International Individuals Already Hiring Remote Talent from Vadodara Region: Part 1

Paul Glynn – CEO of Davra

Background & Roles: Paul Glynn is the Chief Executive Officer of Davra, an Industrial IoT platform company. A 25-year tech industry veteran, he previously built Crannog Software to over $6M in revenue and sold it to Fluke Networks (http://davra.com/about/). He sits on multiple technology boards, leveraging deep experience in big data and analytics. Under his leadership, Davra was recognized by Gartner as a leading private IIoT platform (http://davra.com/about/).

Major Projects & Achievements: At Davra, Paul oversees an AI-powered IoT platform that helps industrial clients connect and monitor equipment, enabling predictive maintenance and asset tracking at scale (http://davra.com). His team’s “Let’s Build IoT, Together” ethos drives collaborations with system integrators and OEMs to rapidly bring connected solutions to market (http://davra.com/about/). Earlier, as founder of Crannog, he pioneered network performance monitoring solutions, culminating in a successful exit. These achievements highlight his ability to build innovative platforms and guide them to commercial success.

Vision & Philosophy: Paul is passionate about digital transformation in traditional industries. In interviews and company blogs, he emphasizes collaboration and adaptability – Davra prides itself on never telling a client “this can’t be done” (http://davra.com). He advocates for leveraging data and AI to drive business value, aiming to simplify the IoT journey so companies can focus on what matters. His leadership style is hands-on and customer-centric, reflecting a philosophy that technology should solve real-world problems in partnership with stakeholders. This mindset of openness and innovation has been a hallmark of his tenure at Davra.

Public Presence & Contact: Paul maintains a professional presence on Twitter and LinkedIn (http://davra.com/about/). His Twitter (@ptglynn) often shares IoT insights and company news, though he engages more on LinkedIn with thought leadership articles about industrial AI and IoT. He’s likely most responsive on LinkedIn, where he posts about Davra’s milestones and comments on industry trends. Direct messaging him there or via his company email (often formatted as paul.glynn@davra.com) would be effective. Given Davra’s global client base, he’s accustomed to professional outreach and partnership inquiries on these platforms.

Nicholas “Nick” Katz – Founder of Acasa & Angel Investor

Background & Roles: Nick Katz is a tech entrepreneur turned angel investor, best known as co-founder and former CEO of Acasa, a prop-tech startup. At Acasa (originally launched as Splittable in the UK), Nick’s mission was to make living together easier – the platform started as a bill-splitting app and evolved into a service for managing all aspects of shared homes. Under his leadership, Acasa grew its user base among renters and young housemates by simplifying utility payments and even helping customers find and book properties. After exiting Acasa, Nick transitioned into angel investing and advisory roles. He has since invested in early-stage startups (particularly in fintech and property technology) and mentors founders, leveraging his firsthand experience of scaling a consumer app internationally.

Major Projects & Achievements: Nick’s flagship achievement is Acasa, the digital platform he spearheaded. The app provided a one-stop solution for housemates – from splitting bills to managing rent and household expenses – and later expanded into helping users set up home services when moving. This full-stack approach to co-living made Acasa a popular platform among millennials and garnered coverage in outlets like TechCrunch for its innovative take on the housing market. In building Acasa, Nick oversaw the development of a robust web and mobile application using modern JavaScript and Node.js backends. Prior to Acasa, he had stints in real estate and finance, which informed his entrepreneurial vision. As an angel investor, Nick has funded startups with a focus on platforms that solve everyday problems via tech – much like Acasa did for living arrangements. His major accomplishment in this realm is assembling a personal portfolio of promising prop-tech and fintech companies and helping them navigate early growth.

Vision & Philosophy: Nick Katz’s driving vision is to remove friction from daily life through technology. In interviews, he’s expressed that managing a home or moving shouldn’t be a stressful tangle of bills, contracts, and chores – his goal with Acasa was to “make living easy” by putting everything in one app. This user-centric, problem-solving philosophy carries into his investment approach: he backs founders who aim to simplify complex processes (be it renting a flat or opening a bank account) with elegant digital solutions. Nick often speaks about the importance of customer experience and community – for example, Acasa’s evolution was guided by listening to its community of renters. He also champions financial transparency and empowerment. Overall, his mindset is collaborative and forward-looking, believing that the best tech ventures arise from addressing real human needs in a friendly, accessible way.

Public Presence & Contact: Nick is active on LinkedIn, where he shares updates about companies in his angel portfolio and occasionally posts articles on co-living, prop-tech, and startup life. His LinkedIn profile is a key contact point – he’s open to connecting with fellow entrepreneurs. He also maintains a Twitter presence (often under the handle @nickkatz), though his tweets are infrequent. Nick has been known to write on Medium about his founder journey, and could potentially be reached via contact details there or through a Substack newsletter if he runs one. The most reliable medium for a response is likely LinkedIn or email. As an investor, he’s accustomed to cold approaches, but a warm intro or reference to Acasa will catch his attention.

Alexander Jarzebinski – Product Manager at Blizzard; Co-founder of BattleBards & AudioCatch

Background & Roles: Alexander Jarzebinski is a technology product leader with a unique blend of gaming and audio tech entrepreneurship. He currently serves as a Lead Product Manager at Blizzard Entertainment, contributing to major gaming franchises. Prior to Blizzard, Alexander co-founded two digital audio ventures: BattleBards and AudioCatch. In these startups, he combined his passion for gaming, music, and technology. His career spans founding companies and managing products at a top-tier game studio.

Major Projects & Achievements: Alexander’s notable achievements center on the platforms he built:

AudioCatch (2014): An online marketplace aimed at revolutionizing how audio content is licensed and exchanged globally, allowing artists and clients to conduct business and sign audio contracts easily, bypassing traditional industry systems. As co-founder, Alexander oversaw the development of this platform using PHP (CodeIgniter) and MySQL. This venture provided deep experience in building two-sided marketplaces and handling digital media transactions.
BattleBards (2015–2017): A first-of-its-kind audio toolkit for tabletop gamers. This web application (built with Laravel and AngularJS) provided RPG players and dungeon masters the ability to purchase and mix music, sound effects, and ambient audio for gaming sessions. Alexander led BattleBards from concept to launch, including a successful Kickstarter. The platform let users create custom sound mixes and play an interactive audio-based game via a companion app. He grew a community valuing immersive sound in games, marking a significant niche success.

After these ventures, Alexander applied his product expertise to the mainstream gaming industry. At Blizzard, he manages features for popular game titles, translating player feedback and innovative ideas into engaging updates. This role itself signifies how he leveraged startup experience to excel in a large-scale product environment.

Vision & Philosophy: Alexander’s philosophy revolves around enhancing experiences through audio and technology. He believes sound is a powerful component of user experience, aiming to enrich storytelling and gaming. His vision for AudioCatch aimed to empower creators and streamline processes like audio licensing. He champions community-driven development, as seen with BattleBards. Now in the gaming industry, Alexander brings a player-centric philosophy, advocating for features that strengthen engagement and enjoyment. His detail-oriented nature and creative problem-solving are noted by colleagues. He values agility and bold ideas, championing innovation that delights users, whether gamers, game masters, or musicians.

Public Presence & Contact: Alexander keeps a relatively low-key public profile. He is on LinkedIn, highlighting his Blizzard role and co-founder experience, occasionally sharing articles about game design or audio innovation. He may not be very active on Twitter personally. For direct contact, LinkedIn is the best channel – a message referencing BattleBards or Blizzard will be relevant. Another route could be via BattleBards community channels or email remnants. He has also been a speaker at gaming conventions. A professional yet enthusiastic approach on LinkedIn, touching on his passion for audio in tech, would likely get his attention.

Andrew Wainstein – Founder of Campfire; Creator of Fantasy League

Background & Roles: Andrew Wainstein is a pioneer in the fantasy sports industry and a seasoned digital entrepreneur. He founded Fantasy League, the UK’s original fantasy football game, in 1991 (https://fantasyleague.com/about). As CEO for decades, he guided it from a niche concept into a mainstream pastime, introducing the classic auction-based format and partnering with media giants. After stepping back from daily operations, Andrew founded Campfire (around 2021), his latest startup focused on community interaction, potentially blending storytelling and discussion for enthusiast communities. He now focuses on growing Campfire while remaining an industry thought leader.

Major Projects & Achievements: Andrew’s signature achievement is creating the fantasy football phenomenon in the UK. His Fantasy League launched before the Premier League began, quickly gaining a cult following and inspiring a BBC Radio show (https://fantasyleague.com/about). Partnering with The Daily Telegraph brought fantasy football to a mass audience (https://fantasyleague.com/about). His company powered fantasy games for major broadcasters (The Times, Sky Sports, BBC Sport) and kept innovating online (https://fantasyleague.com/about). He achieved remarkable user loyalty, with many private leagues running for over 15 years on his platform, highlighting the strong community he fostered (https://fantasyleague.com/about). His new project, Campfire, aims to reinvent fan community engagement, likely focusing on conversation and connection. Even in its early stages, Campfire reflects Andrew’s commitment to bringing people together through interactive digital experiences.

Vision & Philosophy: Andrew Wainstein’s core philosophy is rooted in community and engagement. He believes a platform’s value lies in user loyalty and joy. Fantasy League aimed to create camaraderie, not just a game; the auction night was often called the “Best Night of the Year” (https://www.fantasyleague.com). This emphasis on social interaction defined his product. He prioritized quality and authentic engagement over flashy growth, fostering a loyal user base. His mission with Campfire likely extends this: creating authentic spaces for fans. He’s also an innovator, adapting Fantasy League from postcards to one of the first fantasy websites in 1996 (https://fantasyleague.com/about). Andrew is known for being down-to-earth and collaborative. His mindset: build something people love, nurture the community, and the rest will follow.

Public Presence & Contact: Andrew keeps a modest public presence. He uses LinkedIn, connecting with sports, media, and tech professionals, listing Campfire and his Fantasy League tenure. He occasionally shares industry insights or nostalgia. He isn’t very active on Twitter. To reach Andrew, LinkedIn or direct email is best. He might respond to emails via Fantasy League or Campfire domains if the inquiry is thoughtful. He participates in sports tech conferences and podcasts; referencing an appearance could resonate. A respectful approach recognizing his contributions will stand out. He values genuine dialogue.

John Arbuthnot – CEO of Delta 9 Cannabis

Background & Roles: John Arbuthnot is the co-founder and CEO of Delta 9 Cannabis, one of Canada’s pioneering cannabis companies. Taking the helm in his twenties, he grew Delta 9 from a family startup (founded 2012) into a publicly traded, vertically integrated cannabis producer and retailer with operations in cultivation, brand development, and retail stores (primarily Manitoba, Alberta). He guided Delta 9 through industry volatility, focusing on sustainable growth and innovation, and often serves as the company’s public face.

Major Projects & Achievements: Under John’s leadership, Delta 9 achieved several milestones:

Production Innovation: Became known for its unique “Grow Pod” system – retrofitting shipping containers into modular growing units. This tech-forward method allowed efficient scaling and became a commercialized product itself.
Digital Platforms: Early on (circa 2015), John invested in proprietary mobile apps and point-of-sale systems to enhance customer experience and streamline operations, integrating inventory and compliance. This forward-looking move demonstrated his focus on marrying tech and retail in a regulated industry.
Market Growth: Secured early recreational retail licenses in Manitoba, oversaw the opening of numerous stores, took the company public on the TSX Venture Exchange, and managed M&A activity to remain competitive.
Industry Advocacy: Engaged with regulators and industry associations, pushing for fair regulations and sharing best practices, helping shape Delta 9’s responsible image. Note: As of late 2024/early 2025, Delta 9 entered CCAA protection and began selling core assets, significantly changing its operational landscape and future prospects.

Vision & Philosophy: John Arbuthnot’s vision centered on innovation and community impact within the cannabis sector. He aimed to normalize cannabis use through compliance, education, and quality products. His adoption of Grow Pods reflected a philosophy of continuous improvement for efficiency and consistency. His approach was hands-on and tech-savvy, investing in custom solutions early. He emphasized sustainability and adaptability in a volatile market, diversifying revenue streams. Known for being approachable and pragmatic, his mission was to build Delta 9 into a trusted, long-term brand balancing innovation with responsibility. Recent financial challenges (CCAA) have necessarily shifted the immediate focus to restructuring and maximizing stakeholder value through asset sales.

Public Presence & Contact: As CEO of a (formerly expanding, now restructuring) public company, John maintains a professional presence on LinkedIn, sharing company updates and industry news. He isn’t very active personally on Twitter. Contact through investor relations channels or LinkedIn might be effective, though response times may vary given the current CCAA situation. He has appeared in industry podcasts and webinars; referencing these could show awareness. Industry conferences were also a networking venue. Given current circumstances, outreach should be highly sensitive to the company’s situation.