Performatica Formation

The members who founded Performatica came together in August 2020 during the pandemic, wanting to give back to society in whatever way we could, contributing the experience each of us gained during our careers. We quickly came together in a few months and formulated two main core areas:

Performatica Foundation: Members are interested in doing non-profit work that can benefit the society at large across the oceans, time zones and in key areas of need. By connecting projects and people globally with same interests, by serving as thought leaders, and by actually funding & doing projects in geographies and cultures we are familiar with, we hope to make a difference. With massive migration of people in pursuit of higher education and livelihood, there is an opportunity for providing a platform for doing Global Good by connecting the lands of opportunities (karma bhoomi) with the lands of our birth (janma bhoomi). Professionals located in the US, who immigrated from other countries, are particularly keen to help this enterprise. The goal is to connect people and give opportunities for willing people to be connected globally.

Performatica Ventures: Members are interested in starting ventures in areas of their specific expertise, using the latest in technology and innovative execution models. The intent is to serve in the industry where the capabilities are needed in an advisory capacity, demonstrate the latest in technology through POCs, and most importantly serve as one of the funding sources for the Foundation. Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Power & Sustainability are areas we hope to contribute to. The goal is to assist people who aspire to accomplish something new by connecting them with leaders in the field and provide inspiration.  

The Need of the Day: Technology is changing how societies are transforming, both in good and bad ways. Innovation is happening at an individual level, and “unconventional education” is on a rapid rise. If we observe developments such as in space technologies, robotics, 3D printing, personalized medicine energy transition and others, three main areas emerge for the Performatica group to contribute towards social and digital innovation:

Leadership Development: Help in contributing to how technologies such as AI/ML can be used responsibility and ethically, and deliver short courses, tailored seminars and manuals for quick education in ancillary technologies that would allow an individual, business or a firm to use the technology. This includes getting a grasp of both technology and management of it in ways that allow for higher productivity.

Digital Journey: Assist companies and individuals that may not have the means for learning and applying digital technologies. These allow for unconventional learning that would improve the performance of an individual or company while allowing them to contribute to pressing ESG related issues.

Performance: Demonstrate ways for people to improve themselves while enhancing their spheres of influence with meaningful metrics important to them. Managing time is the most precious commodity, and we will provide necessary training in this aspect through remote education.

We invite individuals, groups and organizations to collaborate with us. Together we will contribute to areas of our expertise and passion, under Performatica Ventures or Performatica Foundation platforms. 

On February 14, 1972, at the age of 21, I lost my father. My mother had no idea how she was going to raise her children—eight of them younger than me—with no one earning at that time. My two older brothers, Dr. Sudhakar Divakaruni and my late brother Shastri Divakaruni, were graduate students at the University of Iowa at that time, and they sent $100 each month to my mother in India to support the family. Today we are eight engineers and two doctors. All of us have not only survived the hardships but have had the fortune to benefit from this great land of opportunity, the United States of America (USA) and to be mentored and be mentors all along the way. Many immigrant families have similar stories.  The truth is USA and other developed nations in the world have helped to transmit knowledge and wealth through this connection between the land of work (Karma Bhoomi) and land of birth (Janma Bhoomi) of their residents for decades now.

Technology, especially during the recent pandemic times, has enabled us to look for new ways to collaborate through remote learning and working. It is advancing rapidly and those who cannot afford education are learning through Unconventional Education methods. Some pressing challenges like sustainability and GHG reductions await participation at every level—individual, corporations & companies. Opportunities are abundant to eradicate diseases and improve lives further on every continent if we work together. The key is to globally connect people with means with those in need. The Performatica Founders wish to contribute to that goal of connecting people, organizations and cities using technology as a means so that many families like mine can benefit.

I, Murthy Divakaruni. One of the Founders of Performatica wish to dedicate the work I am doing to my parents who provided the basic values that sustained me, to my two brothers, Sudhakar and the late Shastri, and to all the immigrants who have achieved excellence in their fields but have not forgotten their roots. There is so much work ahead for us to connect and be connected, so that we may positively impact the environment and better the lives of all.

I am grateful for the many opportunities that I have been given in life. In my 71st year, I want to give back to communities beyond making charitable contributions. Performatica has given me this opportunity. 

I grew up in India, in a middle-class family, the son of a decorated and compassionate officer in the Indian Air Force and a loving mother. I had the opportunity to attend one of the top engineering schools, IIT Kanpur, which paved the way to a doctoral degree from The Johns Hopkins University. I had the opportunity to teach at the University of Texas at Austin and then spent 35 years at IBM. This innovative values-driven company allowed me to witness and be part of significant transformations in the computer industry, the opportunity to contribute to the company and my profession, and the opportunity to interact with brilliant people and learn about leadership from great leaders. In the seven years since retiring from IBM, I have had a chance to give back to my profession by teaching and mentoring students and serving on advisory committees. 

Technology now enables me to extend my current activities (teaching, mentoring, and raising awareness on important socio-technical issues such as the ethics of artificial intelligence) to a much a larger and more diverse set of people in India and elsewhere. 

I met Mr. Divakaruni about a year ago. I was impressed by his vision and commitment to help disadvantaged communities in India by mobilizing a more comprehensive range of information, ideas, and insights and developing leaders who could drive digital transformation in India. Mr. Divakaruni drew me into Performatica Foundation as an advisor.  I learned that based on my teaching experience, my familiarity with digital technologies, and my exposure to leadership development, I could contribute to the Foundation's mission and, through it, to communities in India. Though much of the work lies ahead, I am hopeful that by raising people's awareness of the art of the possible and making new connections, team Performatica will better people's lives.