Murali Krishnan
About Murali Krishnan
Murali Krishnan is a tech enthusiast and co-founder of RapL Inc., where he serves as Chief Product Officer. He has extensive experience in software engineering and leadership roles at major companies, including Microsoft and Starbucks, and is actively involved in mentoring startups and investing in women-led businesses.
Work at RapL
Murali Krishnan serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer (CPO) at RapL Inc., a role he has held since 2021. Under his leadership, RapL has developed an AI-driven training and productivity platform that is utilized by prominent global brands including Toyota, MG Motor, Nestle, NetApp, Cisco, Casio, and L & T. His mission at RapL focuses on helping organizations create next-generation teams equipped with personalized and relevant skills to enhance outcomes. The platform aims to facilitate human skill development at scale through its user-friendly SaaS software.
Current Involvement with TiE SoCal
Since 2022, Murali Krishnan has been a Charter Member at TiE SoCal, contributing to the organization for two years in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. In this capacity, he mentors and advises startups, with a particular emphasis on innovation and business development. Additionally, he collaborates with the TiE SoCal Women Fund to invest in women-founded or led companies, overseeing deal flow, diligence, and investment recommendations.
Previous Experience at Starbucks
Murali Krishnan held the position of Vice President of Software Engineering at Starbucks Coffee Company from 2018 to 2020. During his tenure, he was responsible for leading the development of the Starbucks Digital Platform. His leadership in this role contributed to the enhancement of Starbucks' technological capabilities and digital offerings.
Background and Education
Murali Krishnan has a strong educational background in computer science and business. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Computer Science and Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, India, from 1988 to 1992. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Additionally, he completed an Accelerated/Executive MBA at The Wharton School, focusing on Business Administration and Management.
Career at Microsoft Corporation
Murali Krishnan worked at Microsoft Corporation for 22 years, from 1994 to 2016. He held various leadership roles, including Director positions overseeing Office 365, Windows Phone, SQL Server, and Subscription and Commerce. His responsibilities included leading global software teams and managing product ownership for significant projects, such as the development of eCommerce platforms, app stores, subscriptions, payments, mobile billing, big data, AI, and anti-fraud systems.