Venkatarangan Thirumalai is a Keynote Speaker on Generative AI, Author, and Founder Catalyst with over 30 years of experience in the software industry. As an Honorary Microsoft Regional Director since 1999, he advises CXOs and leaders across sectors, helping them navigate the intersection of technology and business with clarity.

He began his entrepreneurial journey in Chennai, drawing inspiration from a family deeply rooted in publishing and business. In 1996, he founded Vishwak Solutions, which grew into a global software services company working with Fortune 100 clients across India, the USA, and the UK. He later co-founded a US-based fintech startup focused on AI-driven document automation.

Venkatarangan is known for cutting through hype and offering grounded insight. In 2003, he predicted the rise of mobile phones as the primary computing device in developing countries. His forward-thinking led to a machine learning-powered predictive news app, almost a decade before GenAI. Today, he envisions a world beyond smartphones, where AI, voice, and ambient computing reshape how we live and work.

Venkatarangan actively supports startups, particularly in AI, guiding them from idea to scale. He assists enterprises in using AI responsibly. His book, “The Founder Catalyst,” offers practical lessons to transform business leaders into CEOs. Today, he is a sought-after speaker on Generative AI and its real-world impact on founders, teams, and business growth.

Beyond his business ventures, Venkatarangan contributes to Tamil language computing and digital preservation through the Tamil Virtual Academy and advises the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation. He is the author of “Nutpam,” a Tamil book simplifying consumer technology. He is currently writing a series in Madras Paper on the stories behind successful apps from around the world.

A long-time blogger at venkatarangan.com, he has written over 4,500 posts since 2004, reaching more than 2.5 million readers. Based in Chennai, India, Venkatarangan shares insights from his professional life and his interests, often with a hot cup of Madras filter coffee and Tamil film songs in the background.