Shilen Patel

Co-Founder at Drinks Sherpa & Founder at Rebellisk: on a mission to help the world drink better by supporting drinks founders and startups with investment and mentoring.

Shilen Patel is a seasoned professional with a focus on delivering disruptive innovation and driving profitable revolutions, boasting more than 25 years of experience.

Throughout his career, Shilen has collaborated with major Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies worldwide, nurturing over 50 startups in various industries like food, drink, fashion, tech, homewares, financial services, and media.

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Independents United, a groundbreaking innovation consultancy, Shilen led diverse ventures. He later ventured into the beverage industry as the Co-Founder and Non-Alc Lead at Distill Ventures, the pioneering accelerator for emerging drinks brands, supporting well-known brands such as Seedlip.

Currently serving as the Chairman of Lucky Saint and contributing as an investor and advisor to companies like Dash Water and LoveCorn, Shilen Patel is deeply entrenched in the startup ecosystem and passionate about fostering entrepreneurial spirit.

Moreover, Shilen Patel shares his wealth of knowledge and experience as a visiting fellow at the prestigious Judge Business School at Cambridge University, where he imparts valuable insights on Entrepreneurship.

Shilen's academic background includes an MA in Geography from the University of Cambridge and education at Whitgift School, underscoring his diverse skill set and broad knowledge base.

Throughout his professional journey, Shilen held key roles in various organizations, such as being a Board Member at Goodrays, Co-Founder at Drinks Sherpa, Founder at Rebellisk, Chairman at NICE, and Co-Founder at Independents United, among others.

His extensive career spans from Marketing Controller at Diageo, where he managed Guinness Ireland, to serving as the Strategy Manager for Global Marketing at the same company.

With a wealth of experience across diverse sectors and a track record of driving innovation and profitability, Shilen Patel stands out as a prominent figure in the entrepreneurial and business landscape, emphasizing impactful strategies and effective business leadership.