Jawad Ayaz, Managing Director

Jawad Ayaz is a technologist and entrepreneur who has founded multiple companies in the mobile software space. Most recently - Openera Technologies a mobile applications company sold to NMSS Communications (NASDAQ: NMSS), and before that Xybridge Technologies a mobile networking company sold to Zhone Technologies (NASDAQ: ZHNE).

Jawad specializes in providing seed capital, mentorship and advisory services for India-based, early-stage start-ups that leverage mobile and web technologies.

He comes with truly diverse experience, right from being part of initial team that designed and built Nortel's GSM switching platform to pioneering product segments such as Wireless (Mobile) soft-switching (with Motorola as primary customer), and IP based Mobile Communications to running a Sports-fishing operation based in the spectacular, virgin waters of the Andaman Islands.

John Kuruvilla, Director

John Kuruvilla has over 24 years of experience in Marketing, Sales, Advertising, Customer Relations, Revenue Management and Pricing.

As an advertising professional John has worked in leading advertising agencies in India - Lintas, JWT, Contract And Leo Burnett. He has been part of the team behind the creation of successful advertising campaigns like Maruti Omni, Hamara Bajaj, Kawasaki cheetah, Toyota Qualis AND Hitachi air conditioners.

At The Oberoi Group as Executive Vice president marketing, he was part of the Executive Committee managing Marketing, Revenue Management, Corporate communication and PR.

At Air Deccan as Chief Revenue Officer he was part of the Core team that was responsible for Marketing, Sales, Revenue Management, Distribution, Corporate Communications, overseeing the Call Center and Customer Relations.

As an entrepreneur in partnership with a real estate builder he launched India's Largest Online Real Estate Portal www.propmart.com coupled with, for the first time in Asia, offline Real Estate Supermarkets.

Kiasar Ahmad, Advisory Board Member (International Sourcing & US Operations)

Kaisar Ahmad has lived and worked in USA, UK, India and Hong Kong in businesses spanning consumer products, logistics, and supply chain management. Through the '70s and '80s he was with Murjani International the organization responsible for launching the brands Gloria Vanderbilt and Tommy Hilfiger. Initially based in Hong Kong, and subsequently New York, Kaisar Ahmad was CFO and Managing Director of Murjani's international manufacturing, distribution, retail and licensing operations. Since then he has been involved in diverse assignments in the field of International Business Development including establishment of retail and buying office operations for the Littlewoods Group of the UK in India, Singapore and Indonesia.

Kaisar has served on the Board of various companies in the USA and UK and India, including public companies such as GKW in India of which he was Chairman for a number of years.

Kaisar's international business experience is truly global and extends to the EU, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Richard Palarea, Advisory Board Member (International Logistics)

Richard Palarea is the CEO and co-founder of PA & Associates which is focused on Logistics Cost Management and he was instrumental in the foundation of all facets of the business including RFP methodologies, business model, marketing, carrier relations, negotiations and analytics. He is a member Gerson Lehrman Group's Expert Network, a professional member of Beroe for best practice procurement matters, founding member of the Browning-Faraday Group for Small Business Advisory and serves as a board member for Business Opportunity Network, as well as his active involvement and leadership in Accelerent.

Ramanand Mundkur, External Legal Counsel

Ramanand Mundkur, the Managing partner of Mundkur Law Partners, holds a masters degree in international finance from Harvard Law School, is qualified to practice in New York and in India, and has extensive international transactional experience, including five years of experience as a lawyer with the IMF in Washington, DC.