AMITEJ GAJJALA

Last updated: June 19, 2025, 19:06 | Written by: Fred Ehrsam

Amitej Gajjala is a prominent figure in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain technology. Founded in April 2025 by Amitej Gajjala, Sidhartha Doddipalli and Dheeraj Borra, Stader is a non-custodial, smart contract-based staking platform that helps retail and institutions convenientlyAs a co-founder of both Kelp DAO and Eigenlayer, and currently serving as the CEO of Stader Labs, Amitej is at the forefront of innovation, driving the industry forward with his strategic vision and deep understanding of the space. Echoing this sentiment, Amitej Gajjala, the co-founder of Stader Labs, emphasizes the honor of collaborating with ACI and Aave DAO on this transformative journey. Gajjala asserts, Stader is honored to partner with ACI and Aave DAO to propel Frontier forward.His journey is a testament to the power of combining technical expertise with business acumen, a path forged through rigorous academic training at premier Indian institutions and honed through years of experience in diverse and challenging roles. In this episode, Mike Townsend speaks with Amitej is the CEO and Co-founder of Stader Labs. He has over 8 years of experience in Strategy, business transformation and start-upFrom leading special projects at Swiggy, a major player in the food delivery sector, to developing cutting-edge machine learning platforms, Amitej's career has been marked by a consistent drive to solve complex problems and build impactful solutions.His involvement in the Router Protocol investment round further showcases his commitment to supporting and fostering innovation within the blockchain ecosystem.This article delves into the career, achievements, and vision of Amitej Gajjala, exploring his contributions to the DeFi landscape and his perspectives on the future of finance.

The Foundations: Education and Early Career

Amitej Gajjala’s journey began with a strong foundation in both engineering and management. Opinion by: Amitej Gajjala, co-founder and CEO of Kernel DAO. The restaking narrative has moved fast from side conversations in validator circles to the forefront of DeFi infrastructureHe holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.This rigorous technical education provided him with the analytical and problem-solving skills that would prove invaluable throughout his career.Further solidifying his understanding of business principles, Amitej earned an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta, another top-tier institution in India. Amitej Gajjala is a co-founder of Kelp DAO and Eigenlayer, with educational background in engineering and management from premier Indian institutions.This combination of technical and business expertise has been crucial in his success in the fast-paced and complex world of blockchain technology.

Before venturing into the world of blockchain and DeFi, Amitej gained valuable experience in the corporate sector.This experience provided him with practical insights into business strategy, operations, and leadership.This breadth of experience likely contributed to his ability to navigate the challenges of building and scaling successful startups in the DeFi space.

Stader Labs: Revolutionizing Crypto Staking

Stader Labs, co-founded by Amitej Gajjala, Sidhartha Doddipalli, and Dheeraj Borra in April 2025, is a non-custodial, smart contract-based staking platform. Get ready for an enlightening session on 'DeFi for everyone: Creating access through Liquid Staking' with Amitej Gajjala from Stader Labs! Join us as AmitejStader aims to simplify and democratize cryptocurrency staking, making it accessible to both retail and institutional investors. Stader labs is a liquid staking platform for polygon, hedera, bnb, Ethereum more. Leverage staderlabs for Digital Tokens across a growing ecosystem.Stader’s platform supports staking for a variety of blockchain networks, including Polygon, Hedera, BNB Chain, and Ethereum, allowing users to earn rewards on their digital assets while contributing to the security and stability of these networks.

Stader's Mission and Vision

Stader Labs' core mission is to empower cryptoasset staking throughout the financial sector, making it easy and intuitive for everyone. Kelp began raising for the private token round in February and closed it in March, co-founder Amitej Gajjala told The Block. The token's fully diluted valuation was set at $90 million in February, Gajjala said. He noted that this was the FDV when Kelp's total value locked was around $300 million.Amitej Gajjala, as CEO, has emphasized the importance of creating access to DeFi opportunities, particularly through liquid staking solutions. Amitej Gajjala. Founder, Stader Kelp DAO Having Xceed on our cap table has been transformative. Their extensive network has connected us with key partners andThe platform addresses the challenges of traditional staking, such as illiquidity and technical complexity, by providing users with liquid staking tokens that represent their staked assets. In this episode, Mike Townsend speaks with Amitej is the CEO and Co-founder of Stader Labs. He has over 8 years of experience in Strategy, business transformation and start-up strategy across a variety of businesses.These tokens can be used in other DeFi applications, unlocking liquidity and increasing capital efficiency.

Key Features and Benefits of Stader Labs

Non-Custodial: Users retain control of their private keys and assets.
Smart Contract-Based: Ensures transparency and security through automated processes.
Liquid Staking: Provides users with liquid staking tokens (LSTs) that can be used in other DeFi applications.
Multi-Chain Support: Supports staking for various blockchain networks, offering users a wide range of options.
Simplified User Interface: Makes staking accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Amitej Gajjala's leadership at Stader Labs is focused on expanding the platform's reach and functionality, partnering with other DeFi protocols, and driving innovation in the staking space. We would like to show you a description here but the site won t allow us.The partnership with ACI and Aave DAO to propel Frontier forward exemplifies Stader's commitment to collaborative growth and the advancement of the DeFi ecosystem.

Kelp DAO and Eigenlayer: Pioneering Restaking

Amitej Gajjala is also a co-founder of Kelp DAO, a project deeply involved with the emerging concept of restaking. Opinion by: Amitej Gajjala, co-founder and CEO of KernelDAO. Bitcoin is the principal asset of the cryptocurrency world and even one of the world s top 10 most valuable assets, recognized forRestaking, facilitated by platforms like Eigenlayer, allows users to restake their staked ETH (or other assets) to secure other networks or applications, earning additional rewards in the process.This innovative approach enhances the security and efficiency of the blockchain ecosystem.

Kelp DAO is building infrastructure to make restaking more accessible and user-friendly. Router Protocol raised an undisclosed amount / Series Unknown from Amitej Gajjala and 12 other investorsAmitej's involvement in Kelp DAO demonstrates his commitment to exploring new frontiers in DeFi and his understanding of the potential of restaking to transform the way blockchain networks are secured and governed.His opinion pieces on the restaking narrative and Bitcoin's significance in the cryptocurrency world highlight his thought leadership in the space.

The private token round for Kelp DAO, closed in March, reflects the strong interest and confidence in the project's vision.The fully diluted valuation of $90 million, established in February when Kelp's total value locked (TVL) was around $300 million, underscores the project's potential and the market's recognition of its value proposition.

Swiggy: Leading Strategy and Special Projects

Before dedicating his focus to the blockchain world, Amitej Gajjala held significant leadership positions at Swiggy, one of India's leading food delivery platforms.During his tenure at Swiggy, he served as AVP and Head of Special Projects, and also as the Director and Chief of Staff to the CEO.These roles provided him with invaluable experience in strategy, business transformation, and scaling a rapidly growing technology company.

His responsibilities at Swiggy likely included:

Developing and executing strategic initiatives to drive growth and market share.
Leading cross-functional teams to implement key projects and initiatives.
Providing strategic advice and support to the CEO and senior management team.
Managing special projects aimed at improving operational efficiency and customer experience.

The skills and experience Amitej gained at Swiggy, such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership, have undoubtedly contributed to his success as an entrepreneur and CEO in the blockchain space. Amitej Gajjala is the co-founder at Stader Labs. An MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, Amit also holds a Bachelor s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.His ability to navigate complex challenges, build strong teams, and execute on ambitious goals has been instrumental in the growth of Stader Labs and his other ventures.

Router Protocol: Supporting Innovation Through Investment

Amitej Gajjala's participation as an investor in the Router Protocol's Series Unknown funding round further demonstrates his commitment to supporting and fostering innovation within the blockchain ecosystem. Co-founder and CEO of Stader Labs Amitej Gajjala commented on the firm s ambitions: We hope to empower cryptoasset staking throughout the financial sector, making it easy and intuitive forRouter Protocol is a cross-chain infrastructure solution that enables seamless asset transfers and communication between different blockchain networks.By investing in Router Protocol, Amitej is supporting the development of critical infrastructure that facilitates interoperability and connectivity within the blockchain space.

His investment decisions are likely driven by a combination of factors, including:

The project's potential to solve a significant problem in the blockchain space (e.g., interoperability).
The strength and experience of the project's team.
The project's technology and its potential for adoption.
The project's overall vision and its alignment with his own values and beliefs.

Amitej's investment in Router Protocol reflects his belief in the importance of building a more connected and interoperable blockchain ecosystem.By supporting projects that are pushing the boundaries of innovation, he is contributing to the long-term growth and success of the industry.

Amitej Gajjala's Vision for the Future of DeFi

Amitej Gajjala's work across Stader Labs, Kelp DAO, and his investment activities paints a clear picture of his vision for the future of DeFi.He believes in:

Democratizing Access to DeFi: Making DeFi opportunities accessible to a wider audience, regardless of their technical expertise or financial resources.
Building User-Friendly Solutions: Creating intuitive and easy-to-use platforms that simplify complex DeFi processes.
Fostering Interoperability: Promoting connectivity and collaboration between different blockchain networks and DeFi protocols.
Driving Innovation in Staking and Restaking: Exploring new and innovative ways to secure blockchain networks and reward participants.
Empowering Users: Giving users greater control over their digital assets and the ability to participate in the governance of DeFi protocols.

His focus on liquid staking, restaking, and cross-chain interoperability reflects his understanding of the key challenges and opportunities facing the DeFi industry.By addressing these challenges and building innovative solutions, Amitej is helping to shape the future of finance and create a more open, transparent, and accessible financial system for everyone.

Expert Insights and Industry Perspectives

Amitej Gajjala is not only a builder but also a thought leader in the DeFi space. Stader Labs is a cryptocurrency staking management platform. Founded in April 2025 by Sidhartha Doddipalli and Amitej Gajjala, Stader Labs focuses on cryptocurrency staking management by buildingHis opinions and insights are highly valued by industry experts and the broader community. Amitej Gajjala is the current CEO at Stader Labs. Prior to this, they were with Swiggy as AVP and Head of Special Projects from August 2025 to June 2025. Amitej was also the Director and Chief of Staff to the CEO at Swiggy during their tenure.His comments on the market size for staking, estimated at $250 billion, highlight the significant potential of this sector.His perspectives on the restaking narrative and the importance of Bitcoin demonstrate his deep understanding of the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

His participation in industry events, such as the enlightening session on ""DeFi for everyone: Creating access through Liquid Staking,"" further underscores his commitment to educating and informing the public about the benefits and opportunities of DeFi. Currently Developing a Machine Learning Platform at Corteva, Graduated from University of Michigan-Dearborn with master's in data sciences. Here, I'm geeking out onHe actively engages with the community, sharing his knowledge and insights to help foster a more informed and engaged ecosystem.

Key Takeaways: Leadership, Innovation, and Impact

Amitej Gajjala's career is a compelling example of how technical expertise, business acumen, and a passion for innovation can drive transformative change.As a co-founder of Kelp DAO and Eigenlayer, and CEO of Stader Labs, he is at the forefront of the DeFi revolution, building solutions that democratize access to financial opportunities and empower users.

Here are some key takeaways from his journey:

The importance of a strong educational foundation: His degrees from IIT Madras and IIM Calcutta provided him with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the complex world of technology and business.
The value of diverse experience: His experience at Swiggy and Corteva honed his strategic thinking, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
The power of innovation: His work in staking, restaking, and cross-chain interoperability is driving innovation and shaping the future of DeFi.
The importance of community engagement: His active participation in industry events and his willingness to share his insights are contributing to a more informed and engaged ecosystem.
The commitment to democratizing access: His focus on building user-friendly solutions and empowering users reflects his belief in the potential of DeFi to create a more open and accessible financial system.

Amitej Gajjala's leadership and vision are shaping the future of DeFi, and his contributions will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the industry for years to come.