Arun Batchu
Founder & Principal Advisor
I've spent over 30 years building, leading, and advising on technology at every level. Most recently, I served as VP Analyst at Gartner, helping software engineering leaders navigate AI, development practices, and organizational change. Before that, as VP of Advanced Technologies at UnitedHealth Group, I established R&D centers that incubated business innovations including applied AI. At Best Buy, I served as Director of Technology, driving digital product management and technology strategy.
Before these leadership roles, I accumulated a wealth of practical problem-solving skills through consulting engagements across diverse industries. I've also shared this knowledge as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, where students praised my real-world approach and investment in their success.
Today, I develop software and AI applications daily while continuously acquiring new knowledge and insights. My academic foundation includes degrees in Computer Engineering and Software Engineering, complemented by a Nanodegree in Generative AI.
is the next chapter — a focused, independent advisory firm built to help SMBs navigate technology. I'm the founding member, and the vision is to grow as a talent-dense network of experts who share this mission. The gap between "knowing about" technology and "knowing how to use it" is where most value is lost. exists to close that gap for ambitious businesses who don't have the luxury of large innovation teams or unlimited budgets.
How others describe their work
- Recognized for turning complex technology into clear, practical guidance for leaders.
- Known for seamlessly navigating from tactical details to strategic vision — "from 3 ft to 30,000 ft and back again."
- Praised for breaking silos and connecting Sales, Research, and Consulting into a unified whole.
- Described as an original, out-of-the-box thinker who challenges assumptions and asks "why not?"
- Valued for genuine care, mentorship, and leaving a lasting DNA in the teams and people worked with.
Credibility markers
- Former Gartner VP Analyst — advised software engineering leaders on AI, development practices, and leadership
- VP of Advanced Technologies at UnitedHealth Group — led technology R&D and incubated AI innovations
- Director of Technology at Best Buy — drove digital product management and technology strategy
- Adjunct Lecturer at University of St. Thomas — teaching software architecture with real-world expertise
- Degrees in Computer Engineering and Software Engineering, plus Nanodegree in Generative AI
What people say
“Arun can go from 3 ft to 30,000 ft and back again in a conversation... that is not easy.”
“Arun has a unique ability to cross to executive partners, to sales, to research... weaving it all into a singular whole.”
“Just the way he can capture the client's imagination, which is not an easy feat, is always interesting and inspiring.”
“Arun is such an amazing thinker. He's an original thinker... truly an out-of-the-box thinker.”
“You blazed the trail for our software engineering practice with AI.”
“You are so good at elegantly asking vendors incredibly tough questions that make them sweat.”
Professional philosophy
“I'm going to be playing the role of catalyst somewhere, or somewhere I'll be a connector, and somewhere I'll be a Maven — a creator of new ideas. If I can ask the question in the realm of possibility, then maybe we'll come up with a better solution.”
Work with Arun
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