Cogoport, the global trade platform with headquarters in Singapore and a presence in India, Netherlands, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, has named Hrishikesh Kulkarni as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a strategic move to further strengthen its position in the global trade industry.

In his role as COO, Hrishikesh Kulkarni will be stationed at the Gurgaon office and will spearhead Cogoport’s operations in India while collaborating closely with international offices to facilitate the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into global markets.

His mission will revolve around elevating operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and fortifying the company’s financial position through the strategic application of cutting-edge technology.

Hrishikesh Kulkarni, an alumnus of IIT Bombay (Class of 2009), boasts a track record of leveraging technology to tackle customer challenges and drive organizational growth. His diverse experience includes roles in fintech, insuretech, and OTT innovation, as well as efficiency optimization across teams. Notably, as the VP of Engineering, Hrishikesh played a pivotal role in steering Cogoport’s expansion during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said in a statement.

Amitabh Shankar, CEO of Cogoport, expressed his confidence in Kulkarni’s appointment, stating, “The company has achieved remarkable growth, surpassing $170 million in revenue with positive EBITDA in less than three years. Hrishikesh’s role will be crucial in enhancing efficiency and driving profitable growth for Cogoport in India. He is an accomplished leader with engineering skills, business vision, and an ability to bring people together. His strategic insights into the role of technology and product in shaping Cogoport’s future in India align perfectly with the company’s new phase of innovation and growth.”

In response to his appointment, Hrishikesh Kulkarni, COO of Cogoport, remarked, “I am excited to assume this role and apply my expertise to bridge the knowledge and execution gap within the trade industry. My primary goal is to create value for our customers and partners, both on the demand and supply sides. As the COO of the India business, my immediate focus will be on enhancing the customer experience by launching multiple services such as export factoring, pay later, and PTL services. I will also focus my efforts on attracting top talent to our team, positioning the right individuals in key leadership roles, fostering managerial growth through training programs, and eliminating inefficiencies. This journey for category creation in the trade commerce industry is not for employees who want to board the boat as a passenger just to see the adventure but rather we need colleagues who would be involved in the journey just like an Olympic boat rowing competition where every rower must put in effort and intensity to move the boat in the desired pace. These efforts will culminate in the development of an enhanced and effective playbook, facilitating network effects for our organization and driving profitable growth further.”

Cogoport’s appointment of Hrishikesh Kulkarni as COO underscores the company’s commitment to harnessing technology and innovation to revolutionize global trade and provide unparalleled value to its customers and partners. With Kulkarni’s leadership, the company is poised to navigate the complex world of international trade with renewed vigor and determination.