Our Mentors
Our mentors are here to give you great insights from personal intuition, vast knowledge and experience garnered over the years in the world of business and start-ups. Here is a brief bio on a few team mentors.
Anurag Maloo
Regional Manager, South & Central Asia, Techstars
Anurag Maloo
Regional Manager, South & Central Asia, Techstars
Anurag Maloo is an Indo-Asian startup innovation Community Architect. As a Regional Manager for South & Central Asia with Techstars and Startup Weekend for 5 years, he is responsible for the cultivation and sustained growth of vibrant startup ecosystems in India, SAARC nations (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives) and Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan). He is incredibly passionate about fostering entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystem, grassroots leadership, and building strong collaborative startup communities. He has been involved in various startup initiatives, community empowerment and leadership development programs, and bringing innovation into the corporate world. He has travelled to nearly 53+ countries across Asia Pacific & Europe working with startup community builders and early state startups and governments to develop their entrepreneurship ecosystems. With his proven track record of experience cultivating key influencers within diverse geopolitical regions, Anurag has succeeded in creating inclusive startup communities in turbulent and struggling, yet developing ecosystems and emerging economies of Asia. His interests range from entrepreneurship to education, startups to sustainability, social impact to grassroots innovations, and peace building communities. Being a storyteller, teacher and life explorer, he can be found having engaging in authentic conversations with friends and random people, sharing life stories, radiating positive joyous happy energies, enriching audiences with his traveling experiences and narrating inspirational humane stories around the world from the hot deserts of Rajasthan to the cold and polar deserts of Antarctica, from travelling along the ancient trade cities on Silk Road to the vast, wild grasslands and virgin landscapes of nomadic Mongolia, and to trekking to the Base of the World's highest mountain, Mt. Everest Basecamp.
Swen Wegner
Founder & CEO,Mainstage Incubator
Swen Wegner
Founder & CEO,Mainstage Incubator
Swen Wegner is the Founder & CEO of Mainstage Incubator, which acts as a Launchpad for internationals startups who are looking to scale into Europe.
Mr.Wegner has also founded three additional startups in different domains.
He has 8+ Years in Enterprise Sales experience and loves handling difficult and rigorous Deal Negotiations. He is also an expert in Social Media and “Social Selling”..
Debasis Chakraborty
Co-founder COO, Mainstage Incubator
Debasis Chakraborty
Co-founder COO, Mainstage Incubator
An Entrepreneurial Business Leader with distinct skills on Business Model Innovation and Sharp Execution with special emphasis on Tech, Customer Acquisition & Engagement, Ecosystem creation. Proven track record in Managing and Scaling Tech-enabled Businesses. Few of my successes in the recent past are: > Stabilized and Grew InQ Innovation's operations in Bangalore & Kochi. The operations are divided into 5 verticals, namely - Co-Working, Incubation/Acceleration, Fund Raise, Events, Collaborations(Govt., Corporate and Institute). > Mentoring and Advising Soujhe. This health-tech startup gamifies the rehabilitation process of muscle trauma patients > Scaled retail business of Blupay (A Retail Customer Engagement Platform with a primary focus on Queue Busting) by acquiring multiple B2B customers within India and International.. > Mentoring Yuvapay (A C2G payment solution startup solving the problem of payments in the rural sector). > Adviser at G2 Circle. A startup which is spearheading "Digital Inclusion" in the education space. > Advisor at Hennote Technologies. I work very closely with the startup ecosystem creators. >Mentor/Adviser at Techstars Startup Weekend, Mystartupyatra, Incubate IND, Z Nation Labs. > Jury member at Startup Karnataka, Elevate Program. > Speaker at KSUM (Kerala Startup Mission) > Partner Mentor at Startup Odisha. > Coaching and Evaluation of Student Innovation Ideas at Welingkar Institute, Acharya Institute of Technology, SMIT(Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology). > Investor & Director @ The Namakh Concept, is a mix of the social and retail-tech initiative. Key Strengths - Business Development, Marketing, Operations, Strategy, Growth. Key Industries - Technology, Healthcare, Fintech, Retail Alumnus of IIM, Bangalore and NIFT, Delhi with 21 years of experience in multiple Industries.
Gagan Ghai
Ivy Camp
Gagan Ghai
Ivy Camp
An investment banker with high degree of intellect. Have firm experience in understanding and analyzing the issues and strong acumen in decision making. One of the finest investment bankers across the table with clarity in thoughts and focused approach towards work. Highly recommended for customized solutions and deliveries in short measurable timelines.
Manoj Arora
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology Incubation
Manoj Arora
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology Incubation
• Startup idea evaluator on behalf of investors
• Startup Evaluator, builder & rationalizer
• Business Automation, Innovation and Digitization Expert
• Techno, Business, product Innovation and process Advisor
• Creating IT, Technology and Digital vision for organization with Technology budget (CAPEX,OPEX) and program management.
• Created business plans and digital marketing and reputation planning.
• Versed with Overall company setup with all back office and support departments operations and management like IT, CRM, HR, Finance, Admin, Operations etc.
• Versed with Online, Offline, Omni Channel business setups and integrations.
• Versed with IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Virtual Reality, Augmented reality, Business and Data Analytics, Vicinity tracking.
• Disaster recovery and Business continuity Plans and managing these with business optimization.
• Information and Data securities with compliances to various industry norms like ISO 27001, HIPAA, SAS70, ISO 9000 -2008, BS 7799, PCI, FDA, SSAE16.
• Experience on retail chains including supply chain management where all locations connected centrally with appropriate POS and technology solutions.
• Expertise in creating and designing frameworks and architects and developments for home grown application and development basis business requirement.
• Web and network traffic Analytics and optimization
• Capacity planning, hosting and optimization with Auto scaling of technology.
• CDN and local caching layer integration with e-com sites
• GIS and GPS based applications integrated with appropriate maps and devices.
• Design, development, creation and routine operations of IAAS, SAAS, PAAS applications and Auto scaling Infrastructures.
• Web / Mobile Application Analytic and improvements and optimization
• Expert on Consolidation, Integration and optimization during acquisitions and take overs
• Deep into data and information safety and recovery includes forensic unto certain extent
Gloria Benny
Co-Founder at Guardians of Dreams
Gloria Benny
Co-Founder Guardians of Dreams
As Co Founder-Guardians of Dreams, Gloria Benny A social entrepreneur and a champion for vulnerable children.
I became a social entrepreneur at the age of 20, after having started & scaled my 1st non-profit organisation into one of India's largest youth driven organisations.
After a decade of immersion and deep understanding of the realities that vulnerable children face, I started Guardians of Dreams (www.godreams.org) that works to transform the quality of care across Child Care Institutions (orphanages/shelter homes) in India. Such Institutions are the last line of defense for our most vulnerable children and form the bedrock of childcare in a society. A firm belief in the right of every child to have access to a great childhood is what drives us.
Guardians of Dreams is an incubatee of IIM-B's social incubator supported by Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.
Awards/Achievements:2010: Met and received special recognition & mention during Michelle Obama's visit to India
2014: Selected to represent India at the launch of the Queen’s Young Leaders Program
2016: Recognized by Outlook Business as an unconventional entrepreneur under their 'Outstanding Women' series.
Ramakrishnamoorthy Venkatasubbu
COO & Founder of Impiger Technologies
Ramakrishnamoorthy Venkatasubbu
COO & Founder of Impiger Technologies
He has more than 21 years of experience in the global sourcing business. RKM brings deep expertise and experience in Information Technology, Telecom and Global Sourcing. RKM invests considerable portion of his time in helping his team build customer centric services and solutions that drive deep value to client‟s business. These solutions coupled with our passion for positive customer experience are key differentiators for Impiger. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.
Preethi Choudary
Venture Partner at ah! Ventures
Preethi Choudary
Venture Partner at ah! Ventures
A Psychology, English Literature and Sociology, University (Bachelor of Arts) graduate, multi-lingual in 6 languages (English, Hindi, Bhasa Malay, Simplified Chinese, Tamil, Urdu), I am an extremely active, internationally exposed, easily adaptable, tolerant and well-travelled professional (18 countries/4 contis+counting!) who thrives on people interaction. I present a diverse range of critical/creative thinking experience (7+ years in China most recently) - across industries (hospitality, events execution/services and management, quick service restaurants, non profit, charity/fund raising work, IT services, personal care services etc.), across functional areas and levels - especially in the South-East Asian region.
A highly organized, always punctual, well spoken interpersonal communicator and creatively inclined self-starter with an entrepreneurial nature. A quick learner I believe in the 3 Cs - communication, coordination & cooperation. Computer savvy and up to date with latest technology and its use.
A conscientious and cooperative team player, am always willing to give guidance and advice, as well as ask for it. A social, friendly personality demonstrating participative style of management. Basically, flexible yet an emotionally intelligent and stable, optimistic person who is capable to bring out the best possible solutions based scenario in any given situation
Am also someone who takes initiatives, is open to experiences and enjoys a dynamic, creative and encouraging company/work environment. Recognized for public speaking skills, expressive, motivated and detail-oriented. A savvy communicator with experience working with all business levels including executive management,clients and staff. I provide excellent customer service by maintaining relationships through listening to,communicating with and educating the customer and delighting them by not only meeting but rather exceeding their expectations,each time-every time!
Vaibhav GARG
Advisory Board Member - Cornell Institute of Healthy Futures
Vaibhav Garg
Advisory Board Member - Cornell Institute of Healthy Futures
A postgraduate in Human Resource Management and Six Sigma certified from Motorola University, Singapore, Vaibhav Garg is Director - Talent & Culture at AccorHotels in the Maldives based at Movenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives and has been working in coordination and driving private sector partnerships with UNDP and UNICEF in the Maldives.
He is also nominated as one of the Global Expert for SDG Innovation Global Expert Group, New York - Young SDG Innovators Program (2019 – 20) and the Mentor for UN GCN - Bangladesh. In this role and capacity, he contributes to the shape and design of commercially viable sustainable business solutions and integration and embedding of breakthrough mindsets in business strategy and operations is support of the Sustainable Development Goals while being a role model and advisor for high performing young professionals from leading companies.
Well-established at Cornell University, Vaibhav serves as the Advisory Board Member at Cornell Institute of Healthy Futures (2018-2021) and is involved in Cornell Hospitality Service Research initiatives & programs since 2012 and has presented his research papers at renowned international universities, business schools, and hotel associations from Maldives, Asia, Europe, China and the United States.
In his recent role at AccorHotels (2016 – 2019), Vaibhav was responsible for implementing Talent and Culture activities at all its operating and pre-opening resorts in the Maldives as an Area Talent & Culture Manager for the company. His key role was to promote Values and HR Group Strategy, acting as an AccorHotels "ambassador" in the Maldives.
Vaibhav has been felicitated and listed among 101 Top Global HR Minds in the Hotel Industry by the World HRD Congress in the year 2019 and was also recognized and selected as 50 Most Talented HR Leaders for the year 2018 by HR Maldives Association.
In his hospitality career, he has worked with all major segments of hotel operations i.e. Luxury, Upper Upscale, Upscale and Budget brands of hotels in India and overseas including Maldives.
Vancheeswar Balakrishnan
Bahwan CyberTek
Vancheeswar Balakrishnan
Bahwan CyberTek
Consulting Professional with over 23 years of experience in Project Management, Programme Management, Key Account Management, Pre-Sales, Process Consulting and Application Development & Design
I am currently managing a portfolio of applications mainly in the customer care and logistics domains - vertical focus - Oil & Gas and Telematics
Have expertise in managing development and deployment of large Enterprise class applications - about 500 person years effort. Have managed large multi cultural teams across geographies.
Have managed zCustomer expectations and growth in in Africa , Middle East , India and USA.
Application Development & Design - Utility Billing, payments, e-government, Business consulting, Project Management, Programme Management, Key Account Management, Telematics, Logistics Control Towers , ERP
Naveen Krishnamurthy
Chief Technology Officer, LadderMinds
Naveen Krishnamurthy
Chief Technology Officer, LadderMinds
I am a Technologist and currently I manage my three startups LadderMinds (inventing products to make life simple), Acodeidea (improving services for our customers) and WeThe5Pilots (AeroScience Innovations to disrupt the Engineering and Education Space).
During my previous employment tenure at Aditya Birla Minacs where I architected some of the biggest RAV systems in the world for a motoring company.
Mentoring Startups at community events like Ephipany an initiative of E-Cell NIT Trichy powered by Headstart Network Foundation, Startup Weekend Coimbatore by Google for Entrepreneurs and Regional Startup Activation Program 2017 by Forge Accelerator has been in my consistent must-do list.
I do consulting on setting the Technology Road Map, new hire processes, and company culture.
Sam Yu
Director Of Research, China Knowledge
Sam Yu
Director Of Research, China Knowledge
Sam YU (于宝山) is an advisor, academic & author. He currently leads Tinbowah Investment (Beijing) as VP, FasterCapital (Dubai, UAE) as Regional Partner (China) & China Knowledge (Singapore) as Head of FinTech. Prior to that, Sam was honourably nominated twice in the South Australian Governor's Multicultural Awards (南澳大利亚州总督多元文化奖) by the Government of South Australia in 2013 & 2014 respectively. Since 2013, he has acted as a Justice of the Peace (太平绅士) for the State of South Australia & as an OzAsia Festival Ambassador (澳大利亚亚洲艺术节大使). From 2012, Sam has served an advisory role in an Australia-based Chinese media group that issues a printed magazine - Sameway, covering news & analysis, distributed nationally in Australia. Since 2012, Sam has held various academic positions / roles in different universities / institutes including: UniSA (Australia), CUHK (HK), Soochow Uni. (China), XJTLU (China), SKEMA (China), Geniusquest Film Academy (China), RUC-GWU (China) & Furtwangen Uni. (Germany). From 2015, Sam has been acting as a Portugal-China advisor & appointed as a honorary member at Associação de Jovens Empresários Portugal-China, Portugal. From 2016 to 2018, Prof. YU has obtained three XJTLU national university teaching innovation awards & is appointed as a research fellow & training expert at XJTLU's ILEAD. His research has been voted as "Top 2" in 2016 XJTLU national university teaching innovation award & achieved "annual innovative teaching nomination prize". In 2018, his publication "FinTech in Jiangsu" is awarded the outstanding achievements in educational scientific research by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education & the outstanding scientific achievements by the Philosophical Society of Suzhou, China. Since 2016, Sam has published 6 books and various research articles. His books are currently held in the collections of Peking Uni. Library, Tsinghua Uni. Library, Shanghai Jiao Tong Uni. Library, Nanjing Library, Suzhou Library and Hong Kong Central Library etc. In Sept. 2019, Professor's new book "FinTech in China" is published by Soochow Uni. Press. His research interests include FinTech, RegTech, PPP, M&As, PE, VC, IP, Startups & China's "One Belt, One Road" policy.
Saurabh Trivedi
Co-Founder & Director at Boudhik Ventures Pvt. Ltd.
Saurabh Trivedi
Co-Founder & Director at Boudhik Ventures Pvt. Lt
Saurabh is an entrepreneur, intellectual property enthusiast, business consultant, Investor and seasoned trademark attorney. He is currently Co-Founder & Director of Boudhik Ventures adept at blending the “art and science” of marketing to drive business outcomes. Possessing unique set of skills and experiences that allow him to gain a quick understanding of industry processes. He is passionate and well-respected leader with ability to define and drive business strategy, align, motivate teams, aggressively execute, and analyse impact. He inspires and educates businesses on how to leverage their innovative concepts – to stand out from the mass and gain traction. With his detailed corporate experience and knowledge, he assists entrepreneurs, start-ups and innovators by imparting training in all-important aspects to establish wealthy business based on their technologies/concepts in India as well as internationally.
Mohan Raman
Vice President, NetObjex Inc.
Mohan Raman
Vice President, NetObjex Inc.
Ex Banker / Trade Finance Professional / Blockchain Enthusiast / Entrepreneur / Mentor Associated with two premier banks, Canara Bank & Dena Bank, where I could acquire expertise in Foreign Exchange, Trade Finance, Debt Syndication, Correspondent Banking etc. Served as the Head of International Division of Dena Bank and had the opportunity to be nominated to various committees such as FEDAI, Asset Liability Management (ALCO) etc., Visiting faculty at Sir Pochkhanawala Banker’s Training College, Mumbai, FEDAI Training Centers & Staff Training Colleges of Dena Bank. Widely travelled and had attended various enrichment programmes, trainings & seminars in India as well as abroad. Served as a promoter Director of GK Finance and Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, a company founded along with friends to provide Trade Finance consultancy services to various industry segments looking for reduction in operational costs. Co-Founder & VP, Bloombloom.in, a platform for Startups & businesses to connect with investors, resources and standardisation. Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Servntire Global, a solutions provider in Blockchain Technology for the Banking Industry, Payment Systems & Funds Management solutions. Servntire also undertakes development of custom made solutions using various Blockchain platforms. Vice President, NetObjex Inc., Irvine based NetObjex Inc acquired Servntire Global during August 2018, This was the first acquisition by any company in the Indian Blockchain space, making us one of the latgest players in the Blockchain / IOT / AI space. Advisor to several large corporates to help them identify and achieve differentiating value propositions and market leadership. Mentor to several startups, Entrepreneurs, Students and an avid Blockchain Enthusiast.
Himanshu Periwal
Co-Founder of Randomly Club
Himanshu Periwal
Co-Founder of Randomly Club
Investor & Mentor, Multiple Start-ups.
Neeraj Shah
Owner and Director at Silver Bright
Neeraj Shah
Owner and Director at Silver Bright
Silver Bright manufactures high precision ERW Steel Tubes. They cater to four industry verticals namely Automotive, Furniture, Food Processing and Pharma. Silver Bright employs 150 people and has 400 customers. In the Automotive space, they focus on using high strength and coated materials to reduce weight of components thereby increasing fuel efficiency of automobiles. Economic Times ranked Silver Bright in the Top 5 innovative companies from a pool of 270,000 SME’s across India. He has also featured on prime-time national television business shows representing Silver Bright. Silver Bright was also awarded as the Top 3 most innovative companies in India by United Kingdom Trade and Investment body. Neeraj was presented this award by the British High Commissioner to India at the Queen’s birthday celebrations. Prior to joining Silver Bright, Neeraj was the Managing Director of a software technology firm based in United States and worked very closely with the fashion and lifestyle industry. He raised 2 million dollars as seed capital and created an online display platform for the fashion industry.
Kanchan Bhonde
Product Strategy Head, Makers Lab, Assistant Vice President at Tech Mahindra
Kanchan Bhonde
Product Strategy Head, Makers Lab, Assistant Vice President at Tech Mahindra
reative, Self driven, committed and inspired individual with 21 years of rich hands on experience in large and complex deliveries. Hands on experience in all aspects of SDLC, Management of large teams, Presales and Sales. Account Management of Tier 1 customers, with engagement at CxO level and managing account of value 20 Mn+. Handled Presales for OSS Expert Group , combining delivery experience and Subject matter expertise in OSS – Telecom Domain. Built a product which has been successfully used as the flagship product to win business with 4 customers. Also implemented with 2 additional customers as a software product. Selected as “Global Leader” as a part of 1000 Leaders Program of Tech Mahindra Ltd. for special roles and responsibilities.One of the Toppers in ‘Certificate in Global Business Leadership’ Course by GlobalNxt University, 2015 Experience in Program Mgmt and SDLC Mgmt while implementing Agile (Scrum) practices in multiple projects, and able to easily switch Technical as well as Managerial roles ..
Ramasubramanian
Director, The Sustainable Livelihood Institute (SLI), Auroville
Ramasubramanian
Director, The Sustainable Livelihood Institute (SLI), Auroville
21 years of working closely with people's initiatives and grassroots, policy making, development consulting, strategic management and institution building. 8 years before that working for professional consulting firms in several domains of management.
Aayushi Jain
Co-chair, Water Technology Innovation Clusters, Water Environment Foundation
Aayushi Jain
Co-chair, Water Technology Innovation Clusters, Water Environment Foundation
Co-founder, The Bodhi Network: a program to identify high-potential young women and connect them with accomplished experienced women Fellow, NYU Emerging Leaders in Transportation, Class of 2018 Fellow, Southern California Leadership Network, Class of 2018 Fellow, Democracy Express, 2019 Cohort Co-chair, National Water Technology Clusters, Water Environment Federation (2018)