RS
Open to opportunities

Ricardo Santos

@ricardosantos1

Results-driven CEO and Growth Strategist with 12 years of experience.

Malaysia

What I'm looking for

I am looking for opportunities that foster innovation, collaboration, and growth.

As a seasoned entrepreneur and growth strategist, I have over 12 years of experience in launching and scaling businesses across Southeast Asia. My journey has been marked by my role as a 2x Start-up Founder and CEO, where I have successfully navigated the complexities of business management, growth marketing, and product development. With a Master’s in Business Analytics and Big Data from IE University, I am passionate about leveraging data to solve complex problems and drive sustainable growth.

In my most recent role as CEO of PouchNATION, I led the company to achieve profitability within seven months by implementing innovative strategies that quadrupled monthly revenue and significantly reduced operational costs. My experience spans various industries, including Enterprise SaaS, hospitality, and eCommerce, where I have consistently delivered results through strategic planning and execution. I thrive in dynamic environments and am committed to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within my teams.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

SE
Current

Growth Strategist & AI Consultant

Self Employed

Mar 2023 - Present (2 years 2 months)

As a Growth Strategist & AI Consultant, I provide product development, growth strategy, and AI use case services to startups and businesses. I work with clients to identify growth opportunities, develop marketing campaigns, and advise on AI optimization.

PO

Chief Executive Officer

PouchNATION

Dec 2021 - Dec 2022 (1 year)

Led PouchNATION, a B2B SaaS leader in cashless payments, securing funding for expansion and implementing a digital transformation. Achieved profitability in 7 months and negotiated a successful business unit sale.

PO

Country Head

PouchNATION

Nov 2017 - May 2019 (1 year 6 months)

Established PouchNATION's presence in Malaysia, building key relationships and generating significant transaction value through cashless payment systems.

BA

Co-Founder, Managing Director

bDigital Asia

Nov 2014 - Feb 2017 (2 years 3 months)

Founded bDigital to digitize Indonesian SMEs, successfully raising investment and leading a large team to promote innovation and customer focus.

KG

Head of Marketing

Kitook Group

Sep 2012 - Sep 2014 (1 year 11 months)

Oversaw marketing for Indonesia's first premium OTA, managing a substantial budget and achieving significant subscriber growth and sales.

FA

Marketing Manager

Fazzione

Dec 2011 - Aug 2012 (8 months)

Accelerated subscriber growth for Fazzione.com through targeted marketing strategies, achieving significant revenue growth in the early stages.

IC

IT Developer

INOV Contact

Dec 2010 - Jul 2011 (7 months)

Participated in a program providing young workers with international experience, enhancing skills in IT development.

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya logoUC

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Bachelor of Engineering, Informatics Engineering

2010 -

Participated in an ERASMUS exchange semester focusing on Informatics Engineering.

IE University logoIU

IE University

Master’s, Business Analytics and Big Data

2020 - 2021

Concentrations in Machine Learning, AI, Deep Learning, and Big Data. Awarded the IE Scholarship for Technology & Innovation.

Instituto Politécnico de Bragança logoIB

Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

Bachelor of Science, Management Informatics

2007 - 2010

Grade: First-class honors

Concentrations in Computer Science, Information Systems and Business Management. Graduated with First-class honors.

Tech stack

Software and tools used professionally

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Ricardo Santos - Growth Strategist & AI Consultant - Self Employed | Himalayas