Naresh Ponnana

Naresh Ponnana is a professional with over a decade of diverse experience in Startup Engagement, Innovation Management, Strategy Consulting, and Product Management. Currently serving as the Director of Startup Sourcing & Partnerships at Mastercard, he leads initiatives at Mastercard Start Path, creating a network of innovators from startups to banks, merchants, and digital players to co-create the future of commerce. With a background in Aerospace Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Naresh has held key roles such as Manager of Startup Sourcing & Partnerships and Chief Manager of Startup Engagement & Innovation at Mastercard and ICICI Bank, respectively. Additionally, he has contributed as a mentor at Women in Payments and as an Entrepreneur In Residence at Startupbootcamp. Prior to this, Naresh gained exposure working as a Business Associate at Takshashila Consulting, a Consultant at EY, and a Product Manager at Oracle Financial Services Software Limited. His professional journey also includes a Summer Internship at National Aerospace Laboratories.