How technology is overhauling businesses is a challenging question today as the changes are significant and consistent. Companies are now focusing on technology leadership development in their functioning to ensure organizational excellence and effectiveness. And, it is the technology leaders in the C-suite gamut, the CTOs who are extensively contributing to leading an organization's technology wing, upgrading and upskilling thoroughly, and bringing in innovation through technology development.

Archana Moturi, Co-Founder & CTO of Kreaas Technology Solutions- a software product development company dynamically portrays such technology from the top C-suite gamut driving the company through sustainable and competitive technology initiatives. Recently CEO Insights engaged in an exclusive conversation with Archana to know more about her and her accomplishing career journey. Let's read through!

Take us through your early educational journey and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table. What are the key areas of specialization that you have gathered over the past 15 years in the Indian tech landscape?

Since a young age, I have been always passionate about doing business. I am an engineer (BE) in Electronics & Communications from Osmania University. Within 4 years, I have realized that technology has amazing capabilities to transform the way business operates. Since then, I want to become a technology entrepreneur. Later, I pursued my MBA (Strategy) from Strathclyde Business School, UK. I always have seen technology as a big driver for automation and efficiency, as a medium that solves various tedious problems, and as an enabler that creates value for people and businesses. With such a power, it can be a magical weapon if utilized properly. These ideas have driven me towards the technology field.

Before Kreaas, I have more than 16 years of work experience in various roles and capacities in the technology field. These include from software Developer to Senior Strategic Positions such as project manager, Business Strategy Consultant, Product Manager, Trainer, AI and Data Science Consulting Delivery Head, Head of Business Analytics, and more. I started my AI journey way early almost 10 years back when it was not prominently known in the industry. I trained corporates such as Microsoft, Deloitte, ADP, and more in various areas of Analytics, and Data Science. I have also played key roles in a couple of product developments. I worked for PepsiCo, Novartis, INSOFE, CSC, UIDAI, and Capgemini in the past.

What motivated you to co-found Kreaas Technology Solutions? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of specialization.

I have an immense passion for business as well as technology. My interest in bringing the power of AI to address various Business problems has driven me to cofound Kreaas and build products in these modern technology areas. At Kreaas, we are building a AI enabled Cybersecurity, Governance, and Risk & Compliance product. In this time of increased cyber-attacks and growing business risks, small and mid-companies are facing huge challenges in identifying and addressing these. Our product provides smart solutions that serve as a coach to businesses in identifying, mitigating, and managing these operational & cyber risks.

In your opinion what are some of the most critical challenges you encounter as a leader in technology? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

The technology landscape is ever-changing. This evokes the need for adapting to these changes and maintaining the company vision and team spirit to embrace the change rather than considering it as a challenge. To develop a technology product, having a big-picture vision of the product, planning the right architecture, and deploying the right team are critical. At the same time, it has to be ensured that daily development is taking place effectively.

"My Mantra For Success Is 'Do What You Love Even At The Cost Of Facing All The Odds"

To achieve this, a robust process adherence is very crucial. Without proper planning and management of these, a company may fall into heavy technical debt that affects various business goals. However, managing all these activities effectively is challenging and cumbersome. At Kreaas, we follow SAFE agile practices to streamline the process. We believe in continuous learning and innovation, and thereby bring in industry experts to train the team in various skills. Lastly, we have an amazing team that believes in our vision and strives to achieve our goals.

Tell us about the top three milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What has been your success mantra?

I can say that my top three milestones are successfully transitioning from technology to a business role, taking strategic positions in leading the delivery units and building the products, and finally becoming the CTO & Co-Founder of Kreaas. My mantra for success is 'Do what you love even at the cost of facing all the odds'.

Any advice for the aspiring women entrepreneurs?

It was extremely challenging for me to leave behind my nine-month-old son and five years old daughter, and pursue my MBA in another country. But, I took the bold step and does not regret it now. So, I would say dare to dream. Always be open to look for opportunities. When you find one, don't hesitate to take the bold step. Life is short when you look backwards, trying and even failing is a greater feeling than not trying at all.

Archana Moturi, Co-Founder & CTO,  Kreaas Technology Solutions

As Kreaas' Co-Founder and CTO, she is utilizing her expertise as a technology enthusiast, strategist, and builder of AI solutions to assist businesses in capitalizing on AI to extract insights from unstructured text data and develop products in this field.

• Achievements:

• Building a strong Data Science Consulting COE at a time when only a few companies offered this capability across India

• A speaker in Women in Data Science conducted by Stanford

• Driven the initial deployment of UIDAI Aadhaar authentication Implementation in PDS systems