Driving Excellence, Enabling Success: The Vision of Leadership in Action

I’m Praveen Paul, an Operations and Sales Specialist with 25 Years of Experience in The Field

Seasoned business leader with experience scaling companies across MENA and APAC. At Winsar, I led the transformation of a traditional hospitality tech company into a SaaS-first powerhouse, quadrupling revenue, tripling installations, and expanding into 30+ countries. I built and enabled high-performing global teams, optimized cash flow, and guided the company through a strategic acquisition in 2025. Earlier, I co-founded and scaled KAPP Engineering, delivering multimillion-dollar automation projects across mining, oil & gas, and recycling industries. Most recently, at Itheum, I navigated the frontier of Web3—raising funds, launching a utility token, and building operations from scratch in a domain where I had no prior experience. I thrive on building companies, bridging strategy with execution, and scaling teams across industries and geographies.

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Praveen Paul

Email

praveen@paul.chat

Phone

(971) 52-441-8447

Time Zone

Gulf Standard Time (Dubai)

Experience

Chief Operating Officer – Winsar Group, India & UAE

August 2016 – April 2025

Joined as part of a transformation mandate from hospitality on-premise to SaaS and instrumental in leading Winsar through a complete business model pivot.
– Designed and implemented an outbound global sales architecture across tiers, roles, and markets, and introduced performance-driven frameworks including KPIs, dashboards, and data-informed closure systems
– Built onboarding and customer success functions capable of managing 60+ new installations monthly, optimized cash flow through structured payment cycles, incentives for on-time settlements, and Accounts Receivable targets
– Key player in acquisition diligence, aligning financial, operational, and product narratives for buyers

Chief Operating Officer – Itheum, UAE

July 2021 – April 2024

Decentralized data marketplace and protocol built on blockchain and Web3.
– Raised $3M+ and launched a Web3 utility token via IDO
– Built global ops across partnerships, marketing, and compliance
– Established a UAE entity in alignment with local crypto regulations
– Developed deep operational expertise in blockchain and decentralized tech

Director of Business Development & Major Projects – KAPP Engineering, Australia

August 2005 – August 2016

Provider of industrial automation and process control solutions.
– Co-founded and scaled an industrial automation firm to A$4M+ in annual revenue
– Delivered $1M+ automation projects across mining, water, and recycling
– Led business development, client delivery, and team growth

Control Systems Engineer – Industrial Automation Group, Australia

March 2002 – August 2005

In my first opportunity to work in Australia, I worked part-time while studying as a Control Systems Engineer. My role was to understand the customer’s requirements for their process and design and program a suitable system that enabled automation of their process. Due to my strong communication skills and technical acumen, I supported many projects the company undertook in manufacturing, recycling, water treatment, grain harvesting and storage, irrigation, etc.

Field Application / Sales Engineer – Channel Group, Singapore

March 2002 – August 2005

My first job after my graduation involved product management of the company’s extensive line of Electronics and Software products catering to the large manufacturing industry in Singapore and Malaysia. Delivered in-depth technical and sales presentations for the assigned product lines which included semiconductors and components from Japanese, American, and European suppliers to R&D Teams and Design Engineers. In addition to performing in-depth competitor and market analysis, I also had to support the customers from the first point of contact until the deal was secured by means of providing reference designs, and connection schematics and attending to project obstacles by working personally with customers.

Education

Master of Engineering Science – Telecommunications and Networking

2002 – 2003

Curtin University, Western Australia

Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) – Electrical and Electronics

1996 – 2000

Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom

My Strengths

I have a strong foundation in Electrical Engineering, which taught me discipline, analytics, and problem-solving. My initial role as a control systems engineer honed my skills in deciphering complex processes. Transitioning into a sales/business development role, I successfully managed projects from quote to delivery and built strong relationships with multinational organizations.

In the hospitality sector, I leveraged my sales and analytical skills to implement innovative strategies, streamline operations, and improve cash flow in a challenging environment. My efforts doubled revenue and active clients with a cloud-based SaaS solution.

Later, I co-founded a blockchain/web3 venture in Dubai, where I helped raise funds and built an international team to develop cutting-edge web3 infrastructure.

01

Strategic Leadership

I excel at setting clear goals and leading teams to achieve them. My ability to create and execute strategic plans allows the company to scale efficiently. I ensure that operational processes align with business goals, and I work closely with sales teams to drive revenue growth and expand market reach through analyzing historical data and curating and refining strategies.

02

Sales Driven Operations

Through my practical understanding of sales processes I ensure that operations are optimized to support revenue generation. By collaborating with sales teams, I streamline workflows, improve customer acquisition strategies, and ensure that the back-end systems can handle increased demand. I’m constantly looking for ways to support sales with data-driven insights and operational efficiency.

03

Process Optimization

I take pride in identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions that streamline operations. My approach to process optimization ensures that sales teams can focus on closing deals without operational bottlenecks, while reducing costs and improving margins across the board.

04

Financial & Sales Acumen

I have a strong grasp of financial management, from budgeting to forecasting. This enables me to allocate resources wisely and support both operational growth and sales initiatives. My understanding of sales pipelines and financial forecasting ensures that operations are well-equipped to scale in line with revenue goals.

05

Team Building and Collaboration

I foster a collaborative environment between operations, sales, and other departments, ensuring that everyone works toward common business goals. By aligning operational support with sales targets, I help create a unified team that’s focused on driving both operational efficiency and revenue growth.

06

Problem Solving and Adaptability

In dynamic environments, I excel at problem-solving and adapting to new challenges. Whether it’s addressing an operational issue or finding ways to support sales teams in new markets, I approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset, ensuring the company can pivot quickly while maintaining growth.