A Holistic View of Business and Technology

Anoop Jaishankar is the founder and CEO of Pervaziv AI, and is a technical leader with prior senior roles at Intel, NetApp and VMware in the San Francisco Bay Area. He earned his master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University, completed a certificate with UC Berkeley Extension, and also obtained certifications from Deep Learning.ai and Google Cloud, along with several granted patents.

Long before Anoop earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in his native India, he was captivated with technology and by the idea that a basic family computer could do anything—from playing games to solving complex problems. As Anoop’s curiosity quickly grew, he spent hours tinkering with the computer, reinstalling the operating system and learning how computers worked. He says it wasn’t just about using a computer anymore; it was about understanding how they ticked.

“This passion for technology guided my academic path—especially in math and science,” Anoop tells me. “At VTU, I gained a strong foundation in algorithms, data structures and software development, while exploring new fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning.”

After graduation, he worked at Calsoft—a digital product engineering company—on real-time data processing and networking projects, solidifying his penchant for this field. It also made him aware that in order to make the impact he wanted, he would need to further his education.

“That spark of curiosity, the drive to solve problems and the joy of building something from the ground up continue to fuel my passion,” he says. “These experiences made Carnegie Mellon University’s specialized master’s program in information networking the ideal next step in my journey.

“The rise of the internet, cloud computing and connected devices enthralled me, and I sought a program that would offer cutting-edge research and real-world exposure.”

That spark, drive and joy for technology would also introduce Anoop to the business administration side of the industry shortly after earning his master’s.

At Intel in the Bay Area, Anoop immediately applied his knowledge to cutting-edge projects. Working as a software engineer, he optimized hardware and software interactions at scale, tackling challenges across the company’s diverse product lines—from processors to embedded systems.

“Intel’s collaborative, cross-disciplinary culture was a major influence on my growth,” Anoop relates. “My role also deepened my understanding of the business side of tech, as I worked closely with product management, marketing and operations teams, gaining a broader perspective on the entire product lifecycle.

“In my five years at Intel, I honed my problem-solving skills, developed a strategic mindset and took on leadership responsibilities. The experience shaped my technical abilities and leadership style, and reinforced the value of innovation, collaboration and scalability—principles that continue to guide my career today.”

After a year-long stint at NetApp, Anoop’s next role as a senior member of technical staff (MTS) landed him at VMware in 2015. Over the course of nearly eight years, he worked his way up with various software engineering positions, rising from senior MTS to staff engineer, his roles evolving from technical to strategic.

“My work in virtualization and cloud infrastructure was rewarding,” he admits, “but it was my time in VMware’s Office of the CTO that truly shifted my perspective. Collaborating with senior leadership, product teams and engineers, I saw how technical innovations must align with business strategy and market needs to drive growth.

“This experience sparked my desire to further my education in business. I realized that combining my technical expertise with business acumen would empower me to lead more effectively, drive innovation and create solutions that deliver both technical excellence and business value.”
 

This is when you began our Certificate Program in Business Administration. What led you to further education at this point in your career?

In my first staff engineer role, I realized that to advance into leadership, I needed more than just technical expertise. Understanding business strategy, financial management and organizational dynamics became essential for driving successful products and leading teams. This led me to pursue the business administration certificate.

The program’s practical curriculum focusing on strategic management, financial decision-making and organizational behavior was exactly what I needed. It can be tailored for professionals with a technical background, offering real-world insights into how tech companies operate.

Completing the program bridged the gap between my technical skills and business acumen, equipping me to make informed decisions, lead with confidence and think strategically. This experience was a pivotal step in preparing me for leadership roles and it continues to shape my approach to technology and management today.

“The Certificate Program in Business Administration didn’t just fit into my career and life goals—it accelerated my ability to lead, innovate and think strategically.”

In what ways did the courses help you fulfill your goals?

The courses that had the most impact were Essentials of Business with instructor Mark Bettini, Applied Economics for Business and Marketing Management.

• Essentials of Business gave me a holistic view of how companies operate, influencing how I approached product development at VMware by focusing on product-market fit and profitability.
• Applied Economics for Business taught me to consider economic factors when making decisions on resource allocation, helping me anticipate challenges and make strategic choices.
• Marketing Management shifted my focus from technical innovation to customer-driven strategies, teaching me how to position products and engage target markets effectively.

The Basic Corporate Finance course provided me with the skills to evaluate the financial health of projects and make informed decisions about long-term sustainability. These courses equipped me to lead with both technical and business insights, driving innovation and aligning it with company goals.

The Certificate Program in Business Administration was pivotal in aligning my career with my long-term goals. At the time, I was already progressing in my technical career, but I recognized that to truly lead teams, influence product strategy and make decisions at a higher level, I needed a deeper understanding of business principles. The courses in this program were specifically designed to fill the gaps I identified in my skill set and directly complement my career trajectory.
 

How did you apply what you were learning to your work?

The Organization and Management course taught me how to think beyond the immediate technical challenges and consider the broader market landscape, competitive positioning and long-term business goals. This was particularly valuable as I began to work on cross-functional projects where understanding the interplay between engineering and business strategy was critical. It helped me make more informed decisions about product roadmaps, resource allocation and team priorities—decisions that had a direct impact on the company’s success.

The Basic Corporate Finance and Managerial Accounting courses were eye-opening in terms of helping me understand the financial health of the business and how to manage teams effectively. In my engineering roles, I often found myself collaborating with product managers, marketing teams and senior leadership, but I didn’t always fully understand the financial or organizational dynamics driving those discussions. These courses provided me with the tools to navigate those conversations with confidence and allowed me to contribute more strategically to decision-making processes.

Courses such as Essentials of Business and Organization and Management enabled me to make data-driven decisions and communicate more effectively with senior leadership. Organizational behavior insights helped me navigate cross-functional dynamics and align teams.

Overall, the Certificate Program in Business Administration didn’t just fit into my career and life goals—it accelerated my ability to lead, innovate and think strategically. I gained the tools I needed to bridge the gap between technical excellence and business leadership, positioning me for greater responsibility and influence within the tech industry. It also reinforced my belief in the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new challenges, which is essential as technology and business landscapes continue to evolve.

The certificate gave me the confidence to see how my work fit into larger company goals—driving value and supporting business objectives.
 

How did these business skills transfer to the technical side of your role in software engineering?

The certificate provided me with practical skills that I immediately applied to my leadership role at VMware. I evaluated technical projects through a business lens—considering market demands, ROI and resource allocation—when making product decisions. Marketing Management reshaped how I viewed product development, helping me focus on customer experience and market positioning, not just technical features. 

The corporate finance and managerial accounting courses gave me the financial acumen to evaluate the cost and scalability of engineering decisions. And understanding organizational behavior helped me lead cross-functional teams by improving communication, motivation and collaboration. 

These courses empowered me to lead strategically, make data-driven decisions, and align engineering efforts with broader business goals, ultimately driving initiatives that created real value for the company. 
 

In May 2023, you founded Pervaziv AI. What led to the development of your startup, and how did completing the certificate program aid you in starting a business?

Pervaziv AI focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence to optimize business operations and decision-making. The idea stemmed from my experiences at VMware and Intel, where I saw a gap in the market for affordable, accessible AI solutions for small- to mid-sized companies. Pervaziv AI aims to bridge that gap by providing scalable AI tools that can improve efficiency and unlock actionable insights without requiring a technical background. 

The Certificate Program in Business Administration helped in this career transition. It gave me the business acumen to think strategically, from market opportunities to financial management. The courses helped me structure the business, prioritize customer needs and make informed financial decisions. 

This blend of technical expertise and business knowledge enabled me to confidently launch and lead Pervaziv AI, ensuring we solve real problems and create tangible value for our customers. 
 

So how are you continuing to utilize the skills and knowledge you acquired in the certificate to your work today?

They have been crucial in shaping both the technical and business aspects of the startup. I continue to apply strategic decision-making to refine our business model and adapt to market trends. Financial principles I learned in the courses guide my resource allocation and cash flow management, ensuring long-term sustainability. 

The marketing course helps me refine our messaging and position our AI solutions to address customer pain points effectively. The course on organizational behavior has shaped my leadership approach, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture. Finally, Applied Economics for Business provides insights into how external factors impact our business, helping me stay agile in a competitive landscape. 

Looking back, I believe that pursuing business education earlier could have accelerated my growth and broadened my perspective sooner. While I was focused on honing my technical skills, I didn’t fully realize how crucial understanding business strategy and management would be for advancing into leadership roles. Had I done it earlier, I might have taken on strategic responsibilities sooner. 

That said, my technical background provided invaluable context that made the business concepts I learned later even more impactful. The program boosted my confidence in making strategic decisions, managing cross-functional teams and evaluating financial implications. 

Overall, the program gave me a strong business foundation that I leverage daily. The networking opportunities were enriching, connecting me with professionals across industries. The experience also helped me develop critical soft skills like time management, adaptability and holistic problem-solving, which have shaped my approach to leadership at Pervaziv AI.