Sudesh Sangelkar

Co-Founder

Phoenix, Arizona, United States24 yrs 8 mos experience
Highly Stable

Key Highlights

  • Pioneered standards for Open Badges and Skills Standards.
  • Empowered diverse talent through innovative tech solutions.
  • Led digital transformation for global organizations.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in Edtech and Fintech, specializing in digital transformation and credentialing solutions.

Contact

LinkedIn

Skills

Core Skills

Entrepreneurship Startup GrowthSocial Impact Strategy Economic Development Through TechnologyGo-to-market Strategy & Execution Product Development & InnovationSocial Impact & Workforce DevelopmentProject Delivery

Other Skills

Account ManagementAgile MethodologiesAgile Project ManagementBankingBlockchainBlockchain & Emerging TechnologiesBusiness ArchitectureBusiness DevelopmentBusiness Model Innovation & ScalingContributionCreating Ecosystems for the Future of Work, Learning, and GrowthCross Functional Team BuildingCross-cultural Communication SkillsCross-functional Team LeadershipCustomer Relationship Management (CRM)

About

As a Founder of SparkPlus Technologies and SOLO Network, I am passionate about building ecosystems for the future of work, learning, and growth. With over 20+ years of experience in driving digital transformation for global organizations like American Express, Citi, and the State of New Mexico, I bring a unique blend of corporate expertise and entrepreneurial vision to the table. I am focused on empowering individuals and institutions through verifiable credentials, digital credentialing, market-ready-solutions, Fintech, Edtech, Identity, Social, Digital currency, Smart contracts, and emerging technologies such as blockchain/AI to reshape how skills and competencies are recognized, verified, and adopted in the workforce. At the core of my work is the belief that the future of work lies in creating scalable solutions that allow learners and professionals to prove their skills and unlock opportunities. Through SOLO Network, I’m pioneering standards for Open Badges, LER, CASE, and Skills Standards, enabling organizations and employers to embrace a new era of skill-based hiring. I am also dedicated to building purpose-driven initiatives that drive social impact, particularly in workforce development and upskilling for the tech and fintech industries. My journey has led me to work with startups and established businesses alike, creating market-ready, scalable tech solutions that get to market in 12-16 weeks. This hands-on, lean approach to product development and market entry is something I am deeply passionate about—empowering organizations to adapt faster, scale smarter, and impact more lives. I thrive on building ecosystems that bring people together to learn, grow, and innovate—creating spaces where technology and human potential intersect to create lasting, positive change in the world of work.

Experience

Solo network

Founder / Managing Director

Jan 2021 – Present · 5 yrs 2 mos · Phoenix, Arizona, United States · Remote

  • Empowering the Future of Work and Learning through Verifiable Credentials
  • As Founder and CEO of SOLO Network, I’m leading the shift toward a new era of credentialing, designed to empower learners, institutions, and employers. SOLO offers a tech-agnostic, scalable solution that simplifies how credentials are issued and verified, without relying on specific technologies. While it uses W3C verifiable credentials and blockchain as optional supplements, the focus is on delivering accessible, impactful solutions for businesses, educational institutions, and workers across industries.
  • SOLO emerged from SparkPlus Technologies, where we bridged the gap between students and employers with hands-on projects. This experience informed SOLO's development—an automated platform built to make credentialing more efficient, transparent, and trusted.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Tech-Agnostic Approach: SOLO scales to meet any industry’s needs, allowing businesses to adopt a variety of credentialing standards without relying on complex tech infrastructures.
  • Revolutionized Credentialing: Built on W3C verifiable credentials, SOLO ensures learners have a portable, immutable record of their skills, with blockchain enhancing security when needed.
  • Industry Collaboration: Partnered with institutions, employers, and governments to promote skills-based credentials over traditional degrees.
  • Empowering Learners: SOLO gives individuals from all backgrounds a way to showcase skills and access career opportunities, democratizing access to the workforce.
  • Championing Standards & Trust: SOLO supports multiple globally recognized standards, including:
  • Learning and Employment Records (LER), Open Badges 2.0 & 3.0, Comprehensive Learner Records (CLR), CASE Standards, OSN, Credential Engine, NFC/Student Cards
  • SOLO provides businesses with the flexibility to meet their credentialing needs while allowing them to focus on what matters: empowering talent and building the future workforce.
Entrepreneurship & Startup GrowthGo-to-Market Strategy & Execution Product Development & InnovationBusiness Model Innovation & ScalingStrategic Partnerships & AlliancesProject Management from Concept to LaunchFinancial Planning & Resource Allocation+1

Sparkplus technologies

Founder & Managing Director

Sep 2018 – Present · 7 yrs 6 mos · United States · Hybrid

  • At SparkPlus Technologies, our mission is to empower businesses and individuals by providing innovative solutions that drive success and foster growth. We're deeply committed to shaping the future of work by creating a talent pipeline for the tech industry, one that equips students from high school and college with the skills and industry experience they need to thrive.
  • Founded SparkPlus Technologies with the vision to bridge the skills gap and ensure businesses have access to the talent they need to succeed in the digital age. We deliver market-ready solutions that help companies scale quickly and efficiently, while making sure emerging talent is prepared for real-world challenges.
  • Built a lean, agile team with a focus on research-based innovations, allowing us to offer customized, scalable solutions that businesses can quickly adapt and white-label to meet their specific needs.
  • Developed a tech talent pipeline by offering early industry opportunities to students, helping them build career pathways that begin as early as high school or college. We provide them with real-world experience and hands-on learning, setting them up for success in the tech industry.
  • Created a suite of industry-specific products designed to help startups and businesses go to market faster. Our products provide businesses with the flexibility to scale while fostering sustainable growth.
  • Champion of diversity and inclusion – We focus on empowering underrepresented communities, especially women, by launching initiatives that promote equal opportunities in the tech sector.
  • Empowering emerging talent through project-based learning, mentoring, and hands-on experience, ensuring they are not only job-ready but equipped to build the careers of tomorrow.
Entrepreneurship Startup GrowthDevelopment Business Strategy LeadershipTeam Building Innovation & Product DevelopmentGlobal Remote Operations ManagementSocial Impact Strategy Economic Development through Technology

Infogain

Director Of Information Technology

Aug 2015 – Dec 2017 · 2 yrs 4 mos · Phoenix, Arizona Area

  • Launched and managed Phoenix operation
  • Consistently grow YOY while penetrating new customers; $3M+ARR across the service line
  • Generated over 20% volume growth with little to no impact on long-term reimbursement strategy
  • Establish SOPs for delivering customer services and product deliverables
  • Enhance awareness of products via web presence, in-person and virtual events, and other methods
Project DeliveryStrategic Communications

American express

Engagement Manager

Dec 1999 – Jul 2014 · 14 yrs 7 mos · Phoenix, Arizona Area

  • Managed several projects and large-scale program integrations for American Express with budgets ranging from $100K to $3M; Managed & supervised team of 6+ Project Managers and coordinated all hiring and contracting of resources.
  • Built relationships with technology leaders, managed finances and cross-functional operations; trained Project Managers to execute business development strategies within American Express by presenting training programs, holding monthly meetings, and analyzing all account-level billing reports.
  • Developed Offshore and onsite models to successfully outsource key portfolios across various departments
Project DeliveryStrategic CommunicationsIT Service Management

New mexico department of taxation and revenue

Project Lead

Mar 1998 – Dec 1999 · 1 yr 9 mos · Santa Fe, New Mexico Area

Project DeliveryStrategic CommunicationsIT Service Management

Prudential financial

Project Lead Developer

Jan 1997 – Feb 1998 · 1 yr 1 mo · Jacksonville, Florida Area

Project DeliveryStrategic CommunicationsIT Service Management

Citi

Project Lead Developer

Aug 1994 – Dec 1997 · 3 yrs 4 mos · Jacksonville, Florida Area

Project Delivery

Kraftware

Programmer

Jan 1992 – Jul 1994 · 2 yrs 6 mos · Mumbai Area, India

Education

careers in Goa

Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA — Accounting and Computer Science

Jan 1995 – Jan 1999

Industrial Training Institute of Goa

Associate's degree — Computer Software Engineering

Jan 1990 – Jan 1991

Sudesh Sangelkar - Co-Founder | Stackforce