kishanbaalaji
Head Of Marketing & Ecosystem Growth | Ai Fluent
I've spent the last 15 years getting people to show up — developers to platforms, founders to the partners and capital they need, and brands to audiences they'd never have reached alone. That's the thread connecting everything from Web3 infrastructure to consumer beverage marketing: building the partnerships, programs, and communities that turn potential into traction.
At XDC Network, I led ecosystem growth initiatives that helped influence $187M+ in enterprise pipeline and generated 780+ qualified leads — the kind of work that turns curiosity about a network into builders actually shipping on it. I've also built 400+ partnerships across Web3 infrastructure, DeFi, and blockchain communities, including ecosystem-led GTM programs at Momentum 6 and Genesis Shards that contributed to $1.5M+ in project funding.
On the media side, I founded Cryptopragmatist, now a 55,000+ subscriber community, and host a 64-episode podcast that's reached 165K+ organic views — giving founders and developers a place to talk about what they're actually building, not just what they're raising.
Before Web3, I led 400+ marketing campaigns and activations at VR Bengaluru, building commercial partnerships with Diageo, Pernod Ricard, United Breweries, and Bira 91. It's where I learned that growth at scale comes down to the same thing whether you're selling beer or blockchain: understanding what your audience wants and showing up consistently for them.
I'm looking for my next ecosystem — a marketing leadership, growth strategy, or regional/ecosystem role at a technology platform or Web3 infrastructure company where partnerships and community aren't an afterthought, but the strategy.
Experience: 11 years
Yearly salary: $110,000
Hourly rate: $55
Nationality: 🇮🇳 India
Residency: 🇮🇳 India
Experience
Head of Ecosystem Growth | India
XDC Network 2025 - 2026
Feb 2024 – Feb 2025 Owned ecosystem growth strategy across developer adoption, validator participation, enterprise onboarding, protocol partnerships, and Layer 1 ecosystem expansion for XDC Network. • Influenced $187M+ institutional and enterprise pipeline through strategic ecosystem partnerships and enterprise onboarding initiatives • Generated 780+ qualified ecosystem leads across 15 technology hubs through builder programs and developer onboarding systems • Led developer-focused ecosystem programs including hackathons, validator onboarding, startup incubation, and protocol integrations • Built cross-functional growth systems across engineering, product, marketing, and operations to accelerate ecosystem adoption • Supported grants-aligned ecosystem initiatives designed to strengthen builder participation and long-term network effects • Produced and hosted a 64-episode Web3 podcast generating 165,000+ organic views • Served as strategic liaison across ecosystem, protocol, partnerships, and events teams to align execution with measurable KPIs
Senior Manager – Marketing, Events & Partnerships
Virtuous Retail (VR Bengaluru) 2018 - 2021
Responsibilities Led integrated marketing initiatives and strategic partnerships across one of India’s leading retail destinations. Key Contributions • Executed 400+ large-scale experiential activations and events driving customer engagement and footfall • Generated $200K+ event revenue through partnership-led marketing programs • Secured $55K ICC Cricket World Cup sponsorship through strategic brand collaboration • Delivered 100+ ATL and BTL marketing campaigns across retail and entertainment brands
Senior Growth & Partnerships Lead
Momentum 6 / Genesis Shards 2017 - 2024
Responsibilities Led ecosystem growth initiatives across Web3 launchpad and infrastructure ecosystems. Key Contributions • Executed GTM initiatives contributing to $1.5M+ project funding outcomes • Built and managed 400+ creator and ecosystem partnerships across Web3 communities • Scaled Cryptopragmatist ecosystem platform to 55,000+ global subscribers • Hosted Gencast podcast featuring Web3 founders and emerging projects • Developed partnerships across DeFi, token, and blockchain infrastructure ecosystems
Manager – Business Development
blueFROG Bengaluru 2013 - 2016
Responsibilities Led strategic partnerships and business development initiatives for a leading live music and cultural venue. Key Contributions • Delivered 40% revenue growth through strategic partnerships and sponsorship programs • Increased venue footfall by 60% through programming collaborations and marketing initiatives • Reduced operational costs by 70% through vendor optimization and negotiation • Built partnerships with Diageo, Pernod Ricard, UB Spirits, and Bira
Project Manager
NEED Higher Education Council 2011 - 2013
Responsibilities Led institutional fundraising and partnership development for a national higher education initiative. Key Contributions • Secured $1M+ institutional funding through strategic partnerships • Raised ₹8 Crore in seed capital for education initiatives • Established partnerships with academic institutions and industry stakeholders • Led operational setup and strategic planning for the education program
Skills
community-manager
content-marketing
copywriting
events-manager
growth-marketing
marketing-lead
social-media
marketing
english
hindi
kannada