In Conversation with Saumil Nanavati, Co-Founder of Chlkboard

My fellow founder of SGE, Bernard, has just launched a new startup together with entrepreneur Saumil Nanavati who had previously successfully led a startup to acquisition. The amazing thing is, the whole thing (beta vesion) was built from scratch in 21 days! But do not underestimate the product. This new venture of theirs, Chlkboard, allows users to find nearby promotions via mobile phones and allows retail shops to reach potential customers in the vicinity by pushing out promotions to them. We speak to Saumil on this new startup.

Tell us in three words what Chlkboard is.

Chlkboard is: Nearby promotions on mobile [3.5 words count?].

[Gwen: Yes, of course, for you, Saumil. And here’s the stickman story of Chlkboard!]

What were you doing before setting up Chlkboard?

Prior to Chlkboard, I set up and ran a truly rare & successful pan regional digital media company @ Sydus. As President of Sydus, I have managed & owned the P&L’s in advertiser funded digital solutions for mobile & web. Also managed music & entertainment business within these segments, including the biggest Pan Asia advertiser funded mobile music service.

Sydus was successfully acquired 2nd half of 2008 and subsequently went for a well deserved sabbatical till Chlkboard. Our efforts at Sydus were also recognized within entrepreneurship communities as well as media: Spirit of Enterprise Award 2006: recognizing top entrepreneurs of Singapore & CNBC e-Generation: Profiling technopreneurship and its leaders in Asia are the two that mean the most to me personally.

I was headhunted in 2000 by Epicentric Inc as Engagement Manager with deep involvement in formulating the launch & strategic planning of its newly envisioned professional services division. Led as the business leader for Epicentric in Organizational & Business Development, Engagement Management, Informational Technology Readiness Analysis, & Performance Analysis to clients across the States. My team and our services were integral to the rapid growth & acclaimed success of the company as an Online Media Technology product firm.

Previously as part of Scient Corporation’s business practice, I was advising Fortune 50 and $900 million start-up clients on their online strategies and business practices for success. This role spanned across US Western seaboard.

At Motorola Inc, I was responsible for Technology Sales in Telematics & was instrumental in bridging wireless technologies such as Bluetooth to automotive industries.

What value does Chlkboard deliver to advertisers and users?