Navin is responsible for Entry India and Entry USA's mission to make it easy for companies in US and India to seamlessly connect with each other and do business.
Navin is responsible for overseeing the mission to facilitate seamless business establishment and expansion for Indian companies in the US, and vice versa for US companies in India.
His business mantra is 'people listen if they like you but do business when they trust you'. Built on trust, he has assisted hundreds of companies to establish and expand their business cross-border.
He has successfully managed, and executed high-impact US & India market expansion projects for many business enterprises, including that of Electronics and Computer Software (ESC) Export Promotion Council, funded by Govt. of India.
Navin holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University in Virginia and a Master's degree in Engineering Management.
Pravin Patil
Managing Partner, Prana Tech Ventures
Pravin Patil is a seasoned venture capitalist and angel investor with deep expertise in cybersecurity and technology companies. He has successfully built and exited companies, including deals with top private equity firms like Carlyle. His profound knowledge of the cybersecurity space is complemented by his experience in deep tech, pharmaceuticals, and real estate. Actively engaged in the startup ecosystem, Pravin offers strategic guidance and financial support to early-stage companies, helping them innovate and grow. His diverse background and cybersecurity and tech focus make him a valuable mentor and investor.
Mayank Gautam
Director, Global Trade, NASSCOM
Dynamic business professional with more than 14 years of experience in managing a spectrum of services ranging from strategy to international business, across Telecom & IT industry. Deep understanding of the Indian ICT market landscape and substantial relationship-building skills across levels.
As part of the current role, work closely with multiple government officials, think tanks, and policy makers. Responsible for working towards further cementing and reinforcing the position of the Indian Tech industry in the Americas and Middle East. Been with nasscom with consistent delivery and steadfast contribution for close to 7 years. Represent the Indian tech across businesses and government forums in India as well as globally, along-with the Global Trade team.
Keen interest in geopolitics, geoeconomics and tech for good.
Builder at heart, in pursuit of creative disruption; always investing in the next big thing: people, impact, tech (in that order); passionate believer in scientific solutions to humanity's biggest problems.
I'm fortunate to have enjoyed a fantastic journey from semiconductors to enterprise software to mobile to payments to fintech to identity, and now AI...even as I embark on my next chapter, I continue to be involved in pursuits that solve real problems and make an impact.
My first 16 years in corporate America taught me how to wear different hats, solve big complex problems, work with everyone from C-level to intern, appreciate and embrace diversity, deal with imperfect organizations, and gain fluency in various functional languages - from tech to finance to marketing to legal to product to strategy to business development to portfolio management, and across various industries in global settings. I learned much from a few fantastic mentors and some talented bosses, many brilliant colleagues and of course a handful of terrible ones too, but how fortunate was I to be well prepared for the next act!
And then, over the past 13 years, I built 2 companies from concept to successful outcome, including everything leading up to an exit, as a founder, as CEO, and as de-facto COO / CPO / CFO / CMO / CRO, etc.: hustled, raised capital, hired talent, architected brands, grew revenue, expanded globally, turned profitable, survived the worst markets, and worked with some of the best and the brightest. Along with my co-founders in both companies, we did some amazing things together - we defined the contours of an entirely new industry as we partnered with companies big and small, and engaged with fellow entrepreneurs, early-stage investors & willing executives across the ecosystem of innovation globally.
Jayanti Chandrasekar
Chief Growth Officer, Entry USA
Jayanti Chandrasekar is a dynamic sales and marketing leader with over 30 years of proven experience in business development, strategic planning, and revenue growth across diverse industry verticals. Her career reflects a strong ability to translate market insight into actionable business strategies, and her analytical acumen is complemented by a consistent out-of-the-box approach to problem solving.
A seasoned techno-commercial professional, Jayanti has successfully led and executed complex sales initiatives, consistently identifying and capitalizing on global market opportunities. Her core strengths lie in market entry strategy, key account management, partnership development. She has played a key role in driving top-line growth and organizational expansion, with a track record of building high-impact sales pipelines and long-term customer relationships.
While she has amassed rich experience across multiple sectors including food & beverages, medical devices, automotive and international trade, Jayanti has focused her leadership and business expertise on the defense and aerospace industry. For the last 5 years she has contributed to the growth of Entry USA LLC substantially.
Jayanti has been instrumental in steering multi-million-dollar deals from concept to closure, leveraging her understanding of compliance, policy alignment, and cross-functional collaboration. Her ability to navigate complex regulatory ecosystems and align business interests with national priorities has made her a trusted advisor and catalyst for growth.
In addition, Jayanti has a strong interest in global trade and import-export operations, where she brings her keen understanding of international logistics, documentation, and trade finance mechanisms.
Her approach is marked by resilience, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset, making her a valuable asset for organizations seeking to scale their operations, enter new markets, or engage in strategic alliances.
Geetha Rajavarapu
Immigration Expert, Entry USA
Geetha is a certified Immigration paralegal and HR specialist. She spent over 16 years working in various multinational corporate IT companies both in India and the US.
Geetha is a seasoned paralegal working with various experienced immigration attorneys in the US involved in representing large companies and individuals before USCIS, IRCC, CIC, DOL, State Employment Agency, State Department, United States Embassies, and Consulates overseas.
Todd Rossin
CEO & Chief Strategy Officer, TechDemocracy
Todd is a recognized IAM and Cloud industry expert who brings over 20 years of experience in managing, advising, architecting, and deploying Identity Governance & Administration, Authentication and Authorization, and Cloud security, solutions and services. Todd is a frequent speaker on effective risk and security practices at leading industry events. He provides the oversight across multiple business segments and for the development of strategic plans to sustain companies growth while providing trusted advice to across the security and risk spectrum.
Pragati Sharma
Associate Director, Commercialization Funding, Rutgers University
Pragati Sharma serves as Associate Director of Commercialization Funding at Rutgers University (Office for Research, New Ventures), where she oversees programs that advance the translation of academic innovations toward market-ready solutions. She leads complex cross-functional initiatives supporting all areas of innovation, including but not limited to biotechnology, healthcare innovation, physical sciences and engineering, software applications, etc., integrating industry partnerships, stakeholder management, and data-driven program development. Previously, she co-directed the NIH-supported HealthAdvance Fund and consulted in the life sciences industry. Her background includes over a decade of experience spanning academic research, small business development, technology business development, technology transfer, and program strategy.
Pragati obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from Rutgers University, and a Masters (Honors) from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. Her professional focus centers on building sustainable innovation ecosystems that empower academic entrepreneurs and enhance commercialization outcomes.
James Barrood
Innovation Maestro + Growth Advisor
As a seasoned advisor, I specialize in guiding leaders across startups, growth companies, corporates, higher ed institutions, and nonprofits to foster growth and spearhead innovation.
With 25+ years of experience in nurturing entrepreneurial, innovation, and tech communities, I bring a wealth of expertise to the table. Currently, I lead Innovation+, a curated global community of 10,000+ entrepreneurs and innovators. I also serve as a startup advisor for scaling companies and higher educational institutions.
I also lend my expertise to organizations such as Tech Council Ventures Fund and JumpStart Angel Network.
Acknowledged by ROI as top 2025 Power100 Leader; NJBIZ in 2024 as a top 20 Tech Leader and in its prestigious Power 100 List and ROI's Top 100 Influencer List for several years, I actively contribute to the business community with advisory services and serving on boards.
My passion for innovation extends to executive education programs focusing on AI, which I develop and oversee. I am also a respected speaker at regional and global conferences such as TEDx, where I share insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, startup ecosystem development, and tech advancements.
For 5+ years, I led the New Jersey Tech Council (TechUnited), transforming it into one of the largest and most respected membership organizations in the US, representing over 1,000 companies and 500,000+ tech workers.
My podcast, "A Few Things Show," offers a platform for insights from entrepreneurial and innovative leaders, accessible on YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify. Want to be a guest? Then get in touch and let's make it happen.
Are you looking for:
Assistance in growing your company or organization?
Leveraged advantages for your startup community through driving innovation?
Board members or guidance on board formation/strengthening?
Expansion of domestic or global company networks?
A keynote speaker for conferences, corporate events, or podcasts?
A part in the Innovation+ community, a carefully curated network of entrepreneurial leaders?
Kalindi Bakshi
Division Head, Life Science
Kalindi is the Division Head of Life Sciences and Food Innovation at the Middlesex County Office of Business Engagement (OBE), where she leads targeted initiatives in business attraction and retention pipeline cross Middlesex County, NJ. In this role, she partners with key stakeholders and industry leaders to cultivate strategic relationships, streamline resources, and support a thriving local economy. Her work spans sectors such as Life Sciences, Food Innovation, and beyond, emphasizing sustainable growth and resilience for businesses of all sizes.
Kalindi brings a unique entrepreneurial perspective as the Founder of Plantology Fuel and Phirki NYC, companies that focus on delivering health-forward, plant-based prepared meals. These ventures reflect her commitment to nutrition, wellness, and accessibility, bringing her firsthand experience in business challenges and successes to her economic development role.
Kalindi also serves as President of World Vegan Vision, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting awareness of a healthy, plant-based lifestyle. In this capacity, she advances community engagement and wellness education, helping people embrace nutritious, sustainable food choices.
With a strong foundation in neuroscience, Kalindi holds a Doctoral Degree in Neuroscience from the City University of New York and completed her post-doctoral fellowship in Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. This scientific background informs her approach to economic development, blending data-driven strategy with a focus on community well-being. Kalindi’s blend of expertise in research, business, and public engagement makes her a catalyst for positive economic and social impact in Middlesex County.
