Imagine editing videos directly in your browser—seamlessly, collaboratively, and powerfully. Scalar.video is turning this vision into reality.
Today, we explore the fascinating journey of Rahul Tarak, co-founder of Scalar.video (formerly Modfy.video), a groundbreaking in-browser video editor aiming to become the "Figma for video". Rahul’s story is one of passion, persistence, and a willingness to challenge conventional paths. From his early coding days to building a cutting-edge platform, his journey offers invaluable insights into tech entrepreneurship.
From Curious Coder to A Founder
Rahul’s passion for programming ignited at the age of 12 or 13, drawn by the instant feedback and problem-solving possibilities. Unlike subjects like mathematics or physics, programming allowed him to create and innovate immediately.
Early Inspiration: Rahul's drive for efficiency and problem-solving fueled his passion for programming. He saw programming as a tool to create better solutions compared to traditional methods.
Hackathons: Participating in hackathons in India, though not widely popular then, helped Rahul gain practical experience and deeper insight into technology.
Educational Shift: Frustrated with the rigid Indian education system, Rahul transitioned to an international school, leveraging IB grades to attend the University of Toronto. While he found the Computer Science department underwhelming, he discovered an impactful computational physics class that broadened his perspective.
Building Scalar.video: Challenges and Learnings
The Vision
Scalar.video began as a side project inspired by Rahul’s work with in-browser video conversion tools. The goal was ambitious: create a collaborative, browser-based video editor , empowering users to edit videos seamlessly without downloading complex software.
Technical Hurdles
Pushing the limits of React, the browser API, and WebAssembly.
Debugging Chromium’s source code and collaborating with the Chromium team.
Navigating a lack of accessible documentation on video processing and editing.
Managing bugs and complexities, making this the most challenging engineering endeavor Rahul had faced.
The team also had to build custom solutions for seamless video processing directly within the browser, overcoming compatibility and performance challenges.
Platforms That Shaped the Journey
Well Found (previously AngelList): Rahul considers AngelList an effective platform for hiring, though he highlights the importance of having a solid pipeline to evaluate candidates properly.
Pioneer: Described as an "infinite tournament," Pioneer helped Rahul stay accountable and productive during his gap semester. The platform provided motivation and connected him with a like-minded community offering valuable feedback.
On Deck (ODX): Participation in the On Deck accelerator program (ODX) was transformative. It connected Rahul's team with mentors and fellow founders, offering guidance to refine their product and growth strategies.
Lessons from Mistakes
Building Scalar.video wasn’t without its challenges. Rahul candidly shared the following lessons:
Over-abstracting the codebase: Early efforts to over-optimize and abstract code led to inefficiencies.
Insufficient documentation: Lack of proper documentation made it difficult for the team to onboard new developers and manage updates effectively.
Delayed launches: Striving for perfection delayed the launch, hindering the opportunity for early user feedback—a critical element for refining the product.
Empowering Creators Through Innovation
Scalar.video’s architecture reflects a decentralized vision. By processing videos directly on users’ machines, the platform eliminates the need for heavy server infrastructure, ensuring privacy, efficiency, and speed.
Rahul aligns Scalar.video with certain principles of Web3, such as decentralized computing. While intrigued by specific innovations in the space, like live pay, he remains focused on building a product that empowers creators without chasing trends.
Advice for Aspiring Founders
Question : Should I drop out of college to start a company?
Answer : Only if you have conviction, a clear plan, and financial stability. Rahul suggests taking a semester off to explore before committing fully.
Question : What should new founders prioritize?
Answer : Focus on survival. Rahul emphasizes, “A company being dead is worse than a company being alive. Do whatever it takes to keep it going.”
Question : How do I build a successful product?
Answer : Start with a side project, gather user feedback early, and build a community around your idea. Perfection can come later.
Question : What mistakes should I avoid as a technical founder?
Answer : Avoid over-abstracting code and always prioritize documenting the codebase. Both are vital for scaling efficiently.
Conclusion
Rahul Tarak’s journey with Scalar.video is a testament to passion, problem-solving, and innovation. From navigating the rigid Indian education system to building a collaborative, browser-based video editor, Rahul’s experiences highlight the potential of technology to democratize creativity. His story underscores the importance of resilience, community, and staying focused on user-centric solutions.
Curious to see how Scalar.video is reshaping video editing? Check out the full video on TechKareer’s YouTube channel and join the conversation!