EPISODE · Jan 28, 2026 · 24 MIN
On Leading Azure Networking at Microsoft | In Conversation with Pankaj Garg, CVP of Engineering
from Mala's Podcast · host Mala Ramakrishnan
Pankaj Garg, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, joins Mala Ramakrishnan for a deep, candid conversation on how Azure was built, how infrastructure innovation really happens at scale, and why AI represents the biggest platform shift of our lifetime.From writing kernel code and building Hyper-V to helping grow Azure from an early internal project into a global cloud platform, Pankaj shares firsthand lessons on execution speed, enterprise go-to-market advantage, and where startups still have room to innovate alongside hyperscalers.The episode also explores how AI workloads are reshaping cloud networking, security, and developer productivity—plus what founders should focus on when building in an era of hyper-productivity.A must-watch for founders, infrastructure builders, and leaders navigating cloud, AI, and platform-scale systems.______________________________________________________________Timestamps00:00 Intro and Pankaj Garg’s background01:40 Building Hyper-V and low-level systems03:10 The early days of Azure (Project Red Dog)04:40 Competing with AWS in the early cloud era06:10 Why enterprise trust gave Azure an edge07:30 Azure’s startup-like speed and execution09:00 From hands-on engineer to leader12:10 Where innovation still exists: cost and efficiency13:40 Security and multi-cloud opportunities15:00 Azure’s platform-first strategy18:00 AI as a once-in-a-generation platform shift21:10 Developer productivity in the AI era22:30 Advice for founders: ideas, speed, and focus23:50 Final inspiration and closing thoughts______________________________________________________________🔗 Connect with Pankaj Garg → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipankajg/🔗 Connect with Mala Ramakrishnan → https://www.linkedin.com/in/malaramakrishnan🎧 Subscribe to the podcastYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnL3D6aI60R-cCvypFIkh4ASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NIDE4cT5fuVjC3HaGbCDK?si=eoSTNmhqQNKHQl9d1Jx0UQApple Podcast: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talking-to-the-leaders-of-ai-the-ceo-series-with-mala/22ad2bae-502b-4eb1-aa74-53bc79754db7Visit our Website: www.malaramakrishnan.com | www.founderscreative.ai
What this episode covers
Pankaj Garg, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, joins Mala Ramakrishnan for a deep, candid conversation on how Azure was built, how infrastructure innovation really happens at scale, and why AI represents the biggest platform shift of our lifetime.From writing kernel code and building Hyper-V to helping grow Azure from an early internal project into a global cloud platform, Pankaj shares firsthand lessons on execution speed, enterprise go-to-market advantage, and where startups still have room to innovate alongside hyperscalers.The episode also explores how AI workloads are reshaping cloud networking, security, and developer productivity—plus what founders should focus on when building in an era of hyper-productivity.A must-watch for founders, infrastructure builders, and leaders navigating cloud, AI, and platform-scale systems.______________________________________________________________Timestamps00:00 Intro and Pankaj Garg’s background01:40 Building Hyper-V and low-level systems03:10 The early days of Azure (Project Red Dog)04:40 Competing with AWS in the early cloud era06:10 Why enterprise trust gave Azure an edge07:30 Azure’s startup-like speed and execution09:00 From hands-on engineer to leader12:10 Where innovation still exists: cost and efficiency13:40 Security and multi-cloud opportunities15:00 Azure’s platform-first strategy18:00 AI as a once-in-a-generation platform shift21:10 Developer productivity in the AI era22:30 Advice for founders: ideas, speed, and focus23:50 Final inspiration and closing thoughts______________________________________________________________🔗 Connect with Pankaj Garg → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipankajg/🔗 Connect with Mala Ramakrishnan → https://www.linkedin.com/in/malaramakrishnan🎧 Subscribe to the podcastYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnL3D6aI60R-cCvypFIkh4ASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NIDE4cT5fuVjC3HaGbCDK?si=eoSTNmhqQNKHQl9d1Jx0UQApple Podcast: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talking-to-the-leaders-of-ai-the-ceo-series-with-mala/22ad2bae-502b-4eb1-aa74-53bc79754db7Visit our Website: www.malaramakrishnan.com | www.founderscreative.ai
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On Leading Azure Networking at Microsoft | In Conversation with Pankaj Garg, CVP of Engineering
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