# Alok Kulkarni

> Alok Kulkarni is the Melbourne-based co-founder and non-executive chairman of Cyara, an enterprise software company that tests and monitors customer journeys across voice, digital and conversational AI channels. An engineering graduate of Monash University, he co-founded Cyara with Luan Tran and Bonny Malik in 2006 and served as CEO until October 31, 2024. He also mentors entrepreneurs through CDL-Melbourne and TiE.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and Non-Executive Chairman at Cyara
- **Organizations:** Cyara, Genesys, National Australia Bank, NEC, Boral Building Technologies, TiE Melbourne, TiE Angels, CDL-Melbourne, Forbes Technology Council
- **From:** Mumbai, India
- **Education:** Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, MBA, Entrepreneurship and Technology, Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne, Company Directors Course, Australian Institute of Company Directors
- **Known for:** Co-founded Cyara and led it as CEO for 18 years., Led a business that reached profitability before its first venture funding round., Led Cyara during its US$25 million Series A and US$350 million-plus growth investment.

## Career timeline

- **1994** — Graduated from Monash University in electrical and computer systems engineering.
- **1996** — Met future co-founder Luan Tran while working for a Japanese software development company.
- **Before 2006** — Worked in engineering, sales and business development; became Director of Solutions Engineering at Genesys.
- **2006** — Co-founded Cyara in Melbourne with Luan Tran and Bonny Malik.
- **2014** — US patent 8,625,772 for an integrated contact-centre testing platform was issued; Kulkarni is listed as inventor.
- **2016** — Cyara raised a US$25 million Series A after bootstrapping to profitability.
- **2019** — Delivered a Monash IT and Engineering graduation keynote.
- **2022** — Cyara received more than US$350 million from K1 Investment Management and acquired Botium.
- **2023** — Cyara acquired Spearline, expanding communications testing capabilities.
- **2024-10-31** — Became non-executive chairman as Rishi Rana succeeded him as CEO.
- **2025-12-08** — Welcomed Sushil Kumar as Cyara CEO in his capacity as chairman.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Cyara and led it as CEO for 18 years.
- Led a business that reached profitability before its first venture funding round.
- Led Cyara during its US$25 million Series A and US$350 million-plus growth investment.
- Named inventor on US patent 8,625,772.
- Delivered Monash University’s May 2019 IT and Engineering graduation keynote.
- Director of TiE Melbourne and founder of TiE Angels, as listed by Creative Destruction Lab.

## Latest updates

- **2024-10** — Transitioned from CEO to Non-Executive Chairman, effective October 31.
- **2025-12** — As chairman, supported the appointment of Sushil Kumar as CEO.
- **2026-08** — Participated in a Monash Innovation Labs entrepreneurship fireside chat with George Lintott on August 20, as documented in his LinkedIn activity.

## Links

- Website: https://cyara.com/
- LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/alokkulkarni

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/alok-kulkarni
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-12