Serial Entrepreneur • Internet Technologist • Coach/Mentor • Investor

Santosh is a serial entrepreneur with 20+ years of building, scaling, and investing in technology companies. Bootstrapped Explara from £0 to $11M revenue, serving 100,000+ users globally. Currently runs Foundership, a Global Emerging Tech Accelerator VC, and is establishing an Emerging Tech Fund focused on AI and Deep Tech. Combining deep technical expertise from FTSE 100 consulting with proven startup execution and elite global networks.

"*Transforming startups*" through proven growth strategies, elite networks, 
and hands-on leadership.

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Entrepreneurship & Track Record

• Co-Founder - Foundership (2021 onwards): Built Global Emerging Tech Accelerator, $332M portfolio across 58 startups, 8 cohorts, 1500+ applications. Follow-on funding rounds, strong VC backing
• Co-Founder - Explara (2008-2019): Bootstrapped India's first DIY Event Registration SaaS platform. Scaled from $0 to $11M gross payment volume. Multi-product evolution: Events, Community management, Payments and Crowdfunding
• Achieved profitability and secured 3 funding rounds for Explara from incredible VCs and investors across India, Singapore, and the USA
• Prior experience: Product teams at eBay UK, BBC iPlayer launch (2007), plus a decade in FTSE 100 companies, and lived & worked in the UK, USA, Finland, Singapore and India.

Technical Foundation & Enterprise Experience

Product Leadership (2006-2008):

• eBay UK: Led product teams developing MVPs and API integrations for UK & EU markets
• BBC iPlayer: Core team member for landmark streaming service launch (2007)
• Cross-functional expertise: Market research, customer interviews, API development

Enterprise Consulting (2004-2012): FTSE 100 & High-Growth Clients

• Vodafone UK: Service delivery platform managing supply chain across 27 countries
• William Hill: Core betting platform development for sports and racing
• Allianz Cornhill: iMarket insurance e-commerce portal architecture
• News International: Digital subscription paywall for Times, Sunday Times, Sun
• TouchNote & Comic Relief: Product architecture and engineering team leadership

Early Career (1998-2004): Startup to Enterprise Scale

• CoreObjects: Built EDI platforms, enterprise social tools and software products for the US market
• Sonata-Terranova JV: Built Content management solutions, warehouse management systems in Helsinki and Bangalore

Domain Expertise

SaaS & Platform Business Models:

• Event & Community Platforms: Built India's first DIY event registration SaaS, evolved to a multi-product platform
• Product-market fit: 11+ years scaling Explara across multiple pivots to profitability
• Pricing & Revenue: Subscription models, transaction fees, freemium to paid conversion optimization
• Global SaaS scaling: 100,000+ users across 21+ countries with localized go-to-market

Enterprise Software & Consulting:

• FTSE 100 delivery: Vodafone, William Hill, Allianz, News International
• Complex system architecture: Multi-million user platforms, payment processing, content management
• Enterprise sales: Direct experience selling to and delivering for major UK corporations
• Digital transformation: Led paywall, e-commerce, and supply chain platform implementations

Emerging Technologies & Innovation:

• AI/ML implementation: Current focus through the Foundership portfolio and the AI Valley Club
• Web3 & Blockchain: 10,000+ member Blockmeet community, crypto/DeFi startup investments
• Product innovation: BBC iPlayer launch team, eBay API integrations, mobile-first solutions

Global Market Expansion:

• Market entry strategies: Proven India → APAC → MENA → USA expansion playbooks
• Cross-cultural team management: Successfully scaled teams across Europe, India, USA
• Regulatory navigation: Financial services (payments), media (broadcasting), gaming (betting)

Community-Led Growth & Ecosystems:

• Large-scale communities: 10,000+ members across AI Valley Club and Blockmeet Web3
• Ecosystem development: Early contributor to Indian SaaS industry formation
• Network monetization: Converting community engagement into business partnerships and revenue
• Event-driven growth: Expert in using events as community and customer acquisition engines

Financial Services & Payments:

• Payment processing: Built payment collection and crowdfunding capabilities at Explara
• Financial platforms: Insurance e-commerce (Allianz), betting platforms (William Hill)
• Subscription billing: Multi-currency, multi-geography SaaS billing expertise
• Fintech regulation: Experience with payment compliance across multiple jurisdictions

Accelerator & Investment Operations:

• Portfolio management: $332M across 58 startups, 8 cohorts, 1500+ applications
• Due diligence: Technical, market, and team evaluation frameworks
• Startup lifecycle: Seed to Series A+ growth patterns and scaling challenges
• Investor relations: Raised multiple rounds personally, guided portfolio companies through funding

Unparalleled Network (40K+ Connections)

• 3,624 Founders & Co-Founders (9% of network) - Direct founder peer group
• 2,086 Investors including 292 Angel Investors, 235 Managing/General Partners
• 3,473 CXO/Leadership positions across global markets
• Geographic strength: India (20%), USA (6%), UK, APAC, Europe presence
• Sector depth: Enterprise software, fintech, emerging tech, community platforms

Proven Impact & Expertise

Growth & Scale (Based on Explara & Portfolio Experience):

• Revenue Growth: Scaled Explara from $0 to $11M gross payment volume over 11 years
• Global Expansion: Successfully expanded from India to international markets
• Profitability: Led Explara to sustainable profitability while maintaining growth
• Community-led growth: Build engaged user communities driving organic expansion
• Portfolio Success: Foundership companies achieved significant follow-on funding rounds

Capital & Fundraising (Personal & Portfolio Track Record):

• Fundraising Experience: Successfully raised 3 rounds for Explara from India, Singapore, and USA investors. Successfully raised 1 round for Foundership from Blume Ventures, Hiro Mashita and incredible Startup founders/Angels
• Investor Access: Direct relationships with 2,086 investors in the network for warm introductions
• Due Diligence: Deep understanding of investor expectations and the fundraising mechanics
• Portfolio Support: Guided multiple Foundership companies through funding rounds
• M&A Positioning: Strategic acquisitions or exit preparation. My experience includes acquiring a startup to grow Explara

Enterprise & Strategic (FTSE 100 Consulting Background):

• Enterprise Sales: Experience selling to and delivering for major UK corporations
• Product Strategy: Led product development from MVP to enterprise scale
• Technical Architecture: Designed systems handling millions of users and transactions
• Cross-cultural Operations: Managed teams and operations across UK, India, Finland, USA

Leadership & Organization (20+ Years Team Building):

• Team Building: Built and scaled teams at Explara across multiple functions
• Executive Network: Access to 3,473 CXO/Leadership professionals for strategic hires
• Board Experience: Served on boards and advised founders on strategic decisions
• Operational Excellence: Hands-on experience in product, sales, marketing, and operations
• Founder coaching: Navigated scaling challenges with battle-tested frameworks

Community & Ecosystem Building (10,000+ Members Globally):

• AI Valley Club: Building a global AI community targeting 40+ cities worldwide
• Blockmeet Web3: Built 40+ chapters with 10,000+ members across global cities

Contact

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(C) 2025 Santosh Panda