What does it take to build a government technology company from zero to a multi-hundred-million-dollar IBM acquisition? And how do you create lasting social impact along the way?
In this powerful episode of #GovCom Unfiltered, host Alexa Tsui sits down with Sonny Kakar, the visionary entrepreneur who founded Sevatec in 2003 and led it through an incredible journey – from scrappy startup to private equity sale in 2020, and ultimately to IBM acquisition in 2022.
But Sonny’s story goes far beyond financial success. While building Sevatec into a national security technology powerhouse, he simultaneously launched the SevaTruck Foundation – a revolutionary food truck initiative that now serves 2,000+ nutritious meals weekly to underserved communities across the DMV region. Today, he’s pioneering the future of GovCon collaboration through SevaSpaces, an innovative co-working concept designed specifically for the government contracting ecosystem.
https://youtu.be/XBQhc3noo94
In this unfiltered conversation, you’ll discover:
00:00 – Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:31 – Sonny’s Early Career and Challenges
05:15 – Advice for Small Businesses in 2025
09:03 – Misconceptions About Government Contracting
13:33 – Innovative Business Development Strategies
18:48 – Data-Driven Strategy for Success
20:27 – Implementing Actionable Plans with Jira
21:28 – Building Genuine Business Relationships
26:31 – Taking Risks and Entrepreneurial Journey
31:51 – Balancing Competition and Collaboration
This isn’t your typical success story – it’s a masterclass in building a purpose-driven business that generates both profit and positive social impact. Whether you’re a seasoned GovCon executive or an aspiring entrepreneur, Sonny’s insights will challenge your thinking and inspire your next moves.
Ready for some unfiltered truth about what it really takes to succeed in government technology?
