By: Elena Mart

In today’s hyper-connected world, we rely on home Wi-Fi more than ever – for work, for entertainment, for security. But for many people, managing that network remains a frustrating mystery. Whether it’s trying to block a suspicious website, limit your child’s screen time, or simply figure out why your smart TV is devouring gigabytes of data overnight, most Wi-Fi users quickly run into a wall of confusing menus and technical jargon.

For Yogesh Nagarkar, that wall became personal.

One evening, Yogesh noticed his young son visiting a gaming website with a curious and slightly suspicious URL. Like any parent, he wanted to make sure the site was safe – and if not, block it. But even with years of professional experience in cybersecurity and network engineering, Yogesh recognized the absurdity: why should something as simple as managing your family’s internet require advanced technical skills?

That question sparked the birth of UNpkl (pronounced “Unpickle”), a company that’s now reimagining home network control for everyday users – no tech background required.

The Problem: Complexity Locked Behind Menus

Despite living in an age of smart homes and intuitive apps, home networking has stubbornly remained a realm for power users. Popular Wi-Fi systems offer basic parental controls, but when it comes to granular visibility – seeing exactly where your devices are connecting, who’s using what bandwidth, or blocking certain sites or services – most systems leave average consumers overwhelmed.

“People have no idea where their network traffic is actually going,” Yogesh explains. “It’s not just your computer anymore. Your TV, your phone, your car, even your refrigerator – everything’s connected. And when you try to control it, you hit this wall of confusing interfaces. Most users just give up.”

The Solution: Talk to Your Network

UNpkl changes the entire paradigm: it allows anyone to control their home network using natural language commands.

Instead of navigating complicated router dashboards, users simply open the UNpkl app and type (or speak) commands like: “Block social media from 10AM to 5PM” or “Block all marketing websites.” or even “Change Wi-Fi password.”

In real time, the system displays a live map of all devices on the network and where they are sending data. If a user sees something suspicious – like a smart TV sending unexpected traffic – they can immediately investigate or block the connection entirely.

The technology behind UNpkl is powered by AI, allowing it to translate plain-language commands into complex network-level actions. What once required a degree in network administration can now be accomplished with a few words.

“It’s about democratizing network administration,” Yogesh says. “You shouldn’t have to be a DNS expert to protect your kids online or manage your business network.”

Everyday Power for Everyday People

While UNpkl’s technology is sophisticated, its target market isn’t limited to tech enthusiasts.

For parents, it’s a powerful tool to control screen time and online safety. For small business owners, it offers simple policies to limit distractions or secure sensitive data. And for older users, it removes the fear of “breaking something” when trying to manage their Wi-Fi.

UNpkl even allows flexible configurations – from a single router to a full Wi-Fi 6 mesh network – giving users the freedom to scale their system without sacrificing simplicity.

“We have people who buy two routers for their home, and others who build full mesh systems for their offices or large properties,” Yogesh explains. “The key is: they don’t need an IT department to manage any of it.”

Built From Experience, Funded by Passion

Yogesh isn’t a serial entrepreneur backed by venture capital. In fact, UNpkl has been entirely bootstrapped, funded from his own earnings while working full-time in the tech industry. The development has been a labor of love, often taking place late at night after his day job.

With more than two decades of experience in software, hardware, and cybersecurity – including time at firewall companies like WatchGuard – Yogesh has seen both the capabilities and limitations of network technology up close. His unique combination of expertise and personal experience as a parent laid the foundation for UNpkl’s accessible design.

“We’ve worked day and night to perfect this product,” he shares. “It’s personal for me – not just as an engineer, but as a dad. I wanted something that I could use easily, and that anyone else could too.”

AI at the Core: The Future of Network Control

The rise of AI has supercharged Yogesh’s vision. As large language models become increasingly sophisticated, UNpkl continues to refine its conversational interface to balance simplicity with precision.

“You can’t afford mistakes in network security,” Yogesh explains. “When you say ‘block all,’ you better mean it – and the system needs to confirm and guide you through those decisions. That’s where AI allows us to create safe, intuitive interactions without sacrificing control.”

Looking ahead, Yogesh sees a future where managing your network is no different than talking to a virtual assistant. “We’re not far from a world where anyone can say, ‘Show me where my devices are sending data,’ and instantly get a clear, actionable answer.”

What’s Next: Scaling Up with Enterprise Precision

While UNpkl started by empowering home users and small businesses, Yogesh’s vision doesn’t stop there. The next frontier? A powerful B2B model that integrates Unpkl’s conversational control interface into larger infrastructure environments, including hybrid networks of physical routers and cloud-based virtual machines.

In enterprise contexts, that could mean managing network policies across multiple office locations, remote work setups, or even data centers, all with the same simplicity of speaking or toptyping a command. “We’re building toward a future where UNpkl can orchestrate policy not just on a single network, but across a constellation of networks, physical and virtual,” Yogesh shares.

Whether for a multi-site retail chain or a distributed team of remote workers, UNpkl aims to bring the same AI-powered clarity to large-scale digital environments – without losing its human-centered simplicity.

A Mission Rooted in Empowerment

At its core, UNpkl is about giving power back to users. In a world where even simple home devices quietly share information with dozens of third-party servers, Yogesh believes that transparency – and control – should belong to the person paying the internet bill.

“The moment you stop learning, you’re gone,” Yogesh reflects. “That’s what drives me every day – to keep learning, keep building, and create tools that help people take back control of their digital lives.”

With UNpkl, he may just be doing exactly that.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide professional advice, including but not limited to technical, network, or cybersecurity advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author, Yogesh Nagarkar, and reflect his personal experiences and expertise in the field of network engineering and cybersecurity. Individual experiences may vary. For personalized advice or guidance, please consult a qualified professional.