# Sameer Penakalapati

> Sameer Penakalapati is the Rochester-based founder and CEO of Ceipal and CEO of Indotronix Avani Group. His work spans staffing, recruiting software, investment in HR and AI businesses, startup mentoring, and educational philanthropy through Nigama Foundation.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Ceipal
- **Organizations:** Ceipal, Indotronix Avani Group, Nigama Foundation, University of Rochester Center for Entrepreneurship, Fast Company Executive Board, Forbes Human Resources Council, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Engineering, Gulbarga University, Master of Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, The Johns Hopkins University
- **Known for:** Founded Ceipal, a recruiting and workforce software business., Led Ceipal through its June 2022 financing announcement totaling $21 million in equity and debt., Named a 2024 DE&I Influencer by Staffing Industry Analysts.

## Career timeline

- **1999** — Moved to the United States.
- **2002** — Moved to Rochester for work at Eastman Kodak.
- **2010** — Avani Technology Solutions began business operations.
- **2015** — Ceipal founded, according to its corporate history.
- **2015** — Began startup mentoring at the University of Rochester Center for Entrepreneurship, according to his LinkedIn profile.
- **2022** — Joined the Fast Company Executive Board; Ceipal announced $16.5 million Series B equity and $4.5 million debt financing.
- **2024** — Named an SIA DE&I Influencer; Ceipal launched Copilot.

## Achievements

- Founded Ceipal, a recruiting and workforce software business.
- Led Ceipal through its June 2022 financing announcement totaling $21 million in equity and debt.
- Named a 2024 DE&I Influencer by Staffing Industry Analysts.
- Accepted into the Fast Company Executive Board in June 2022.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Published the LinkedIn article Six Months of Building AI for Real Business Problems — Here Is What I Found.
- **2026-02** — Published the LinkedIn article AI Is Disrupting Talent. It Is Also the Biggest Opportunity We Have Ever Had.
- **2025-02** — Photographed during a Nigama Foundation community goshala visit in Hyderabad.

## Links

- Website: https://www.ceipal.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameerpenakalapati
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sameerATSI

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sameer-penakalapati
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23