“Technology should break barriers. Whether making education loans accessible or improving property manager-tenant interactions, my goal is to use tech to make life better for as many people as possible.” These are the words of Arjun Kannan, co-founder of property management software company ResiDesk, as he talks about what is vital in the tech industry today. His philosophy perfectly demonstrates the kind of forward-thinking leader he has become throughout his career.
Kannan exemplifies a rare breed of gifted leaders who utilize the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize legacy industries. Speaking on the potential of AI and the working world, Kannan notes how AI can transform whole industries, though its potential is magnified when combined with human interaction and empathy. Because this technology is meant to help real human beings, it should be treated as such.
From his early days at investment giant BlackRock to his avant-garde initiatives at Climb Credit, a company designed to help students manage loans, Kannan has routinely pushed the boundaries of what technology can achieve. “Every project I’ve worked on, from Black Rock to ResiDesk, has been driven by a simple mission: [to] use technology to solve real problems and help people.” His words, while reflective of his passion, carry much more weight once you learn about his journey.
Kannan’s road into technology started during his academic tenure at Cornell University, where he studied physics. It was here that he first discovered his passion for crafting effective software solutions that could solve real-world problems better than conventional scientific research methods. This realization inspired him to shift his focus toward a career where technologies can be used to propel substantial societal change.
He began his career at BlackRock, where he was able to hone his skills in financial technology. Kannan spearheaded several initiatives that worked to bring advanced financial tools to over 3 million retirees, helping them improve their average savings by over 13% and providing a demonstration of the potential for technology to improve financial planning and accessibility. By successfully adapting these tools for financial advisors, Kannan reinforced his belief in the power of technology to solve real-world problems and make a tangible difference.
After BlackRock, Kannan’s next challenge awaited him at Climb Credit, where he served as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Product Officer and led the development of a state-of-the-art underwriting system that evaluated future earning potential. The system made education loans more accessible to more than five million students. His work at Climb Credit ultimately facilitated a career transition for Kannan, and, more importantly, it shone a light on his devotion to using it for social good.
Still, Kannan’s entrepreneurial spirit reached new heights with the founding of ResiDesk, a company with a primary focus on revolutionizing property management using AI-driven solutions. At ResiDesk, Kannan and his team successfully developed an AI-powered platform capable of enhancing communication and operational efficiency for property managers.
The platform does all this while substantially improving the lives of over one million people across the United States by bringing AI into the traditionally slow-moving real estate industry. The implementation of this AI resulted in a major boost in tenant satisfaction and the simplification of many management processes, as the software facilitates communication between tenants and property managers, generally regarded as one of the more sluggish and frustrating aspects of the industry.
ResiDesk’s clever use of natural language processing has completely altered the way property managers interact with their tenants, creating brand-new standards for productivity and tenant satisfaction in this historically conservative industry. “Our work at ResiDesk is about more than just technology.” Kannan explains, “It’s about understanding residents’ needs and creating solutions that genuinely improve their living experiences.”
Kannan’s contributions to AI integration for everyday use cannot be overstated and have certainly not gone unnoticed. His leadership skills have been recognized with several awards and accolades, including winning the BlackRock Aladdin Hackathon, a competition wherein BlackRock employees work in teams to design and implement an AI project, multiple times and securing a total of $2.5 million in venture capital for ResiDesk from protuberant investors like Stellifi Venture Capital and Dash Fund.
His selection as a member of the On Deck Fellowship is another indicator of his excellent leadership skills and profound impact on startups, as he is actively and passionately mentoring and inspiring the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
During his career thus far, Kannan has had to overcome many major challenges. However, his most substantial impact has been introducing AI to the traditionalist sector of real estate. His ability to pilot through heavy resistance and demonstrate tangible benefits has been instrumental in restructuring perceptions and compelling the adoption of AI technology in the industry.
Kannan notes how “Resident data is the key to unlocking value in real estate. Knowing your residents helps reduce operational costs and make better decisions on amenities and financing. Today, we give asset managers data 10 times better than legacy surveys. Tomorrow, we’ll revolutionize financial decisions with resident insights.”
As the leader of many successful projects at important companies like BlackRock, Climb Credit, and ResiDesk, Kannan has demonstrated his excellent leadership in technology development and has shown the potential of AI to solve real-world problems. Known for his measured guidance and dedicated mentorship, Kannan has served as a judge and a speaker at multiple events, including as a Speaker at CXFS and NGCX Conferences, where he represented Climb Credit to discuss product innovations and impacts, as well as highlighted the development and success of the automated underwriting system he worked on, which helps thousands of students every day.
Looking into the future for Kannan, he remains steadfast in his dedication to advancing AI-driven solutions in real estate and beyond. His ultimate vision involves expanding ResiDesk globally to further enhance property management practices around the globe, all while promoting a harmonious relationship between human expertise and technology. Kannan aims to evolve the way real estate operates as a whole by proving that the better businesses understand their residents, the better they can enhance their living experiences.
“Our technology isn’t just leading the way; it’s changing the game,” says Kannan. “The industry was focused on resident portals and ticketing systems. Now, thanks to ResiDesk, everyone’s pivoting to AI chatbots to enhance the resident experience — but they’re still missing the power of the human connection we provide.”
It is this tactical emphasis on human connection that sets Kannan and his work apart from others working with AI, as he believes that combining AI with a human touch is essential for providing the most effective solutions. Kannan is excited to continue mentoring and learning from fellow entrepreneurs by investing in startups, often as an advisor, such as with edsights.io, which utilizes AI to reduce college dropout rates.
Overall, his career trajectory is evidence of technology’s power when it is in the hands of capable, forward-thinking leaders. From enhancing financial services accessibility at BlackRock to democratizing education loans at Climb Credit—and now totally transfiguring property management with ResiDesk—Kannan is leaving an undeniable impression on several industries that each have a tremendous impact on millions of people. With a primary focus on continually moving beyond the limits of what tech can achieve, Kannan nurtures a collective environment where seemingly “radical” ideas can flourish.
Kannan inspires hopeful entrepreneurs and technologists and is an example of the dedication and belief it takes to genuinely make a difference in the world. Regarding his accomplishments at ResiDesk, he states “Today, we provide data that’s 10 times better and more actionable. Tomorrow, we’ll revolutionize real estate financial decisions with resident insights.”
Kannan also goes on to explain how ResiDesk works so effectively: “Our relationships with the top property managers show the impact of our work. Our customers grow their portfolios with us, proving ResiDesk delivers groundbreaking innovation, high quality, and great economics.”
Technology tends to distance humanity from itself, isolating people and making them forget that they thrive the most when working together as a community. Kannan’s goal to unite people through AI has already proven successful with his work at BlackRock, Climb Credit, and ResiDesk, yet he recognizes there’s still work to be done. Wherever AI goes next, Kannan is soon to follow to make sure technology is there to work for people, and never the other way around.
Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Daily. He is responsible for overseeing other editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and covering breaking news.
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