Senior Product Manager · Toronto, Canada

Ranjit R. Nair

Ranjit Ramakrishnan Nair

Builder. Leader. Humanist.

Award-Winning Product Leader · IEEE Global Volunteer

Driving $1B+ AUM fintech platforms, building 0-to-1 B2B trading infrastructure for institutional investors, and pioneering edtech across 12 countries. Globally recognized by IEEE for engineering education, humanitarian technology, and internet governance.

10+

Years

850K

Customers

$1B+

Peak AUM

IEEE Awards

Get In Touch LinkedIn ↗

Current Role · ARR

$10M

Drip / DeFi Holdings

Career

Where I've built

Oct 2022 – Present

Senior Product Manager

Drip · DeFi Holdings · Founding Team

Spearheaded B2B crypto trading platform for institutional investors — $10M monthly ARR
Led cross-functional team of 28 across product, engineering & compliance
Implemented compliance via ComplyAdvantage & Chainalysis, adhering to FATF guidelines
Designed in-house KYB/KYC processes meeting international standards
Licensed as Virtual Asset Service Provider in EU, Canada & Australia — 50+ tokens

B2B · Crypto · Institutional

Sep 2021 – Sep 2022

Product Manager

Vauld · DeFi Holdings

Led 24-engineer team building a crypto fintech app handling $1B+ in peak AUM
Launched integrated financial literacy platform within the app
Redesigned and scaled the lending platform for 400K+ global customers

B2C · Fintech · Lending

Dec 2017 – Aug 2021

Co-Founder · Head of Product

Enlighten Technologies

Interviewed 850 users; built ML-driven app improving course completion from 5% to 26%
Presented at LWMOOCs symposium; partnered with global MOOC providers
Launched in 12 countries — 2K+ learners in 6 months, +16% MAUs

EdTech · 0-to-1 · ML

Aug 2014 – Nov 2017

Project Manager

InApp Information Technologies

Developed PoSBook — cloud POS for salons & spas on AWS (web + Android)
Managed EASE ERP consolidating HR systems; launched Phase 1 in 8 months
Boosted UX 25% via iterative feedback; AngularJS app improved productivity 30%

SaaS · ERP · UX

Recognition

IEEE Awarded

2017

IEEE Power & Energy Society Outstanding Engineer Award

For invaluable support to PES educational activities and professional leadership winning global recognition for young professionals. Source ↗

2015 · 2016 · 2017

Outstanding Section Membership Recruitment & Retention Award

Three consecutive years — helped Kerala become the largest IEEE Section in India and 2nd in Asia-Pacific with 7,500+ members. IEEE R10 ↗

2016

IEEE Kerala Section Outstanding Volunteer Award

For outstanding contribution to IEEE Kerala Section and global community in Member Engagement and Young Professionals leadership. IEEE Kerala YP ↗

2015

IEEE MGA Achievement Award

One of only 3 global recipients — for the E-Scientia Project engaging members in promoting science and technology among pre-university students. Source ↗

2014

IEEE EAB Meritorious Achievement in Continuing Education

Only the 2nd Indian recipient — for faculty training modules improving educational instruction. Published in IEEE Transactions on Education ↗ ▶ Watch ceremony ↗

2012

IEEE MGA GOLD Achievement Award & Region 10 GOLD Volunteer Award

For exemplary contributions to IEEE GOLD in Region 10 and for bridging generations through GOLD activities across Asia-Pacific. Source ↗

2013

Outstanding Young Professional — IEEE Kerala Section

Recognized for outstanding activities for Young Professionals and dedicated service to IEEE Section activities across Kerala. IEEE Kerala YP ↗

2009

IEEE Madras Section Outstanding Student Volunteer Award

Awarded for exceptional student leadership and volunteerism at IEEE Madras Section — the foundation of a 17-year journey of IEEE service spanning local, regional, and global levels.

Media & Research

On record globally

IEEE EAB Award Ceremony — 2014

Awarded the IEEE EAB Meritorious Achievement in Continuing Education for contributions to the design and delivery of faculty training modules that improve the quality of educational instruction and student learning. Only the 2nd Indian recipient in the award's 30-year history.

Publications & Press

2015 · IEEE Transactions on Education

2014 IEEE Educational Activities Board Awards

Vol. 58, No. 1, February 2015 — Official record of the Meritorious Achievement Award in Continuing Education

Read on IEEE Xplore ↗

E-Scientia · Trinidad & Tobago

IEEE E-Scientia Exhibit — NIHERST National Science Centre

Helped install the IEEE E-Scientia exhibit at NIHERST's National Science Centre — an interactive space-ship environment simulating the ISS, where students tackle engineering challenges in energy, sensing, communication & biomedical systems. Also installed Kerala's first indigenously fabricated E-Scientia museum exhibit at C-SiS, CUSAT.

View NIHERST page ↗

IEEE Xplore · Author Profile

Published Research — IEEE Xplore Author Page

Conference contributions including Indicon 2012, GHTC SAS 2013 & 2014

View all publications ↗

IEEE Region 10 Awards

Past Recipients of IEEE Region 10 Awards

IEEE R10 Educational Activities Award on Continuing Education 2014 — Prof. VK Damodaran and Ranjit Nair

View IEEE R10 record ↗

IEEE Young Professionals · TENCON 2015

Young Professionals at TENCON 2015 — "Rejuvenating Young Professionals"

First-ever YP track at Region 10's flagship technical conference, led by Ranjit R. Nair

Read IEEE YP report ↗

Press & Publications

In the record

IEEE GOLDRush · Dec 2011

Kerala GOLD Affinity Group — Featured Profile

The IEEE GOLD global newsletter featured the Kerala GOLD Affinity Group — led by Ranjit — which went on to win the prestigious MGA GOLD Hall of Fame Award in 2012. The newsletter editor was Timothy Wong, who also recommended Ranjit on LinkedIn.

Read newsletter ↗

IEEE SSIT Newsletter · Winter 2014

IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology

Featured in the IEEE SSIT Newsletter Vol. 12, Issue 1 — covering Ranjit's contributions at the intersection of technology, society, and humanitarian engineering initiatives.

View newsletter ↗

IEEE India Council Newsletter · Nov 2012

IEEE India Council — Volunteer Recognition

Recognized in the official IEEE India Council Newsletter for outstanding contributions to IEEE activities and Young Professionals leadership across India and Region 10.

Read newsletter ↗

NIHERST · Trinidad & Tobago

IEEE E-Scientia Exhibit — National Science Centre

Ranjit helped install the IEEE E-Scientia exhibit at NIHERST's National Science Centre in Trinidad & Tobago — interactive STEM exhibits enabling pre-university students to tackle simulated engineering challenges in energy, sensing, communication and biomedical systems.

View NIHERST page ↗

IEEE AISYC · Speaker Profile

"Personifies Hard Work & Portrays Excellence"

Featured as a speaker by the IEEE Asia-Pacific Student and Young Professional Congress — described as someone who "personifies hard work and portrays every quality of a true leader."

View post ↗

IEEE Region 10 · Awards Record

IEEE R10 Educational Activities Award — Continuing Education 2014

Official record on IEEE Region 10's website listing Ranjit R. Nair and Prof. VK Damodaran as recipients of the Region 10 Educational Activities Award on Continuing Education 2014.

View official record ↗

LinkedIn Recommendations

What colleagues say

Ranjit has demonstrated analytical, initiative, planning and organizational skills to accomplish various initiatives of IEEE even at global scale. As Membership Development Chair of IEEE Kerala, he helped the Section achieve 10,000+ membership. If we assign a job to Ranjit, rest assured; it would be done on time beyond our expectations. Without any reservations, I strongly recommend him for any leadership roles.

Dr. Sameer S M

Professor, NIT Calicut · Director Elect (2025–26), IEEE Region 10 (Asia-Pacific)

The most amazing thing about Ranjit is his energy and exuberance. We worked together and there was not a dull moment. Ranjit has the unique ability to transcend hierarchy. I have never seen someone be at ease with everyone no matter how senior or junior. He is always going to be an invaluable asset!

Abhishek Raj

Head of Enterprise Marketing, Udemy for Business, India & South Asia

During his tenure at InApp, Ranjit has been efficient and effective in his role as Project Manager, designing an internal ERP as well as a Point-of-Service solution for the Wellness Industry. He was noted for his enthusiasm and ability to deliver under rigorous time and schedule constraints.

Satish Babu

IT & Internet Governance Specialist · Former Direct Manager at InApp

Ranjit is a true leader. He has the ability to make any difficult situation into an opportunity and solve any unsolvable problems. He will be an asset to any organization.

Sasi Pilacheri Meethal

Former CEO, IT Parks · Direct Manager

Speaking

Global platforms

🎤

TENCON 2015 — IEEE Region 10

Delivered the opening session "Rejuvenating Young Professionals" — the first-ever Young Professionals track at TENCON, IEEE Region 10's flagship technical conference. IEEE YP report ↗

🌍

IEEE GHTC 2018 — San Jose, USA

Presented "Kerala Floods and IEEE's Role in Civil Society Response" at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference in San Jose, California. GHTC programme ↗

🌐

inSIG 2016 — Internet Governance

Core organizer of the first India School on Internet Governance at IIIT Hyderabad — 44 delegates from 9 countries. Participated in ICANN 57 (Hyderabad) and ICANN 60 (Abu Dhabi). ICANN At-Large ↗

📚

Institutional Crypto & DeFi

Deep expertise in building compliant institutional crypto trading platforms — VASP licensing across EU, Canada & Australia, KYB/KYC processes, FATF compliance, and FIAT rail integration.

🧑‍🏫

Engineering Education & EdTech

Presented at LWMOOCs symposium on ML-driven learning platforms. Developed Early Career Faculty (ECF) Development curriculum adopted by 150 academics with support from the Government of Kerala.

🤝

Product Leadership & Community Building

Speaks on 0-to-1 product development, cross-functional team leadership, and building global volunteer communities — drawing from 10+ years leading IEEE sections and scaling products to 850K+ users.

🤖

AI & Entrepreneurship — Purdue University

Invited speaker at Purdue University's IEEE Student Branch on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship — sharing insights on how AI is reshaping product thinking, startup strategy, and the future of engineering careers. View on LinkedIn ↗

📦

Introduction to Product Management — IEEE Victorian Section, Australia

Delivered a IEEE TEMS (Technology & Engineering Management Society) talk on Product Management fundamentals for the IEEE Victorian Section, Australia — covering product lifecycle, roadmapping, agile methodologies, and real-world lessons from building fintech and edtech platforms. IEEE R10 Victorian Section Report ↗

Social Impact

Beyond the product

🎓

TISP — Teacher In-Service Program

As IEEE Region 10 YP Coordinator, trained 393 volunteers across 8 Kerala locations in one week — impacting 60,000+ pre-university students. Also trained 500+ teachers from 21 countries in Bangkok, Sydney, and Kerala.

60K+

Students reached

🌊

Kerala Flood Relief

Involved from day one of the 2018 Kerala floods IEEE response. Presented at IEEE GHTC 2018 in San Jose. The volunteer portal mobilized 55,000+ responders.

55K+

Volunteers mobilized

♿

Eyes Free Science Camps

Founded and sustained a four-year program training differently-abled students (pre-university and grad school) across Kerala. A major outcome: convinced the Kerala State Government to pass a resolution enabling blind students to pursue post-metric education in science — organized under IEEE SIGHT, one of the first SIGHT groups globally.

🏫

Saastra Vismaya

Initiative bringing quality science and technology education to pre-university students of Government Rehabilitation homes across Kerala. Recognized as part of IEEE Kerala's humanitarian outreach.

🔬

E-Scientia Global Science Exhibit

Installed Kerala's first E-Scientia museum exhibit at C-SiS, CUSAT. Helped install modules in Trinidad & Tobago — earning the IEEE MGA Achievement Award 2015 as one of 3 global recipients.

🤝

Community Engagement Workshops (CEW)

Organized two international Community Engagement Workshops and SIGHT Camps — creating a common platform for NGOs to interact with the engineering community to solve humanitarian issues. One of the early global models for engineer-NGO collaboration.

🧑‍🏫

Early Career Faculty Development

Trained 150+ early career faculty across engineering institutions in Kerala and Tamil Nadu — an initiative backed by the IEEE Educational Activities Board and the Government of Kerala. Led to a replicable one-week ECF Development curriculum adopted by 150 academics.

150+

Faculty trained

👩‍💻

Women in Engineering Advocacy

Collaborated with IEEE WIE Kerala Section at TENCON 2015 to promote women in engineering and advocate for WIE Affinity Groups across IEEE sections globally.

Community

Global contributions

IEEE

2008 – Present

Multiple Board Roles · Region 10 & Kerala Section

Served as IEEE Region 10 YP Chair (2015), Membership Development Chair Kerala (2014–16), Founding Chair IEEE Kerala YP SIGHT, Conference Secretary ISTAS 2016, Young Professionals Rep IEEE SSIT (2014–16), EAB Liaison to MGA MELCC (2016), Vice Chair SIGHT IEEE India Council (2014), MGA SAC Awards Committee (2015–16), Member IEEE History Committee, R10 GOLD Rep Solid State Circuits Society (2012), GINI Coordinator & Secretary IEEE Madras Section (2008–09), and Student Branch Chair MPNMJ Engineering College (2008–09). First in Region 10 to organize a Young Professionals track at TENCON.

IEEE Eta Kappa Nu (HKN)

2023 – Present

Professional Member · Invitation-Only Honor Society

IEEE-HKN — the honor society of IEEE — membership by invitation only, recognizing excellence in scholarship, character, and service across 260+ chapters and 200,000+ members globally. Inducted as Professional Member for distinguished contributions to IEEE and engineering education.

ISOC Trivandrum

2017 – 2019

Founder Secretary

As Founder Secretary of ISOC-TRV, organized the Consultation on Net Neutrality and internet governance awareness programs. Core organizer of the first India School on Internet Governance (inSIG 2016) at IIIT Hyderabad — 44 delegates from 9 countries.

ICANN At-Large

2017 – Present

At-Large Contributor · Internet Governance

Active volunteer in the ICANN At-Large community. Participated in ICANN 57 (Hyderabad) and ICANN 60 (Abu Dhabi). ICANNWiki profile ↗

IEEE TEMS

2017 – Present

Member & Business Consulting

Active member of the IEEE Technology & Engineering Management Society — contributing to business consulting initiatives bridging engineering expertise with management and entrepreneurship challenges globally.

IEEE Xplore

Published Author

IEEE Xplore · Published Research

Published research on IEEE Xplore. Conference contributions include Indicon 2012 and GHTC SAS (2013, 2014). Formally cited in IEEE Transactions on Education, Vol. 58, No. 1.

Capabilities

Tools of the trade

A decade of shipping means a full toolkit — from early discovery and user research through to launch, scaling, and retrospective learning. Comfortable leading cross-functional teams in compliance-heavy fintech environments, building in 0-to-1 ambiguity, and navigating global regulatory frameworks across EU, Canada, and Australia.

Product

Product Lifecycle Management

Roadmap & Prioritization

GTM Strategy

Product Strategy & Analytics

Agile Methodologies

Research & Design

Market & User Research

UX Design

Figma & Balsamiq

Iterative Testing

Leadership

Team & Stakeholder Mgmt

Cross-functional Alignment

Public Speaking

Global Community Building

Tools & Analytics

Jira · Notion · Slack

Google Analytics

Mixpanel

Intercom · Typeform