Meet Kalyani Ramadurgam | Founder of Kobalt Labs

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kalyani Ramadurgam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kalyani, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve wanted to start my own company for as long as I can remember. I can distill my thought process as being influenced by my brother, my work experience, and my thirst for doing something interesting.

As a kid, I saw my older brother choose the entrepreneurial path, and I admired how much hard work he put into choosing his own destiny, especially since I got a front row seat to all the ups and downs of starting a business. I can’t deny that I’ve been inspired by his journey, and he’s been an incredible source of motivation and support. I wouldn’t be where I am today without having him to look up to.

During college, I gravitated to computer science and math, but I always knew that I didn’t want to be a software engineer. I quickly learned that I need a balance of creative, strategic, technical, and interpersonal stimulation to really feel challenged. I had a few sales and engineering internships during the summers, and after graduation I started my job as a software engineer at a small startup. I loved my job and knew I was there to learn how to run an organization, but I always felt like I wasn’t close to reaching my full potential being relegated to executing on business decisions made by others. I felt the most connected to my work when I was connecting with customers, making design decisions, understanding all the moving pieces, and building a product.

Lastly, I know that these years are some of the most risk-tolerant of my life. I have no external obligations, I don’t need a lot of money, and I want to optimize for doing something bold and exciting that I can look back on and be proud of. What better thing to do than quit your job, move across the country, and try to create something from nothing? Every day is filled with both uncertainty and possibility that motivates me to see how far I can go. There’s no ceiling.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am most proud of how I have never stopped believing that I can figure things out. It can be hard living in so much uncertainty and having to do hard things like raising money from and selling a product to people who don’t sound or look like me, but I’m proud of the naive, delusional optimism I have that keeps me going even when nothing adds up. I haven’t come close to achieving all my goals yet, I want the world to know that I am more tenacious than anyone realizes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I only recently moved to New York so I don’t feel qualified to answer this question, but I would spend an entire day walking through Manhattan, stopping in cafes and stores to get little treats, and soaking in the energy and environment of the city. It’s still my favorite way to explore and stumble upon hidden gems.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My story wouldn’t be possible without my parents. I never fully appreciated the gravity of what they’ve done for me and how much they’ve sacrificed for me, and I don’t know if I ever will. I owe everything to them and am so lucky that they’ll pick up the phone and be there for me any time, any place.

Website: https://www.kobaltlabs.com/

Instagram: @kalyrama

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalyani-ramadurgam-4a76331b5/