Saurabh Sarkar: Working Towards a More Efficient and Eco-Friendly Tech Industry

Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs. 

Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Saurabh Sarkar, the CTO of Karbonara Inc. Let’s learn about what’s happening there and how Saurabh is making a positive impact in the world.

Spiffy: Hi Saurabh, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Karbonara Inc?

Saurabh: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Our startup is tackling the inefficiency in data pipelines, specifically within Spark and similar platforms. By optimizing transformations and queries with generative AI, we ensure that these pipelines consume fewer resources, save energy, and reduce time as well as costs for our clients. Our focus is not only on improving operational efficiency, but also on promoting sustainable, green software practices that contribute to a more eco-friendly tech industry.

Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?

Saurabh: My motivation stems from a blend of extensive experience in the tech industry and a deep personal commitment to environmental conservation. Having worked on projects for giants like Microsoft and Apple, I've seen firsthand the scale of data and code inefficiency. This realization, coupled with my passion for the environment and marine life, drives me to apply my skills towards creating a more sustainable tech ecosystem. At Karbonara, we're not just optimizing software, we're aiming to make a significant, positive impact on the planet for future generations, including my child's.

Spiffy: What is the impact of your work?

Saurabh: The impact of our work is multifaceted. Environmentally, we contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of digital operations by making data processing more efficient, thus conserving energy. Economically, our solutions lower operational costs for businesses by optimizing their data pipelines. This not only makes companies more sustainable, but also enhances their competitiveness in the market. Socially, by promoting green software practices, we inspire a shift towards more responsible tech development, setting a precedent for sustainability in the industry.

Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative and the impact it has on your community.

Saurabh: We launched Chicory AI, a tool designed to assist developers in optimizing SparkSQL queries before code reaches production. Accessible via VSCode or GitHub integration and free for developers and students, Chicory AI represents a significant step towards embedding sustainability in software development from the earliest stages, promising substantial resource savings and efficiency improvements across the board.

Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?

Saurabh: Our journey started with enabling companies to track the carbon footprint of their software. Through our work with blockchain and AI platforms, where emissions were often over 50 tCO2e daily, we recognized that while providing insights is valuable, the real issue begins at the source—during the development phase. This revelation steered us towards focusing on optimizing code from the ground up, ensuring sustainability is embedded from the earliest stages of software creation.

Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Saurabh—it’s been an honor!

With a rich background in tech, including roles at Microsoft and Apple, Saurabh Sarkar is now the CTO at Karbonara, pioneering green software solutions. Passionate about environmental conservation and a certified scuba diver, he’s dedicated to merging technology with sustainability to create a better future for the next generations. (Nominated by Manan Mehta and Nitin Pachisia from Unshackled Ventures. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 29, 2024.)

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.