Sudharshan M K : A Problem-Solving Expert In Digital Transformation & Digital Labor
Sudharshan M K
Founder
While it is imperative to leverage buzzing technologies like Agentic AI, data analytics, and marketing automation, maneuvering them to solve business challenges is the key to making a real impact. This is precisely why Sudarshan M K, the founder of Bengaluru-based Frontial Technologies Pvt Ltd, advocates for switching on the Sherlock Holmes mode to detect the client's discrete challenges before developing customized solutions to solve them.
A serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in Digital Transformation, Sudarshan and his exponentially growing team build custom AI models and cloud solutions that drive business digital transformation.
With expertise in Salesforce, Microsoft Power Platform, Power BI. Frontial Technologies, a Salesforce Registered Consulting Partner, delivers cutting-edge technology to empower businesses with smarter, faster, and more scalable solutions.
Sudarshan’s global exposure, including collaborations with Fortune 500 companies, has shaped his expertise in delivering meaningful user experiences. A B.Tech from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Sudarshan today also runs an organic D2C business called The Pickls. We’re pleased to have him with us for an exclusive conversation.
What are some of the experiences and lessons that have helped you emerge as a leader that you are today?
With over 15 years of experience across IT and marketing, I’ve taken on roles as a developer, business analyst, marketer, and manager. Frontial Technologies is my third startup, after two earlier ventures in 2013 and 2016 that ended due to internal issues around roles and finances. Those
setbacks, however, became powerful lessons in team dynamics and business alignment.
I believe in hard work, adaptability, and lifelong learning, prioritizing trust, growth, and human connection over output alone. Mentorship from former managers has deeply influenced my leadership style, instilling empathy and purpose in how I lead. Frontial Technologies began with just two of us and has now grown to a 17-member team in 1.5yrs, mostly aged under 25, driven by fresh energy and a shared mission.
Today, alongside Frontial Technologies, I also run a D2C brand, The Pickls, offering homemade pickles, powders, and organic millet-based products with a motto, ‘healthy food takes time, and authenticity can’t be rushed’.
Could you share some of the most trans -formative experiences from your time at JNTU?
I come from a lower-middle-class family, where my father was a farmer, and pursuing engineering was a dream. Initially, I had planned to pursue M.Sc. Chemistry, as I was deeply passionate about the subject. However, despite scoring low score in CET exam, I was fortunate enough to secure engineering admission at JNTU. Honestly, though I didn’t even fully understand what engineering really entailed, circumstances guided my path.
JNTU was one of the few institutions that invested significantly in infrastructure and quality faculty. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to learn from some exceptional professors, many of whom were educated at prestigious institutions like the IITs and NITs. The university also provided decent laboratories and a relatively well-structured curriculum. While the Indian education system still faces limitations, particularly in practical exposure and industry inte -gration, we were fortunate to have access to supportive mentors and a solid learning environment, which played an important role in shaping my journey.
How has the university helped you forge your passion for entrepreneurship
I believe in hard work, adaptability, and lifelong learning, prioritizing trust, growth, and human connection over output alone. Mentorship from former managers has deeply influenced my leadership style, instilling empathy and purpose in how I lead. Frontial Technologies began with just two of us and has now grown to a 17-member team in 1.5yrs, mostly aged under 25, driven by fresh energy and a shared mission.
The late nights, the empty pockets, the relentless effort, none of it is wasted when you're building something that matters
Today, alongside Frontial Technologies, I also run a D2C brand, The Pickls, offering homemade pickles, powders, and organic millet-based products with a motto, ‘healthy food takes time, and authenticity can’t be rushed’.
Could you share some of the most trans -formative experiences from your time at JNTU?
I come from a lower-middle-class family, where my father was a farmer, and pursuing engineering was a dream. Initially, I had planned to pursue M.Sc. Chemistry, as I was deeply passionate about the subject. However, despite scoring low score in CET exam, I was fortunate enough to secure engineering admission at JNTU. Honestly, though I didn’t even fully understand what engineering really entailed, circumstances guided my path.
JNTU was one of the few institutions that invested significantly in infrastructure and quality faculty. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to learn from some exceptional professors, many of whom were educated at prestigious institutions like the IITs and NITs. The university also provided decent laboratories and a relatively well-structured curriculum. While the Indian education system still faces limitations, particularly in practical exposure and industry inte -gration, we were fortunate to have access to supportive mentors and a solid learning environment, which played an important role in shaping my journey.
How has the university helped you forge your passion for entrepreneurship
and sharpen your business acumen?
There wasn’t a much-structured curriculum geared toward innovation or entrepreneur ship. After completing engineering, many of my ambitious peers and seniors pursued global opportunities in countries like the US and Canada and are now well-settled. However, while I admired their paths, I’ve always been someone driven to build and create, whether in tech, or beyond.
I prefer to take on challenges and create meaningful impact. My seniors in college were a strong source of inspiration, as their passion and drive motivated me more than any formal university initiative. My learning came primarily from personal connections and real-world experiences. I worked with an Indian MNC and joined a startup led by former managers. Later, I built Frontial Technologies as well as a D2C organic food brand focused on purity and wellness.
Could you share a few words of advice for budding entrepreneurs?
Having a clear vision is crucial. Start with an idea, validate it, and focus on building something meaningful for the long term, not just a quick win. When I started, even close relatives questioned if it was just a short-term experiment. But entrepreneurship demands more, it’s a serious, long-haul commitment. Sacrifices are inevitable, be it comfort, sleep, or personal time. I lived this first hand when we launched The Pickls.
With just two of us managing the entire operation, I slept only three hours a night, overseeing everything from product develop-ment and pricing to website setup and payment systems. This journey taught me that clarity hard work and perseverance are essential. Challenges are a part of the process. Most importantly, never treat the money you invest as a loss, it’s not debt. It’s a commitment to your future, your belief, and the vision you’re bringing to life.
Sudharshan M K, Founder, Frontial Technologies
With over 15 years of versatile experience in various domains of information technology (IT), Sudharshan founded Frontial Technologies Pvt Ltd to deliver customized Agentic AI, Digital transformation solutions with innovations. In addition to Frontial Technologies, he also runs a D2C business, The Pickls. He is an alumnus of JNTU.
There wasn’t a much-structured curriculum geared toward innovation or entrepreneur ship. After completing engineering, many of my ambitious peers and seniors pursued global opportunities in countries like the US and Canada and are now well-settled. However, while I admired their paths, I’ve always been someone driven to build and create, whether in tech, or beyond.
I prefer to take on challenges and create meaningful impact. My seniors in college were a strong source of inspiration, as their passion and drive motivated me more than any formal university initiative. My learning came primarily from personal connections and real-world experiences. I worked with an Indian MNC and joined a startup led by former managers. Later, I built Frontial Technologies as well as a D2C organic food brand focused on purity and wellness.
Could you share a few words of advice for budding entrepreneurs?
Having a clear vision is crucial. Start with an idea, validate it, and focus on building something meaningful for the long term, not just a quick win. When I started, even close relatives questioned if it was just a short-term experiment. But entrepreneurship demands more, it’s a serious, long-haul commitment. Sacrifices are inevitable, be it comfort, sleep, or personal time. I lived this first hand when we launched The Pickls.
With just two of us managing the entire operation, I slept only three hours a night, overseeing everything from product develop-ment and pricing to website setup and payment systems. This journey taught me that clarity hard work and perseverance are essential. Challenges are a part of the process. Most importantly, never treat the money you invest as a loss, it’s not debt. It’s a commitment to your future, your belief, and the vision you’re bringing to life.
Sudharshan M K, Founder, Frontial Technologies
With over 15 years of versatile experience in various domains of information technology (IT), Sudharshan founded Frontial Technologies Pvt Ltd to deliver customized Agentic AI, Digital transformation solutions with innovations. In addition to Frontial Technologies, he also runs a D2C business, The Pickls. He is an alumnus of JNTU.