Sonal K.

Co-Founder

Boston, Massachusetts, United States31 yrs experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Founded a startup ecosystem with 35,000+ entrepreneurs.
Developed innovative marketing strategies for luxury automotive brands.
Expert in scaling startups and securing funding.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Startup and Innovation Specialist with extensive experience in Automotive Marketing.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Start-upsBusiness DevelopmentMarketing StrategyInnovation ManagementBusiness StrategyMarketing ManagementManagement

Other Skills

Brand CommunicationBrand DevelopmentCoaching & MentoringCommunity EngagementConsultancyCorporate IdentityCustomer ServiceDigital MarketingFDI StrategyFunding StrategiesFundraisingGeneral ManagementInnovation ProcessesMarket ExpansionMarket Strategy

About

A high energy individual with a unique combination of International Experience, Innovation, Marketing and Startup Investment expertise, coupled with a drive to know and understand the world around, that is dynamic and ever evolving. Rounded with an essential dose of maturity and wisdom. Worked with leading brands in areas of Innovation, Marketing & Finance - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, BMW, Cathay Pacific Airways - in Hong Kong, Germany, UK, US and India. Adept at leading international teams and in diverse markets. Proven record of taking ideas from inception to successful scale. Currently work with startups from a variety of verticals to assess, fund and scale. Built a startup ecosystem of 35,000+ entrepreneurs, an investor and advisor network.

Experience

Lounge47

Founder & COO

Nov 2013 – Present · 12 yrs 4 mos · Bangalore/Boston/San Jose

Founded Lounge47, an entrepreneurial community that helps startups build great businesses. Lounge47 is based in Bangalore, Boston and San Jose and it's main goal is to get early stage startups funded. Developed a consumer internet driven deal flow mechanism and event interface to engage with fresh and early startups. Proven record to take ideas from inception to scale.

Startup Ecosystem DevelopmentFunding StrategiesCommunity EngagementStart-upsBusiness Development

Rolls-royce motor cars pvt. ltd

Manager Marketing Relationships and Innovation

Apr 2006 – Jan 2013 · 6 yrs 9 mos · UK, Germany, US

Conceived and Executed 'Whispers' - a revolutionary new way to market and sell cars - developed, led and rolled out innovative concepts that opened new opportunities in the areas of brand relationships and communication, sales methods and practices, new markets and new target groups.
Implemented six city project - Manchester, Edinburgh, Munich, Dusseldorf, New York and Miami. Ensured successful deployment and transferred learning's via training programs to Rolls-Royce dealerships world-wide. Whispers concept also adopted by BMW N. America.

Marketing InnovationBrand CommunicationSales StrategyMarketing StrategyInnovation Management

Bmw group

Innovations Manager

May 2001 – Apr 2006 · 4 yrs 11 mos · Munich, Germany

Set up very early building blocks for CVC within BMW, HQ Munich.
Defined processes and methods to incorporate innovation - identifying. evaluating and prioritizing trends, building 'startup' projects and executing to translate into value for brands - MINI, BMW and Rolls-Royce. Refined approaches towards separating signal from noise. Conceived a shared understanding for 'Marketing Innovation' and helped define processes and structures to execute departmental function.
Set up a 'deal flow' and evaluation mechanisms for the influx of ideas, worked with cutting edge startup/small business organizations, also R&D organizations world-wide including Silicon Valley. Managed and directed research projects at MIT and University St. Gallen.
Conceived and executed projects that built brand value (Driver Vitality), developed new ways to market and sell cars (Whispers), enter new markets (Target India) and address new Target groups (Target Exotic, Going Silver).

Innovation ProcessesTrend EvaluationStartup CollaborationInnovation ManagementBusiness Strategy

Ravenpack

Strategic Management Consultant

Aug 2000 – Apr 2001 · 8 mos · Munich Area, Germany

Ravenpack AG is an early-stage startup in the big data & analytics vertical. Defined strategy, marketing communication and process addressing a variety of industries. Organized fund-raising opportunities with Angels/VCs/other asset classes.

Strategic PlanningMarketing CommunicationFundraisingBusiness StrategyMarketing Management

Gotobavaria [invest in bavaria]

Consultant

Jan 2000 – Jul 2000 · 6 mos · Munich Area, Germany

gotoBavaria now Invest in Bavaria is a Bavarian Government organization offering Startups world-wide a 6 months launch pad in Bavaria.
Advised the Bavarian Government on German-India relations in the context of FDI. Defined Strategy to build a bridge between India and Bavaria, fostering Innovation, Business and FDI. Facilitated setup of the 'gotobavaria' base in Bangalore, India that helped Indian Startups establish in Germany.

Strategic ConsultingFDI StrategyBusiness Strategy

Reinhardt & partners

Marketing Strategy Consultant

Apr 1999 – Jul 2000 · 1 yr 3 mos · Munich Germany

Executed consultancy projects with German financial institutions overhauling Corporate Identity.

Corporate IdentityConsultancyMarketing Strategy

Cathay pacific airways

General Management

Jan 1994 – Jan 1999 · 5 yrs · Hong Kong

Obtained a sound all-round understanding of all aspects of Management from Strategic to Operational in a Customer Service Business. Served as Manager, Strategic Unit (Inflight Services), Assistant Manager Business Development, Assistant Manager North Asia (Airline Planning), Staff Communicator Commercial (PR).
Prior to this, learnt the ropes of the Airline Industry through operational roles.
This set the basis for a thorough understanding for General Management across departmental functions.

General ManagementCustomer ServiceManagement