A Modest Beginning

Born on July 3, 1974, in a small village, Sairam Yeruva grew up in an environment where financial struggles were an everyday reality. His parents, Jagadeswari Yeruva and Kotireddy Yeruva, worked tirelessly to support their children. Sairam had two sisters, Srilalitha and Sreeveni, and together they witnessed the hardships that came with limited educational resources.

In his village, schooling was only available up to the 7th grade, which forced many students to drop out due to financial constraints. Determined to give their son a better future, Sairam’s parents sent him to a boarding school in Pedavadlapudi, near Mangalagiri, despite their hardships. The transition was tough—adjusting to a new environment, managing daily chores, and dealing with homesickness.

Sairam, like many young children, found it extremely difficult to adapt. The food was unappetizing, and he had to wash his own clothes, something he had never done before. The burden of being away from home was so overwhelming that he threatened to run away and even contemplated jumping into a nearby canal. His father, realizing the gravity of the situation, visited him at the school, sat him down, and explained the importance of education. This conversation ignited a fire in young Sairam, and he set a goal for himself—to build a high school in his village one day so that future generations wouldn’t have to endure the same struggles.

The Birth of a Dream

Despite his initial struggles, Sairam soon began to thrive in boarding school. He discovered his leadership skills, which earned him the role of assistant to the church father, Rev. P. Innaiah. His responsibilities gave him authority over his fellow students, and he even indulged in taking extra snacks from them! However, his playful dominance was not appreciated by everyone. A church brother, in particular, disliked him and often tried to punish him, but this only strengthened Sairam’s resilience.

During these years, sports also became a significant part of his life. Although he had a passion for volleyball, he was often excluded due to his short stature. Instead, he turned to cricket, a sport he would later use to inspire and organize his village youth.

Sairam’s academic journey was marked by competition. His best friends Butchi Babu and Ashok Babu were his intellectual rivals. Though he worked hard to match Ashok’s scores, he never managed to surpass him. However, life had surprises in store—during their 10th grade exams, everyone expected Ashok to top the class. To their amazement, Srilatha S. secured the first rank, proving that hard work and determination always pay off.

After completing 10th standard in first class in Telugu medium, Sairam returned to his village. Now came another major hurdle—choosing the right college for higher education.

Struggles in Higher Education

Higher education was a luxury for most village students. His parents, unable to afford private college fees, enrolled him in TJPS College, Guntur, for MEC (Mathematics, Economics, Commerce) in English medium. Transitioning from Telugu to English was one of the biggest challenges of his life. His entire schooling had been in Telugu, and suddenly, he had to cope with subjects taught entirely in English. The struggle was real, but so was his determination.

His father, Kotireddy, who once aspired to become a film director, had seen many failures in his life. Having directed three films that flopped, he returned to his village and took on the responsibility of his extended family. His wealth gradually diminished as he supported his two brothers and three sisters, selling off almost all their land in the process. By 1997, only one piece of land remained.

His mother, Jagadeswari, hailed from a well-off family in Lingavaran, Krishna district, but had to endure hardships after marriage. To support the family, she took up multiple roles—running a private coaching center, selling dairy products, and working as a postmaster. She was the pillar of strength, and her relentless efforts left a profound impact on Sairam.

Despite financial hardships, she never turned away anyone who needed help. Milk, yogurt, food—whatever little she had, she shared. This instilled in Sairam the value of giving back to society, a principle he would live by throughout his life.

Chasing a New Path: The Spark of Technology

Initially, Sairam considered pursuing B.Sc. Mathematics and eventually becoming a lecturer. However, destiny had other plans. His younger sister insisted they attend a free BASIC programming course during summer. Sairam was reluctant at first but was eventually convinced by his father.

This decision changed the course of his life.

He fell in love with programming. Around the same time, J.K.C College launched its B.Sc. Computer Science program, and Sairam knew he had to be a part of it. The fees were high, and a donation of ₹10,000 was required. They had no money. But fate intervened—his father’s friend, Srinivas Kamineni, loaned them the money, allowing Sairam to secure admission. His father told him to never forget this act of kindness, a lesson Sairam took to heart.

Determined to improve his English and communication skills, he bought an Oxford dictionary and a Hindu newspaper, making it a habit to converse in English only. He was ridiculed for his poor English, but he persisted. This habit would later become one of his greatest assets.

During his studies, he also went back to his village to teach Hindi to 7th-grade students. The government had failed to provide a Hindi teacher, meaning students could pass without actually writing the exam. Sairam didn’t want them to struggle as he had and volunteered to teach them, unknowingly refining his own communication and leadership skills in the process.

First Steps into the Professional World and Beyond

After completing his B.Sc., Sairam wrote entrance exams and secured admission for M.C.A (Master of Computer Applications) at J.K.C College. He continued his voluntary teaching and even took steps to expose corruption in school scholarship distribution. When he confronted the school headmaster about missing scholarship funds, the situation escalated, and the headmaster created caste-based conflicts to deflect blame. This led to a confrontation where, for the first time, Sairam’s father publicly hit him, fearing for his safety.

His friend sent him to Chennai to take a break, where he learned advanced computer courses like Sybase and PowerBuilder. Returning with newfound skills, he began teaching programming to his juniors.

During his final year, he secured an internship at Visesh Technologies in Bangalore. But here, Sairam learned about Mainframe programming, which was in high demand. The course cost ₹35,000, a huge sum, but his mother mortgaged her gold to finance it.

This marked the beginning of his career in IT. From here, Sairam’s journey took him to the United States, where he would establish multiple businesses, build a high school for his village, and lead numerous philanthropic and educational initiatives, transforming the lives of many.

Journey to the United States and Corporate Success

With his training in Mainframe programming, Sairam began applying for jobs. He was soon offered a position at Sriven Software Pvt Ltd in Chennai, earning ₹9,500 per month. While working there, he realized the growing demand for Mainframe specialists in the U.S. Encouraged by his friends, he applied for opportunities abroad. He joined a consulting firm, Allied Informatics, which facilitated his move to the United States in January 1998.

Upon landing in Atlanta, Georgia, he quickly secured a project at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). Sairam worked diligently and transitioned from a contractor to a full-time employee within a year. During his time there, he mastered Java, JCL, COBOL, DB2, and IVR technologies. His expertise and leadership skills led him to work on critical projects for GM OnStar and TIAA-CREF.

Entrepreneurial Journey: Founding IT Consulting Firms

Despite a stable job, Sairam always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2006, he co-founded his first IT consulting firm, Kronsys Inc., alongside his close friend Srinivas Hasti. Initially, the company struggled, but their perseverance paid off as they began placing consultants in high-paying IT roles. Encouraged by their success, he later established Cygtec Inc. and Arkstek Inc., which focused on speech technology (IVR) and IT solutions.

By 2010, Sairam’s companies had over 300 employees, and he became a well-known name in the IT consulting industry. He mentored and trained aspiring IT professionals, helping them secure jobs in the U.S. His companies specialized in training and placing candidates in niche technologies, making a significant impact in the job market.

Fulfilling a Promise: Building a High School

Despite his success in the U.S., Sairam never forgot his childhood promise—to build a high school in his village. In 1999, he returned to India and, with his savings, purchased land adjacent to the village’s Upper Primary School. Coincidentally, this was the very land where he was born and raised.

The journey was not easy. Per government regulations, a high school required 5 acres of land for a playground, something the village did not have. To overcome this challenge, they convinced local authorities to approve an alternative solution. However, the Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) demanded a ₹10,000 bribe to approve the project. Initially reluctant, Sairam and his family realized that without this approval, the project would stall. They paid the bribe, and construction finally began.

With the support of his younger sister, Sreeveni Yeruva, and brother-in-law, Venkat Reddy Poluri, the first three classrooms were completed in 2000, and the school opened in 2001. The initiative was widely recognized, and local MLAs Alapati Rajendra Prasad, Nannapaneni Rajakumari, and Galla Aruna attended the inauguration ceremony.

Over time, additional classrooms were built, and teacher salaries were initially funded by Sairam until the government stepped in to provide permanent faculty.

Challenges and Setbacks: The USCIS Investigation

In 2015, Sairam’s companies came under scrutiny from USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) due to H1B visa sponsorships. Several employees were questioned at their workplaces, and his home was raided in 2018 while he was in India. Government officials seized documents, laptops, and bank records. This led to all company bank accounts being frozen, crippling operations overnight.

Facing legal trouble, Sairam hired an attorney who demanded a $100,000 retainer fee. With his assets frozen, he relied on his father-in-law and close friends to arrange the amount. The investigation lasted several years, ultimately leading to a $2.6 million settlement with the U.S. government.

Despite this setback, Sairam remained resilient. He liquidated assets, repaid debts, and gradually rebuilt his businesses. This period was one of the most challenging of his life, but it also reinforced his determination and adaptability.

New Ventures: ThinkSabio and Stock Market Investments

After recovering from the legal battle, Sairam shifted his focus to a new passion: investing in the stock market. In 2018, he launched ThinkSabio, a financial research platform that analyzes institutional trading patterns. His goal was to help retail investors make informed investment decisions.

With his technical expertise and business acumen, he built a thriving online community of investors. ThinkSabio provided market insights, research reports, and educational content. Today, it is a growing platform that continues to empower investors worldwide.

Family and Personal Life

Throughout his journey, Sairam was supported by his wife, Satyakalyani Pala, whom he married in 2002. She pursued a career in clinical research, earning a master’s degree with a 3.9 GPA and becoming a certified SAS programmer. She worked at PPD Inc. and later transitioned into clinical programming.

They have two children:

• Abhiram Yeruva (born 2007) – A bright student and sports enthusiast.
• Ramani Yeruva (born 2010) – Known for her confidence and leadership skills.

Sairam and Kalyani built their first home in North Raleigh in 2006, gradually upgrading their lifestyle while remaining grounded in their values.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Sairam’s journey is a testament to resilience, ambition, and selfless giving. From a struggling village student to a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, he has consistently worked towards uplifting others. His initiatives have transformed hundreds of lives—through employment, education, and mentorship.

Even after facing immense challenges, he has continued to reinvent himself, proving that determination and integrity can overcome any obstacle. Today, he continues to mentor professionals, support education, and expand ThinkSabio, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

His story reminds us that where we start does not define where we can go. With hard work, perseverance, and a heart full of compassion, anyone can rise above challenges and make a lasting impact on the world.