Shrinivas Sharma
IBS Bangalore, (‘01)

Vice President – Sales – Asia,
Digital Chocolate Inc.

I take care of Asia sales for Digital Chocolate.  We are a US based mobile gaming company.  Before this, I was with Small Device as VP – Marketing and 3 months abck Digital Chocolate acquired Small Device.   As VP Sales, my responsibilities include adding new sales channel in Asia and growing existing accounts by launching innovative gaming content.

About Digital Chocolate:

Digital Chocolate is a leading developer of original, high-quality games and applications for mobile phones. Based in San Mateo, California and founded in 2003 by software gaming pioneer, Trip Hawkins [Trip is the founder of EA], Digital Chocolate offers some of the world's most popular and top-rated games, already earning over 20 Game of the Year Awards and over 50 Editor's Awards by top gaming press. In 2006, it was named Best Games Developer at the Mobile Entertainment Awards, decided by a voting panel of over 300 mobile company executives including leading Operators, OEMs, Publishers and Developers. It was also named a 2006 Fierce 15 emerging wireless company for its innovation around community, networked and social games with products like award-winning MLSN Sports Picks, and newly released AvaPeeps(TM): FlirtNation. Since its inception, Digital Chocolate has secured relationships with more than 200 carriers and partners, including Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Cingular, Orange and 3 and its products are available in over 60 countries around the world.
Our total strength today is 300+ and other than US, we have operational presence in Finland, India and Spain and Sales presence in around 60+ countries.  
 For more information, please visit www.digitalchocolate.com. & http://www.developmag.com/news/28302/Digital-Chocolates-double-swoop

Me and my family…

Well, I belong to Mangalore and I am from a teacher’s family.  After my schooling in Mangalore , I did my BE from MIT – Manipal.  I did my PGDBA from IBS – Bangalore (1999-2001] -  You can add the rest.

looking back at your sojourn in IBS…

Lots of ups and downs.  After my PGDBA, I joined NetKraft.  Though I had an offer from TCS, I prefer to take up NetKraft as I thought I can learn more in a small company.  But ill fate stuck me badly.  When I joined NetKraft in June 2001, NetKraft was in red.  Thanks to IT bubble burst.  I worked for NetKraft for 6 months at highly discounted pay.   Couldn’t continue at NetKraft for more than 6 months as the pay I was getting was not even enough for my petrol expenses.

In 2001 December, I moved to Mumbai and joined a Magazine company as Advertising Manager -  I was fully frustrated and depressed as this company closed down in 6 months.  Then in mid 2002, I went and joined a small IT start up called Grey Matter India in Mumbai. Grey Matter India was founded by Mr. Dikshant Dave whom I met in a train journey [during my NetKraft days] and we became friends.   This friendship changed course of my life. When I joined Grey Matter India in 2002 October, it was a small start up with a team of 15 engineers.  We grew GMI to 100+ in matter of few years and spun off GMIs mobile wing as “Small Device” in 2003. 

My good relationship with my first employer – Prashanth Prakash helped a lot here.  Prashanth joined us as an investor in Small Device and he also helped us in securing seed fund and A round of funding for Small Device. 
Small Device got acquired by a US based mobile gaming publisher – Digital Chocolate in last April [2007]. 

Looking back, I am happy to say that my decision to pick-up NetKraft over TCS paid very rich dividends.  I am happy about it.

High pressure situations..

It is part of life today.  You better try to enjoy that pressure.  J.  I try to take a break of 10 to 15 days every year and spend that time with my family.

Balancing work and family ….

A good personal life is extremely important for professional success.  I try to spend maximum time at home with my family.  I do work from home but it is well planned and not at the cost of family.

De-stressing mantra…

Photography – when I feel I am tired, I take break and click few photos J

Biggest lesson in life…

Always keep good relationship with your employer and be loyal to your employer as long as you work.

 What is the future of IT sector in India and globally, especially in your type of IT Product (gaming etc) in the coming 5 years. Can you share your vision of the future of I T Industry with us.

Gaming is very small in India today.  But I am sure it will pick up in years to come as operator will push/promote data services more aggressively.  As you know revenue from Voice Services is going down – so you need to push Data services.  Also, network up- gradation [possibly 3G] will also help in increasing data traffic.

How connected are you with you friends an batch mates at IBS

I am quite connected to my close circle. 

Your Advice to fellow alumni embarking upon their careers especially as entrepreneurs in the IT Sector.

Don’t have a too long term strategy.  It never works if you ask me.  Keep working on your short term+medium term plans and change them as per market change. ◊