Dr Kalyan Kuppachi : Empowering Growth And Change Through Technology, Mentorship, & Endurance
Dr Kalyan Kuppachi
Co-Founder & CEO
A proud alumnus of NIT Rourkela, Dr Kalyan credits his formative years for instilling autonomy and humility, values that continue to fuel his leadership. However, Dr Kalyan's leadership is not confined to boardrooms and business deals. A passionate long-distance runner and cyclist, he finds profound lessons in endurance sports, where every uphill struggle is a test of resilience, and every finish line is just the start of a new race. As an active member of the Hyderabad Runners Society, he champions fitness and mindfulness, encouraging others to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Whether mentoring young graduates in Tier II towns to bridge the employability gap or guiding nonprofit initiatives that bring quality education to underprivileged children, he believes true success lies in empowering others.
In a recent interaction with CEO Insights, Dr Kalyan shared more insights on his career, leadership style, and many other interesting aspects. Below are a few key excerpts from the exclusive interview.
How have the skills you developed at NIT Rourkela contributed to your current role?
Looking back, the blend of technical expertise, autonomy, and collaborative spirit I developed during those years has been instrumental in my success today. The rigorous academic environment laid a strong foundation that became invaluable when transitioning from a corporate role to entrepreneurship. Beyond the classroom, NIT Rourkela provided opportunities to collaborate, whether through academic projects or extracurricular activities like the Rotaract Club.
What is your most unforgettable memory from your time at NIT Rourkela?
One of the most distinct memories from my time at NIT Rourkela was the placement season of 1997- 98. It was a period when the job market saw a surge in software companies hiring in unprecedented numbers. Our placement process began right after our sixth-semester exams, and within two weeks, nearly 80 percent of our batch had secured jobs.
What stood out was the incredible camaraderie among students. Everyone helped each other, those who interviewed first shared insights, we conducted mock interviews late into the night, and groups worked together to prepare for exams and discussions. It was a time of collective effort, where success felt like a shared goal. Even today, when we meet, we fondly recall those two weeks, marked by excitement, teamwork, and unforgettable bonds.
What strategies do you use to drive innovation and help clients grow their businesses?
I focus on building deep, trust-based partnerships rather than transactional relationships. We invest time through workshops to understand not just our client’s technical needs but also their core business challenges. A key strategy is fostering proactive client engagement, encouraging our teams to immerse them selves in the client’s industry. For instance, when working with a health tech company in the U.S., our team ensures they understand the sector’s landscape, enabling meaningful contributions beyond software services.
How would you describe your leadership approach and the key principles you follow?
What is your most unforgettable memory from your time at NIT Rourkela?
One of the most distinct memories from my time at NIT Rourkela was the placement season of 1997- 98. It was a period when the job market saw a surge in software companies hiring in unprecedented numbers. Our placement process began right after our sixth-semester exams, and within two weeks, nearly 80 percent of our batch had secured jobs.
We invest time through work shops to understand not just our client’s technical needs but also their core business challenges
What stood out was the incredible camaraderie among students. Everyone helped each other, those who interviewed first shared insights, we conducted mock interviews late into the night, and groups worked together to prepare for exams and discussions. It was a time of collective effort, where success felt like a shared goal. Even today, when we meet, we fondly recall those two weeks, marked by excitement, teamwork, and unforgettable bonds.
What strategies do you use to drive innovation and help clients grow their businesses?
I focus on building deep, trust-based partnerships rather than transactional relationships. We invest time through workshops to understand not just our client’s technical needs but also their core business challenges. A key strategy is fostering proactive client engagement, encouraging our teams to immerse them selves in the client’s industry. For instance, when working with a health tech company in the U.S., our team ensures they understand the sector’s landscape, enabling meaningful contributions beyond software services.
How would you describe your leadership approach and the key principles you follow?
My leadership approach is deeply rooted in empowerment, collaboration, and continuous learning.Over the years, as I transitioned from mid management to senior leadership, I realized that creating a culture of empowerment is a gradual process. It requires building trust and clarity, ensuring that team members know when to seek guidance and when to make independent decisions with account ability.
Collaboration is another key pillar of my leadership. I believe in fostering transparency to ensure my team has the relevant information they need to succeed. Learning is equally vital. I lead by example, embracing continuous learning myself, whether professionally or through personal challenges like marathon running. Encouraging my team to step outside their comfort zones fosters growth and resilience.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
In the next five years, my vision for Utsuk Consulting Solutions is to become a recognized name in the product engineering services and business consulting space. To achieve this, we are experimenting with new business models beyond traditional fixed-price or time-and-material contracts. Equally important is fostering a happy workforce. I take pride that a year into our journey, we have zero attrition. Ultimately, my aspiration is for Utsuk Consulting Solutions to be the go-to technology partner for companies seeking an extended R&D team, driving innovation, building trust, and growing alongside our clients and employees.
Dr Kalyan Kuppachi, Co-Founder & CEO, Utsuk Consulting Solutions
Dr Kalyan Kuppachi, Co-Founder and CEO of Utsuk Consulting Solutions has a Doctorate in Business Administration from ISB, along with degrees from XLRI Jamshedpur and NIT Rourkela in management and computer science, respectively. With over 27 years of experience, he has held leadership roles at Accenture, Cognizant, and Innominds, as well as product-driven firms like Zenoti, Pramati, and SumTotal Systems.
•Hobbies: Running marathons and cycling
•Favorite Cui- sine: Andhra vegetarian cuisine
•Favorite Book: Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy by Mo Gawdat
•Favorite Travel Destination: Leh (Ladakh)
Collaboration is another key pillar of my leadership. I believe in fostering transparency to ensure my team has the relevant information they need to succeed. Learning is equally vital. I lead by example, embracing continuous learning myself, whether professionally or through personal challenges like marathon running. Encouraging my team to step outside their comfort zones fosters growth and resilience.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
In the next five years, my vision for Utsuk Consulting Solutions is to become a recognized name in the product engineering services and business consulting space. To achieve this, we are experimenting with new business models beyond traditional fixed-price or time-and-material contracts. Equally important is fostering a happy workforce. I take pride that a year into our journey, we have zero attrition. Ultimately, my aspiration is for Utsuk Consulting Solutions to be the go-to technology partner for companies seeking an extended R&D team, driving innovation, building trust, and growing alongside our clients and employees.
Dr Kalyan Kuppachi, Co-Founder & CEO, Utsuk Consulting Solutions
Dr Kalyan Kuppachi, Co-Founder and CEO of Utsuk Consulting Solutions has a Doctorate in Business Administration from ISB, along with degrees from XLRI Jamshedpur and NIT Rourkela in management and computer science, respectively. With over 27 years of experience, he has held leadership roles at Accenture, Cognizant, and Innominds, as well as product-driven firms like Zenoti, Pramati, and SumTotal Systems.
•Hobbies: Running marathons and cycling
•Favorite Cui- sine: Andhra vegetarian cuisine
•Favorite Book: Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy by Mo Gawdat
•Favorite Travel Destination: Leh (Ladakh)