Numbers, Networks, and Nuance with Madhavan Jagannathan

Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Madhavan Jagannathan (Maddy) , Instrument and Control Engineer by training, software technologist by experience, and financial explorer at heart. With over two decades of experience across HCL, Adobe, EMC, Dell, and VMware, Maddy brings together deep tech, systems thinking, and a passion for financial markets. Gayatri introduces Maddy, highlighting 17 years of friendship and his rare mix of humor, humility, and insight across hardware, software, and finance.

02:00 – The Physics of Curiosity

Maddy recalls his fascination with science, choosing physics for his undergraduate degree, and his early ambition to pursue research at IITs before pragmatically opting for instrumentation at Madras Institute of Technology.

05:00 – The Unplanned Leap into Software

A “lucky break” leads him into HCL Technologies, where a chance campus interview launches his career in software — landing him in the prestigious Cisco division during the early internet boom.

08:00 – Early Memories of the Software World

Maddy reflects on working at the intersection of hardware and network management — when internet access was rationed, innovation was exploding, and curiosity was rewarded.

10:00 – Settling into the Tech Ecosystem

He discusses how he initially longed for the process industry, only to realize that the software world offered greater opportunities, intellectual challenge, and balance — ultimately leading teams early in his career.

13:00 – From HCL to Adobe: Finding the Power of Software

Maddy shares how joining Adobe in Noida, during its early transition to SaaS, transformed his understanding of software’s reach and power.

“That one year at Adobe changed my view of what software could do.”

16:00 – The EMC and Dell Era: Process Meets Innovation

He moves from startups to EMC, where he embraces Six Sigma, process excellence, and later joins Dell, leading teams focused on data center innovation.

“Dell was about process discipline and fast engineering — a perfect blend of structure and innovation.”

20:00 – Clarifying ‘Process’: From Chemistry to Systems Thinking

Maddy reflects on how his training in process control and systems modeling shaped his understanding of software and organizational design.

23:00 – Discovering Financial Markets

His long-standing curiosity about stock markets takes root. From reading stock pages in newspapers to managing his first ESOPs, Maddy begins to explore investing and financial systems deeply.

“It started with curiosity — how a single number next to a company name could tell a story.”

26:00 – The Birth of a Trader

Inspired by his MBA classes and a growing interest in quantitative methods, Maddy takes professional trading courses — blending math, technology, and market behavior.

“Trading is where math, technology, and psychology collide.”

29:00 – Lessons from the Trading Floor

He shares insights from independent trading during COVID, emphasizing discipline, emotional control, and the realization that he’s better suited for his own portfolio than managing others’ money.

32:00 – The Intersection of Tech and Fina