Building Tomorrow’s Culture
Daniel Marashlian on Managing SME Culture Amidst Rapid Growth Surge


Guest Introduction
Daniel Marashlian, Co-founder & CTO of Drata. Two years ago, Daniel led Drata through a remarkable growth journey over the course of 12 months. He successfully doubled the workforce from 300 to 600 employees and recently integrated the newly acquired SafeBase in early 2025.
With his unique insights, Daniel will share the challenges of maintaining a strong workplace culture amid rapid expansion, the critical role of influence in business, in navigating these changes, and the operational hurdles that come with scaling.
In this conversation, Seb Wichmann speaks with Daniel Marashlian, co-founder and CTO of Drata, about the challenges and strategies involved in scaling a company from 300 to 600 employees while maintaining a strong workplace culture. Daniel shares insights on the importance of cultural values, the role of trust and time, and the necessity of being customer-obsessed. They discuss the practical steps taken to integrate new hires and the lessons learned from early growth experiences, emphasizing the need for a clear understanding of the product and customer needs. In this conversation, Daniel Marashlian discusses the importance of understanding the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and building a culture of doers within the organization. He emphasizes the need for effective communication and clarity in processes, especially during times of change such as acquisitions. Trust and transparency are highlighted as key components in fostering a positive workplace culture, particularly in a remote work environment. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced post-acquisition and the strategies employed to maintain employee engagement and morale.