Rudy Karsan on Entrepreneurship and the Importance of Service

EDITORS’ NOTE: Rudy Karsan — a seasoned technology investor and entrepreneur for over 30 years and previously the founder and CEO of Kenexa which eventually sold to IBM for 1.3 Billion dollars — discusses his insights on Starting a Business During a Crisis, the Evolution and Meaning of Work in the Modern Economy, the Potential and Limitations of AI and Universal Basic Income, and the Importance of Pro Bono Work and Customer Engagement in Building a Successful Business.

Interview Questions

Rudy Carson’s Background and Advice on Business– Time Index: 1:31 (Based on the Audio)

1. Let’s start by talking about your story. You grew up in Kenya, stayed a little bit in London, then you moved to the States, I believe. What got you interested in investing and entrepreneurship?

You said that it’s a great time to start a business in a crisis. Why?

About Rudy Karsan

Nothing excites Rudy Karsan more than a great idea which he can grow and, in doing so, help change the world. He personally did that with Kenexa, which he founded and grew over 25 years to a billion-dollar enterprise, following which it was acquired by IBM in a record deal.

Having also started a bunch of other companies along the way — some of which were successful while others were not — Rudy believes that entrepreneurship is something to be cherished and enjoyed to the fullest, as it’s an exhilarating journey. He is also passionate about job creation through meaningful work for all, as he believes that is the key to a fabulous future for humanity.

A self-confessed geek, Rudy is inspired by out-of-the-box technology that is in sync with his constant endeavor to help make people’s lives better in some way. He possesses the rare combination of a strong background in actuarial science with the ability to dream big, which has paved the way for his success as an entrepreneur. Together, these paved the way for his new venture, Karlani Capital, an operating fund that aims to “enable the growth and success of ideas that are original, interesting and potentially useful to people.”

Rudy has been recognized multiple times for his entrepreneurial and humanitarian achievements and is the author of a New York Times bestselling book, “We: How to Increase Performance and Profits through Full Engagement,” which illustrates many of his personal beliefs with respect to organizational and career success. Rudy attributes his personal success to the unconditional support of his family, which he considers his greatest achievement.