A few words...

Hello. I'm Jeevan Padiyar. Welcome.  I have a passion for making products that users rave about and am enamored by process automation, and manipulating data. For some, this may sound boring, but for me, it's better than pie.

I've spent a good portion of my career building things. From the first startup I created in my dorm room that sold for almost $100MM, to 9 years as an investor in both venture capital and private equity, to building the applicant tracking, selection, and financial management tools for a $700MM scholarship fund, to growing >50 person product and engineering team from scratch for the nations largest debt settlement company, I've learned a lot about what makes products work. I've also run headfirst into many a solidly built wall. But that is for another day and a few more drinks.

My takeaway is that it all boils down to listening. Listening to your customers, who often get frustrated by what you think is brilliant, but love the simplest of improvements; Listening to your team by giving them the freedom to innovate; And listening to the market, who despite overwhelming marketing, won't buy a gold-painted turd.

I have been humbled to have many teachers who have shown me that only by constantly iterating can you zig-zag your way to being worthwhile.  And I have been inspired by people who have taught me that only by embracing my inner child, can I overcome my preconceptions. 

As I continue my work, I am constantly reminded that I have much more to learn and am amazed at all of the new things I discover along the way. 

Chief Product Officer

Manage all software development for $700MM foundation serving high achieving low income students. Portfolio includes all technology for marketing, conversion optimization, call center, applicant evaluation, algorithm development, scholar tracking, payments and forecasting, data analysis, research and strategic initiatives.

Chief Product Officer for K-12 and Higher Education Portfolio

Private equity focused single family office that invests in education. Owned roadmap, idea validation, user testing and go-to-market strategy for all consumer facing products

IT Director

Managed all technology for NY State Attorney General candidate. Also served as team leader for internet based advocacy. Managed campaign website, video distribution, email messaging and blogger outreach. Early pioneer of the use of Youtube videos for political campaigns. One of our videos was featured on the global frontpage of youtube (under the most viewed category).

Co-Founder & CFO

Co-founder of of one the first podcasting networks. RawVoice is a market leader for podcast hosting, analytics, advertising and distribution. 

Co-Founder and CEO

Led arena blimp manufacturing company from 0 to 150 employees and $30MM ($10MM EBITDA) in five years. Started in a college dorm, SimplyBlimps became the worlds largest manufacturer/distributor of remote-controlled indoor/outdoor airships. Developed key clients relationships with Subway, Tricon (Yum), Monster.com, NHL, PGA Tour, NFL, DARPA, and NCAA. Acquired by American Blimp Company for $95MM (now Van Wagner Airship Group)

 

MD-PhD Program 

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow, Albert Einstein Research Fellow, Published -The primary Mechanism of Attenuation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin Is a Loss of Secreted Lytic Function Required for Invasion of Lung Interstitial Tissue (PNAS 2003:100(21) pg. 12424), Bio-Safety Level 3 Certified. USMLE 99% percentile.

Chemistry (Emphasis Chemical Engineering), Biochemistry

Phi Beta Kappa 1999, Phi Lambda Upsilon Senior of the Year (National Chemistry Honors) (1999), Phi Lambda Upsilon Travis Miller Outstanding Student in Chemistry (1998), Edward and Lucille McCosh Memorial Cancer Research Award (1998), Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honors Society) 1997, Phi Kappa Phi (1996), Gamma Sigma Delta (National Agriculture Honors) 1999, Golden Key (1995), Phi Eta Sigma (1995)

Grade School, Middle School, High School