Meet our alumni: Kimeshan Naidoo

Kimeshan Naidoo is Chief Technology Officer at BX and co-founder and CTO of student engagement platform Unibuddy. Kimeshan was recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2020.

Kimeshan Naidoo UCL Computer Science alum

Name and current job title?

Kimeshan Naidoo, Chief Technology Officer at BX.

What did you study at UCL Computer Science and during which years?

Computer Science MSc 2015-2016.

Tell us a favourite memory or something you like about UCL CS

Getting a team together and winning the Firebase Hackathon! Hackathons were a great way to learn for me (back then), and the energy was inspiring.

Do you still keep in touch with UCL, either through events, activities, keeping up with news, etc? Tell us how

Yes, I still keep in touch with UCL through a combination of alumni events and keeping up with news about the university’s initiatives, especially in the tech and innovation space. I occasionally connect with current students or recent graduates through LinkedIn to offer advice or mentorship. UCL provided such a pivotal foundation for my career that staying connected feels both natural and rewarding.

How did you get from graduating from UCL CS to where you are now?

Graduating from UCLCS was a springboard for everything I’ve done since. During my time there, I immersed myself in building projects, which gave me the skills and confidence to take on real-world challenges. Early on, I joined startups where I could learn quickly and contribute directly - these were invaluable experiences that taught me about product-building and team dynamics.

What kind of things are you currently working on and how did your degree help?

Currently, I’m focused on building tech startups that solve real-world problems, with a goal of creating $100M companies. My primary work revolves around scaling products, managing engineering teams, and helping non-technical founders turn their ideas into scalable, impactful technology.

Do you have any advice for fellow alumni who are starting out on their career path?

My advice for fellow alumni starting their careers is to embrace experimentation. Your first few jobs or projects don’t have to define your career, they’re opportunities to learn what you enjoy and where you excel. Build things, even if they’re small or fail; the process teaches you more than any theory ever will.

What is one achievement you are particularly proud of and why?

Co-founding a company (Unibuddy) that’s achieved $10 million in revenue and building a product used by over 3 million students. I’m proud of it because it’s impacted millions of students and enabled them to make better choices about their higher education journey.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

A cricket player.

What would you do for a living if you changed your current path?

Work on solving early childhood education problems.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Golf, travel, and being a foodie.

Do you have a favourite quote, motto or advice that you live by?

If you have a strong enough “why”, you can get through any “how”.

Tell us something you like about being in London

London is a global city with incredibly talented and interesting people. You will also never run out of things to do and see - I love the thousands of restaurants in Soho, or walking around Marylebone and Regent’s Park, for example.

Tell us one interesting / random fact about yourself?

I have provincial colours in Karate as a kid. I once bungee jumped over Victoria Falls.