Biography of Shashank Singh: Co-Founder of POSHN- Indian Entrepreneur
Biography of Shashank Singh:
Shashank Singh, who is based in Delhi, India, is a
Co-Founder of POSHN. His career spans over a decade with roles at companies
like Uber, Appsfly.io, BlackBuck, and Wipro Limited. Shashank earned his MBA in
Business Administration and Management from the Indian Institute of Management,
Calcutta, between 2013 and 2015. Before POSHN, he co-founded Appsfly.io, a tech
startup that facilitated the integration of various services on a single
platform.
A Hometown Hero's Journey
Shashank Singh, hailing from Kanpur, has made a significant
mark in the business world as the co-founder of POSHN, a company that's
generating millions in revenue. After completing his education at IIM Kolkata,
Shashank transitioned from a promising corporate career to entrepreneurship,
driven by a desire for something more fulfilling.
Educational Background
Born into a middle-class family, Shashank Singh's
educational journey includes an MBA in Business Administration and Management
from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, where he studied from 2013
to 2015. During his time at IIM Calcutta, he was actively involved as a
Placement Representative, contributing to the institution's career services.
Before his MBA, Shashank earned a Bachelor of Engineering in
Mechanical Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science
(BITS), Pilani. He attended BITS Pilani from 2006 to 2010, where he also served
as the Head of the National Sports Meet, showcasing his leadership and
organizational skills early on.
Turning Adversity into Opportunity
After graduating, Shashank was eager to dive into entrepreneurship.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his plans, bringing the country to a
standstill. During this period of lockdown, Shashank partnered with Bhuvnesh
Gupta to launch POSHN. Their initial focus was on essential products like rice,
flour, sugar, and edible oil, aiming to supply these to wholesalers and
distributors.
Process Improvement at Michelin
Shashank's journey began with Michelin, where he worked from
July 2010 to March 2013 as a Process Improvement Lead. Based in both Bangkok
and Chennai, he was instrumental in designing and calculating capacity for a
greenfield project. His role also involved identifying and addressing
bottlenecks in the startup plant, laying the foundation for improved processes and
efficiency.
Shaping Product Development at Wipro
Earlier in his career, Shashank worked at Wipro from July
2015 to June 2016. Here, he was part of the Global 100 Leadership team,
focusing on product development for the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and
Insurance) vertical and capital markets. His role involved driving product
innovation and development in these key sectors.
Disrupting the Trucking Industry at BlackBuck
From May 2016 to December 2016, Shashank served as the SME
Business & Product Head at BlackBuck, where he played a crucial role in
business development and product innovation. He led efforts to create new
applications, conducted market research, and tested products in the Karnataka
region to challenge the traditional trucking industry. His work aimed to
disrupt the unorganized sector and improve efficiency in logistics.
Innovating with Appsfly.io
Shashank's entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly during his
time at Appsfly.io, where he co-founded the company in July 2016. Appsfly.io
offered an integration platform as a service, allowing companies to seamlessly
integrate multiple services. The platform was known for its fast, modular, and
native micro apps, which simplified complex integrations. In July 2018,
Appsfly.io was acquired by Walmart Labs, recognizing the startup's innovative
solutions in the tech space.
Revolutionizing Agri-Trade with POSHN
Shashank Singh, co-founder of POSHN, is at the forefront of
transforming the wholesale procurement of processed commodities. Since November
2020, POSHN has been dedicated to offering the best prices, reliable
deliveries, and guaranteed quality in the agri-trade sector. Shashank's
leadership at POSHN is driving significant changes in how processed commodities
are sourced and supplied, making the industry more efficient and reliable.
Biography of Shashank Singh: Co-Founder of POSHN- Indian Entrepreneur/ Investor/Success story of Shashank Singh/life story of POSHN &Appsfly.io/life
Strategic Insights at Uber
Before his role at POSHN, Shashank made notable
contributions at Uber from July 2018 to November 2020. Based in Bengaluru, he
was involved in strategic planning, helping Uber to enhance its services and
operations. His work during this period contributed to the company's growth and
effectiveness in the competitive market of ride-sharing and beyond.
Impact of Early Leadership Experience
During his time at BITS Pilani, Shashank served as the Head
of the National Sports Meet. This role was a formative leadership experience
that taught him to move past failures and trust his instincts. It instilled in
him the importance of taking bold steps, even when past decisions haven't
worked out as planned.
The Rise of POSHN
POSHN, a B2B platform launched in January 2021, focuses on
bulk procurement of groceries and FMCG products. Initially designed as a
platform for discovering commodity prices, POSHN evolved based on customer
feedback to become a comprehensive end-to-end fulfillment service. The
company's journey has been dynamic, marked by a constant effort to address and
solve core challenges faced by buyers and sellers.
Future Vision for POSHN
Looking ahead, Shashank envisions POSHN becoming a leading
one-stop shop for bulk trading of groceries and FMCG products. While the
startup world can be unpredictable over a five-year span, his goal is for POSHN
to be the go-to solution for all bulk trade needs in this sector.
Overcoming Challenges
On difficult days, Shashank finds motivation in believing in
the significance of the problems POSHN is solving and trusting the capabilities
of his partners. This mindset helps him navigate through challenges and
maintain focus.
Rapid Expansion and Growth
POSHN made an impressive start, selling units worth 80 lakhs
within its first month of operation. The company exclusively serves wholesalers
and traders, handling bulk orders and operating primarily in the Delhi-NCR
region. Over time, POSHN expanded its product range to include milk, alongside
its core offerings.
A Tale of Resilience and Innovation
Shashank Singh's journey from a secure corporate role to the
dynamic world of startups is a testament to his resilience and innovative spirit.
His story illustrates the power of determination and creativity, showcasing how
challenges like a global pandemic can be transformed into opportunities for
success.
Leadership and Team Management
Shashank credits his previous leadership experiences with
shaping his approach to managing diverse teams. Each interaction teaches him
valuable lessons about engagement and alignment with team goals. His global
work experiences have reinforced the importance of understanding and appreciating
different perspectives.
Role Model and Personal Inspiration
Shashank's grandfather is his primary role model. His
grandfather's ability to remain focused on what truly matters and filter out
distractions has been a guiding principle for Shashank throughout his life.
A timeline summarizing Shashank Singh's career and
achievements:
Early Education:
2006 - 2010: Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical
Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani.
Served as the Head of the National Sports Meet.
Initial Career:
July 2010 - March 2013: Process Improvement Lead at
Michelin. Worked in Bangkok and Chennai, focusing on capacity design and
process improvement.
Transition to Tech and Entrepreneurship:
July 2015 - June 2016: Product Development role at Wipro in
the BFSI and capital markets sectors.
May 2016 - December 2016: SME Business & Product Head at
BlackBuck, involved in product innovation and market research in logistics.
Entrepreneurial Ventures:
July 2016 - July 2018: Co-Founder of Appsfly.io. The company
was acquired by Walmart Labs in July 2018.
July 2018 - November 2020: Strategic roles at Uber in
Bengaluru, contributing to service and operational enhancements.
POSHN and Recent Achievements:
November 2020: Co-Founded POSHN with Bhuvnesh Gupta. Focused
on wholesale procurement of processed commodities and agri-trade sector
transformation.
January 2021: Launched POSHN as a B2B platform for bulk
procurement of groceries and FMCG products.
First Month of Operation: POSHN sold units worth 80 lakhs
and began expanding its product range to include milk.