partners and tailor solutions to meet their unique needs and challenges. This approach fosters innovation and growth, and it’s a cornerstone of our success. By launching innovative products and securing key partnerships, we’ve paved the way for long-term growth. With Cloudbrink, organizations don’t just receive a service—they gain a dedicated partner committed to their success and redefining what secure, high-performance networking can achieve.

My vision for Cloudbrink goes beyond security. It’s about finding the perfect balance between robust protection and a superior user experience. I’m deeply committed to advancing cybersecurity and remote work technology, ensuring our solutions empower businesses and their employees alike.

One of Cloudbrink’s standout features is its simplicity. Our solutions are quick to set up, require no hardware, and offer unified configuration and policy management. This simplicity reduces IT overhead while maintaining high security and performance standards, making it easier for businesses to thrive in a remote-first world.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

In managing a team, I’ve found that a few core principles make a significant difference in driving both success and satisfaction. First, hiring is everything. I aim to bring in outstanding leaders—those A+ players—who not only excel at what they do but who also challenge and inspire both myself and each other. The power of surrounding yourself with people who bring fresh ideas, push the limits, and maintain high standards can’t be overstated. A strong team dynamic is born when people feel consistently inspired by their colleagues, motivating one another to grow and accomplish more together.

Once you have those amazing players, building a culture of trust within the team is crucial. Trust is the fabric that holds everything together, allowing people to be open, share their honest perspectives, and hold each other accountable. I prioritize fostering an environment where everyone feels safe to contribute, discuss, and challenge ideas. When team members feel they can rely on one another and openly collaborate, it not only boosts morale but also strengthens our ability to execute our goals. On top of that, aligning everyone around a clear mission is essential. When there’s a shared goal that everyone is working toward, it brings a sense of unity and purpose. When people grasp the “why” behind their work, it fuels their focus and engagement.

Maintaining high morale in the team is another area I emphasize. I find that being mission-driven helps keep people motivated and focused, but it goes beyond just setting a goal. People should feel connected to the mission on a personal level—like they’re contributing to something bigger than themselves. When team members are engaged with the purpose behind our joint work, they bring passion and energy to every task. I also encourage setting ambitious, sometimes even audacious goals. Striving for greatness inspires people to aim high and brings a positive intensity to the work. When the team’s culture is aligned with these goals, everyone naturally becomes more focused on what truly matters.

Prioritization is also a cornerstone of maintaining morale. Clarity of focus is crucial because it means we can all devote our energy to the most important tasks without constantly second-guessing ourselves. When we know exactly where we’re going and how to get there, each person can fully invest in the journey. I also strive to cultivate a strong sense of urgency within the team. There’s something powerful about working with purpose and momentum, driving forward with world-class execution. When everyone feels this energy, it becomes contagious, keeping the team engaged and motivating them to perform at their best.

In summary, managing a team effectively and keeping morale high come down to a few essential practices: hiring amazing people, fostering trust, uniting around a clear mission, setting ambitious goals, and driving with urgency. When all of these elements come together, the team not only performs well but also finds satisfaction, fulfillment, and enjoyment in the work.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

Let me take you back to one of the most challenging—but ultimately rewarding—moments in Cloudbrink’s journey. It’s a story that still makes my heart race. We were still in stealth mode, barely visible on the market’s radar, when a Fortune 100 giant reached out to us, eager to test our service. They had already tested solutions from major industry players like Cisco and Palo Alto Networks, as well as newer entrants like Zscaler and Cato Networks. Yet, after evaluating 20 different solutions, none could deliver the high-performance, secure access they needed. We were their last hope—a true underdog up against the titans of the field.

The stakes couldn’t have been higher. As a scrappy startup, we knew we would be scrutinized under a microscope. Our nerves were high, but our hopes were even higher. When we ran our first test, we performed so well that the company’s tech team suspected their test equipment was malfunctioning. Our small team outperformed even the most established players to the point where our results were almost unbelievable.

But just as we thought we were in the clear, they returned with a laundry list of nearly 60 feature requirements—capabilities they expected from a mature company. We faced a gut-wrenching dilemma: do we go all in and dedicate everything to this single opportunity, or do we admit we might not be ready? We chose to bet on our team and committed fully, knowing this could be a defining moment for Cloudbrink.

Our engineering team worked around the clock, racing to build each required feature in record time. Days turned into sleepless weeks, but each line of code and feature delivered felt one step closer to a dream within reach. When we fulfilled most of the requirements, the client was convinced they were dealing with a larger, more established company. They finally gave us the order, which was the ultimate validation and a testament to our performance, tenacity, and speed.

That sale was a crucial turning point for us, demonstrating that passion and determination can overcome the odds, even when facing industry giants. Cloudbrink’s success is a story of resilience, risk, and the thrill of daring to believe that sometimes, even the smallest players can win the biggest games.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://prakashmana.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prakash.mana01/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakashmana
• Twitter: https://x.com/prakashmana_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrakashManaCloudbrink

Image Credits

Cloudbrink