Name of the Organization: Minnodi LLC
Industry: Information technology
CEO/Founder: Santhana Shanmugam
1) How has MTIP impacted your company or your ability to hire interns?
“MTIP heled us to identify the right intern resources from our R&D projects in AI, MS and Ecommerce.”
2) What inspired the founder to start the company?
“Santhana Shanmugam started Minnodi LLC after seeing two gaps that kept colliding in Maryland communities: talented people locked out of tech careers, and small businesses struggling to adopt the technology they needed to grow. Coming from both an IT background and community service work, Santhana noticed a pattern. Employers said they couldn’t find skilled workers. Job seekers said they couldn’t access affordable training or real opportunities. At the same time, local businesses — especially Hispanic-owned and immigrant-led companies — were being left behind because they lacked secure websites, digital tools, and IT support to compete. Minnodi LLC was founded to close both gaps at once. The name “Minnodi” reflects advancement and progress, and that became the mission: create practical pathways into IT careers through certification training, mentorship, and hands-on projects, while also delivering affordable IT solutions that help small businesses modernize. The inspiration was personal, too. As a woman in tech and a Maryland resident, Santhana wanted to build a company that proves economic empowerment isn’t charity — it’s smart business. When you train someone for a living-wage IT job, or help a family restaurant get online orders working, you strengthen the whole local economy. That belief still drives Minnodi today: technology should create opportunity, not barriers. And every program, service, and partnership is measured by one question”
3) What problem is the company solving, or what service or feature is the company providing?
“Minnodi LLC addresses two connected problems in Maryland’s economy, First is the Tech Talent Gap where Employers, especially manufacturers and small businesses, can’t find workers with modern IT, cloud, and AI skills. Meanwhile, career changers, veterans, immigrants, and first-generation professionals are locked out of tech roles because training is expensive, not hands-on, and disconnected from real jobs.
The Small Business Digital Divide which is many local businesses, including Hispanic-owned firms, lose customers and efficiency because they lack secure websites, online ordering, cybersecurity, and IT support. They can’t afford enterprise IT teams but still need enterprise-level reliability to compete.”
4) Can you share a major milestone or success that has had a significant impact on your company’s growth?
5) What is your company aiming to achieve in the next 5 to 10 years?
“In 5–10 years, Minnodi LLC will train 500+ Maryland residents in AI and cloud tech, placing 90% into living-wage jobs. We’ll modernize 100+ manufacturers with AI productivity systems and help 500+ small businesses compete digitally. Our goal is to make Maryland lead in workforce-ready tech talent and advanced manufacturing growth.”
6) What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a company in your industry?
“Solve both talent and tech gaps. Build community trust before selling services. Get Microsoft, CompTIA, and state certifications early for credibility. Balance grant-funded training with recurring IT services for cash flow. Track real outcomes: jobs created, costs saved. Hire people who value mission and skills. Prove impact and profit can coexist.”