Siddharth Balachandran

CEO

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India18 yrs 10 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Established Airbus's key Innovation Centre in India.
Led the most successful BizLab globally for three years.
Drove initiatives for French Tech and Make in India.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic leader in Aerospace and Consulting sectors.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Innovation LeadershipStrategic GrowthBusiness DevelopmentInnovation ManagementGovernment AdvisoryInternational RelationsEntrepreneurshipBusiness StrategySales StrategyClient Management

Other Skills

Advanced ConnectivityAerospace AcceleratorAgileArtificial IntelligenceBilateral CollaborationBusiness AdvisoryBusiness IntelligenceBusiness PlanningCRMClient Relationship ManagementCollaborationDecarbonizationFail FastFinanceIndustrial Automation

About

An accomplished and capable senior technology and strategy executive (18+ years) with a track record in innovation leadership, sales, and building businesses across international markets. Currently, leading the Airbus Innovation Center (India & South Asia), shaping strategic growth and fostering crucial innovation ecosystems. Expertise includes government advisory, startup engagement, and leveraging bilingual (French/English) capabilities for global partnerships.

Experience

Airbus

2 roles

Head of Airbus Innovation Center - India & South Asia

Promoted

Nov 2022 – Present · 3 yrs 4 mos

Established and leading Airbus's third global Innovation Centre, positioning India as a key hub alongside the US & China. Directed the Centre's focus on exploring and industrializing critical disruptive technologies - Decarbonization (Green Hydrogen, Sustainable Aviation Fuel etc.), Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Automation, Unmanned Air Systems, Advanced Connectivity, Space Technology, and Autonomy.
Secured the Centre's role as a key contributor to Airbus's AI strategy for Engineering & Customer Services and pioneered the company's first global 'Digital Protospace' for rapid prototyping of Digital concepts while implementing Agile and "Fail Fast" methodologies.

DecarbonizationArtificial IntelligenceIndustrial AutomationUnmanned Air SystemsAdvanced ConnectivitySpace Technology+4

Airbus BizLab Leader - India

Jul 2016 – Nov 2022 · 6 yrs 4 mos

Led the end-to-end creation and execution of Airbus BizLab India, the company's only aerospace accelerator outside Europe and a strategic innovation driver in South Asia. Implemented a distinct, results-oriented model collaborating with mature ventures to solve core Airbus challenges globally.
Made BizLab India into the most successful BizLab globally for 3 consecutive years and embedded 11 critical technologies into operations.
Elevated regional strategic influence for technology and innovation, and contributed expertise to India's national Aerospace & Defense startup policy.

Aerospace AcceleratorStrategic InnovationCollaborationTechnology IntegrationBusiness DevelopmentInnovation Management

French trade commission - govt of france

Trade Advisor

Jun 2013 – Jul 2016 · 3 yrs 1 mo · Bangalore

As a key representative for the French Government's trade & investment agency in India, drove market entry strategies and investment support for French corporations. Led initiatives fostering 'French Tech' & 'Make in India' collaborations. Was pivotal in orchestrating President Hollande's state visit and high-level CEO meetings, which directly contributed to the bilateral efforts culminating in the foundational agreement for the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Market Entry StrategiesInvestment SupportBilateral CollaborationGovernment AdvisoryInternational Relations

Global ants business solutions pvt. ltd

Co-Founder

Jan 2010 – Jan 2013 · 3 yrs · Puducherry, India

As Co-founder & CEO, built and led Global Ants, a boutique consultancy enabling French corporations to succeed in the Indian market. Directed strategy and execution, delivering comprehensive market entry solutions from intelligence to operational setup. Drove client success through high-impact partnership brokerage, achieving results such as joint manufacturing ventures (Defense), vital supply chain formations (Luxury), and offshore operational hubs (Tech), alongside advising the local government on potential regional schemes and opportunities to make Pondicherry more attractive for foreign investments.

Market Entry SolutionsPartnership BrokerageOperational SetupEntrepreneurshipBusiness Strategy

Akamai technologies

Relationship Manager

Jan 2009 – Jan 2011 · 2 yrs · Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Managed a strategic USD $25M enterprise portfolio for Akamai across Southern Europe & Latin America, driving 100% revenue growth (doubling portfolio value) in one year.
Led complex, high-value sales campaigns and cultivated C-level relationships with key clients (e.g., Telefonica, AXA, Wolters Kluwer, Walmart Brazil, Embraer) to secure major renewals/expansions and align Akamai's CDN, Security & Cloud solutions with Customers' core business objectives and ensuring high retention.

Sales ManagementRevenue GrowthClient Relationship ManagementSales StrategyClient Management