Chaitanya Chitta

CEO

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India23 yrs experience

Highly Stable

Key Highlights

Led strategic expansion in higher education across South Asia.
Co-founded SLAY Coffee, transforming India's coffee culture.
Experienced in financial advisory and M&A transactions.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic leader in EdTech and Food & Beverage sectors with strong financial expertise.

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Skills

Other Skills

MergersFinancial ModelingCorporate FinanceDue DiligenceFinancial AnalysisFinancial ReportingAccountingValuationPrivate EquityManagerial FinanceFinanceCapital MarketsStrategic Financial PlanningAuditingBusiness Valuation

About

At the helm of Cintana Education's strategic expansion in India and South Asia, I am passionate about driving partnerships and execution that redefine the future of higher education. Leading a dynamic team, I collaborate with some of the most esteemed institutions to foster academic innovation and operational excellence, paving the way for transformative growth. Previously, I co-founded DropKaffe, a journey that culminated in the creation of SLAY Coffee—a brand that revolutionized India’s coffee culture and reshaped how people experience their daily brew. Prior to that, I co-founded SmartOn Learning, an edtech venture based out of New York and Bengaluru, focused on equipping learners with future-ready skills and driving impactful career outcomes. Prior to that, I worked as a Senior Director with KPMG and as a Manager with Barclays Capital in New York City. Beyond work, I am a proud father to a 12-year-old child author and podcaster. I am a certified yoga instructor, and an avid traveler. Life also wouldn’t be the same without my 4-year-old retriever, who keeps our home lively and joyful. Drop me a note to connect and explore how we can build meaningful collaborations and drive impact together.

Experience

Cintana education

Regional Head, India & South Asia

Jul 2024 – Present · 1 yr 9 mos

Lead Cintana’s business and operations working with various partner institutions and stakeholders to develop and implement ambitious long-term growth strategies.

Dropkaffe food & beverages pvt. ltd.

Co-Founder

Apr 2015 – Apr 2024 · 9 yrs · Bangalore

Building SLAY Coffee

Laureate international universities

Senior Consultant

Jul 2013 – Oct 2013 · 3 mos · India

Smarton learning solutions

CEO & Co-Founder

Jun 2013 – Mar 2015 · 1 yr 9 mos · New York, U.S.A and Bangalore, India

Smarton is a disruptive education enterprise focused on bringing innovation, technology, and internationalization to the academic institutions for targeted student outcomes.
Headquartered in New York with a strong presence in India, Smarton works in close alliance with industry partners and reputed international academic institutions to develop curriculum embedded courses and career readiness programs in a hybrid (e-learning & classroom blended) environment.

Laureate education india

CFO

Jun 2012 – Jun 2013 · 1 yr · Greater Delhi Area

Laureate education

Executive Director - M&A

Aug 2011 – May 2012 · 9 mos · Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

M&A transaction advisory support
Due-diligence & transaction structuring
Post-close Integration & Operations

Kpmg

Director

Jan 2005 – Sep 2011 · 6 yrs 8 mos

Financial Due Diligence: Advise strategic and financial buyers on mergers, acquisitions and divestitures and provide support throughout the transaction life cycle
Assist clients in financial reporting around various transactions (acquisitions, carve-outs, divestitures etc) and IPOs.
Accounting Advisory Services / Capital Market Services: Advice clients in their conversions to US GAAP/IFRS in support of domestic/cross-border acquisitions.
Assist clients on accounting issues related to business combinations, IPOs and carve-outs.
Support clients in the design and implementation of financial reporting and control policies & procedures to meet reporting requirements and assists in financial integration.