In the fast-paced corporate world, where the spirit of entrepreneurship thrives, trailblazers like Mohit Uppal emerge as an embodiment of expertise, knowledge, and excellence.
Mohit Uppal is an accomplished and seasoned professional with over twelve years of enriching expertise in various domains, including airports, e-commerce, agribusiness, digital marketing, and startup banking. As the Partnerships Lead at HOI, Mohit oversees the introduction and management of cutting-edge digital solutions that improve passenger happiness and the traveller experience at several Indian airports.
As a pioneer and leader in the realm of brand engagement and business growth, Mohit Uppal has revolutionized the branding space and made a substantial impact on the expansion of businesses. With an illustrious 12+ year work history, equating to 78,840 hours, 3285 days, and 3000+ coffee conversations with clients and partners, the visionary leader has actively worked with more than a thousand startups, developed strategies, facilitated more than 450 brand partnerships, and made significant contributions to the expansion of businesses—often under tight financial constraints.
Mohit finished his B.Tech. in automobiles in 2009 and commenced his professional career. During a six-month internship at Udaipur-based Maruti Suzuki Dealership, he realized this wasn’t his calling. Driven by his passion, he relocated to Delhi to pursue further education, starting an MBA program at the NIILM School of Business in February 2010
Mohit worked part-time jobs, handed out flyers, and even posed as a brand model for at many expos and exhibitions to make ends meet. The pivotal moment occurred when he joined Gurgaon-based BrandAppz, a digital consultancy company, in 2012. Within a year, he joined Value 360 India, Delhi’s most trusted PR firm, to kickstart their digital arm. The turning point in his career occurred in 2016, when he joined a new television series called “The Vault.” Through this project, he was able to become more familiar with the nuances of angel investing, venture capital, and private equity. The performance was aired on Times Now and ET Now with over 5,000 submissions, further fueling his passion for startups.
Then, he moved to RBL Bank as the youngest employee to oversee the startup banking portfolio for North India, building on his prior expertise. He formed commercial and strategic alliances with co-working spaces, incubators, accelerators, and government agencies during a two-year period, which led to the creation of a startup banking portfolio.
As the Partnership Head at Hoi, his role is centred around cultivating and leading strategic partnerships, integrating innovative features through seamless onboarding of partners, sourcing and promoting exclusive offers, facilitating efficient onboarding of airport concessionaires, and ensuring streamlined end-to-end service delivery for an enhanced user experience.
Overall, Mohit’s journey has been amazing– from founding a digital vertical to managing partnerships and marketing for “The Vault” and Hoi.
Mohit’s Distinctive Leadership Approach
Mohit found that in the fast-paced world of technology, effective leadership includes cultivating a culture of ongoing education, creativity, and flexibility. Maintaining agility and growing approch is crucial for navigating a constantly growing landscape.
Sharing more about his leadership, the magnificent man said, “Adapting my leadership style has been crucial in changing between roles. I identify the need for change by assessing the unique challenges and dynamics of each role. Whether it was at OkCredit, RBL Bank, or Hoi, adjustments involved tailoring his leadership approach to align with team goals, leverage strengths, and address specific challenges.”
Crafting a Collaborative and Innovative Workspace
Creating an environment that values experimentation, teamwork, and ongoing learning is essential to developing a dynamic mindset.
He encourages open communication, celebrates innovative ideas, and provides opportunities for skill development. Building a team that welcomes change involves taking steps like identifying adaptive behaviours and implementing cross-functional projects.
Finding the Optimal Balance between Adaptability and Innovation
Balancing stability and innovation requires a strategic approach. He establishes a stable foundation by ensuring clear goals, effective processes, and a supportive work environment. In addition, he supports an innovative culture by providing time for creativity, cultivating a risk-taking environment, and rewarding progressive processes.
The Significance of Mentorship for Mohit
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in his career journey. Engaging with experienced individuals provided insights, shared experiences, and strategic advice. He actively sought guidance to navigate challenges, broaden perspectives, and accelerate professional growth. Now, he aims to pay it forward by mentoring others in the tech and startup community.
The Latest Industry Trends—At a Glance
The IT and startup landscapes have evolved dramatically over the last 15 years, which is evidence of how dynamic the market is. Crucial developments include the development of artificial intelligence (AI), the introduction of cloud computing, and the rise of e-commerce. Among the most important trends, e-commerce’s prevalence has emerged as one of the most noteworthy, particularly for small business entrepreneurs. This trend has reshaped the way businesses operate, emphasizing digital presence and customer-centric approaches.
India has emerged as the 3rd largest ecosystem for startups globally, boasting over 1, 12, 718 DPIIT-recognized startups across 763 districts of the country as of October 3rd, 2023. This growth signifies the vibrancy and potential within the Indian startup ecosystem.
The COVID-19 pandemic, while causing a historic contraction in India’s economic growth in 2020, showcased the resilience of startups. Innovations in technology and research, coupled with strategies to build more sustainable and revenue-oriented businesses, demonstrated the adaptability of the startup community. Whether it was setting up coronavirus testing laboratories, streamlining domestic logistics, or integrating technologies swiftly, Indian startups led the charge in innovation.
Edtech, content, SaaS, healthcare, fintech, and e-commerce have witnessed significant behavioural shifts toward fully digital solutions. Deep tech, addressing challenging problems in AI and satellite/space technology, is experiencing rapid growth. The Indian founder and venture ecosystem for 2024 is poised to be an exciting space.
What Lies Ahead for Mohit Uppal and His Career ?
The leading man aims to stay ahead in the dynamic landscape of sales, marketing, and partnerships by consistently updating his skills. This entails keeping up with the most recent developments in emerging technologies and digital marketing, as well as honing his interpersonal and negotiation abilities.
In addition, he hopes to establish a work-life balance that will enable him to succeed in his career aspirations while also making time for his hobbies and personal life. This will involve mentoring younger members of his team by imparting his expertise and experience.
On the professional front, Mohit aims to lead strategic initiatives that contribute significantly to the growth of the businesses he is associated with. This entails finding and seizing new business opportunities, cultivating intelligent alliances, and optimizing sources of income. He envisions progressing into an executive-level leadership position. Where he can drive overarching business strategies and influence decision-making processes.
He is also planning to spearhead innovative campaigns that not only elevate brand visibility but also showcase the organization’s commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends and contributing to the expansion of a business into global markets. This entails creating and upholding global alliances, understanding various market dynamics, and customizing sales and marketing plans for various geographical areas.
