kalyani khona

Entrepreneur → AI Researcher // Decoding how Large Language Models think

about me

previous // 2014 - 2024 (tech, product strategy)

current // 2025 onwards (research, investments)

work

As an entrepreneur, I built the world’s first matchmaking app for differently-abled people, Inclov. I was also a founding member of Jupiter , the neo-banking startup and led the product strategy and growth for the company in its early days.Due to my work at Inclov, I received a special invitation to meet with Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and his cabinet including the late Shri. Arun Jaitely and late Shri. Sushma Swaraj. This was an important moment because I was able to provide value to the society in deeply profound ways which has been rare and unusual for me.

investments (startups, angel)

  • accacia: decarbonising real estate with climate-grade products and carbon intelligence. read B capital note on the investment

  • exponent energy: 15-minute rapid charge for EVs (funded by Hero Group post my investment)

  • metastable materials: lithium-ion battery recycling (entered sequoia surge program, at 8x multiple)

  • biddano: healthcare supply chain platform that provides a simplified order management technology for chemists and hospitals.

  • llama: exited in 2025

  • styleuai: image gen-ai to create model-ready product visuals, boost SEO and launch new inventory faster. my research notes

  • stealth: generative engine optimisation (GEO/AEO) for brand discovery in ChatGPT and other popular LLMs. my research notes

book and podcast mentions

  • The Invisible Majority: India’s Able Disabled by C.K. Meena, V.R. Ferose • Read

  • You Can: From Smarter to Wiser By Meera Shenoy, Prasad Kaipa • Read

  • Inclov Case Study with Kalyani Khona • Spotify

tv and keynotes

fellowships

personal life

  • as an introvert with limited social life, I spend disproportionate time of my day exploring one of the many rabbit roles, meditating or reading books. I love sushi and good coffee

  • due to my 900+ hours yoga-meditation training from The Yoga Institute and 1000 hours of yoga therapy practice from Kaivalyadham Yoga Institute, I also teach yoga to a few selected students on the weekends

  • I write meditations; a personal newsletter that serves as a web-based diary exploring the depths of shared human experience.

"It has been decided that all books are the work of a single author who is timeless and anonymous."
- Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius, Jorge Luis Borges