Shrivastava serves as Co-CEO of Avoca alongside Tyson Chen, and has worked in the industry since late 2023. The company's first home services customer was Rescue Air in Texas.

“Having done the job, I think there's a ‘right’ way to incorporate AI to elevate customer experience,” Shrivastava said. Rather than having every caller interact with AI, he believes the technology should be used where it can provide the most value.

Seeing that approach make such a tangible difference for contractors has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.

“I've seen customers use our product, Avoca, to help answer phone calls when their electricity wasn't working and help customers get scheduled regardless of the time of day,” he said.

That intersection between technology and real-world impact is also what keeps Shrivastava motivated.

“I love ‘thinking’ technology and trying to bring positive impact, so trying to figure out where the two overlap is exciting,” he said.

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Some of his proudest moments have come from seeing ideas turn into tools that customers genuinely value. One example arrived unexpectedly through social media, when Shrivastava saw someone post that their local HVAC company had provided a better calling experience than any company they'd previously contacted.

For Shrivastava, feedback like that demonstrates how technology can help home service businesses improve customer experience while still serving a very practical need.

Outside of work, Shrivastava turns to a different kind of problem-solving: poker. He's an avid player, and sees the game as more than entertainment.

“It's one of the best games to help with improving decision making during high stress,” he said.