Building the Next Layer of Innovation with Dhiraj Sharan

Dhiraj Sharan, CEO and founder of Query.AI, joins me this week on Cloud Native Startup. With a career that spans over 20 years in cybersecurity, Dhiraj has seen the swift adoption of multi-cloud environments and SaaS apps. In this episode, Dhiraj discusses the importance of evolving your product as the world changes and why you should ask yourself, “How can I be innovative for the next layer?” Dhiraj also gives his younger self advice on the cybersecurity game of chess and much more. HighlightsWhat led Dhiraj to pursue Query.AI? (0:23)Dhiraj shares ideas that he ultimately didn’t pursue (3:52)The importance of evolving and the layers of innovation. (5:30)The difference between being a founder and being an early employee. (8:52)Advice Dhiraj would give himself if he could go back 20 years. (10:19)Dhiraj’s advice on building a company. (11:52)Security team budgets and creating an ROI calculator. (13:11)Query.AI’s “unique” struggle. (18:47)CSO’s general response to Query.AI. (20:03)Dhiraj reflects on lessons learned and the importance of understanding your customer. (21:48)Dhiraj on the entrepreneur in everyone. (23:32)Links:Dhiraj: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhirajsharanTwitter: https://twitter.com/dhirajsharanQuery.AI:Website: https://query.aiTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/query_ai