PhD StudentUniversity of California, Davis
Computer Science
A More Efficient Router : Five Minutes with Pulak Chowdhury, Ph.D. Candidate, Computer Science, UC Davis and 2009 GTEA Alumnus
Pulak Chowdhury is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at UC Davis. He brought his research in energy efficient networking technologies to the Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy in 2009, in order to further explore the commercial potential and opportunities surrounding his technology.
C4E: Tell me a little about your educational and professional background. How did you get where you are today?
Pulak Chowdhury: I have a master's degree from the Department of Computing and Software at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Currently, I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Computer Science at UC Davis. My current research is focused on developing "green" networking technologies and protocols. I have a long-time interest in energy and greenhouse effects on earth, and have continuously shaped my research so that I can contribute to solving global warming issues.
C4E: Why did you choose to attend the Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy? What feeds your interest/involvement in sustainability?
CP: I was trying to find breakthroughs to bring my ideas into reality. I thought GTEA would provide the launching pad of my ideas. I believe my technology is sound and future-proof. What I was lacking was the idea of building ventures based on my technologies. I needed the preliminary exposure on how to develop ideas, a business plan, and teams for becoming successful.
C4E: Do you have a venture or product in mind? Give me your elevator pitch.
CP: My team develops software for reducing energy consumption of Internet-scale routers. We are already in the process of setting up a venture based on our idea. We are currently doing market validation—contacting our customers (networking equipment vendors) to find out their needs and getting feedback. Our elevator pitch: "We develop software for Internet-scale routers that reduces router energy consumption by up to 30 percent."
C4E: What was most valuable about the GTEA?
CP: We went through the complete process of setting up ventures during the academy, with intensive exercises, feedback and deliberations. These are the most valuable lessons learned during GTEA. The VCs and angel investors I met were excellent in giving feedback on our idea, business model and plan, team, etc. The feedback from the judges of the final presentation was also extremely helpful. We made some much-needed contacts at the academy. Now, we’re ready to put these resources to use in developing our ventures. I was lucky to be selected for a telephone conversation during the GTEA’s market validation exercise and so had the opportunity to talk to a senior manager from Cisco (one of the main customers of my future venture). I found real enthusiasm on his part about our technology. He liked the idea very much and may want to collaborate in the future. This most unexpected development during GTEA will, I believe, definitely benefit our venture.
C4E: How did GTEA change the way you think about ideas, your work, your research, how you can make a difference?
CP: The most important take-home message I got from GTEA is, "The Network is the Innovation." Previously I believed that if I had a great technology, I could build a successful venture. I now know that I also need a great network to be successful. I am in the process of building the important network that will enable me to bring my idea from research to marketplace.
C4E: What's next for your venture?
CP: The students, judges, VCs, angels, attorneys and professors at the academy have given me the invaluable support and feedback. They have given me contacts to others who can support us. I have followed up with Andy [Andrew Hargadon, faculty director of the Center for Entrepreneurship] for getting advices in various venture-related issues. We are now talking to different funding sources to secure the seed funding and also pursuing market research to find potential customers for our technology. I believe the knowledge and resources that I gained at GTEA will continue to provide me positive direction as I move forward with my ventures.