Ruban Kanapathippillai

About Ruban Kanapathippillai

I am a proven technology and business Executive with almost 30 years of experience. A founding member of two successful start-ups, I played a central role in securing early-stage venture investment and strategically leading the businesses through rapid growth, exiting in deals worth $720m and $550m.Over the last 4-5 years I have been working with customers, architects, and business leaders on building infrastructure for AI/ML at Edge and Cloud and lately adding knowledge in the areas of Generative AI areas and required platforms for efficient processing of large datasets. I have worked with major Cloud vendors, ISPs, and Federal for building systems with GPU, CPU and Storage for efficient Edge processing and regional Cloud deployments. Market vertical including Federal/government customers, multiple public cloud customers, commercial customers and more.My specialization is in partnering with technology executives and business teams to define and execute new products and develop go-to-market strategies that result in significant early revenue returns. I lead by bringing energy, enthusiasm, and positivity, motivating and developing teams through my passion for all things technology.An active member of the technology community, I mentor young and underrepresented people worldwide, helping them to become more productive and improve their lives. I am empathic, positive, and welcoming, acting as a sounding board for mentees, and advising on business, technology, or personal circumstances.With the encouragement of my mentees and others, I have written over 100 articles on LinkedIn and Medium and created 40 YouTube motivational videos under the heading “The Accidental Entrepreneur by Ruban”. More than followers receive articles describing my journey and the nuances of building and scaling companies.

Experience

1. Angel Investor

   Sand Hill Angels

   Aug 2019 — Present · Silicon Valley, CA, US

   Invested as part of an Angel Investment Group in 50+ early-stage companies, including those in SaaS, IoT/AI/ML, Enterprise Systems, Healthcare, Space Technology, Manufacturing, and 3D technology.Companies identified for their unique technologies, founding team strength, market opportunity, and early customer interest and engagement.

Education

• University of Minnesota

  BS, EE

  1990 — 1993

• Stanford University

  MS, EE

  1993 — 1994