With over 28 years of cross-functional experience spanning International Marketing, Business Development, Operations, Education, and Entrepreneurship Development, Mandar has demonstrated a consistent track record of driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems, and enabling impactful collaborations globally.

A seasoned leader in the startup and innovation landscape, Mandar has been instrumental in supporting social innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology-driven ventures through strategic mentorship, incubation, and ecosystem building.

Before taking the responsibility as a CEO at COEP’s Bhau Institute, Mandar served as the Head of the Social Innovation Lab at Pune International Centre (PIC) — a leading public policy think tank founded by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar and Dr. Vijay Kelkar — where he led initiatives to support and scale social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Previously, Mandar was the Vice President at AIC Pinnacle, an incubation centre supported by NITI Aayog, Government of India, providing strategic direction and mentorship to early-stage startups. He also served as the Executive Director at TiE Pune, part of TiE Global, Silicon Valley, where he spearheaded programs to inspire, mentor, and nurture entrepreneurs through education, networking, and community engagement.

Under his leadership, TiE Pune received global recognition, and Mandar was honored with the “Best Executive Director of the Year” award at the 2017 TiE Global Awards, as well as recognition for Outstanding Contribution to the entrepreneurial community for measurable impact and dedication.

In addition to these roles, Mandar serves as an Advisor and Mentor to several Technology Incubation Centers and innovation-driven initiatives, guiding startups in strategy, operations, and scaling for global impact.

Driven by a deep commitment to innovation, education, and social impact, Mandar continues to play a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship and enabling sustainable development across sectors and geographies.