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Vinay Kulkarni

Pro-bono mentorship

Practical guidance on AI, data platforms, and technical leadership.

I've spent years building Data platforms and Production systems at scale. Now I'm sharing what I've learned - 45 minutes that could save your team months of figuring things out the hard way.

My expertise

AI & Machine Learning

I've built AI systems from scratch to production. I know what works and what doesn't when you're actually running LLMs at scale.

Data Engineering

I've designed platforms handling billions of events daily. The key isn't complexity - it's building pipelines that actually stay reliable.

MLOps & Infrastructure

Running AI in production means Kubernetes, cost monitoring, and keeping everything stable. I've done this with real traffic and real budgets.

Platform Architecture

I make the tough calls between scaling up, keeping it simple, and making sure the system is maintainable. Most tutorials skip these trade-offs.

Technical Leadership

Building teams that deliver, making hard technical decisions, and leading through the uncertainty that comes with complex projects.

Career Growth Guidance

Helping you accelerate your path in data and AI. From individual contributor to technical leader - I've navigated these transitions myself.

AI Product Development

Getting AI from research to real products. Strategy, user adoption, building solutions that people actually want to use.

Data Strategy

Turning data into real competitive advantages. The strategy that actually drives business results, not just dashboards.

Where I can help

Focused mentorship on high-impact technical decisions

These are the areas where deep experience and practical judgment make the biggest difference. If your challenge fits here, a conversation is usually worthwhile.

AI implementation & production

Featured

Getting AI from proof-of-concept to production. I help with model selection, cost management, and building systems that actually scale without all the hype.

Platform architecture & scaling

Designing systems that handle real-world traffic. I guide you through the trade-offs between performance, complexity, and avoiding over-engineering.

Career acceleration in data & AI

Fast-tracking your growth in data and AI roles. I help with navigating promotions and building the experience that actually moves your career forward.

Technical leadership & team building

Leading engineering teams effectively. I help with making tough technical decisions and building cultures where great work actually happens.

What to expect

Simple format. Honest scope. Clear outcomes.

Each session is informal but structured to deliver practical value. You'll leave with a clearer path forward, not just conversation.

If you're unsure if your question fits, you can still book if it's real, or send a short note first.

01

Bring one real question

A rough situation is fine. You do not need a polished brief for the conversation to be useful.

02

Use the time for clarity

We focus on framing, trade-offs, blind spots, and the most sensible next step.

03

Keep the scope honest

This is mentorship, not unpaid consulting, project execution, or ongoing advisory work by default.

Booking

45 minutes available each day

Book a 45-minute session.

Bring a question, a decision, or a technical crossroads that would benefit from outside perspective.

Slots stay limited by design.
Times are shown in your timezone: UTC

FAQ

I'm not a senior engineer, Will you still help me?

Definitely. I've helped engineers at all levels, from juniors figuring out their first AI project to mid-level folks scaling complex systems. What matters is having a real technical challenge you're wrestling with.

What's the catch? Why is this free?

No catch at all. I genuinely enjoy helping other engineers avoid the headaches I've dealt with. Limiting it to one session per day keeps things focused. Consider it my way of giving back to the community.

My question is about a specific technology. Do you have experience with that?

I've worked with most major AI/ML frameworks, data platforms like Snowflake and Databricks, and cloud architectures. If I haven't used your specific tech, I'll tell you upfront and suggest how similar experiences might apply.

What if my question is too basic or too advanced?

If it's blocking your progress, it's not too basic. For advanced stuff, I'll draw from analogous problems I've solved. I'm here to provide clarity, not show off how complex I can sound.

Will this turn into a sales call or job interview?

Absolutely not. This is pure mentorship. No recruiting, no product pitches, no follow-ups. Just 45 minutes of straight technical advice, then we're square unless you want to chat again.

How do I know if my question is worth your time?

If you're stuck on a decision that affects your team's speed, product delivery, or system stability, it's worth talking about. Real engineering problems beat hypothetical scenarios every time.

What if I need more than 45 minutes?

This format is deliberately short and focused. For deeper work, I'd point you toward formal consulting or coaching. Think of this as a high-signal introduction to see if we click.

How do you stay current with rapidly changing AI/data tech?

I build and run these systems every day. The core principles of good architecture and decision-making evolve slowly. I focus on applying timeless engineering wisdom to whatever's current.