In a time when artificial intelligence is ruling the headlines and boardroom conversations, not many technologists have been able to display the long-term innovation and entrepreneurship brilliance of Dr. Srinivas Kilambi. With an experience of more than three decades in academics, research, industry corporates, and start-ups, Dr. Kilambi is one of the most intriguing business professionals to keep an eye out for in 2025.
A Groundbreaking Journey
The career path of Dr. Kilambi is as eventful as it is motivating. Having graduated in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, followed by advanced study in Environmental and Chemical Engineering from Clarkson, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Tennessee, he earned his PhD. Adding to his academic training, he completed a CFA certification as well. He laid a firm foundation for leadership at the crossroads of technology and business.
Awards and Recognition:
His professional achievements include serving as President & CEO for international corporations like Reliance Bio-Refinery and Chief Technology & Knowledge Officer for Tata Chemicals. He has raised $35+ million in venture capital from marquee investors like Kleiner Perkins and the Gates Foundation, and generated $100+ million through IPOs. Most notably, as the founder of Sriya Group, he provided 9X returns to early investors—a dream exit many entrepreneurs hope for.
Along the way, his efforts have been rewarded worldwide: the 2011 North American Green Cement Innovation Award, 2010 World Economic Forum Pioneer Tech Innovation Finalist, and the GA Top 5 Innovation Award are only a few of the honours on his shelf.
Defining Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI
“Entrepreneurship can be defined as the activity of setting up a business or businesses and taking on financial risks in the hope of making a profit,” says Dr. Kilambi. “It is a full-time multi-year (6-10) commitment.
Entrepreneurs must wear many hats, from a Janitor to a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). It is
this unique blend of innovation, disruption, invention and being creative that led me to become a serial entrepreneur and innovator“.
This philosophy is at the core of his latest venture, Sriya.AI, a deep-tech AI company spearheading Large Language & Numerical Models (LLNMs) and Large Numerical Models (LNMs). The proprietary systems, running on the SXI++ algorithm suite, provide decision support solutions that are highly accurate, low on energy requirements, and do not hallucinate. Unlike most solutions in AI, which demand expensive GPU support, the LNMs of Sriya.AI simply need an ordinary CPU and hence can be deployed at scale in various industries, including finance, supply chain, healthcare, and industrial operations.
“LNMs for structured data are what LLMs are for unstructured data,” says Dr Kilambi. “By unlocking the power of both, we help companies achieve precision outcomes in real time.”
Overcoming Limitations
Just like any other start-up, Sriya.AI has had its challenges- lack of resources, opposition from established brands, and the inertia of slow adopters. For Dr. Kilambi, his formula for resiliency is simple: patience, perseverance, dedication, and motivation for excellence. These four attributes helped him weather the turbulence of early-stage innovation and place Sriya.AI at the forefront of the AI scene.
2025 and Beyond
While companies prepare for the next wave of digital disruption, Dr. Kilambi opines that those who will not embrace AI will fall behind. “Jobs, skills, roles, and salaries will completely transform from 2025 onwards,” he forecasts. “Adapt, adopt, and win – that’s the only way forward.”
For Sriya.AI, the vision is audacious and unambiguous: to establish new global standards for AI precision and performance. By 2029, Dr. Kilambi sees taking the company public, accomplishing what he refers to as a “Grand Exit” while keeping Sriya.AI at the forefront with intention.
As CIO Global names Dr. Srinivas Kilambi as one of the ‘25 Most Amazing Business Professionals to Watch in 2025’, his tale is a testament to curiosity, perseverance, and innovation. To companies trying to make sense during hard times, his tale provides inspiration and a blueprint: remain curious, remain fearless, and most importantly, never stop creating.