3368: Nerdio Builds a Remote-First Unicorn Focused on Azure Optimization

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sat down with Joseph Landes, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Nerdio, to explore how one conversation at a Microsoft conference led to a billion-dollar cloud automation company. From his 23-year career at Microsoft to building a fully remote team now supporting over five million users, Joseph’s story blends strategic risk-taking with deep industry insight.

We unpacked how Nerdio grew from a startup idea in 2018 to a company that just secured 500 million dollars in Series C funding. Joseph walked me through the early days of building the business alongside co-founder Vadim Vladimirsky and how they focused on simplifying Microsoft Azure for IT professionals and MSPs. Their goal was clear: make cloud management easier, faster, and more cost-effective through automation and policy-driven governance.

But this episode wasn’t just about cloud optimization. We also dug into Nerdio’s fully remote culture and the intentional design behind it. Joseph shared how initiatives like appointing city mayors, launching the Nerdio Break Room, and hosting an annual global kickoff have helped maintain a strong sense of community and accountability across 350 remote employees.

We also discussed why Nerdio does not compete with Microsoft. It enhances and extends Microsoft’s products, helping customers navigate Azure complexity while staying aligned with Microsoft's fast-changing roadmap. This customer-centric strategy, coupled with deep product knowledge and agility, has been key to Nerdio’s ability to scale without losing focus.

Looking ahead, Joseph shared his perspective on why AI and continuous cost optimization will shape the future of enterprise IT. He made a strong case for simplifying IT operations, empowering professionals, and turning savings into reinvestment opportunities.

In an era of complexity and noise, Nerdio’s growth story is a reminder of what can happen when you combine deep platform expertise with a culture that truly listens.

How is your organization turning cloud complexity into an advantage rather than a barrier?