Manikandan Venkatesan
Chennai
Summary
Results-driven Senior Solutions Engineer with over 9 years in B2B SaaS and AI platforms. Demonstrated success in collaborating with enterprise clients globally, specializing in AI use-case development, LLM model selection, and API-driven architecture within SOC2 and GDPR frameworks. Expertise in strategic planning and team collaboration, contributing to substantial organizational growth through innovative solutions and effective partnership development.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Founding Member, Product & Solution Engineering
Highperformr.ai
Chennai
12.2023 - Current
- Founding member helping scale the company from 0 → $1M ARR by owning enterprise solution design.
- Served as primary Solutions Engineer for large customers, transforming GTM challenges into effective AI-powered workflows.
- Design end-to-end AI workflows including deep research (10-Ks), buyer intent extraction, and personalized messaging.
- Developed LLM strategy to guide model selection and implementation. and model selection (reasoning vs research-heavy) based on depth, latency, and accuracy.
- Developed and implemented API-driven integrations with CRM and GTM tools including HubSpot, Salesforce, Outreach, HeyReach, Smartleads, and Highperformr.
- Facilitated customer discussions on data handling, security, and compliance within SOC2 & GDPR frameworks.
Solutions Architect / Lead Solutions Engineer
Freshworks
01.2016 - 01.2023
- Contributed to scaling Freshsales revenue from $0 → $30M and part of Freshworks' $300M → $700M+, including IPO journey.
- Led enterprise pre-sales across Europe, UK, and NA, partnering with BU leaders and Account Management teams.
- Built Solutions Engineering org, introduced best practices, and helped establish a Demo Engineering function.
- Acted as the first line of defense for architecture, security, GDPR, and compliance discussions.
- Contributed to generating a $5M+ sales pipeline for European and UK markets.
- Based in Berlin (Europe) for 2+ years supporting EU & UK enterprises.
- Speaker at EU Sales Kickoff (Berlin) on largest CRM deal closed in the region.
Education
PGPM - Sales & Marketing
Great Lakes Institute of Management
Chennai07-2019
B.Tech - Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Coimbatore07-2014
Skills
- Enterprise Pre-Sales & Solution Engineering
- CXO Engagement
- AI Use-Case Scoping & Model Selection
- LLM Prompting & Workflow Design
- API Integrations & Architecture
- CRM & GTM Systems
- GDPR & Security
- Enterprise Trust
- AI workflow design
- Enterprise solution design
- Pipeline development
- Presentation skills
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
- MVP Solutions Engineer Award
- Master of Solution Engineering
- Customer Champion Award
- Global Culture Award
- Long Service Award — Freshworks
Security And Compliance
Hands-on experience supporting enterprise customers in SOC 2- and GDPR-compliant organizations. Led GDPR-focused customer conversations while based in Europe, and handled enterprise data handling and trust discussions during pre-sales evaluations.
Timeline
Founding Member, Product & Solution Engineering
Highperformr.ai
12.2023 - Current
Solutions Architect / Lead Solutions Engineer
Freshworks
01.2016 - 01.2023
PGPM - Sales & Marketing
Great Lakes Institute of Management
B.Tech - Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham