Founder Spotlight: Pav Gill - The Visionary Behind Confide

Pav Gill’s journey from a corporate legal head to a world-renowned whistleblower is one of courage and transformation. After exposing the Wirecard scandal, Pav channeled his experience into creating Confide, a platform designed to support whistleblowers and foster transparency. With a deep commitment to integrity and accountability, Pav’s vision for Confide has grown from a whistleblowing solution to a comprehensive compliance platform, helping organizations manage risks and investigations with efficiency and transparency.

Q&A with Pav Gill, Founder of Confide

Q: What inspired you to start your company and has that initial vision evolved over time?

Pav Gill: "The inspiration behind starting Confide Platform stemmed from my personal experience as a whistleblower at Wirecard. Going through that ordeal opened my eyes to the critical gaps in how organizations handle whistleblowing, risk reporting, and overall compliance. It wasn’t just about the legal and procedural aspects but also the emotional and human side of raising concerns within a company. I wanted to create a solution that would address these gaps, making it easier, safer, and more transparent for employees to report issues, and for companies to manage and resolve them effectively.

Initially, the vision for Confide was to be a platform that empowered whistleblowers and ensured their voices were heard without fear of retaliation. However, as we grew and engaged with various organizations, we realized that the need for such a platform extended beyond whistleblowing. Companies required a comprehensive tool that could handle all types of risk reporting and investigations—from HR matters to financial crimes, cybersecurity issues, and more.

As a result, our vision has evolved from a whistleblowing platform to a full-fledged integrity hub and total compliance solution. Today, Confide not only facilitates the secure and confidential reporting of concerns but also manages the entire investigation process with end-to-end audit trails, ensuring transparency and accountability at every step. This evolution has allowed us to better serve our clients and contribute to fostering a culture of integrity and trust within organizations."

Q: Explain what your company does so a 6-year-old would understand it.

Pav Gill: "Imagine you're in school, and you see something that’s not right, like someone breaking the rules. But maybe you’re scared to tell the teacher because you don’t want to get in trouble or you don’t want anyone to know you told. Confide Platform is like the special, safe place where you can tell someone about what’s wrong without being scared.

We help grown-ups in companies tell their bosses if something bad is happening, and we make sure their bosses listen and fix it. And the best part? We keep it a secret so no one knows who told, but the problem still gets solved."

Q: Who is your favourite entrepreneur and why do you find them inspiring?

Pav Gill: "Elon Musk. What I find most inspiring about him is his relentless drive to push boundaries and challenge the status quo. Whether it's revolutionizing the electric vehicle industry with Tesla, reimagining space travel with SpaceX, or working on sustainable energy solutions, Elon Musk has consistently demonstrated a willingness to take on seemingly impossible challenges."

Q: When you are at your absolute bottom and are going through professional challenges, how do you lift yourself up?

Pav Gill: "When I’m facing tough professional challenges, I find strength by reconnecting with myself through breathwork and deep breathing. Taking a few moments each day to focus on my breath helps me calm my mind, reduce stress, and regain clarity. It’s a simple yet powerful way to ground myself and stay resilient. By tapping into this inner strength, I’m able to rise above challenges and keep moving forward with purpose."

Q: Why do you believe you are personally best positioned to build your business?

Pav Gill: "I believe I’m uniquely positioned to build Confide because of my extensive experience in compliance, risk management, and legal affairs. My background as a general counsel has given me a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges organizations face in maintaining integrity and managing risks effectively. I’ve seen firsthand the critical need for a robust, transparent platform that not only ensures compliance but also streamlines the entire reporting and investigation process.

This combination of legal expertise and a strong focus on risk management has allowed me to design a platform that addresses the real-world needs of organizations. I’m driven by a commitment to helping businesses navigate these challenges with confidence, ensuring they can operate with the highest standards of integrity."

Q: Over the last 12 months, what is your most profound realization/insight regarding the startup ecosystem?

Pav Gill: "I’ve learned that being too rigid in your approach can limit your potential for growth. Instead, the ability to pivot, embrace change, and continuously learn is crucial for long-term success. This insight has reinforced the need to stay close to your customers, listen to their feedback, and be willing to iterate on your product and strategy. It’s not just about having a great idea; it’s about being agile enough to refine that idea as you go, ensuring it remains relevant and valuable in a dynamic market."

Q: What is your favorite sandwich?

Pav Gill: "Katsu."

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own companies?

Pav Gill: "Build for customers > investors."

Pav Gill’s journey with Confide is a powerful reminder of the importance of courage, integrity, and transparency in the business world. His commitment to creating a safe space for whistleblowers has not only shaped Confide as a platform but has also sparked meaningful change in how organizations handle risk and compliance. Pav's leadership and vision will continue to inspire others who seek to make a positive impact in their industries.

To learn more about Pav and Confide, or to get in touch, feel free to reach out at pav.g@confide.com.