May 29 2026
Nikhil Kulkarni: At the intersection of technology, AI, India–Australia relations and cricket
(May 29, 2026) An AI product leader, community builder and author, Nikhil Kulkarni has built a career that spans technology, entrepreneurship, diaspora engagement and cricket across India and Australia. Through mentoring founders, creating professional networks, supporting startup ecosystems and strengthening Australia–India collaborations, he has consistently focused on bringing people, ideas and opportunities together across borders.
From the disciplined environment of a military school in North Karnataka to working at the forefront of AI in Australia’s technology sector, his journey has unfolded across industries in India and Australia.
Based in Sydney, he has spent years navigating multiple worlds with ease, helping shape AI-driven products at Atlassian, contributing to India’s startup ecosystem through iSPIRT, strengthening Australia–India ties through diaspora and business platforms, mentoring founders and young professionals, and chronicling his lifelong connection with cricket through his recently released book, My Summer of Cricket.
Discipline, curiosity and the making of a global outlook
Growing up in North Karnataka, Nikhil’s early years were shaped by a strong emphasis on education and discipline. Attending a military school instilled structure and resilience, qualities that would later define both his personal and professional journey.
“I grew up in a family that placed a strong emphasis on education,” he reflects in a chat with The Global Indian. “That combination of discipline and encouragement to look beyond the obvious shaped how I approach most things in life.”
Curiosity played an equally important role. The arrival of computers and the internet in the early 1990s sparked a fascination that would eventually evolve into a career in technology. “There was something magical about that period: the sense that the world was suddenly becoming more connected and accessible,” he says. “Those early experiences sparked something that never really went away.”
Building a life across cultures
The move to Australia was driven as much by exploration as opportunity. “My wife and I are both exploratory by nature,” he shares. “What started as an adventure has become home.”
Over time, Australia became more than just a professional destination. It became a place where personal and cultural identities intertwined. With their children growing up rooted in both Indian heritage and Australian values, the experience has been deeply transformative.
Professionally too, the move exposed him to a different kind of innovation ecosystem. “India’s innovation was driven by scale: serving hundreds of millions of users,” he explains. “Australia’s strengths lay in applying technology to industries like mining, agriculture and healthcare.”
At the same time, he witnessed the rise of globally influential Australian technology companies. “It was exciting to watch companies like Atlassian, Canva and Airwallex emerge and scale globally,” he notes. “Different contexts drive different kinds of innovation.”
Leading in the age of AI
Over a 7.5-year stint at Atlassian, where he most recently worked as a product leader in AI, Nikhil operated at the forefront of one of the most transformative technological shifts of the modern era.
“No two days were the same,” he says. “The role involved understanding customer needs, telling the story of what the product could do, and helping them realise real value from it. ”For him, AI is not merely about automation or efficiency. It is about expanding human capability. “What excites me most is AI’s potential to amplify human capability in ways we’re only beginning to imagine,” he says. He sees some of the most meaningful possibilities in areas like healthcare and creativity.
In healthcare, AI led breakthroughs that help find cures for long-standing diseases would be truly transformative. And in the creative space, AI can actually help people express themselves more powerfully.
Nikhil Kulkarni
At the same time, he believes that as AI evolves, human qualities will become even more valuable. “As AI takes on more complex work, the premium on critical thinking, judgment and the ability to connect ideas only goes up,” he notes.
Strengthening the Australia–India corridor
Beyond technology, Nikhil has remained deeply engaged with building stronger connections between India and Australia, two countries whose strategic, economic and cultural relationship continues to deepen.
Community building has been central to that work. Over the years, he has helped create networks, mentoring circles and collaborative forums where entrepreneurs, professionals, students and diaspora leaders could exchange ideas, support one another and build long-term relationships across borders.
As a founding volunteer at iSPIRT, he contributed to shaping India’s startup ecosystem, particularly through initiatives like the Playbook Roundtables that supported hundreds of entrepreneurs. The sessions brought together founders to openly discuss challenges, share operational lessons and learn from peers who had navigated similar journeys.
“What made those conversations powerful was the openness,” he says. “People were willing to share failures, lessons and practical insights in a way that genuinely helped others grow.”
Beyond formal initiatives, he has also mentored founders and young professionals navigating careers across countries and industries, often drawing from his own experiences of adapting to new environments and building networks from scratch.
In Australia, he has represented the country at the Australia India Youth Dialogue and serves on the management committee of the Australia India Business Council NSW, where he contributes to conversations around trade, innovation, talent mobility and diaspora engagement. “I believe the relationship will only deepen,” he says.
His experience at the Australia India Youth Dialogue reinforced this optimism. “Being part of such an accomplished cohort was inspiring,” he recalls. “But the bigger takeaway was just how much opportunity exists between the two countries.”
For him, community building is ultimately about creating long-term bridges between people and ideas.
With Indians now the largest country of origin for migrants to Australia, the opportunity for cultural exchange and talent flows is bigger than ever. Strong communities help people feel connected, supported and able to contribute meaningfully wherever they are.
Nikhil Kulkarni
Cricket, identity and belonging
If technology defines one side of his journey, cricket defines another. A lifelong cricket enthusiast who has followed the game across India and Australia for more than three decades, Nikhil recently brought together memory, migration and sport in his book, My Summer of Cricket.
The book, set against the backdrop of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, captures not just the excitement of the series, but also the emotional experience of following cricket across continents. “The inspiration came from the summer itself,” he says. “But as I reflected on those experiences, I realised there was a deeper story to tell.”
For him, cricket has always represented something larger than sport. “It connects people across generations, geographies and backgrounds in a way very few things can,” he explains. “It carries culture, identity and belonging within it.” That connection became especially meaningful after moving abroad.
Cricket was the first shared language I had with people in Australia, It gave me belonging and connections I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Nikhil Kulkarni
Giving back
Community building has remained a consistent theme throughout his journey. “Leading the Playbook Roundtables and seeing them impact hundreds of entrepreneurs remains something I’m really proud of,” he says.
For Nikhil, giving back has never been limited to formal titles or organisations. Whether through mentoring, connecting people across industries, supporting diaspora initiatives or contributing to public conversations around technology and society, he sees community as something built through consistent participation, generosity and creating opportunities for others to grow and collaborate.
Looking ahead
After an intense and rewarding phase at Atlassian, he is now taking time to reflect and explore new interests. “I’ve enrolled in a psychology course at the University of Sydney,” he shares. “It feeds my interest in human judgment and decision-making.”
Writing too continues to occupy an important place in his life, with his opinion pieces appearing in leading publications. Looking ahead, he sees his future at the intersection of technology, global collaboration and storytelling.
“Technology and AI, the Australia–India relationship, and sport have all been central to my world,” he says. “Whatever comes next will likely sit at that intersection.”
Advice for the next generation
For young Indians aspiring to build global careers in technology and AI, his advice is practical yet reflective. “The landscape is changing fast, so it’s important to stay on top of it,” he says. “But equally important is self-awareness.”
In a world shaped by rapid technological and cultural change, he believes staying grounded matters just as much as staying current. “That combination of staying current and knowing yourself deeply is what makes the difference,” he reflects.
In many ways, Nikhil Kulkarni’s journey reflects how careers today increasingly transcend geography and traditional labels. His story is ultimately about connection, between countries, industries and people, and about finding meaning while navigating a rapidly changing world.
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Written By: Amrita Priya