Venu Gutlapalli – CEO and Co-Founder, Tag-N-Trac
LinkedIn: [Venu Gutlapalli](http://www.linkedin.com/in/venugutlapalli)
Executive Summary
Venu Gutlapalli is the CEO and Co-Founder of Tag-N-Trac, a technology company specializing in smart label solutions for end-to-end supply chain visibility. Gutlapalli leverages a robust background of almost 20 years in wireless technology at Qualcomm, where he led global connectivity initiatives across mobile, automotive, and IoT sectors. He is recognized for his track record in scaling engineering organizations, product innovation in wireless systems, and partnering with enterprise clients to commercialize advanced connectivity products. At Tag-N-Trac, Gutlapalli drives strategic direction, productization, and revenue growth.
Professional Background
Tag-N-Trac (2020 – Present)
- Role: CEO & Co-Founder
- Headquarters: United States
- Company Focus: Tag-N-Trac delivers sensor-enabled smart labels for real-time, item-level tracking of shipments, enabling enterprises to gain full visibility into location, environmental condition (temperature, humidity, pressure), and custody through every stage of the supply chain.
- Industry Impact: The solution targets critical logistics sectors — pharmaceuticals, food, and automotive — where shipment security, traceability, and compliance are essential.
- Innovations:
- Tag-N-Trac’s platform merges bar code labels and cellular tracking hardware at a cost below $10/unit, a disruptive alternative to current bulky $100 tracking solutions.
- The system leverages flexible printed circuit (FPC) technology, allowing sensors and batteries to be integrated into thin, low-cost labels.
- The company emphasizes an API-first platform, ensuring backward compatibility and seamless integration with existing WMS, TMS, and ERP systems.
- Tag-N-Trac solutions are pre-integrated for rapid deployment and minimal operational friction.
Qualcomm (Approx. 2000 – 2020)
- Positions Held:
- Sr. Director of Engineering – Led global teams focused on mobile, automotive, and IoT connectivity
- Global Head of Customer Success – Oversaw enterprise engagements and large-scale connectivity rollouts
- Key Achievements:
- Commercialized WiFi, Bluetooth, and location technologies
- Forged and managed strategic partnerships with leading global enterprises
- Drove execution on complex, cross-functional projects from concept to wide-scale shipment
Kyocera Communications (2000 – 2011, Intermittent with Qualcomm)
- Staff Engineer – Focused on wireless systems and the integration of cellular technology into consumer devices
Atheros Inc.
- Engineering & Product Development Roles – Specialized in the commercialization of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location solutions
Leadership Approach and Strategic Vision
Gutlapalli’s leadership is characterized by a strong focus on scalability, robust integration, and customer value. His approach at Tag-N-Trac features:
- Customer-Centric Engagement: He advocates a 3D model — “design, develop, deploy” — for project execution, starting with in-depth requirements gathering, progressing to solution architecture and pilot deployments, and concluding with enterprise-scale rollouts.
- Operational Resilience: Recognizes the complexity of customer operational environments, designing solutions to eliminate failure points and reduce deployment complexity.
- Platform & Partnerships: Strong proponent of leveraging external technology via partnerships rather than building every component internally, accelerating time to market and ecosystem integration.
Industry Contributions and Thought Leadership
- Supply Chain Transformation: Gutlapalli is identified as an influential voice in digital supply chain modernization, particularly around real-time cold chain and high-value, perishable freight tracking.
- Key Technology Breakthroughs: He has championed the adoption of FPC-based sensor platforms, dramatically lowering the cost and increasing the practicality of continuous monitoring down to the individual carton or pallet.
- Startup Execution: Instrumental in raising venture funding (Series A led by Dell Technologies Capital), and balancing roadmap rigor with strategic customization for early investors and partners.
Education
- University of Southern California
- Classes attended: 1999–2000
- Mangalore University
- Bachelor’s of Technology in Computer Engineering: 1990–1994
- Affiliation with IEEE Student Committee
Key Achievements and Impact
- Product Innovation: Pioneered the integration of cellular connectivity and advanced sensors into standard barcode labels, providing item-level, real-time shipment visibility at a fraction of traditional costs.
- Scalable Deployments: Tag-N-Trac has delivered consistent performance and value in extensive field trials across major global trade lanes.
- Strategic Partnerships: Led Tag-N-Trac to work with major air logistics companies, such as Etihad Cargo, to enable SmartTrack track-and-trace services for shipments globally.
- Industry Recognition: Recognized for his ability to bridge technology complexity and real-world supply chain problem-solving, enabling wide adoption among enterprise and logistics leaders.
Professional Interests and Forward Outlook
Gutlapalli continues to drive Tag-N-Trac toward becoming a full platform-as-a-service provider for supply chain data acquisition, with an emphasis on robust applications and developer ecosystems. The company is actively looking to collaborate with technology partners and application developers, particularly those building solutions in real-time logistics intelligence (such as FourKites and project44 analogs). The medium-term vision encompasses expansion into pharma, food, and automotive verticals, providing operational visibility without dependency on AI or predictive models — instead leveraging true real-time field data.
Location
- San Diego, CA, United States
In summary, Venu Gutlapalli exemplifies technical and strategic leadership in IoT, wireless connectivity, and supply chain technology. Decision-makers seeking digital supply chain transformation, real-time logistics intelligence, or partnerships in advanced track-and-trace technology will find Gutlapalli highly relevant and impactful.
