Anuradha Biswas

CEO & Founder

Anuradha Biswas, CEO and Founder of Prakat Solutions, has been an inspirational woman entrepreneur in the IT industry for over a decade. She started Prakat with a strong focus on end-to-end engineering solutions, specializing in the following fields: product engineering, test engineering, accessibility engineering and application modernization.

Before starting Prakat, Anu had extensive experience working with companies such as Verifone, Cybercash, Computer Associates, Aztecsoft (acquired by MindTree) and Infosys. She was instrumental in building the software testing business from the ground up at Computer Associates and Aztecsoft. She attributes her success and growth in the industry to the professional and personal support of her colleagues.

Anu took this team-centric approach with her to Prakat where she focuses on building inclusive global technology. She has created a solid reputation for cultivating diversity in the workplace and has become a trustedsource of mentorship and inspiration for women entrepreneurs. Her passion for establishing and building a more inclusive world in and out of corporate settings helps her bridge the gap for women to excel in tech.

Role in Sociocultural Influence

Anu realizes that women face unique challenges in balancing their professional and personal commitments. Thus, shehas spent years empowering women with the support and tools to flourish in both areas. As a trusted mentor, she enjoys being the sourceforsolutions to any problem, professional or personal, and giving women the inspiration and knowledge to make their career a priority and to endure and overcome any obstacles.

Along with other women in technology fields, she pioneered women-led tech organizations by starting Prakat. By creating work environments that help and support women to work without disrupting priorities (partial work-from-home options, flexible work schedules, etc.) she enables women to return to tech after taking career breaks.Her support includes training,education and trial periods to help women re-adapt at work and update their skillsets on new technology, helping them perform without fear of failure.

Role in Business Support

Anu inspires women to take up leadership roles and responsibility in the organization. Both men and women at Prakat are respected based on achievements, not gender, ensuring that the workforce includes women who are looking for an anchor to get into tech. Doing so encourages them to showcase their talent in the industry and to become part of tech forums where they can learn, contribute and build. Anu thrives on being an influencer with a positive impact on the strength of women in technical roles.

Through Prakat, Anu has incubated women-led tech startups, supporting them with office presence, networking contacts and go-to-market support. Some of these companies include WestChester Health,a health-tech company, and Quickdaan, a portal-based social organization. In addition, she facilitates crowdfunding efforts and advisory support for women entrepreneurs, helping them network, grow and shape the industry through corporate ecosystems.

Role in the Tech Community

Anu has provided thought leadership to technology forums like StepIN (tech talks, panel discussions, Advisory Board member) where, as Chairperson, she enlists other women. She has also participated with Intuit as Speaker for Accessibility Week andin Cloud Testing for Dell.

She has shared her experiences in the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, the Canada-India Business Women’s Forum, INDO Suppliers Diversity Mission, Sobha Developers (Keynote Speaker), and Intuit Women’s Day.

Inspiring young women to embrace technology, Anu has spoken atuniversities such as Periyar Maniammai University and APS College of Engineering. She has been on the Advisory Board of KSR College of Engineering and part of the first Train-the-Trainer Program at Bharathiar University. She has also spoken at the Vishnu Education Society Innovation Centre on the subject ofovercoming disabilities in corporate settings.

Achievements

Anu was instrumental in building the Software Testing business from inception at CA & Aztec. At Infosys, she was part of the leadership who grew Independent Software validation from concept to 8000 people and $450M USD.

Under her leadership, Prakat has been named in the SI-1OO list of top 100 Indian owned technology companies by Silicon India. In 2010, the company won the Best Startup Award in Services category at StartupCity 2010.

Other notable recognitions:

• Grace Hopper Collaboration
• eMerge Women Achiever Award
• Wequity Solidarity Idol Award

– Featured in Media: Economic Times, Hindutimes, Deccan Heral