Biography of Ashish Mehta: Founder and CEO of OnlineSales.ai & Sokrati- Entrepreneur
Biography of Ashish Mehta:
From Academia to Industry: The Beginnings
Ashish Mehta embarked on his journey in the world of
business and technology with a solid educational foundation. After completing
his Bachelor’s in Finance and Economics from R. A. Podar College in Mumbai, he
pursued a Master’s degree in Management and Information Systems at Carnegie
Mellon University. At Carnegie Mellon, he was actively involved as the Director
of Finance for the Business Opportunity Committee, which laid the groundwork
for his future ventures.
Early Career Steps: Building a Solid Foundation
Ashish's early career began at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
as a Consultant. There, he gained critical insights into product strategy and
online digital advertising. His role at PwC was instrumental in shaping his
understanding of the digital landscape, which would later influence his
entrepreneurial pursuits.
Strategic Growth at Capital One
Following his stint at PwC, Ashish moved to Capital One as a
Business Associate. Here, he focused on product strategy within the customer
acquisition team, particularly targeting the Super-Prime Audience Segment. His
experience at Capital One honed his skills in product management and strategic
planning.
Shaping E-commerce at Amazon
Ashish then transitioned to Amazon as a Product Manager. At
Amazon, he managed key acquisition traffic channels, including Online
Comparison Shopping sites, Search Marketing, and Affiliates. His
responsibilities involved segment strategy, pricing, negotiations, and data
analytics, all of which contributed to more scalable and efficient marketing
solutions.
Founding Sokrati: A Leap into Entrepreneurship
In 2009, Ashish co-founded Sokrati, which quickly became
India’s largest digital transformation agency. Sokrati specialized in data-led
marketing across various channels, including Google and Facebook. Under his
leadership, Sokrati grew significantly and was eventually acquired by the
Dentsu Aegis Network in 2017.
Sokrati’s Growth and Acquisition
Sokrati's success story was marked by rapid growth and
innovation. After its acquisition, Sokrati expanded its service offerings to
include data management platforms and advanced digital solutions like audience
loyalty programs. The agency’s growth trajectory was a testament to Ashish’s
vision and leadership.
Biography of Ashish Mehta: Founder and CEO of OnlineSales.ai & Sokrati- Entrepreneur/Investor/Age/Net worth/Wife/ Ashish Mehta story/OnlineSales.ai
Entering the SaaS Space: Founding OnlineSales.ai
In 2016, Ashish co-founded OnlineSales.ai, a SaaS platform
designed to enable monetization for aggregators and agency partners globally.
The platform provides AI-driven marketing and analytics solutions that are
seamlessly integrated within aggregator environments. This venture allowed
Ashish to further his mission of driving digital transformation for various
verticals, including eCommerce and Real Estate.
OnlineSales.ai’s Impact and Reach
OnlineSales.ai, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, operates
with a team of 159 employees. The platform has made a significant impact by
enabling aggregators and brands across the globe to offer self-serve marketing
solutions. Its global reach includes markets in Vietnam, Indonesia, the Middle
East, Africa, and the US, reflecting its broad influence in the industry.
Ashish’s Dual Role: At OnlineSales.ai and Sokrati
In addition to his role at OnlineSales.ai, Ashish served as
Co-Founder and President of Merkle Sokrati until February 2024. His involvement
in Sokrati’s executive team included strategic growth initiatives and senior
leadership hiring, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing and expanding successful
digital enterprises.
Challenges and Rewards in Entrepreneurship
Ashish finds entrepreneurship to be a thrilling yet
challenging journey. The regulatory hurdles and bureaucratic processes,
especially when operating across borders, can be frustrating. However, the
satisfaction of seeing adopted solutions and the impact they make is highly
rewarding for him.
Lessons Learned in the Startup World
Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Ashish has learned
several key lessons. He emphasizes the importance of team and culture, as the
success of a startup heavily relies on these factors. Understanding unit
economics and achieving positive net revenue retention are also critical for
sustaining growth and success.
Innovations in Digital Marketing
Ashish’s ventures, particularly OnlineSales.ai, represent a
significant advancement in digital marketing technology. By providing a
comprehensive suite of marketing tools integrated into aggregator platforms,
OnlineSales.ai addresses real-world challenges faced by eCommerce and other
industries, facilitating their digital transformation.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Ashish believes that maintaining a direct connection with
clients through a Client Advisory Board (CAB) is crucial. This approach helps
in understanding client problems and priorities, which can guide product
development and team investments effectively.
Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations
As an entrepreneur, Ashish is driven by the excitement of
creating innovative products that solve real-world problems. He relishes the
early stages of a company's journey, from inception to launch, and is motivated
by the challenge of making a tangible impact through his ventures.
Current Ventures and Future Goals
Ashish’s current focus is on advancing OnlineSales.ai and
expanding its global footprint. His experience with Sokrati and other ventures
provides him with a strong foundation to continue innovating in the digital
marketing space and driving technological advancements that benefit large
advertisers and agencies worldwide.
Timeline for Ashish’s journey
Bachelor’s Degree: Completed in Finance and Economics at R.
A. Podar College, Mumbai.
Master’s Degree: Earned in Management and Information
Systems from Carnegie Mellon University.
Early Career: Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC),
focusing on product strategy and digital advertising.
Capital One: Business Associate, worked on product strategy
for customer acquisition.
Amazon: Product Manager, managed acquisition traffic
channels and data analytics.
2009: Co-founded Sokrati, India’s largest digital transformation agency.
2016: Co-founded OnlineSales.ai, a SaaS platform for
AI-driven marketing solutions.
2017: Sokrati acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network, expanded its services.
OnlineSales.ai Impact: Operates globally with significant
influence, headquartered in San Francisco.
Dual Role: Co-Founder and President of Merkle Sokrati until
February 2024.
Entrepreneurial Lessons: Emphasizes team culture, unit
economics, and client engagement.
Innovations: Advanced digital marketing technology through
OnlineSales.ai.
Future Goals: Focused on expanding OnlineSales.ai’s global
reach and continuing technological innovation.