CEO Insights Magazine

Tarun Sukhani

Founder & CTO

Great leadership is often defined by the ability to see beyond the immediate horizon, recognizing opportunities where others might see obstacles, and creating pathways where innovation can flourish. An effective leader isn’t just someone who steers the ship but one who transforms the very fabric of an industry by challenging the status quo, inspiring their team, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Tarun Sukhani embodies this type of leadership. As a serial tech entrepreneur, he has continuously redefined what’s possible at the intersection of technology and business. With an academic foundation from world-renowned institutions like the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and MIT, and having held the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at multiple leading companies including Max Money, Abundent, and Magna, Tarun’s expertise and experience are vast. Yet, it was in 2016 that he truly began to carve his own path by founding Abundent.

His vision was clear, which is to bridge the ever-growing gap between cutting-edge software innovation and its adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Tarun sought to empower these businesses to participate in the ongoing revolution of Industry 4.0 by leveraging open-source technologies, AI/ML/DL, and RPA. Since its inception, Abundent has flourished under his leadership, developing groundbreaking solutions such as CDaaS, DAaaS, and TMS offerings. The company has earned numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 30 AI startups in Malaysia, and has been featured in prominent outlets like Bernama and CIO magazine.

But for Tarun, success isn't just measured in awards or media attention, it’s about making a lasting impact. Through the creation of Abundent Academy, he’s worked tirelessly to upskill the workforce for the demands of Industry 4.0. His drive to democratize access to advanced technologies remains at the heart of Abundent’s mission, as the company continues to innovate with AI-enabled, automated platforms that help education providers and corporations build future-ready training academies. Let’s dive in to know more.

How would you assess your team's key IT skill gaps and develop a targeted upskilling strategy?

To identify my team’s IT skill gaps, I conduct regular technical assessments, analyze performance data from projects and client feedback, and stay updated on emerging technologies relevant to business needs. I also engage in individual career development discussions.

For upskilling, I prioritize skills based on immediate business demands and future growth, leveraging internal expertise through mentorship programs. I design customized learning paths that combine theory with hands-on projects and track progress through milestones and certifications. Specific steps include quarterly skills audits, mapping competencies to the business roadmap, and creating individualized training plans. We use both internal training and external resources, continuously reviewing progress through project outcomes. This approach reflects the methods used at Abundent Academy, focusing on practical skill development aligned with business goals.

How do you ensure that your IT skilling initiatives are aligned with the broader business objectives?

I focus on aligning technical skills with business KPIs and revenue goals. By fostering regular collaboration between IT and business units, we identify key skill gaps and ensure that training programs are aligned with real business needs. I also emphasize measuring the ROI of these initiatives through business metrics to track their effectiveness. The implementation involves conducting regular business strategy reviews, assessing skills gaps, and prioritizing training that directly impacts performance. I also use cross-functional teams for skill development and review training outcomes with stakeholders. By integrating certification goals with the business roadmap and solving practical challenges, I leverage my experience in both technical leadership and business strategy to drive organizational success.

How do you ensure you're keeping up with industry trends to drive your organization forward?

For my professional development, I regularly speak at major tech conferences, continue my education through prestigious institutions like MIT and Stanford, and actively participate in technical communities and industry events. I also teach and train others, which keeps me constantly updating my knowledge. In terms of technical practice, I work hands-on with emerging technologies such as AI, Blockchain, and Cloud, lead technical implementations across various projects, and pursue continuous certifications. Through consulting, I gain exposure to different industries. Strategically, I collaborate with educational institutions, share ideas through client engagements, and stay active in both technical and business communities. This approach ensures I stay up-to-date with current trends while anticipating future shifts, allowing me to make informed, strategic decisions for the organization.

Where do you see yourself heading in the future?

In terms of innovation leadership, I aim to expand AI and automation capabilities, particularly within education technology, while growing CDaaS and DAaaS solutions to reach a wider market. My goal is also to further democratize access to Industry 4.0 technologies. For market expansion, I plan to strengthen Abundent's presence in Southeast Asia, scale educational technology solutions globally, and form new partnerships to drive technology adoption. Technologically, I’m focused on advancing GenAI implementations, developing blockchain and Web3 solutions, and enhancing cloud-native architecture. This vision aligns with our mission to bridge the technology adoption gap, ensuring that we provide practical, accessible solutions for businesses to thrive in an evolving landscape.

Tarun Sukhani, Founder & CTO, Abundent

Tarun Sukhani, Founder and CTO of Abundent, was born in India and raised in the US. He took a multi-disciplinary approach to education, earning degrees in biology, math, computer science, business, and data science. Throughout his nearly 30-year career, Tarun has worked in various roles across academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. This diverse experience has equipped him with the skills and adaptability to navigate any challenges in both his professional and personal life. His broad expertise has been key in driving the success and innovation at Abundent

Hobbies: Hiking, swimming, martial arts, traveling, yoga, and public speaking

Favorite travel destination: Bali

Favorite cuisine: Spanish

Favorite Book: 2001: A Space Odyssey

Awards & Recognition

Top 30 AI startups in Malaysia

Top 100 startups in Malaysia

Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards - AI in education

Outstanding Leadership Award Malaysia Digital

Top 10 CTOs in Malaysia

Beta Gamma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Nu Graduate Scholar