From Idea to Action: Rocky Sridhar on Building Approachable Adventures
When we first met Rakesh “Rocky” Sridhar at Pitchgiving last fall, his idea stood out for how deeply it was shaped by lived experience. Rather than chasing a trend, Rocky is building from curiosity, personal challenge, and a desire to help people move from intention to action.
Rocky’s background as a mechanical engineer, with experience in automotive software development and product management, informs how he approaches problem-solving. His education at MIT and time working in Japan taught him to
think in systems, focus on real user needs, and design with purpose. Those same principles now guide his early-stage app concept, Approachable Adventures.
Approachable Adventures is designed for people who aspire to spend more time outdoors but do not consider themselves seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. These are people drawn to movement, adventure, and personal growth, even if the outdoors feels intimidating or out of reach. At its core, the idea asks an important question: how can technology support real-world connections instead of pulling us deeper into distraction?
A Personal Connection to the Outdoors
Rocky’s connection to outdoor spaces began years earlier while living in Boston, where he was involved with the MIT Outdoors Club. Through hiking and mountain biking, he experienced the power of shared outdoor experiences, and also how difficult they can be to access without confidence or community.
Hiking, in particular, stood out as accessible and grounding, yet often hard to step into alone. Helping people connect with others, whether through shared goals or companionship, became a central part of his vision.
From Transition to Purpose
During shifts brought on by COVID, Rocky relocated to Asheville at a time when building community felt especially challenging. That transition pushed him to be intentional about connection and growth, including training for and completing an Ironman triathlon. Along the way, he experienced firsthand how endurance, resilience, and community support intersect.
Those lessons, along with a solo backpacking journey from 2020 to 2021, shaped the philosophy behind Approachable Adventures. The goal is simple: help people move from “someday” to taking the first step. It is not about extreme feats, but about meeting peoplewhere they are and supporting progress one step at a time.
Building Through Community
Rocky is now planning to build an early version of Approachable Adventures during an upcoming career break, with the goal of testing the idea with real users and refining it through feedback. He is also exploring ways to connect with the local outdoor economy and entrepreneurial community.
Rocky’s story reflects the heart of Hatch Innovation Hub’s mission. Through Pitch Parties, mentoring, and founder support, early-stage ideas are given space to be shared, shaped, and strengthened through connection. These programs help founders get things moving, not alone, but alongside others who are building.
We look forward to continuing to follow Rocky’s journey and sharing what comes next.
That’s what Pitch Parties are all about, creating space for ideas to be shared, heard, and supported. Ideas begin by simply putting them out into the world, and we’re excited to watch how Rocky’s idea continues to take shape and move toward reality.
If his concept sparked your interest and you’d like to connect or learn more, you can find him on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakeshogi/
