Androutsos joined the service of Ali Pasha of Ioannina at a young age. He made a career for himself in various posts but made sure to develop secret ties to various revolutionary groups. In 1818 he joined the Filiki Eteria (or Society of Friends) and attempted to organize a Greek-Albanian alliance of military leaders who were in the service of Ali Pasha. In January 1821 Androutsos was selected as leader of the upcoming revolutionary fight in eastern Central Greece. In March he attacked an Ottoman money train but left the money behind to prove his pure revolutionary intentions.