In this episode of Software People Stories, VR Govindarajan, aka Govi, the co-founder and executive chairman of Perfios Software, shares his comprehensive journey from the early days of his career to building successful startups. Govi dives deep into his academic background, industry experience, and the various startups he co-founded, including Aztec Soft and Perfios. He emphasizes the importance of technology-focused innovation, building a product company out of India, and navigating the challenges of operating in a regulated industry. Govi also shares his insights on the value of teamwork, culture, and maintaining a larger purpose beyond just making money. Throughout the conversation, he provides valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs on raising funds, managing teams, and scaling businesses globally.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:35 Govi's Background and Career Journey

01:43 Early Startups and Challenges

02:48 Building Aztec Soft and Going Public

03:10 Transition to Perfios and Product Focus

06:18 Navigating the Dot-Com Bust

08:18 Acquisitions and Selling to MindTree

13:41 Importance of Team Effort

17:34 Choosing the BFSI Sector

20:39 Challenges in a Regulated Industry

22:29 Managing B2B Sales and Integration

24:26 Focusing on Product Development

24:46 Creating a New Market Category

25:06 Challenges of Evangelizing a New Product

26:21 Leveraging Global Trends

28:07 Expanding to International Markets

34:25 Managing Code and Customizations

36:54 Importance of Local Customer Support

38:11 Leveraging AI and Data

41:22 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

44:51 The Importance of Culture and Values

48:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section

As the Co-founder & Executive Chairman, Govi has been the driving force behind building Perfios into the Operating system for the BFSI in India and across the globe. Perfios is an acknowledged technology driven SaaS Pioneer that works across almost all financial institutions (Banking and Insurance Sector) both in India and across 18 countries in South East Asia, Middle East and North Africa. Perfios is a Unicorn and is backed by some of the best Global Investors. As a fintech Pioneer, Govi has been part of many committees in industry forums such as FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM. He has been an active speaker at many BFSI related conferences and public institutions.

He brings over 35 years of rich experience in the IT industry across the US and India. Before co-founding Perfios, Govi was the Co-founder, CTO, and Board Member at Aztecsoft, a pioneering force in the offshore product development space. From being a startup, Aztecsoft got listed in the Indian markets and was run as a public company before being sold to another Public company. Prior to starting Aztecsoft, he played a key role in advancing database technologies at global technology leaders such as Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and IBM.

Govi holds an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts and a B.E. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

He may be reached at: govi@perfios.com

In this episode of Software People Stories, Jordan Richards, a Digital Transformation and Knowledge Management technologist, and Founder of Tacitous (www.tacitous.com) a Knowledge Management blueprint and platform designed to help organisations capture, retain, and share critical knowledge at scale shares his extensive experience with technology and knowledge management. From his early days with the ZX 80 computer to his consulting work with oil companies, Jordan emphasizes the importance of solving real-world problems through technology. He advocates for a 'people first, process second, technology third' approach, and shares insights on how to ensure successful adoption of IT solutions by understanding user stories and daily workflows. Jordan discusses the critical importance of managing both knowledge and collaboration within organizations, especially with regard to retirees, and touches on the implications of AI and digital twins in modern business environments. He also shares personal practices that help him stay grounded and continuously updated with the latest trends in technology.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:45 Guest's Origin Story in Technology

01:43 Solving Problems with Technology

02:15 User-Centric Approach to IT Solutions

05:02 Challenges in IT Deployment

05:41 Building Effective IT Strategies

06:40 Understanding Organizational Knowledge Flows

11:14 Importance of Personas in IT Solutions

18:56 Knowledge Management and AI

27:56 Engaging Retirees: Challenges and Solutions

29:38 Building a National Repository of Expertise

32:04 Encouraging Knowledge Sharing and Consumption

34:41 The Role of AI in Knowledge Management

39:21 The Importance of Human Oversight in Technology

43:07 Staying Updated and Lifelong Learning

49:00 Personal Principles for Staying Grounded

The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section

Jordan Richards is a Digital Transformation and Knowledge Management technologist, and Founder of Tacitous (www.tacitous.com) a Knowledge Management blueprint and platform designed to help organisations capture, retain, and share critical knowledge at scale. With 20+ years of international experience across high-risk and complex environments (including Oil & Gas and large-scale operations), Jordan specialises in institutional memory, lessons learned, communities of practice, and AI-enabled knowledge retention. He works with government entities, NGOs, and industry leaders to build practical, technology-enabled KM ecosystems that strengthen workforce continuity and organisational resilience.

Website: www.tacitous.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanrichards/

Email: collaboration@tacitous.com

In this podcast episode, Sudipta Lahiri, Head Of Engineering and Products at Nimblework, Inc shares his compelling journey from growing up in a cosmopolitan township and studying metallurgical engineering to becoming a leader in the tech industry. He discusses his early career experiences, including a pivotal moment that led him to quit his job at SAIL and pursue further education at IIT Madras. Sudipta delves into his transition from engineering to account management and later into sales. He emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, the challenges and benefits of using AI in software development, and his personal practices that help him stay organized and effective in a fast-evolving industry. Key takeaways include the necessity of understanding the end goal, leveraging change agents for successful tool adoption, and the indispensable role of cognitive behavioral skills in leadership.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:37 Early Life and Education

03:20 First Job and Career Pivot

05:12 Graduate Studies and Entry into IT

07:59 Joining Wipro and Early Projects

12:17 Transition to Sales and Account Management

14:39 Challenges and Success in Sales

15:42 Return to India and Joining i2 Technologies

17:18 Joining Digité and Embracing Agile

19:26 Reflections on Career and Mentorship

28:21 Challenges in Developing Platforms for Developers and Managers

29:24 Focusing on Efficiency for Developers

30:34 Evolving Processes to Minimize Data Entry

33:25 Addressing Tool Adoption Challenges

34:11 Identifying and Leveraging Change Agents

40:06 Balancing Process and Flexibility

46:25 Impact of AI on Software Development

54:19 Personal Practices for Staying Grounded

The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sudiptalahiri/

Head Of Engineering and Products at Nimblework, Inc. (Distinguished Fellow, Kanban University, SPC4, AKT, KCP, DAD/CDA)

● Three decades of international leadership experience across diverse industry verticals

● Multi-cultural exposure ranging from a $4 billion company to running a technology start-up

● A Lean/Agile coach and practitioner passionate about helping multiple organizations and teams gain agility and enhanced productivity

● Demonstrated success in developing new products for Lean Software Development

● Entrepreneurial style with an exemplary record in strategic planning, business development, solid execution, and developing high performing teams

In this podcast episode, Shiv is in conversation with Bhargav Bhikkaji, a tech leader, entrepreneur, and founder-CTO of MajorDomo Inc with deep expertise in cloud and Gen-AI driven enterprise software.

In this episode of Software People Stories, Bhargav shares his inspiring journey from his early interest in physics and mathematics to becoming a DevOps pioneer. Initially focused on engineering and computer networking, Bhargav's career path led him through various roles at HCL Cisco and Dell before transitioning to an entrepreneurial venture. He describes the challenges of moving back to India, starting a consulting business, and eventually founding a company that focuses on DevOps and AI deployment solutions. Bhargav emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, continuous learning, and staying grounded through personal practices like long-distance running.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:31 Early Interests and Education

03:13 First Steps in Networking

04:21 Career Growth and Innovations

05:13 Transition to DevOps and Kubernetes

07:23 Starting a Consulting Business

10:27 Challenges and Strategies in Networking

18:08 Patents and Open Source Debate

26:36 Navigating the Transition from Technical Expert to Entrepreneur

27:42 Understanding Customer Needs in Product Development

29:45 Balancing Immediate Customer Demands with Long-Term Solutions

32:10 Managing Multiple Roles in a Startup

33:49 The Importance of Customer Conversations and Product Market Fit

34:36 Challenges in Developing Developer Tools

37:42 Articulating the Value Proposition of Major Domo

40:41 Handling Rollbacks and Ensuring Transaction Integrity

46:52 Keeping Pace with Rapid Technological Changes

49:00 Staying Grounded Amidst the Chaos

50:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section.

Bhargav Bhikkaji is a tech leader, entrepreneur, and founder-CTO of MajorDomo Inc with deep expertise in cloud and Gen-AI driven enterprise software.

As the Founder, Bhargav leads the development of platform solutions that simplify and automate complex cloud-native and Gen-AI operations.

He is passionate about bridging the gap between cutting-edge technologies and real-world outcomes, sharing insights on GenAI, RAG, LLMOps, enterprise AI, and governance through talks, articles, and video series.

Bhargav’s work blends engineering excellence with strategic thinking, helping teams adopt scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud and AI solutions. Outside work, Bhargav enjoys endurance running and often reflects on resilience and growth—bringing the same mindset to tech and leadership that he applies in life’s challenges

One can reach out to Bhargav Bhikkaji at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhargav-bhikkaji and

http://x.com/bbhikkaji

In this podcast episode, Shiv is in conversation with Anees Haidary, Global Head, Operational Excellence, Data Privacy, and Global Workforce Management at Sasken Technologies.

In this engaging episode, Anees shares his remarkable journey in the IT industry, starting from his humble beginnings in a lower-middle-class family in India to becoming a prominent figure in various leadership roles. Anees discusses his educational background in engineering, his early struggles with job interviews, and the pivotal break that led him to a successful career. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief, continuous learning, and the role of mentors in professional growth. Anees also delves into his experiences with various organizations, including IBM, and his current role, where he oversees multiple portfolios including operational excellence and data privacy. Additionally, Anees highlights his involvement in Toastmasters and the BSPIN network, advocating for networking and professional development at any stage of one’s career. He also shares his personal methods for managing time and staying grounded. The episode is filled with practical tips and inspiring anecdotes, making it a valuable listen for anyone in the software industry.

Anees is a Storyteller, Problem Solver, Inventor, Game changer, and Data Privacy and ESG expert.

Being an industry veteran for 25+ years in IT Industry, his role in Leadership at Sasken has helped define a strategy, roadmap & governance mechanism to address business critical problems, Established and sustained the Demand Supply Framework sustaining the core of business, Integrating various cultures post-acquisition, establishing data privacy and information security practice at Sasken among few large initiatives. Being a strong project management enthusiast, and successfully delivered large initiatives jointly with PMI in South Asia, he has been able to deeply influence and integrate world class project management initiatives at Sasken, and various product and services organization in his role as a PMISA champion.

Apart from MBA in HRM, Anees has completed Strategy Thinking Course from IIM Kolkata. Certified in PMP, ITILv3, CSM, ISO 9K, 14K, 27K, 27701 Lead Implementer, ISO 26262 Process Expert, ASPICE v3.1 SME, he has been able to contribute greatly to his organization’s vision and mission 60x4x3. He is also an active public speaker, and chartered Toastmasters Club in his organization, and completed a decade long relationship with Toastmasters International. He is a Certified Public Speaker from Dale Carnegie Institute USA. He heads Project Management Academy, Quality, Customer Experience Management, Data Privacy Office, Audits and Certifications, Special Strategic Initiatives, Delivery Excellence, and Global Workforce Management at Sasken Technologies Limited.

Currently he is the Champion at PMI South Asia and Project Management Mentor at Sasken. He co-authored the PM Competency Development Framework (PMCDF) initiative of Project Management Institute (PMI) and integrated into HR competency management systems at Sasken, and mentored various organizations like CISCO, Cushman and Wakefield, Robert Bosch India, Nokia India on leveraging PMCDF for advancing the noble profession of Project management through continuous assessment of PM competency. Anees is the Core member of Risk Management Committee (RMC) at Sasken reporting into the Risk committee of Sasken Board.

His white papers are published in International and National Journals and Magazines, websites & newsletters of different forums. He received many awards and honors from different organizations in advancing the field of Project Management.

He may be reached at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haidary/

In this podcast episode, Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Shubhangi M Josiam, Digital Head APAC of Alstom about her 18+ year journey across GE and Alstom, moving from core IT and infrastructure roles to customer-facing digital transformation leadership across APAC.

Shubangi shares candid stories about career pivots, leadership programs, Lean Six Sigma, building IT from scratch post-acquisition, and navigating cross-cultural teams—ending with powerful advice for women professionals to be bold and go for roles before feeling “fully ready”.

00:00 – 01:50 — Introduction to Shubangi’s APAC digital leadership role and IT’s shift from backend to customer-facing solutions.

01:52 – 04:41 — Early inspiration for engineering, switching from electronics to information science driven by a love for programming.

04:42 – 07:56 — Entering GE through walk-ins, starting in captive IT, and learning end-to-end infrastructure fundamentals.

08:20 – 11:49 — Discovering GE’s leadership culture and choosing Lean Six Sigma for outcome-driven career growth.

12:06 – 14:28 — Leading a consumer experience transformation project and early exposure to Agile and product thinking.

14:29 – 16:08 — Managing ERP operations and learning real-world supply chain complexity during system transitions.

16:08 – 18:09 — Navigating acquisitions, making tough career exits, and prioritising personal sustainability.

18:46 – 23:51 — Joining Alstom during post-acquisition chaos and helping build IT systems from the ground up.

23:51 – 25:50 — Building digital and analytics platforms, hiring data scientists, and scaling analytics maturity.

25:51 – 27:47 — Transitioning into regional IT leadership and driving large-scale digital change during COVID.

27:48 – 29:37 — Moving into customer-facing digital rail solutions across APAC and continuous learning from the market.

30:00 – 32:19 — Managing APAC time zones through clusters while maintaining work–life balance.

32:20 – 36:45 — Leading across cultures by balancing company values with local working styles.

46:46 – 48:36 — Building trust through direct feedback, transparency, and authentic leadership.

48:38 – 50:43 — Final advice: be bold, apply even if you’re not “ready,” and trust yourself to figure it out.

“If you want to do something, go for it. Help will come—and you will figure it out.”

“Men apply saying, ‘I’ll figure it out.’ Women apply saying, ‘I meet only five out of ten requirements.’ That’s what stops us.”

“I didn’t tick all the boxes, but I figured it out.”

“Worst case, you fail. Big deal. You learn. It’s not the end of the world.”

“IT is no longer a backend engine—it’s delivering real digital solutions to customers.”

Trusted Partner in Driving Impactful Digital Transformation & Empowering Businesses Through Technology.

As the Digital Services Regional Head for APAC at Alstom, I drive transformative digital solutions tailored to the rail industry, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and customer engagement. My efforts include collaborating with diverse teams to deliver cutting-edge rail digital solutions while ensuring advanced cybersecurity measures for robust data protection. By aligning technological initiatives with business goals, our team enhances service quality and builds scalable, future-ready solutions for the region.

With over 20 years of experience in IT strategy and transformation, I have a proven track record of delivering impactful results acro…

Shubangi can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhangi-mj/

As we step into 2026, a heartfelt thank you to all our listeners for your time, trust, and continued support. Your engagement, feedback, and encouragement mean a lot to us and inspire us to keep creating meaningful conversations and content.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year 2026—may it bring good health, fresh opportunities, and continued learning. Looking forward to growing and learning together in the year ahead!

Here is the link to the AI story mentioned in the podcast

https://youtu.be/wjgbCiZmbEE

Hope you enjoy!!