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, 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.
Entrepreneurship & Track Record
- Co-Founder - Foundership (2021 onwards): A Full-stack venture operating system that builds, operates, scales, and strategically exits companies. Started as a Global Emerging Tech Accelerator with 58 startups in 8 cohorts from 1500+ applications and got transformed into a full-stack venture studio.
- Co-Founder - Explara (2008-2019, Coach 2020 onwards): 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. Almost lost the company during peak COVID but persevered to rebuild a new Platform - ExplaraX - Community Management Tool for Building Community-First Business.
- 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. Building Internet-first products since 1998!
Proven Impact & Expertise
Domain Expertise
Unparalleled Network
Technical Foundation & Enterprise Experience
How We Work Together
Recognition & Credibility
"I only work with founders /CEOs committed to building world-class companies. If that's you, let's talk."
Let's Talk 👋
Santosh Panda
*"The Connected Catalyst" - Strategic guidance + active door-opening through
a massive global network.*