Sam Lakkundi
Global VP, Channels, Innovation & In-Direct Ecosystems at BMC Software. Three-time CRN Channel Chief. Building and scaling a global partner ecosystem of roughly 650 partners, with VBT Soft as a flagship relationship.
On AI, and why it has to reach everyone
For years my job has come down to the same question asked six hundred different ways: how does a company actually put new technology into the hands of the people who need it, not just the ones who already have a seat at the table. Running a global partner ecosystem taught me that the real gap was never the technology. It was access.
AI is repeating that pattern right now, faster than anything I have seen. The frameworks, the fluency, the actual leverage, it is concentrating in a small circle of people who got there early, while everyone else is told to wait for a simpler version later. I do not think that is how it should work.
My view is simple: give the real thing away first. Not a watered-down explainer, not a teaser for something you have to pay to actually learn, the real frameworks, the real mistakes, the real playbook. If it is genuinely useful, people come back on their own. That is the only kind of authority worth having.
I am building this page, and the content that goes with it, around that idea: AI education built for someone who has never touched a prompt, not just the people already fluent in it. More is coming here soon.
Twenty-plus years building and monetizing partner ecosystems
Owns the partner motion behind BMC Helix's agentic-AI ServiceOps push and its ~650-partner network. Previously VP Partner Innovation (ran BMC Innovation Labs) and VP Product Management. 7+ years at BMC in total.
Drove partner and customer retention to roughly 80% renewal rates.
The innovation record, in his own words
My passion lies in challenging the status quo, anticipating what’s next, and ensuring that BMC continues to set the standard for what’s possible in a connected, intelligent, and ecosystem-led world.
Quoted from Sam’s own profile: linkedin.com/in/samlakkundi
ChimboTech: fourteen years chairing a nonprofit in Chimbote, Peru
ChimboTech is a non-profit company that I spearheaded and guide to help the poor students and people in Chimbote, Peru. This region has many poor people and I have invested and lead a team of over 280 people to help this community.
In his own description of the role: “I act as a trusted advisor to the CEO I appointed as he develops and implements ChimboTech’s strategic plan. I am focused on developing and managing relationships and communicating with: funders, partners, and other stakeholders. As the chairman of the board I am responsible for approving ChimboTech’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities.”
Quoted from Sam’s own profile: linkedin.com/in/samlakkundi
Where else he shows up
What are your expectations? Are you looking to partner? Are you looking for us to be adopting it at a company like BMC? Are you looking for us to be reselling it with your help… I'm open to all of these things — including investing.
