Our Team Members

396

Mr. K. Venkataramanan

Chairman, L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering, Mumbai

Mr. K. Venkataramanan

Mr. K. Venkataramanan has been associated with L&T with over four decades in various positions of responsibility. A graduate in Chemical Engineering from IIT, Delhi, he joined L&T in 1969. After a series of successful assignments, he was elevated to the Board of Directors of the Company in May, 1999, and appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director on April 1, 2012.

176

Mr. Uday Kotak

Executive VC & MD, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Mumbai

Mr. Uday Kotak

Mr. Uday Kotak, is the Executive Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Bank, and its principal founder and promoter. Mr. Kotak is an alumnus of Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. Over the years, Kotak Mahindra Group has grown into several areas like stock broking and investment banking to car finance, life insurance and mutual funds.

250

Mr. Jyoti Sagar

Founder & Chairman, J. Sagar Associates, New Delhi

Mr. Jyoti Sagar

Jyoti Sagar has been practising law since 1976. He founded a Corporate Commercial practice - J. Sagar Associates (JSA) - in New Delhi in 1991 as a solo practitioner. JSA is now one of the leading national firms with over 300 professionals. Jyoti also founded K&S Partners, an Intellectual Property boutique in 1994. K&S now has over 80 professionals and is a leading IP practice.

260

Mr. Harkesh Kumar Mittal

Chairman, Startup India Seed Fund Committee

Mr. Harkesh Kumar Mittal

An alumni of the National Dairy Research Institute (1981) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad (1984), Shri Harkesh Mittal has been instrumental in giving a new vibrancy to promote the innovation and entrepreneurial acumen among a wide section of Indian entrepreneurs ranging from simple rural industries to high end technological enterprises. His two decades long association with the Government has coincided with the beginning of India's economic liberalization initiatives. With his untiring efforts and personal initiatives, Shri Mittal has made the innovation and entrepreneurship programme of Department of Science & Technology a much sought after programme by the individual entrepreneurs as well as by the industry and technological circles - not only in India but among the industrially advanced countries of the world. Shri Mittal has been instrumental in involving the private sector - both national and international- in the task of innovation and entrepreneurship development in India. Companies like Intel, TCS, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, P&G, The Economic Times, etc. have now been involved in this task and quite many of them are making matching contribution and are bringing world class technology commercialization knowledge to India. He was the Secretary of Technology Development Board during 2011 to 2014. He was the founder Co-chairman of Global Innovation and Technology Alliance(GITA) a PPP initiative with CII. He has been responsible for establishing networks with international development institutions like the World Bank and EU for bringing the global incubation knowledge to the Indian business incubators. He has worked with UNIDO for Cluster Development as a National Expert. He has helped many Governments to set up incubation facilities and advises them on building up an incubation system. He was an international expert for UNDP on business incubation. He has represented India at various international forums on innovation, entrepreneurship, incubation etc. He was a member of the Global Agenda Council of World Economic Forum (WEF) on Entrepreneurship during 2011-2014.

466

Dr. Harry Yuklea

Independent Management Consultant & Visiting Professor at Michigan State University

Dr. Harry Yuklea

An academic and practitioner at once, Dr. Yuklea has been directly involved for the last 35 years in the remarkable build-up process of the Israeli high-tech sector, his career ranging from technology development and engineering to marketing, management, consulting and investment. Dr. Yuklea is an advisor to the Israeli National Economic Council, the Israeli Chief Scientist Office, the UNECE and to EUREKA -the EU Industrial R&D Network. Harry holds a MSEE from TUI, a MSM from Boston University and a PhD from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

200

Mr. Karl Mehta

Chairman of the Quad Investors Network

Mr. Karl Mehta

Karl Mehta is a Silicon Valley based serial entrepreneur, author, engineer, investor and civil servant with over 20 years of experience in founding, building, and funding technology companies. He was Founder & CEO of EdCast Inc., a next-generation knowledge platform company and investor in various venture capital funds in the US. Previously, he was the Founder & CEO of PlaySpan Inc., acquired for over $240 million by Visa Inc. (NYSE:V), the world's largest payment network. Karl also served as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, selected by the Obama Administration during the inaugural 2012-13 term. He was recently appointed by Governor Brown to the Workforce Investment Board of the State of California. In 2010, Karl won the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award from Ernst & Young for Northern California. Karl is on the boards of Simpa Networks and on the advisory board of Intel Capital and Chapman University's Center of Entrepreneurship. Karl is founder of several non-profit's including - Code For India (http://codeforindia.org ): a network of 1000+ software engineers volunteering for non-profits - Grassroots Innovation (http://grassrootsinnovation.org): a bootcamp for military women embarking on entrepreneurship. He is co-author of upcoming book, "Financial Inclusion at the Bottom of the Pyramid" (http://openfininc.org) - which has been reviewed by the Gates Foundation and the UN.

664

Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani

Vice Chairperson, Kinetic Engineering

Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani

Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani is the Vice Chairperson of Kinetic Engineering Ltd. She is also the Managing Director of Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions. She is responsible for Kinetic group's overall business strategy and development. Kinetic Group's business interests include Automotive Systems and Engineering, Multilevel parking solutions, Elevators & Escalators and Green Energy. Kinetic's partners include companies like Hyundai, Ducati Energia, Taigene Electrical, Magna, Ikaros of Europe and TGB of Taiwan. Sulajja plays a key role in steering this business strategy and in its implementation across group companies. Sulajja has received numerous awards for her achievements and has been invited to speak at a large number of forums. Sulajja was selected by the World Economic Forum as a "Young Global Leader". She was featured as a business "Face of the Millennium" by leading magazine India Today; and was voted among the top 25 business leaders of the next century in a poll of industrialists conducted by Fortune India. Sulajja has received the Society Young Achiever's Award for Business, Young Super Achiever Award by Business Today, and MTV's style icon award, "India's Most Powerful Women award" from Business Today, and Top Management Consortium Award of Excellence, among others. She has been invited to participate in and speak at a large number of industry forums and associations. She has been a member of the National Executive Committee of CII, member of the prestigious Governing Body of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India), and co-chairperson of the Indo-US business committee of ASSCHAM. She is currently the Chairperson of FICCI Young Leaders forum. Sulajja is also the Brand Ambassador for Plan International, for their "Save the girl child" initiative. Sulajja holds an MBA from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, USA and has previously worked with BARRA International in their office at Berkeley, California. She is a fitness enthusiast and a marathon runner. Her interests include adventure sports such as skiing, scuba diving, mountain biking and travelling.

386

Dr. Asish Gupta

Co-Founder & Managing Director, Helion Advisory

Dr. Asish Gupta

Dr. Asish Gupta is a co-founder of Helion and serves on several boards including InfoEdge (NAUKRI), Kirusa, Komli, MySmartPrice.com, Pubmatic, and SMSGupshup. He has co-founded two successful companies - Tavant Technologies and Junglee (AMZN). He has also worked at Woodside Fund, Oracle Corporation and IBM research. Some of his past investments include redBus (MIH), Mu Sigma, Daksh (IBM), Odesk, and MakeMyTrip. Ashish is a Kauffman Fellow, holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University, and a Bachelor's degree from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur where he was awarded the President's Gold medal. He has authored several patents, publications, and a book by MIT press.

486

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta

Chief Mentor Emeritus
iCreate

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta is a technocrat who turned to being a coach for pursuit of next gen entrepreneurship. In the past he has founded three companies. First was a consulting firm to design digital electronics based products (notably calculators). This was followed by Digital Innovations, which designed and marketed computers for diverse applications. The third venture - Anjaleem, created attended PCO and shaped the birth of STD PCO markets in India. Dr. Mehta has mentored many startups and is also involved with many industry, non-profits, university bodies to promote technology and entrepreneurship.

202

Mr. Parag Amin

Member Secretary
Chief Mentor, iCreate
Inventor & a Serial Entrepreneur, Philadelphia, USA

Mr. Parag Amin

Parag Amin is a global entrepreneur with business interests in technology, banking, retail and real estate. Parag is the President and Principal of two technology companies: Radiqal, in Horsham, PA. USA, a software products and service's company specializing in gaming and digital television; and Surya InfoTech Pvt. Ltd., in Baroda, India, a state-of-the-art software development company. He was a member of a team that won the '95 EMMY for pioneering of Direct To Home (DTH) Satellite TV. In the field of technology, he globally advises businesses and government entities. Parag holds a B.S in Computer Science from Stockton State College and an M.S in Computer Science from Drexel University. His company Radiqal, provides solutions for digital TV and Gaming industries and is based in Horsham, PA.

466

Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy

Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Infosys

Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy

The International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology is guided by an advisory board led by Shri N. R. Narayana Murthy. Mr. Narayana Murthy founded Infosys, a global software consulting company headquartered in Bangalore in 1981. He served as the CEO of Infosys during 1981-2002, as the Chairman and Chief Mentor during 1981-2011, and as the Chairman Emeritus during August 2011-May 2013. Under his leadership, Infosys was listed on NASDAQ in 1999. Mr. Murthy articulated, designed, and implemented the Global Delivery Model, which has become the foundation for the huge success in IT services outsourcing from India. He has led key corporate governance initiatives in India. He is also an IT advisor to several Asian countries.

200

Mr. Roopwant Singh, IAS

Managing Director
GMDC
202

Mr. Parag Amin

Member Secretary
Chief Mentor, iCreate
Inventor & a Serial Entrepreneur, Philadelphia, USA

Mr. Parag Amin

Parag Amin is a global entrepreneur with business interests in technology, banking, retail and real estate. Parag is the President and Principal of two technology companies: Radiqal, in Horsham, PA. USA, a software products and service's company specializing in gaming and digital television; and Surya InfoTech Pvt. Ltd., in Baroda, India, a state-of-the-art software development company. He was a member of a team that won the '95 EMMY for pioneering of Direct To Home (DTH) Satellite TV. In the field of technology, he globally advises businesses and government entities. Parag holds a B.S in Computer Science from Stockton State College and an M.S in Computer Science from Drexel University. His company Radiqal, provides solutions for digital TV and Gaming industries and is based in Horsham, PA.

108

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India

Permanent Invitee to Board

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood is the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India (PSA to GoI) from April 2022. He is also the Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). Prof. Sood is also a National Science Chair at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore. He was a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) from 2018 to March 2022 and from 2009 to 2014, he had also served as a Member of the Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) to the Prime Minister of India. Prof. Sood has a Doctorate in Physics from IISc Bangalore. His research interests include the Physics of Quantum materials, soft and active matter. He has published more than 450 papers in peer-reviewed journals and holds several patents. His work has been recognised by many awards, including the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India. He was President of the Indian National Science Academy (2017-19), President of the Indian Academy of Sciences (2010-12), and Secretary-General, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Italy (2013-2018). He was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, UK (FRS) in 2015. He has also received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research, the TWAS Prize in Physics, the Millennium Gold Medal of the Indian Science Congress Association, the Sir C. V. Raman Award of the UGC, the Homi Bhabha Medal of the Indian National Science Academy, G. M. Modi Award for Science and Technology, 25th SIES Sri. Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award in the category of Science & Technology and Asutosh Mookerjee Memorial Life Time Award by Indian Science Congress, among others. He has been conferred Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) by many universities. He serves as Associate Editor in a reputed International Journal, ACS Nano.

287

K. Thyagrajan

Mentopreneur & Visiting Faculty

K. Thyagrajan

Mr. K. Thyagrajan has a professional career journey of over 30 years that has traversed across a variety of fields; hard-core engineering (involving design-manufacturing-project management), management consulting, mentoring and propagating next-generation entrepreneurship, and academic teaching in diverse areas of technology, business management and entrepreneurship, and advisory in policy making. He is currently mentoring start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs in the areas of Bio-medical diagnostics, Edutainment, Digital records management, ERP & CRM, Special equipment design and manufacturing, Energy conservation products, Environmental conservation, and APPs development. Mr. Thyagrajan was earlier involved in setting up and running a unique Technology Business Incubator - NirmaLabs for close to four years (2004-2007), as its Chief Executive where he mentored over 40 potential entrepreneurs across 8 projects that have been set up as commercial ventures in High Technology sectors including electronics, computer science, mechatronics, biotechnology, and pharmacy. He is currently on the Advisory Board of some of these ventures. In his earlier stint for over 25 years with Mott MacDonald Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Thyagrajan served in various capacities; starting out as a Management Consultant to heading their India operations as General Manager - HR and Learning & Development. As a Management Consultant he was associated with a variety of business advisory projects and consulting engagements for several leading business houses in India, MNCs, central and state governments and multilateral agencies like The World Bank, ADB, EC, etc. Mr. Thyagrajan is a Mechanical Engineer by education, with a PGD in Business and Industrial Management.

486

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta

Chief Mentor Emeritus
iCreate

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta is a technocrat who turned to being a coach for pursuit of next gen entrepreneurship. In the past he has founded three companies. First was a consulting firm to design digital electronics based products (notably calculators). This was followed by Digital Innovations, which designed and marketed computers for diverse applications. The third venture - Anjaleem, created attended PCO and shaped the birth of STD PCO markets in India. Dr. Mehta has mentored many startups and is also involved with many industry, non-profits, university bodies to promote technology and entrepreneurship.

400

Late Prof. N. V. Vasani

Former Director General, Nirma University

Late Prof. N. V. Vasani

Dr. Navneet Vasani had an illustrious teaching career spanning more than three decades at Under Graduate and Post Graduate Engineering Programmes. He was a member of important committees like University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). He has served as the Chairman of Central Regional Committee of All India Council for Technical Education; Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Institute of Technology, Surat and various committees of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI). He served the Government of Gujarat as a Joint Director of Technical Education. He was also an Advisor - Science & Technology to the Chief Minister of Gujarat. At this time, the prestigious projects of 'Science City' and 'Info City' were planned and implemented in Ahmedabad.

297

Prof. B. H. Jajoo

Adjunct Faculty, Former Professor & Dean, IIM Ahmedabad

Prof. B. H. Jajoo

Prof. Jajoo joined IIM Ahmedabad in 1980. Previously, he was a Visiting Professor in the Department of Computer Science at University of Delaware, USA from 1987 to 1989. He has participated in more than thirty consulting projects for national and international, private and public sector organizations. He has been invited several times to design and conduct workshop and seminars at several reputed institutions, corporate houses, and professional bodies like CSI and IEEE. Currently, he serves as a Member of Board of Directors of many technology companies.

287

K. Thyagrajan

Mentopreneur & Visiting Faculty

K. Thyagrajan

Mr. K. Thyagrajan has a professional career journey of over 30 years that has traversed across a variety of fields; hard-core engineering (involving design-manufacturing-project management), management consulting, mentoring and propagating next-generation entrepreneurship, and academic teaching in diverse areas of technology, business management and entrepreneurship, and advisory in policy making. He is currently mentoring start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs in the areas of Bio-medical diagnostics, Edutainment, Digital records management, ERP & CRM, Special equipment design and manufacturing, Energy conservation products, Environmental conservation, and APPs development. Mr. Thyagrajan was earlier involved in setting up and running a unique Technology Business Incubator - NirmaLabs for close to four years (2004-2007), as its Chief Executive where he mentored over 40 potential entrepreneurs across 8 projects that have been set up as commercial ventures in High Technology sectors including electronics, computer science, mechatronics, biotechnology, and pharmacy. He is currently on the Advisory Board of some of these ventures. In his earlier stint for over 25 years with Mott MacDonald Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Thyagrajan served in various capacities; starting out as a Management Consultant to heading their India operations as General Manager - HR and Learning & Development. As a Management Consultant he was associated with a variety of business advisory projects and consulting engagements for several leading business houses in India, MNCs, central and state governments and multilateral agencies like The World Bank, ADB, EC, etc. Mr. Thyagrajan is a Mechanical Engineer by education, with a PGD in Business and Industrial Management.

225

Mr. M. C. Gupta

Company Secretary & Visiting Faculty

Mr. M. C. Gupta

Mr. Gupta is practising as a Company Secretary for more than 25 years. He is also a visiting faculty at many institutes. He is mentoring many new projects for technocrats at various incubators. He is also associated with various NGOs – the social organizations.

486

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta

Chief Mentor Emeritus
iCreate

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta is a technocrat who turned to being a coach for pursuit of next gen entrepreneurship. In the past he has founded three companies. First was a consulting firm to design digital electronics based products (notably calculators). This was followed by Digital Innovations, which designed and marketed computers for diverse applications. The third venture - Anjaleem, created attended PCO and shaped the birth of STD PCO markets in India. Dr. Mehta has mentored many startups and is also involved with many industry, non-profits, university bodies to promote technology and entrepreneurship.

202

Mr. Parag Amin

Member Secretary
Chief Mentor, iCreate
Inventor & a Serial Entrepreneur, Philadelphia, USA

Mr. Parag Amin

Parag Amin is a global entrepreneur with business interests in technology, banking, retail and real estate. Parag is the President and Principal of two technology companies: Radiqal, in Horsham, PA. USA, a software products and service's company specializing in gaming and digital television; and Surya InfoTech Pvt. Ltd., in Baroda, India, a state-of-the-art software development company. He was a member of a team that won the '95 EMMY for pioneering of Direct To Home (DTH) Satellite TV. In the field of technology, he globally advises businesses and government entities. Parag holds a B.S in Computer Science from Stockton State College and an M.S in Computer Science from Drexel University. His company Radiqal, provides solutions for digital TV and Gaming industries and is based in Horsham, PA.

275

Late Dr. H. Anil Kumar

Librarian & Head NICMAN, IIM Ahmedabad

Late Dr. H. Anil Kumar

Past Member

200

Narayan Rao CV

CEO & Director, In2c Global Pharma Private Limited

Narayan Rao CV

Narayan Rao is a seasoned business professional with extensive expertise across the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to launch of both API and FDF products. His experience spans portfolio and project management, supply chain, IT (including blockchain applications), sales, marketing, HR, and general management. With deep knowledge of the Chinese pharma market, he has worked with strong industry partners and pioneered the first integrated supply chain function in the pharmaceutical sector. Mr. Rao has successfully led business turnarounds, driven high growth, and facilitated numerous in-licensing and out-licensing deals. He is also skilled in cross-cultural negotiations and managing large, diverse teams.

200

Bhushan Joshi

Business Advisor

Bhushan Joshi

Bhushan Joshi brings 35 years of extensive experience across the Indian industry, with a focus on strategic, financial, and operational aspects in both global and domestic settings. Over half of his career has been spent as an independent professional, including 10+ years in CEO and business managerial roles. He has worked with diverse organizations, from well-established firms to startups and distressed entities, and has collaborated with industry leaders like Prof. Jaikumar of Harvard, Mr. N. Vaghul of ICICI, and others. Now based in Pune, Bhushan continues to offer his expertise as a strategic advisor to small and medium-sized manufacturing and engineering companies.

200

Ashish Kanaujia

Technology Innovation

Ashish Kanaujia

Ashish Kanaujia is known for the conversion of ideas from lab scale to commercial scale. He brings more than 20 years of experience in multiple dimensions of technologies, Ashish’s area of expertise varies from Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Brain Computer Interface to Healthcare as well as ICT. He has worked as a consultant with various offshore clients and MNCs. Ashish is very instrumental in mentoring startups and already running incubation centres at Greater Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur. Currently, he is mentoring and providing technological guidance to a number of startups at iCreate (a Government of Gujarat TBI). His experience to work with engineers, academicians, patent attorneys and being inventor by himself make him sync well with the new emerging technologies. He has been an expert in software and electronics. He has been instrumental in ideation and implementation of various electronics and software products in different capacities.

200

Avinash Punekar

CEO

Avinash Punekar

Avinash brings with him 30 years of experience in leadership roles in technology and operations with various organisations, both startups and large businesses. He is a BTech in Aeronautical Engineering from IIT Bombay, and has more than 60 IPRs in diverse domains and technologies. He has worked extensively in the startup ecosystem as an entrepreneur, mentor, facilitator and enabler.

200

Dr. Gurusamy

Head - Technology

Dr. Gurusamy

Highly experienced technology professional with 32 years of diverse expertise, holding degrees from India's renowned institutes. Vast contributions in Set Top Boxes, Web Technologies, IoT, Bluetooth, Cryptography, RFID, and more. Guided research projects on media convergence, medical sciences, and mentored successful technology startups. Expertise in software development for Clinical Trials, HR, Security, GIS, Remote Sensing, and Image Processing. Actively involved in various technology forums. Skilled in analyzing business needs, defining technical vision, and streamlining operations to deliver successful products. Continuously updating knowledge through academic and research institutions. A risk-aware consultant with deep business insights.

486

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta

Chief Mentor Emeritus

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta

Dr. Madhukumar Mehta is a technocrat who turned to being a coach for pursuit of next gen entrepreneurship. In the past he has founded three companies. First was a consulting firm to design digital electronics based products (notably calculators). This was followed by Digital Innovations, which designed and marketed computers for diverse applications. The third venture - Anjaleem, created attended PCO and shaped the birth of STD PCO markets in India. Dr. Mehta has mentored many startups and is also involved with many industry, non-profits, university bodies to promote technology and entrepreneurship.

200

Prasen Vinchurkar

Projects

Prasen Vinchurkar

Prasen Vinchurkar brings 15+ years of research experience. He is an experienced nanotechnologist and is also a known expert in various Bio-MEMS device designs along with its successful implementations. With a master's degree in nanoscience and nanotechnology and a background in microbiology, he excels in interdisciplinary research and projects. Prasen's areas of expertise include nanomaterial synthesis, quantum chemistry, nanosensors, and graphene-based smart devices. He has received several grants and works with many prestigious research institutes across India. Prasen is also a serial entrepreneur and also doing consultancy to multidisciplinary industries. He is also a recognized expert in green hydrogen by I-STEM (Platform from PSA  of Govt. of India). He is more prominent in the validations of technologies as well as the Techno commercial interface of TRL 9 innovations and is also known for mentoring many Deep tech startups across. Prasen is passionate about exploring innovative applications of nanotechnology.

200

Dr. Raashid Saiyed

Research, Programs & Marketing

Dr. Raashid Saiyed

A former Production Supervisor, Plant Supervisor, Medical Representative, Sales Executive, Business Manager, Management Consultant, Professor, Director, CEO and Dean, Dr. Raashid Saiyed coaches startup founders in the art and science of planning, managing and growing their ventures to create value.

200

Sandeep Madan

Head - TBI

Sandeep Madan

Sandeep’s industry experience of nearly three decades, has seen him play several roles in leading BPO, Telecom and IT companies, besides a start-up venture in the soft-skills and employability training space. He has worked in diverse geographical and market environments and has a rich cross-functional exposure to varied industries ranging from manufacturing to food and dairy. Sandeep started his career with a 9-year stint in HCL. His other assignments include COO - Satyam-Nipuna, President - HeroITES, Head - Capital One India Liaison Office and Director - AT&T Consumer Services for South Asia. While he has several accolades and accomplishments to his credit, Sandeep considers establishing Genpact’s first Call Center in Hyderabad as one of his biggest challenges as it involved changing the prevailing India mindset towards Hyderabad itself. This, in several ways, paved the way for Hyderabad being seen as a more likely destination for ITES companies. As a strong team player, Sandeep has worked with, and led, diverse teams to deliver performance exceeding expectations. Like his work, his interests are varied - from dramatics, debates and being a movie buff, to photography, mountaineering and bridge. Sandeep has done B.Tech (Mech), IIT-Bombay and Integrated Management Programmes, XLRI, Jamshedpur.

200

Dr. Sanjeev K. Yadav

Head - Digital Technology

Dr. Sanjeev K. Yadav

With 30 years of multinational company experience, including Quest Global, Wipro Technologies and AremisSoft, Dr. Sanjeev is a seasoned leader adept at delivering global programs across diverse domains and technologies. Skilled in strategising, conceptualising, and crafting technical roadmaps, he excels at establishing and managing niche technology practices.

287

K. Thyagrajan

Mentopreneur & Visiting Faculty

K. Thyagrajan

Mr. K. Thyagrajan has a professional career journey of over 30 years that has traversed across a variety of fields; hard-core engineering (involving design-manufacturing-project management), management consulting, mentoring and propagating next-generation entrepreneurship, and academic teaching in diverse areas of technology, business management and entrepreneurship, and advisory in policy making. He is currently mentoring start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs in the areas of Bio-medical diagnostics, Edutainment, Digital records management, ERP & CRM, Special equipment design and manufacturing, Energy conservation products, Environmental conservation, and APPs development. Mr. Thyagrajan was earlier involved in setting up and running a unique Technology Business Incubator - NirmaLabs for close to four years (2004-2007), as its Chief Executive where he mentored over 40 potential entrepreneurs across 8 projects that have been set up as commercial ventures in High Technology sectors including electronics, computer science, mechatronics, biotechnology, and pharmacy. He is currently on the Advisory Board of some of these ventures. In his earlier stint for over 25 years with Mott MacDonald Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Thyagrajan served in various capacities; starting out as a Management Consultant to heading their India operations as General Manager - HR and Learning & Development. As a Management Consultant he was associated with a variety of business advisory projects and consulting engagements for several leading business houses in India, MNCs, central and state governments and multilateral agencies like The World Bank, ADB, EC, etc. Mr. Thyagrajan is a Mechanical Engineer by education, with a PGD in Business and Industrial Management.

200

Babul Biswas

Software Engineer, COCC
Software Architecture, Machine Learning

Babul Biswas

Babul Biswas is a seasoned expert with 24 years of experience in developing and supervising electronic banking platforms, retail banking, insurance, and stock market systems. He excels in creating and managing Core ATM and ITM processors for processing card transactions and has collaborated with global companies to innovate ITM solutions. With a strong foundation in AI, including ML, NLP, and robotics, Babul has led cross-functional teams both within and outside organisations. His career is marked by the unique insights gained from both successful and failed startup ventures, showcasing his resilience and comprehensive industry knowledge.

200

George Paul

Director - Corporate Strategy & Govt Relations
Sahasra Electronics Pvt. Ltd.
Electronics, Mechatronics, Aerospace

George Paul

With over 30 years of industry experience, George is a versatile business leader in Information Technology, Design & Manufacturing Services, and Aerospace. His expertise spans Integrated Marketing, Customer Service Delivery, R&D, and Mechatronics. He has managed nationwide service delivery to B2B and B2C customers, offering diverse services. Additionally, he has led marketing, product management, and corporate affairs across multiple regions. He has represented the industry on government panels, set up R&D labs, established greenfield Aero-manufacturing units, and promoted industry-academia collaborations. His career embodies a commitment to innovation, industry growth, and knowledge exchange.

200

Hanumant Yadav

Software Development Leader, Mentor and Innovator
Hardware and Software Development

Hanumant Yadav

Hanumant Yadav is a seasoned computing product and system development leader, celebrated for his excellence in both hardware and software development. With a deep understanding of emerging technologies, program management, and system architecture, he excels in hands-on system prototyping and global partner engagement. Hanumant's 25-year career, including a decade in hardware, highlights his quick learning, creative problem-solving, and ability to build trust and consensus. Skilled in IT Governance and business integration, he fosters environments where professionals thrive and expand their skill sets. Hanumant has significant experience collaborating with key business partners in Asia, driving innovation and operational success along with low level operating system development in the windows ecosystem.

200

J V Ratnam

COO, Lab2Land Agritech Solutions
P&L management, M&A, and Market Analysis

J V Ratnam

J V Ratnam brings over 24 years of dynamic leadership in business development, strategy formulation, and P&L management within the agriculture sector. As COO of Lab2Land Agritech Solutions, he pioneers sustainable farming solutions, driving innovative market approaches and fintech integration. He is actively involved in growing the company through investors relationship to take the company to the next level. Previously, as CEO of Anu Products Ltd, he propelled a 300 Cr INR business and optimized field staff capabilities. Ratnam's expertise spans M&A, sales, and marketing across diverse roles, including at premier companies like Coromandel International Ltd and Dow Agro Sciences India Pvt. Ltd. Recognised among India's top rural marketing professionals, Ratnam is a strategic force in agribusiness evolution.

200

Jayant Kamat

Managing Director
Factell Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
Specialty Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Manufacturing and Operations Management, Sustainability and Compliance

Jayant Kamat

Jayant’s industrial experience of over three decades has seen him play several roles in leading Agri companies, Specialty chemical/ Polymer companies besides owning a startup consulting company in business strategy, OpEx - operational excellence, sustainability, carbon footprint and mentoring. He has worked in diverse geographies, cultures and a rich cross functional expertise in problem solving, mentoring, startup project management, operations and general management. Jayant has been guiding and helping many reputed companies for Safety, Sustainability, Due diligence, Quality, Process/ Plant Design, Training, Mentoring, Inventory/ Cost Optimisation, Lean/ Operational excellence, Business Strategy, assistance for green field/ brown field project. He is also a regular speaker at various conferences in Chemical Industry, Supply Chain and Logistics. In his last job, he served as Regional Operations Director – India and ASEAN handling 16 manufacturing sites. Mr. Kamat received his Diploma in Business Management from Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai and B Tech degree in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai.

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Maj Gen Krishnamoorthy Shankar (Retd)

General, Corps of Signals (Indian Army)
Defence and Comn tech, Quantum Technology

Maj Gen Krishnamoorthy Shankar (Retd)

Maj Gen Krishnamoorthy Shankar has 35 years of experience in fields of military communications and defence technologies. He has served in all types of military operations including conventional, counter terrorism and operations overseas. At higher ranks, he has been instrumental in policy, planning and execution of pan-India communications, information warfare and ground & space surveillance. In the last assignment, he was the lead in planning and implementation of the Tri-services national data networks, information warfare, communication security, introduction of niche technologies and financial planning of strategic and tactical data / communication technology projects. The General officer has also been the CISO of the Indian Army, and pioneered Quantum Key Distribution and Quantum Communications applications for the defence services.

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Colonel Milind Gogate

Adjunct faculty member at ITM University, Vadodara
 Telecommunication & IT, Special Forces Operations

Colonel Milind Gogate

Colonel Milind Gogate (Veteran) served the Indian Army for 30 years, specialising in telecommunications and IT. His diverse deployments included the deserts of Rajasthan, the mountains of J&K, and the jungles of North-East India. An expert in counter-hijack and counter-terrorist operations, he worked with the elite Black Cat Commandos. Colonel Gogate has extensive experience in evaluating and validating new-generation telecom and IT equipment, electronic warfare, and MIS. He has also taught at the Military College of Telecommunication & Engineering. Currently, he is an adjunct faculty member at ITM University, Vadodara. He holds degrees from MS University, Symbiosis International University, and IIM Ahmedabad.

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Tarun Sisodia

Director
Chanakya Niti Consultancy Pvt. Ltd.
Wealth Management, Investment Banking and Equity Research

Tarun Sisodia

Tarun Sisodia is a seasoned financial services professional with extensive experience in Wealth Management, Investment Banking, and Equity Research. His expertise spans macro-economic and micro-economic research, investment strategy, stock picking, and asset allocation. Tarun excels in team development and systems development and implementation, driving strategic growth and innovation.

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Colonel Virender Kumar

Vice President – Special Projects, Enabletech Industries
 AI/ML, Mechatronics

Colonel Virender Kumar

Virender Kumar is a seasoned professional with over 29 years of distinguished service in the Indian Army, coupled with leadership roles in defense start-ups and industry. With expertise spanning from strategic planning to technical development, he's adept at galvanizing diverse teams and forging strong client relationships. Virender's career highlights include spearheading innovative projects for the Indian Air Force, co-developing cutting-edge technologies with DRDO, and ensuring quality assurance in defense equipment. His exemplary leadership and dedication have earned him accolades such as the Chief of Army Staff's Commendation Card. Virender holds degrees from prestigious institutions like IIT Kharagpur and SIBM Pune, showcasing his commitment to continuous learning and excellence.

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Aditya Pradhan

Technology Analyst (Hardware)

Aditya Pradhan

Masters of Business Administration in Operations Management and Finance and graduation in Mechanical Engineering, Aditya has experience of working in automobile sector Research and Development while dealing with clients like Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti & Suzuki along with gaining skills like Due Diligence, Patents Drafting, Team leadership and Management while working for various organizations.

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Akash Sharma

Marketing & Event Promotion Specialist

Akash Sharma

Akash Sharma is a highly qualified professional with an Engineering in Dairy Technology and an MBA in Agribusiness Management. With a rich and diverse background in the agricultural and allied sectors , he brings a wealth of experience to the table. Currently, Akash is making significant contributions in the field of incubation, leveraging his expertise to drive innovation and growth in this dynamic startup ecosystem

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Akshat Gupta

Incubation Executive

Akshat Gupta

Akshat comes from an engineering background with Practical experience in startup ecosystem. Driven by a passion about entrepreneurship and innovation, he assists to identify and evaluate new startup ideas. As an incubation executive his primary work is to deal and communicate with stakeholders, He is skilled in execution, Problem solving, Data structuring and visualization, and also able to coordinate effectively with other departments to deliver high quality results.

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Amit Golwelkar

SPOC Incubation

Amit Golwelkar

I am Amit Golwelkar working as a Spoc in the Incubation Department, I am looking after daily Admin work for TBI Team, Project Documentation, Due Diligence of Projects, invoices verification, Data capturing as and when required, MIS Updation, any Event Management Support.

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Anish Chavda

Senior Business Analyst

Anish Chavda

Anish Chavda is a seasoned Industry 4.0 consultant with over 12 years of experience in delivering successful IT transformations and contriving impactful financial and technical outcomes. He has visited 4 continents and has a wealth of knowledge in investment banking, private equity, business process management, and RoI. His core focus includes functional expertise in Industry 4.0 technologies, capitalizing IoT, VisionAI and ML tech stacks, business analysis, supporting digital transformation practices and data security.

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Ashish Kanaujia

Technology Innovation

Ashish Kanaujia

Ashish Kanaujia is known for the conversion of ideas from lab scale to commercial scale. He brings more than 20 years of experience in multiple dimensions of technologies, Ashish’s area of expertise varies from Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Brain Computer Interface to Healthcare as well as ICT. He has worked as a consultant with various offshore clients and MNCs. Ashish is very instrumental in mentoring startups and already running incubation centres at Greater Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur. Currently, he is mentoring and providing technological guidance to a number of startups at iCreate (a Government of Gujarat TBI). His experience to work with engineers, academicians, patent attorneys and being inventor by himself make him sync well with the new emerging technologies. He has been an expert in software and electronics. He has been instrumental in ideation and implementation of various electronics and software products in different capacities.

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Avinash Punekar

CEO

Avinash Punekar

Avinash brings with him 30 years of experience in leadership roles in technology and operations with various organisations, both startups and large businesses. He is a BTech in Aeronautical Engineering from IIT Bombay, and has more than 60 IPRs in diverse domains and technologies. He has worked extensively in the startup ecosystem as an entrepreneur, mentor, facilitator and enabler.

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Bhavesh Dholaraiya

Senior Executive - Admin & Network

Bhavesh Dholaraiya

Network Engineer with 6+ years of experience in network design, escalation support, network administration, and systems administration. Skilled in delivering technical support, managing network operations, and maintaining enterprise-wide area networks across multi-platform and high uptime Data Centre environments.

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Divyalax Chauhan

Technology Analyst
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Gladis Nair

Senior L&D Manager

Gladis Nair

Gladis Nair is a management professional with 17 plus years of experience with multinational companies like Wipro Technologies, HSBC & Tech Mahindra. She has also worked with few of the renowned educational institutions. A university topper in M.phil from Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, along with 3 Master’s degrees in English Literature, Sociology and Human resources. She is a globally certified transform trainer. She has also worked as a freelancer with some of the national leading newspapers like MP chronicle, Danik Bhaskar. She has also worked as moderator and hosted various National and international programs.

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Dr. Gurusamy

Head - Technology

Dr. Gurusamy

Highly experienced technology professional with 32 years of diverse expertise, holding degrees from India's renowned institutes. Vast contributions in Set Top Boxes, Web Technologies, IoT, Bluetooth, Cryptography, RFID, and more. Guided research projects on media convergence, medical sciences, and mentored successful technology startups. Expertise in software development for Clinical Trials, HR, Security, GIS, Remote Sensing, and Image Processing. Actively involved in various technology forums. Skilled in analyzing business needs, defining technical vision, and streamlining operations to deliver successful products. Continuously updating knowledge through academic and research institutions. A risk-aware consultant with deep business insights.

200

Ishika Gupta

Incubation Executive
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Milan Trivedi

Account Executive

Milan Trivedi

Milan has been associated with iCreate since February 2022 as an Account Executive. He is responsible for day-to-day accounting operations and assists the senior accountant in the Account department. Prior to iCreate he has worked with JMPV & Co, Chartered Accountant Firm, Bhavnagar as an Account Executive. Milan hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree from MKBU University.

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Mrunal Panchal

Assistant Manager - HR & Administration

Mrunal Panchal

Mrunal Panchal is Masters in Human Resources and has been working with the start-up/incubation ecosystem since 2015. He started his career as an HR Generalist with NBFC and after that he worked on various profiles within Startup domain like; HR and Administration, Incubation, Outreach, Event Management and many more. Mrunal has a very Dynamic personality and fun loving character. He loves to sing, watch movies and a typical Gujarati Garba lover.

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Naveen Singh

Technology Executive

Naveen Singh

Naveen holds a Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Metallurgical Engineering and has exposure in materials testing and characterization, machine operations, as well as assisting iCreate's technical labs. He possesses understanding of startup ecosystems, lab management, and actively supports startups in prototyping development. Additionally, he is involved in organizing various events.

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Neeraj Darwai

Senior Technology Analyst

Neeraj Darwai

Specialized in mechatronics and control system hardware, backed by over 7 years of teaching experience at renowned engineering institutions. Additionally, have held directorship positions in three start-up companies focused on automation.

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Nikunj Chauhan

Lab Incharge

Nikunj Chauhan

Assisting iCreate's Technical labs from 19th July 2018. He Has done Bachelor and Masters in Electronics and Communication Systems. He has experience in electronics, PCB Design, Machine Operations, Understanding Startup ecosystems, Lab Management, Helping startups in Prototyping Development, Inventory Management, and Application Evaluations.

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Nikunj Trivedi

Account Consultant

Nikunj Trivedi

A qualified chartered accountant having 5 years of experience in the area of accounting and finance. He helps startups build up their financial roadmap and also provides mentoring on taxation and legal matters.

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Pallavi Supahiya

Marketing & Event Promotion Specialist
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Parth Suthar

Senior Executive - Data Science

Parth Suthar

Engineer-cum-Entrepreneur. With experience as a co-founder of two startups and various events, Parth is skilled in Digital Marketing and Data Analysis. He is also a blogger and traveller. He has done BTech in Electrical Engineering from IITRAM.

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Prajwal Shetty

Incubation Executive

Prajwal Shetty

With a background in Commerce, he is passionate about interacting with people and building connections. Although he has experienced challenges in the business world, those experiences have only strengthened his resilience and determination to succeed. His journey has equipped him with valuable insights and skills that he is eager to apply in future endeavors.

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Prasen Vinchurkar

Projects

Prasen Vinchurkar

Prasen Vinchurkar brings 15+ years of research experience. He is an experienced nanotechnologist and is also a known expert in various Bio-MEMS device designs along with its successful implementations. With a master's degree in nanoscience and nanotechnology and a background in microbiology, he excels in interdisciplinary research and projects. Prasen's areas of expertise include nanomaterial synthesis, quantum chemistry, nanosensors, and graphene-based smart devices. He has received several grants and works with many prestigious research institutes across India. Prasen is also a serial entrepreneur and also doing consultancy to multidisciplinary industries. He is also a recognized expert in green hydrogen by I-STEM (Platform from PSA  of Govt. of India). He is more prominent in the validations of technologies as well as the Techno commercial interface of TRL 9 innovations and is also known for mentoring many Deep tech startups across. Prasen is passionate about exploring innovative applications of nanotechnology.

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Priyesh Ramani

Event Manager

Priyesh Ramani

Priyesh is a seasoned professional with over 7 years of experience in the hospitality industry, specialising in client servicing and event management. With a strong passion for event planning and execution, Priyesh brings a unique blend of creativity, professionalism, and organisational skills to every project.

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Dr. Raashid Saiyed

Research, Programs & Marketing

Dr. Raashid Saiyed

A former Production Supervisor, Plant Supervisor, Medical Representative, Sales Executive, Business Manager, Management Consultant, Professor, Director, CEO and Dean, Dr. Raashid Saiyed coaches startup founders in the art and science of planning, managing and growing their ventures to create value.

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Riya Singha

Project Associate

Riya Singha

Riya is assisting the programs team, Business incubator in facilitating entrepreneurship and Startup development. Collaborating and maintaining strong relationships with the existing stakeholders and promoting iCreate's entrepreneur programs in possible networks. She has around 5 years of experience in Project management, Management consultancy and Key Account Management in the Education and Development sector. Prior to iCreate, she worked with Pratham Education Foundation, I-PAC and Extramarks Education. She pursued a Master's in Education Management from Azim Premji University, Bangalore. As an individual, she is eager to learn new things and develop new skills.

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Sandeep Madan

Head - TBI

Sandeep Madan

Sandeep’s industry experience of nearly three decades, has seen him play several roles in leading BPO, Telecom and IT companies, besides a start-up venture in the soft-skills and employability training space. He has worked in diverse geographical and market environments and has a rich cross-functional exposure to varied industries ranging from manufacturing to food and dairy. Sandeep started his career with a 9-year stint in HCL. His other assignments include COO - Satyam-Nipuna, President - HeroITES, Head - Capital One India Liaison Office and Director - AT&T Consumer Services for South Asia. While he has several accolades and accomplishments to his credit, Sandeep considers establishing Genpact’s first Call Center in Hyderabad as one of his biggest challenges as it involved changing the prevailing India mindset towards Hyderabad itself. This, in several ways, paved the way for Hyderabad being seen as a more likely destination for ITES companies. As a strong team player, Sandeep has worked with, and led, diverse teams to deliver performance exceeding expectations. Like his work, his interests are varied - from dramatics, debates and being a movie buff, to photography, mountaineering and bridge. Sandeep has done B.Tech (Mech), IIT-Bombay and Integrated Management Programmes, XLRI, Jamshedpur.

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Sangrambhai Chauhan

Lab Assistant

Sangrambhai Chauhan

Assisting iCreate's Technical Labs from 3rd December 2018. I have done my ITI with Electricals. I have 14 years of experience as a fitter. As a lab Assistant at iCreate, I used to do All kinds of Fabrication Work for startups and icreate, Machine Operations, Lab Maintenance, Inventory Management with the Team.

200

Dr. Sanjeev K. Yadav

Head - Digital Technology

Dr. Sanjeev K. Yadav

With 30 years of multinational company experience, including Quest Global, Wipro Technologies and AremisSoft, Dr. Sanjeev is a seasoned leader adept at delivering global programs across diverse domains and technologies. Skilled in strategising, conceptualising, and crafting technical roadmaps, he excels at establishing and managing niche technology practices.

200

Shailendra Karki

Technology Analyst

Shailendra Karki

A power electronics specialist with a focus on electric vehicles. He holds a Master's degree from IIT Mandi and works as a Technology Analyst at iCreate. With expertise in DC-DC converters, motor controllers, and tools like MATLAB Simulink and ANSYS Maxwell 3D, he excels in converter and transformer design.

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Shubhtal Singh

Executive - Digital Marketing
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Siddharth Pareek

Head - Programs and Initiatives

Siddharth Pareek

Siddharth has an experience of 12+ years in managing programs, business development and strategic relations. He holds a PGDM in Human Resource Management. In his current role at iCreate, he is responsible for managing program operations, leading alliances with Government, Industry and International partners. He is passionate about helping entrepreneurs who are trying to solve problems related to energy consumption, water treatment, waste management, early disease detection and provision of affordable healthcare services to rural population.

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Dr. Tarun Kanade

Senior Technology Analyst

Dr. Tarun Kanade

An industry and academic professional with 20+ years of experience delivering successful technology, outcomes and transformation.

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Tejashree Shah

Consultant - Govt. Liasioning & Stakeholder Engagement

Tejashree Shah

Tejashree Shah has more than 2 decades of experience in the domains of Entrepreneurship Development, Partnerships, Training and Education Management backed by a multidisciplinary educational background, including an MBA in Business Leadership and CELTA. She dons multiple hats of an entrepreneur, a Startup mentor, a spoken language examiner with the University of Cambridge and looks after Board matters and stakeholder engagement at iCreate.

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Upin Makwana

Office Executive
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Vijay Nair

Head - HR & Administration

Vijay Nair

Vijay Nair is the head of Human Resources, Administration and Facility Management at iCreate. At iCreate, Vijay oversees the day to day functioning of the campus with a focus on activities such as staff management, vendor contract management, event management, logistics and transportation, budgeting and cost control measures, safety, security, facilities and campus administration With over 25 years of work experience, Vijay is a seasoned professional with rich experience in managing large industrial, educational and training campuses. Prior to iCreate, Vijay has worked with Centre for Organisational Development, Hyderabad – a pioneer executive institute for training, research and consultancy as Head of Administration and Logistics. Vijay has also been associated with Lupin Laboratories Ltd., Insulator & Electrical Ltd., and Bonnie Foi Group of Education. Vijay holds a Masters in Human Resources Management and a Bachelors of Business Administration from Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya with a specialisation in Marketing and a diploma in hotel management from Management Studies Promotion Institute (MSPI), New Delhi. In his spare time, Vijay enjoys watching movies, tracking the stock market and is an offline financial advisor to many!

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Vijoy KR

Senior Executive - Branding & Data Visualization

Vijoy KR

A talented individual with a Post Graduate degree in Product Design and Commerce. He has a passion for CAD software and excels in creating models using various design tools. With expertise in Illustrator and Photoshop, he crafts captivating digital marketing creatives. During his leisure hours, Vijoy indulges in playing football and expressing his artistic side through freehand sketches.

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Vikas Sathwara

Senior Accountant

Vikas Sathwara

Vikas has been associated with iCreate since January 2021 as an Accountant. He manages the overall day to day accounting process at iCreate. He is responsible for vendors payment on time to time, salary processing, Manage Petty Cash, Project Fund Expenses, TDS Return Filing & Other Taxation compliances. He is well equipped in accounting and analyzing the books of accounts at regular intervals. Prior to iCreate he has worked with Ayma Creations Private Limited, Ahmedabad as an Accountant. He Pursued Company Secretary Executive Programme from Institute of Company Secretaries of India & Bachelor of Commerce from Tolani Commerce College, KSKV Kutch University.

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Vivek Singh

Technology Analyst

Vivek Singh

An accomplished professional with a Master's degree in Materials and Energy Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi. With expertise in MATLAB Simulink, dSpace, and EV-related areas, he contributes to innovative solutions in sustainable energy and electric vehicle systems.