Raj Bhortake

Los Angeles, CA, United States0

COO | Product and GTM Strategy | ex-Deloitte, YouTube, Ara

As a seasoned executive with over a decade of experience leading high-growth, venture-backed businesses, I specialize in strategic partnerships, product management, and go-to-market operations across diverse industries including technology, e-commerce, media, social commerce, AI, ad-tech, and healthcare. Formally trained as a computer engineer, honed Strategy, Operations and Business Development skills globally at renowned consulting firms, dynamic startups and by earning an MBA from one of the world’s top business schools. Most recently, as the COO of Ara Labs, I led a digital ad-tech company that powers innovative media networks for rideshare platforms, EV charging stations and other spaces. My career is marked by a passion for developing products and strategies that secure a competitive edge and deliver superior customer experiences. I excel in crafting and executing growth initiatives that have propelled my companies into new markets, achieving significant revenue increases and expanding operational footprints globally. Notable achievements include pioneering a novel advertising partnership with Uber, leading to a transformative impact on the digital out-of-home advertising landscape. I’m most proud of creating value for customers and partners via: - Strategic Business Development: Developed and implemented commercial strategies that facilitated entry into 14 major cities, driving triple-digit revenue growth for Ara Labs through both new and existing market channels. - Product Leadership: Spearheaded the development and launch of cutting-edge hardware and software solutions, managing full product lifecycles to ensure seamless user experiences. My strategic vision covers extensive go-to-market strategies, from product conception through to customer acquisition and retention. - Collaborative Partnerships: Successfully negotiated and managed high-value alliances with major companies like Uber, GSTV, and ChargePoint. - Operational Excellence: Directed the scaling of operations, optimizing a complex global supply chain and vendor network to enhance profitability and efficiency. My analytical approach to operations has consistently resulted in improved cost structures and unit economics, driving sustained growth and profitability.

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Palmstreet

Dec 2024 — Present

New category expansion - cold start categories, exponential, sustainable growth, P&L ownership

Ara Labs Inc.

Jun 2018 — Dec 2024 · 6 yrs 6 mos

Chief Operating Officer

Jun 2019 — Dec 2024 · San Francisco, California, United States

As COO, I spearheaded the company's strategic direction alongside the management team and Board, crafting comprehensive business strategies, roadmaps, and budgets to drive sustainable growth. My leadership encompassed Strategic Partnerships and Business Operations across multiple functions, including Ad Sales, New Business Development, Customer Service, and more, ensuring excellence in customer integration and retention throughout the product lifecycle. Strategic Initiatives: - EV Charging Station Advertising: Directed the inception and launch of a new business vertical in EV charging station advertising, managing all aspects from product development to asset financing and operations. This initiative significantly expanded our revenue streams and positioned the company as a leader in integrated digital advertising solutions. - Strategic Partnerships Development: Successfully negotiated and secured exclusive, multi-year partnerships with industry giants like GSTV and ChargePoint, enhancing our market reach and service offerings. Business impact: - Revenue Growth: Engineered a pricing and product-market fit strategy that catalyzed triple-digit revenue growth, effectively adapting our monetization approach to improve unit economics and scalability. - Sustained Profitability: Maintained profitability through critical periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic, by implementing strategic cost-management and operational efficiencies, demonstrating resilience and adaptive business management.

Director, Growth and Market Expansion

Jun 2018 — Jun 2019 · San Francisco Bay Area

As Director of Growth and Market Expansion, I developed and implemented scalable strategies for successful market entries. My focus was on creating repeatable processes to ensure efficient and effective expansion across new markets. Strategic initiatives: - Strategic Playbooks: Created comprehensive playbooks that standardized market entry strategies, enhancing our ability to scale rapidly and effectively. - Feedback Integration: Leveraged driver and rider feedback to refine product strategies and prioritize development roadmaps. - Strategic Partnership: Collaborated with Uber to facilitate entry into 14 major US markets, aligning our expansion efforts with key stakeholder objectives. Business Impact: - Cost Efficiency: Achieved a double-digit reduction in customer acquisition costs through targeted strategies and optimizations. - Driver Acquisition: Successfully onboarded over 50,000 active rideshare drivers, significantly boosting market presence and service capacity

Engagement Manager, Global Innovation | Strategy & Operations

Deloitte Consulting

Oct 2016 — Dec 2018 · San Francisco Bay Area

In my second tour of duty at Deloitte, I played a key role in developing and scaling new business lines under the mentorship of the Global Chief Innovation Officer. My focus was on launching innovative product solutions and strategic service offerings that propelled Deloitte’s growth across global markets. I was promoted several times within the firm, starting as a Senior Consultant. Strategic Leadership and Innovation: - Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Championed the creation and expansion of Deloitte’s RPA advisory business, which surpassed $1 billion in revenue. This involved conducting critical labor market research, spearheading AI partnerships, and developing thought leadership that positioned Deloitte as a leader in this space. - AI Partnership Development: Generated over $50 million in revenue by establishing and expanding relationships with cutting-edge AI startups, crafting frameworks that facilitated their integration into enterprise systems. Product and Market Expansion: - SaaS Marketplace Development: Spearheaded the design and launch of 'Bridge', an AI-driven marketplace connecting Fortune 500 companies with innovative startups. This initiative contributed $60 million in new revenue and expanded Deloitte’s influence across more than 15 markets. - B2B Platform Leadership: Led a cross-functional team in the agile development of a B2B platform, managing the entire product lifecycle. This resulted in a 200% increase in user acquisition and a 120% increase in revenue, underpinning Deloitte’s strategic expansion into new business technologies. Thought Leadership: - Strategic Insights: Cultivated a think-tank that provided Deloitte’s executives and over 3500 subscribers with actionable insights on emerging tech trends, including AI, blockchain, and IoT, driving informed decision-making and innovation. Previous roles include: COO – Bridge by Deloitte and Management Consultant, Strategic Relationship Manager, Plug and Play Tech Center

Corporate Development Manager

BuzzMyVideos

Feb 2015 — Sep 2015 · London, United Kingdom

In my role as Corporate Development Manager, I was instrumental in advancing strategic initiatives that supported BuzzMyVideos' growth objectives and financial goals, aiming for a startup valuation of $100M. Key Contributions: - Fundraising and Financial Forecasting: Assisted in fundraising efforts by developing long-range financial forecasts, demonstrating the potential for substantial valuation growth and investor returns. - Market Expansion Strategy: Led the strategic prioritization of new markets, identifying key growth opportunities that aligned with the company’s long-term objectives. - Pricing Strategy Overhaul: Formulated and executed a revised pricing strategy that successfully turned around a previously loss-making partnership, enhancing profitability and partner satisfaction.