Rishi Sharma
Founder of Mallama Group
Rishi Sharma
Founder of Mallama Group
Santa Monica, California
Overview
Work Experience
Principal & Founder
2024 - Current
At Mallama Group, I lead the acquisition, growth, and operations of small—to medium-sized businesses generating $1.5M to $8M in EBITDA. We focus on industries like Smart Parking, Video Surveillance, Neurodiversity Treatment and care, and Electronic Goods Recycling. My mission is to create long-term value through strategic innovation, operational excellence, and seamless business transitions for owners and investors alike. #PrivateEquity #SearchFunds #BusinessAcquisition #ValueCreation #SMBGrowth #MergersAndAcquisitions
Advisor and Mentor
2022
In my capacity as an Advisor and Mentor, I leverage my extensive experience in venture capital and business strategy to guide startups toward achieving operational excellence and market success. I mentor aspiring entrepreneurs at the Founder Institute, UCLA Venture Accelerator, and Plug and Play Ventures, where I provide strategic insights, foster entrepreneurial skills, and help refine business models to meet the demands of competitive markets. Key aspects of my role include: -Offering tailored advice and mentoring to startups across various sectors, including Elysium Labs, Parentfile, Yieldwerx Semiconductor, Resist Nutrition, Shaab, and Redbloom. My guidance focuses on strategic planning, market positioning, and scaling operations effectively. -Facilitating connections between startups and potential investors, enhancing their visibility and access to capital. -Conducting workshops and sessions that address specific challenges in startups’ growth phases, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed. My commitment as a mentor and advisor is driven by a passion to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship, providing the support needed for these companies to thrive in their respective industries.
West Coast Lead
2023 - 2024
As the West Coast Lead at Newlin VC, I spearheaded the expansion and strategic development of our venture capital initiatives across the region. My primary role involved identifying and nurturing high-potential tech and SaaS startups, facilitating their growth through targeted investments and strategic guidance. I excelled in building robust partnerships, leading to enhanced market presence and increased investment opportunities. My responsibilities included: -Syndicating substantial deals by leveraging deep industry insights and a well-established network within the tech and SaaS ecosystems. -Managing the full investment cycle from deal sourcing to funding, ensuring a comprehensive due diligence process and alignment with our firm’s strategic objectives. -Hosting key industry events that positioned Newlin VC as a pivotal player in emerging markets, significantly enhancing our regional influence and reputation. This role required a combination of strategic foresight, market analysis, and leadership skills, all of which I applied to drive our mission of nurturing innovative solutions and technology advancements on the West Coast.
Venture Partner
2022 - 2024
In my role as Venture Partner at GoingVC Partners, I played a crucial role in driving the firm’s investment strategies and operational excellence, with a particular focus on identifying and fostering emerging startups in the tech and SaaS sectors. My responsibilities encompassed: -Actively sourcing and evaluating potential investment opportunities, with a keen eye for innovative solutions that align with our strategic goals. -Leading the investment process for 'The Loops,' a promising startup, from initial discovery through to successful funding. This involved detailed market analysis, due diligence, and crafting tailored investment strategies that supported the startup's growth objectives. -Building and maintaining strong relationships with founders and key stakeholders to ensure a seamless and supportive partnership, contributing significantly to the startup’s development and our firm's portfolio strength. This position required a blend of analytical prowess, strategic negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of the venture capital landscape, enabling me to effectively contribute to the firm’s success and the growth of transformative technologies.
Head of Operations, Strategy, And Finance
2016 - 2023
As Head of Operations, Strategy, and Finance at DPSI, I spearheaded critical initiatives that significantly enhanced company performance and positioned DPSI as a leader in the consumer electronics sector. My responsibilities included: -Overseeing daily operations and leading a team of 50 employees, driving productivity and operational efficiency across all departments. -Developing and implementing robust financial strategies that maximized profitability and ensured sustainable growth. -Leading strategic projects, including market analysis and investment in product innovations, which identified $10 million in new opportunities through existing product and customer relationships. -Managing relationships and negotiations with major retail partners such as Costco, Amazon, and Best Buy, which improved weekly communications and strengthened business ties. -Guiding the company through three successful M&A transactions by coordinating with legal counsel, investment bankers, and consultants to complete comprehensive due diligence. My strategic vision and financial acumen were pivotal in transforming operations and driving significant revenue growth at DPSI.
Head of Customer Experience
2011 - 2016
As the Head of Customer Experience at DPSI, I transformed the customer service framework, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and expanding our market reach. Key accomplishments include: -Pioneering the development of a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) channel and expanding our international presence, which collectively increased profits by an average of 40%. -Revolutionizing the Customer Success team by implementing strategic improvements that elevated customer satisfaction scores by 24%, reflecting a profound impact on customer loyalty and brand reputation. -Managing P&L responsibilities for both DTC and international divisions, overseeing all facets of customer interactions and operational metrics to ensure alignment with our business objectives. My leadership in this role was instrumental in forging a customer-centric culture at DPSI, driving substantial improvements in customer engagement and business growth.
Founder & CEO (Acquired)
2008 - 2015
We are Acquired and look forward to seeing our products in seen worldwide. We developed fashion technology that worked seamlessly with Mobile phone and Wearables to deliver peace of mind in your lives.
Organizing Fellow
2007 - 2008
Built political relationships between community leaders, the general public, and staff. Registered 1000+ supporters to vote; Recruited 150+ active volunteers. Managed the “Ask Me About Barack Obama” pilot program. Youth Outreach Director – Organized area youth in support of civic activities.