I make technology work.
I help businesses grow.

I've spent 20 years in technology — as a developer, architect, founder and advisor. Today I work with a small set of companies, from early-stage startups to established businesses, on exactly two things: technology and growth.

Bengaluru, IN Kiran Kulkarni

Kiran Kulkarni

Tech & Growth · Co-founder · Advisor · Investor
Connect on LinkedIn
20+
Years in technology, still hands-on
4x
Founder — and one failed startup that taught the most
3
Exits across the journey so far
How I engage
⌘

Technology

Architecture, product engineering and AI. Python developer at the core; working in ML and AI for the last 12 years.

↗

Growth

Go-to-market, market access and business strategy — including preparing companies for fundraising.

◆

Investment

I invest selectively in companies I work closely with — capital and time together, not one or the other.

Also on the table: mentorship, market access, and a network built over two decades.
Why these two things

Most companies I meet have the same two problems: the technology doesn't do what the business needs, or the business isn't growing the way it could.

I've worked on both sides of that line for two decades — writing the code, running the teams, and taking products to market.

Where I mentor, I've usually put in money, time, or both.

Where I work

A small set of companies, across stages
TableTop
Co-founder & CTO

Beverage operations for large events and concerts. I run the technology side.

Stage: Early revenue · Funded
IDA Farms
Co-founder & Growth Officer

An agri venture with a long product build ahead of it. Currently in development.

Stage: Building · Funded
Munark
Tech & Growth Consultant

A FDE first software delivery company since 2013. Fourteen years old, profitable, and self-sustaining.

Stage: Sustainable · Profitable
Turtu
Tech & Growth

Hyperlocal delivery, now expanding into new geographies. Won the Karnataka Elevate award and grant in 2025.

Stage: Scaling · Award-winning
Furryco
Growth

A pet nutrition brand with its first customers in and angel backing behind it.

Stage: Early revenue · Angel funded
ReeThinQ
Tech & Growth

A product at MVP stage, heading toward launch. I work with the team on technology, product and growth.

Stage: MVP · Launching soon

Giving back

Pro bono work is a fixed part of the calendar
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Mentor — Bridging Market Access

Mentored women business owners through AstraZeneca's advanced training program, delivered by Rise Infinity Foundation with WEConnect International (2025).

⚑

Pro bono consulting

Every year I take on a few engagements at no cost — early-stage founders and social-welfare innovation projects that need technology or growth help but can't yet pay for it.

The journey

Founding companies since 2008
2008 — 2011

JD Creations · Founder

My first company. Built an offline ERP for inventory and sales management.

2012 — 2013

University of Sheffield · MSc Computer Science

Master's degree in the UK, working as an application developer alongside.

2013 — 2017

Munark Technologies · Technology Director

Led delivery for European clients — RPA, machine learning and cross-platform products. Exited in 2017 to join Apar.

2017 — 2023

Apar Peopleworld · Head Solution Architect

Built enterprise products in machine learning, AI and automation for a largely unorganised industry.

2018 — 2023

Otomeyt · Head of Technology

Led technology for an AI assessment platform — grew it past 500,000 users, with a patented AI coding-assessment engine.

2024 — 2025

Karnataka Digital Economy Mission · Cluster Lead

Led the Hubballi–Dharwad–Belagavi cluster under the Government of Karnataka's Beyond Bengaluru initiative — startups, GCCs and the ESDM ecosystem.

Now

The portfolio above

Working with a small set of companies as co-founder, advisor and investor.

Get in touch

Reach me on LinkedIn.

I don't publish an email address or phone number here. If you'd like to talk, send me a message on LinkedIn or reach me through someone we both know.

Message me on LinkedIn