MAM
Sprect raises Rs 50 lakh in Angel funding from Siddarth Shetty
Mumbai: Sprect, a C2C consulting marketplace, announced that it has raised Rs
50 lakhs in Angel funding from seasoned industry veteran, Siddarth (Sid) Shetty, chief business development officer at ServiceChannel. With this funding, Sprect plans to accelerate product development, expand its team, drive marketing efforts, and boost sales.
Launched by Mohit Khadaria and Vishal Rupani in August 2023, Sprect (short for Super Connect) aims to bridge the gap between individuals and professionals across diverse fields, making them readily accessible to each other online. Sprect’s web platform directly connects users with the world’s leading PROs (Professionals) for one-on-one interactions. Sprect incentivizes PROs to take calls while maintaining their privacy through its comprehensive turnkey system, which streamlines brand building, scheduling, payment processing, and video calls.
With over 15 years of leadership experience spanning Operations, Business Intelligence, Global Services, Business Development, and Marketplace Strategy, Siddarth (Sid) Shetty brings a wealth of expertise to Sprect’s journey. His pivotal role at ServiceChannel, which contributed to its eventual acquisition by Fortive for $1.2
billion in 2021, underscores his exceptional ability to build high-functioning teams and foster innovation within tech-driven ventures. Siddarth is also the host of the industry podcast ‘Elevating Brick and Mortar’, where he interviews industry leaders and discusses how world-class brands deliver compelling customer experiences.
As a leader with strategic expertise in driving growth and building successful marketplaces, his role as an investor and advisor will be invaluable as Sprect charts its course towards revolutionizing digital connections between individuals and professionals.
“Sprect’s innovative approach to democratizing access to expertise deeply resonates with me,” said Siddarth Shetty. “I see significant untapped potential for consumer-to-consumer advisory services, and it’s great to see that Sprect has already built an impressive pool of professionals without spending a penny on advertising. I’m excited to support their vision of empowering people by enabling them to connect with professionals seamlessly while unlocking new monetization opportunities for PROs from all backgrounds and walks of life. I firmly believe Mohit and Vishal embody the passion and vision necessary to lead this transformative journey, and I am honoured for the opportunity to be part of it.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sid to our exciting journey,” expressed Sprect co-founder Mohit Khadaria. “His impressive track record in building exceptional teams, coupled with his pivotal role in contributing to the success of a company achieving unicorn status, is truly inspiring. What truly ignites our excitement is his unwavering passion for developing purpose-driven technology and a vision that seamlessly aligns with ours. We firmly believe Sprect has the potential to revolutionize how people connect and share knowledge, and we eagerly anticipate the transformative journey ahead.”
Sprect’s marketplace boasts a roster of PROs from renowned companies like Airtel, Google, Times Internet, and WarnerBros.Discovery; prestigious educational institutions like IIM, IIT, ISB, and UCLA; government officials including the Principal Income Tax Commissioner and Mumbai Police Commissioner; and even Indian Olympians. This diversity ensures you can connect with someone who has the exact experience you need to help you take that next step to achieving your own goals.
Sprect co-founder Vishal Rupani remarked, “Sid’s investment represents a significant validation of Sprect’s potential to revolutionize the digital connectivity landscape. His backing reinforces our dedication to reshaping interactions between individuals and professionals, cultivating a culture centered around knowledge sharing and guidance. We deeply appreciate Sid’s trust in our vision and are excited to embark on this journey together.”
Sprect believes every individual is an expert in the life they’ve lived. We invite everyone to sign up today and make their knowledge accessible to the masses. PROs can create a free profile to offer paid consultations, complimentary sessions, or even charity calls, catering to a wide range of needs. On the other hand, users can freely browse profiles and book calls without creating a profile.
Brands
Primus Partners appoints Akasa Air co-founder Neelu Khatri as independent director
Veteran aviation and defence professional joins as independent director
NEW DELHI: Primus Partners has appointed Neelu Khatri, a founding member of Akasa Air, as an independent director, strengthening the consulting firm’s board as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
Khatri brings more than three decades of experience across defence, aviation, aerospace technology and consulting. She was part of the core team that helped build Akasa Air from concept to launch, contributing to what has been widely described as one of the fastest airline scale ups in recent aviation history.
At Primus Partners, she will provide strategic guidance on corporate governance and help steer the firm’s long term growth plans. Her experience of building a start up into a full scale organisation is expected to support the consulting firm as it expands its footprint.
Primus Partners co-founder and chairperson Davinder Sandhu, said the appointment brings valuable expertise to the board. “Neelu’s journey across defence, aviation and consulting brings a rare blend of operational insight and strategic thinking. Her experience in rapidly scaling Akasa Air will be invaluable as we continue to grow while maintaining a strong focus on corporate governance,” he said.
Primus Partners, an India headquartered management consulting and solutions firm, has emphasised governance and board oversight since its early days. The company has also taken an unconventional approach by inviting its Gen Z employees to attend board meetings so that younger perspectives can contribute to discussions.
Speaking on her appointment, Khatri said the consulting sector is entering a transformative period shaped by emerging technologies. “The industry is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI. This is an exciting moment for an Indian origin consulting firm like Primus Partners to expand its product offerings and strengthen its presence globally,” she said.
She added that as the firm pursues ambitious expansion plans, her focus will be on ensuring strong governance frameworks and effective risk management as the organisation scales.
