Omio Founder Urges Entrepreneurs to Prioritize Long-Term Problem Solving

Focus on difficult problems

Naren Shaam, founder and CEO of the travel platform Omio, spent two and a half years working on the supply side of the transportation industry before launching his company’s first product. He identified a fragmented market where train, bus, and ferry operators relied on separate, incompatible systems. Today, his company operates across 56 countries.

Speaking at the TechSparks 2026 conference, Shaam argued that while artificial intelligence has lowered the barriers to building products, it has not simplified the process of creating a sustainable business. He warned entrepreneurs against focusing on companies that achieve rapid growth, describing the typical startup journey as a “daily grind” rather than a quick path to a billion-dollar valuation.

Shaam advised founders to avoid chasing short-term trends and instead commit to solving complex, enduring problems. “Building a billion-dollar business is really hard,” he said.

Expanding beyond borders

Shaam urged entrepreneurs to consider international expansion early in their company’s lifecycle. He noted that while some businesses are inherently local, sectors such as education, healthcare, and deeptech often address global needs. Omio entered 30 countries during its first few years of operation, a strategy that Shaam believes was vital to the company’s development, despite the capital and operational challenges involved.

The role of technology in this process has shifted, according to Shaam. When Omio initially expanded in Germany, the company hired 30 people to manage translations. That work is now automated through artificial intelligence. However, Shaam cautioned that lower barriers to entry mean competitors can replicate products more easily. He suggested that founders must now shift their focus from mere execution to strategic judgment, prioritizing industries with significant long-term moats.