Pavan Prabhakar: Operating At The Intersection Of Business & Technology
Pavan Prabhakar
Vice President
Among this distinguished league of alumni leaders stands Pavan Prabhakar, Vice President at Capgemini. Pavan’s story exemplifies the spirit of IIMB not just in pedigree, but in practice.
He began his career as a Java Programmer in a Test and Measurement Company, known for its high end Oscilliscopes, but it didn’t take long for him to discover that his true strength lay beyond the code.
He quickly understood that his core strength is in his in the ability to understand business complexities and craft solutions that bridge the worlds of technology and business. That clarity of purpose led him to IIM Bangalore’s Post Graduate Diploma in Software Enterprise Management, a move that would become the cornerstone of his professional evolution.
In 2008, he took a bold step into entrepreneurship, co-founding India’s first product management consulting firm in collaboration with an Israeli startup, that pioneered in the same area. Though the 2009 recession brought an early close to the venture, it offered him a wealth of real-world learning unmatched in scale, depth and experience.
Since then, his journey through IT services, spanning startups, GCCs, and tier-one giants like CSC, Wipro, and Capgemini, has been marked by a rare blend of innovation and impact.
Today, he advises clients across continents, and while accolades for mentorship and transformation have followed, it is his consistent ability to break the mold that makes his story a standout in the IIMB alumni pantheon. Let’s hear more from him in this one on one interaction.
As an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, what were the most transformative learning experiences during your time there, and how did they shape your entre - preneurial journey and sharpen your business acumen?
The most transformative part of my time at IIM Bangalore was the exceptional faculty, who brought subjects like strategy, marketing, and economics to life through real-world insights.
Their teaching went far beyond textbooks, making learning deeply practical and yet grounded. Equally enriching was the peer learning experience. My cohort included professionals from over 45 companies ranging from start ups, to MNCs, to Tier-I Indian Pure players to midsize companies, creating a vibrant mix of perspectives in every class room discussion.
This environment encouraged entrepreneurial thinking and gave me the clarity, confidence, and network I needed to launch a consulting firm in product management.
IIM Bangalore did more than enhance my business acumen, it reshaped how I view challenges, people, and possibilities, laying the foundation for my leadership journey. It did equip me with all the arms and ammunition I needed to use in the fast changing technology business.
How did IIM Bangalore offer global exposure while also instilling a sense of responsibility and commit - ment to giving back to society?
IIM Bangalore provided me with a unique combination of global exposure and a deep sense of social responsibility. During my exchange semester at EDHEC Business School in Nice, France, I studied with peers from 28 countries, gaining valuable insights into global cultures and academic perspectives.
Traveling through Europe as a back packer further enriched my understanding of culture, diversity and the nuances of business. Equally impactful was the strong network I built at IIMB. The bonds with faculty and peers extended far beyond the classroom and continue to this day.
I remain closely connected with my professors and now give back by serving on the annual selection panel for incoming students. It is my way of contributing to the institution that helped shape my professional and personal growth.
How has the IIM Bangalore alumni network impacted your journey, and what is one cherished memory that stands out from your time at the institute?
The IIM Bangalore alumni network is exceptionally strong, offering unwavering support through career advice, mentorship, and collaboration. Among my most cherished memories is my tenure as an exchange student in EDHEC,
Their teaching went far beyond textbooks, making learning deeply practical and yet grounded. Equally enriching was the peer learning experience. My cohort included professionals from over 45 companies ranging from start ups, to MNCs, to Tier-I Indian Pure players to midsize companies, creating a vibrant mix of perspectives in every class room discussion.
Your professional success depends on your will, skill and good will
This environment encouraged entrepreneurial thinking and gave me the clarity, confidence, and network I needed to launch a consulting firm in product management.
IIM Bangalore did more than enhance my business acumen, it reshaped how I view challenges, people, and possibilities, laying the foundation for my leadership journey. It did equip me with all the arms and ammunition I needed to use in the fast changing technology business.
How did IIM Bangalore offer global exposure while also instilling a sense of responsibility and commit - ment to giving back to society?
IIM Bangalore provided me with a unique combination of global exposure and a deep sense of social responsibility. During my exchange semester at EDHEC Business School in Nice, France, I studied with peers from 28 countries, gaining valuable insights into global cultures and academic perspectives.
Traveling through Europe as a back packer further enriched my understanding of culture, diversity and the nuances of business. Equally impactful was the strong network I built at IIMB. The bonds with faculty and peers extended far beyond the classroom and continue to this day.
I remain closely connected with my professors and now give back by serving on the annual selection panel for incoming students. It is my way of contributing to the institution that helped shape my professional and personal growth.
How has the IIM Bangalore alumni network impacted your journey, and what is one cherished memory that stands out from your time at the institute?
The IIM Bangalore alumni network is exceptionally strong, offering unwavering support through career advice, mentorship, and collaboration. Among my most cherished memories is my tenure as an exchange student in EDHEC,
France, where I studied with students from 28 countries, many of whom are in leader -ship positions across various Global companies today.
Traveling across Europe broadened my global outlook and fostered lifelong friendships. That experience truly captured the spirit of IIMB - ambitious, forward looking and constantly evolving through shared learning and connection. I was privileged to experience the tag line of IIMB "Tejasvi Naavadhitamastu", which translates from Sanskrit to "Let our study be enlightening".
What is the next chapter you envision in your professional journey, and what advice would you offer to aspiring industry leaders?
My goal is to drive innovation, create real customer value, and inspire transformative thinking across the organization. When work aligns with passion, it becomes purposeful. Workload becomes fun and pressure ceases to exist.
My advice to aspiring leaders is to be doers, working in the trenches. For a good leader, being hands on and staying grounded are paramount qualities. Immersing oneself in day-today operations fosters a deeper under standing of the team's challenges and opportunities.
Drawing upon a cricketing analogy, I always say, Be the player on the field, not the commentator in the box. Lead by example, stay authentic, get your hands dirty, and let your actions define your leadership. Your professional success depends on your will, skill and good will.
What core belief has consistently guided your professional success?
My success is grounded in three core principles. First, passion. I give my all to everything I take on and remain relentless until I see meaningful results. Second, a mindset of disruption. I constantly question the status quo by asking, “Can this be done differently? How can I think outside the box? Is there a room to do it better?” which drives continuous innovation and fresh thinking.
And third, end to end thinking. I strive to understand the entire value chain, looking beyond the immediate customer to see how value flows from one stakeholder to another. I always think of my customer, their customer and their customers. This perspective enables me to craft solutions that truly resonate with what customers actually want and create lasting impact.
Pavan Prabhakar, Vice President, Capgemini
Vice President at Capgemini, Pavan Prabhakar is a dynamic leader known for driving innovation, nurturing AI-ready talent, and blending technology with business impact across global markets.
Traveling across Europe broadened my global outlook and fostered lifelong friendships. That experience truly captured the spirit of IIMB - ambitious, forward looking and constantly evolving through shared learning and connection. I was privileged to experience the tag line of IIMB "Tejasvi Naavadhitamastu", which translates from Sanskrit to "Let our study be enlightening".
What is the next chapter you envision in your professional journey, and what advice would you offer to aspiring industry leaders?
My goal is to drive innovation, create real customer value, and inspire transformative thinking across the organization. When work aligns with passion, it becomes purposeful. Workload becomes fun and pressure ceases to exist.
My advice to aspiring leaders is to be doers, working in the trenches. For a good leader, being hands on and staying grounded are paramount qualities. Immersing oneself in day-today operations fosters a deeper under standing of the team's challenges and opportunities.
Drawing upon a cricketing analogy, I always say, Be the player on the field, not the commentator in the box. Lead by example, stay authentic, get your hands dirty, and let your actions define your leadership. Your professional success depends on your will, skill and good will.
What core belief has consistently guided your professional success?
My success is grounded in three core principles. First, passion. I give my all to everything I take on and remain relentless until I see meaningful results. Second, a mindset of disruption. I constantly question the status quo by asking, “Can this be done differently? How can I think outside the box? Is there a room to do it better?” which drives continuous innovation and fresh thinking.
And third, end to end thinking. I strive to understand the entire value chain, looking beyond the immediate customer to see how value flows from one stakeholder to another. I always think of my customer, their customer and their customers. This perspective enables me to craft solutions that truly resonate with what customers actually want and create lasting impact.
Pavan Prabhakar, Vice President, Capgemini
Vice President at Capgemini, Pavan Prabhakar is a dynamic leader known for driving innovation, nurturing AI-ready talent, and blending technology with business impact across global markets.