Open To Work
Verified
This profile is verified using an email address.
Rakesh Shivaprasad
Bengaluru
Work Preference
Summary
Dynamic business development professional with a proven track record at Anakin Skywalker Pvt Ltd, excelling in go-to-market strategy and revenue generation. Expert in consultative selling and B2B account management, I closed $805K in revenue while cultivating key relationships and driving data-driven insights for strategic growth.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development
Anakin Skywalker Pvt Ltd
Bengaluru
03.2025 - Current
- Owned end-to-end Go-To-Market strategy for entering and scaling in new markets — built the outbound engine, positioning, and account targeting that turned cold markets into a predictable revenue pipeline.
- Closed USD 805K in revenue through pilots and multi-term contracts, managing the full deal cycle from first outreach to signed contract.
- Cultivated relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders in target accounts, leveraging industry connections to enhance deal velocity.
- Led negotiations and contract discussions end-to-end, partnering with legal and finance to land terms that worked for both sides and got deals across the line faster.
- Collaborated with solution architects and SMEs to shape tailored proposals that mapped directly to client pain points and showcased clear ROI.
- Provided regular updates to senior leadership on pipeline health, deal progress, and revenue achievement relative to targets.
- Built and scaled the playbooks (SOPs, sequences, outreach scripts) that became the repeatable foundation for consistent opportunity creation.
- Led full-cycle HubSpot implementation across the org — pipelines, properties, and workflows built specifically for accurate forecasting and full-funnel visibility.
- Partnered with RevOps to build a CRM infrastructure that gave leadership real-time, clean data across the entire revenue funnel.
- Trained and enabled SDRs, AEs, and leadership on CRM discipline, driving adoption that directly improved data accuracy and forecast reliability.
Associate Director- Sales
Protecto.ai
Bengaluru
05.2024 - 02.2025
- Successfully contributed to achieving early product-market fit in EMEA/US markets through consultative sales tactics and customer engagement strategies.
- Applied a consultative sales approach to engage with CIOs, CISOs, and AI/ML leaders in Healthcare, SaaS, and Financial Services to deeply understand their data security challenges and tailor Protecto.ai’s privacy-first Generative AI solutions to their specific needs.
- Identified and prospected potential customers and leads using tools like Clay, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Apollo, Lusha, and Zoom Info to expand market presence.
- Led discovery-driven sales conversations, focusing on how Protecto’s context-aware data masking helps enterprises adopt AI securely without compliance risks.
- Played a pivotal role in the 0-1 journey of Protecto.ai, contributing to account management and scaling innovative Generative AI solutions focused on data privacy & security.
- Worked closely with engineering & product teams to translate customer pain points into product enhancements, ensuring Protecto stays ahead in AI-driven privacy solutions.
- Enhanced collaboration across departments, ensuring technical solutions align with client expectations for seamless AI-driven data privacy integration.
- Delivered data-driven insights and industry benchmarks, enabling prospects to quantify AI security risks and justify investments in Protecto’s solutions.
- (Start-up)
Sales Manager- AE
Yellow.Ai
Bengaluru
05.2022 - 12.2023
- Applied Solution Selling & Consultative Sales Approach to engage mid-market and Enterprise clients majorly in retail, healthcare sectors identifying pain points in customer engagement and automation to position AI-driven conversational solutions effectively.
- Executed proactive outreach strategies through cold calling, email campaigns, and data-driven prospecting, resulting in a robust pipeline of qualified global leads.
- Implemented and utilized modern sales tech stack, including Salesforce, Hubspot, Outreach, Outplay, Gong, Dexy AI with hands-on expertise to ensure seamless prospecting, engagement, and pipeline management.
- Managed the entire inbound lead process from qualification to closure, demonstrating end-to-end sales ownership.
- Closed four new SMB accounts averaging $55K each, generating a total ARR of $220K, significantly contributing to revenue growth and exceeding sales quota by 10% for three consecutive quarters.
- Led proof-of-concept (PoC) discussions and contract negotiations, demonstrating product fit and aligning chatbot automation solutions with customer success goals.
- Directed and mentored a team of SDRs, implementing a standardized lead qualification process that increased the generation of high quality leads by 20%.
- Strengthened relationships with channel partners by providing ongoing product training and lead conversion strategies, enhancing collaboration and partner retention.
- Collaborated with internal teams (Marketing, Product, Customer Success) to refine go-to-market strategies, aligning market intelligence with product roadmaps to enhance sales execution and customer adoption.
Inside Sales Manager
Scienaptic Systems India Pvt Ltd.
Bengaluru
04.2021 - 04.2022
- Implemented structured approach and maintained active pipeline of new accounts, optimizing for continuous growth.
- Exceeded revenue targets, acquiring six new logos with deal sizes ranging from USD 40K-$50K, generating a total ARR of $240K. Penetrated targeted accounts and expanded sales within the client base.
- Majorly targeted FinTechs, Banks, Credit Unions, and Auto and Online Lenders in the US and Canadian regions. Collaborate with channel partners to set realistic sales targets and provide resources to achieve them.
- Monitored sales performance metrics against targets, suggesting strategies for improved outcomes.
- Facilitated client negotiations for channel partners, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements.
- Facilitated deal closures during sales process, tracking partner performance, lead conversions, and revenue; provided reports to management to support sales enhancement.
- Develop strategies to retain top-performing partners and encourage repeat business. Seek opportunities to expand the partner network and drive key business growth.
- Analyze, lead, coach, and mentor the ISR team to drive individual and collective success. Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and ensure team members have the tools and support needed to succeed. Foster a key culture of performance, collaboration, and customer focus.
Senior Enterprise Sales Lead
Replicon Software India Pvt Ltd.
Bengaluru
03.2018 - 04.2021
- Executed outbound prospecting strategies via cold calling, LinkedIn outreach, email campaigns, and website chat to generate qualified leads for time tracking, workforce management, and compliance solutions.
- Engaged with C-level executives (CFOs, HR Heads, IT Directors) across North America & EMEA, identifying business challenges and positioning Replicon’s AI-powered workforce solutions as a strategic fit.
- Managed inbound lead qualification, ensuring a strong pipeline of sales-ready opportunities by leveraging SPIN & MEDIC selling techniques to uncover pain points and align solutions with client needs.
- Managed the entire SMB sales cycle (deals valued at USD 20k-25k each), closing deals through effective pipeline management.
- Delivered targeted product demos, effectively communicating solutions to qualified prospects and facilitating informed decision-making.
- Researched target accounts and key decision-makers, crafting personalized outreach to improve engagement rates and shorten deal cycles.
- Led the Enterprise Development Representative (EDR) team, improving daily metrics (dials, talk time, emails, opportunities).
- Mentored team members and conducted training sessions, uplifting team performance.
- Recruited and trained SDR team, streamlining inbound and outbound sales engagements for global markets.
Assistant Manager – International Sales/BD
Magnasoft Consulting India P Ltd.
Bengaluru
01.2016 - 02.2018
- Conceptualized company direction, implemented market integration strategy, determined product mix, and designed sales/support infrastructure. Adjusted corporate strategy based on prevailing market conditions.
- Acquired 2 high-profile accounts and generated new business through strategic marketing and competitor analysis. Provided on-site sales support in Doha, Qatar, for potential client.
- Managed a Team of Inside Sales responsible for outbound sales in ASEAN, North America & EMEA. Improved international product delivery by 4 weeks; streamlined purchasing processes.
- Forecasted million-dollar quota half-yearly while hiring, training, and leading 8 inside sales representatives. Established global partnerships with 15 companies/partners; negotiated contracts and oversaw regulatory affairs.
- Developed strategies with cross-functional teams, driving improvements in international sales performance.
- Qualified the assigned sales lead during all phases of the sales cycle and achieved monthly quotas. Analyze and coordinate internal processes to streamline operations and meet customer delivery timelines.
- Work towards achieving quarterly and yearly sales targets at the group level. Develop and implement sales strategies to drive revenue growth and expand market reach.
- Award: Certificate of Appreciation - Outstanding contribution towards sales support from Vijay Arabia Fire & Security Systems WLL- Doha, Qatar
Inside Sales Executive
AAyuja Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.
Bengaluru
09.2014 - 12.2015
- Effectively demonstrate solutions to address customer requirements and provide business value. Deliver on sales outreach programs including cold calls, warm follow-up calls, emails, and social media (LinkedIn).
- Identified and pitched services to sales leads, maintaining relationships with prospects in early evaluation stages using business directories like Jigsaw, Hoovers, and Zoom Info.
- Documented sales metrics in Salesforce CRM for accurate reporting and engaged prospective clients in key markets through client presentations and product demonstrations.
- Offered customized solutions from various business services and submitted monthly sales forecasts while liaising between outside sales and customers.
- Acclaimed as one of the top performers in the organization, I was promoted to 'Trainer on Floor' and trained new joiners on work culture, sales, and reporting.
Education
MBA - Sales and Marketing
REVA Institute of Technology and Management
Bangalore, Karnataka, IND01-2014
BSc - Electronics
MES College of Arts, Commerce & Science
Bangalore, Karnataka, IND01-2012
Skills
- Go-to-market strategy
- Sales development
- B2B sales and account management
- New business generation
- SaaS product sales
- AI solution selling
- Consultative selling
- Revenue generation strategies
- Market analysis
Disclaimer
I hereby declare that the above particulars of information and facts stated are true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Timeline
Business Development
Anakin Skywalker Pvt Ltd
03.2025 - Current
Associate Director- Sales
Protecto.ai
05.2024 - 02.2025
Sales Manager- AE
Yellow.Ai
05.2022 - 12.2023
Inside Sales Manager
Scienaptic Systems India Pvt Ltd.
04.2021 - 04.2022
Senior Enterprise Sales Lead
Replicon Software India Pvt Ltd.
03.2018 - 04.2021
Assistant Manager – International Sales/BD
Magnasoft Consulting India P Ltd.
01.2016 - 02.2018
Inside Sales Executive
AAyuja Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.
09.2014 - 12.2015
MBA - Sales and Marketing
REVA Institute of Technology and Management
BSc - Electronics
MES College of Arts, Commerce & Science