Welcome
Vinayak Grover
My educational background and professional expertise lie in technology management, finance, physics, and computer science.
I am currently a Masters Student (M.S. Technology Management) at Columbia University in NYC. I completed my bachelor's degree from UNC Chapel Hill with a double major in Physics (Quant finance track) and Interdisciplinary studies along with a minor in Computer Science.
In charting my rise from entrepreneur to an employee and intern with leading audit and advisory, philanthropic and education organizations, my experience is substantive and multifaceted.
I have worked with large consultancy firms like KPMG (as a Deal Advisory Intern) where I managed projects which led to substantial investments, demonstrable increases in productivity and the elimination of workflow bottlenecks. Similarly, I am a partner at two startups that have offices in Dubai and North Carolina respectively; A restaurant (https://www.downtimechapelhill.com/) and a data science/tutoring startup (https://anannt.ae/) . Thus, with a career history steeped in the marriage of computer science, quantitative finance and product management, I am immersed in the trends changing a myriad of industries
Professional History
My Qualifications
Echo Labs
Co-founder & Chief Product Manager
EduAnannt
Silent Partner & Project Manager
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Lead, guide, direct, and evaluate the operational performance of the entire staff and executive leaders throughout the organization, increasing the operational performance by 10%-12%
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Assisted in the development of a machine learning MTOE prediction algorithm; managed a team of engineers and optimized input data using Python and R programming to increase algorithms efficiency by 5%
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Raised over $100,000 as a co-founder
KPMG
Deal ADVISORY INTERN
Devised an analysis system that evaluates competitors in the F&B industry, and helped identify competitors through the analysis system, allowing the client to effectively evaluate competitive risks and to evade ~20% of them over a two month period.
Performed research and financial analysis, wrote 12 reports, executed 4 company valuations, developed pitch books or proposals, etc.
Determined the price change of raw materials used for the production of poly-vinyl chloride for a plastic manufacturing company, allowing the
company to renegotiate prices with its suppliers.
EEC
Project Manager
Oversee a team of 20 members from four states with the aim of raising funds, in order to provide over 850 school supply kits and 120 meals; collaborate closely with local hospitals in furnishing 147 free eye checkups to unprivileged schools.
Design and enforce the organization's mission, ensuring that the direction is communicated to all employees for their individual roles, allowing the employees to complete tasks accurately and efficiently.
PM, Dubai Cares
Spearheaded the organization’s members to perform their duties and responsibilities 10% more efficiently for the achievement of project goals
Earned the Princess Diana Award, and received a letter from Ex-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron.
Coordinated a business plan for fundraising, facilitated meetings with sponsors, and designated tasks for the forming sub-committees.
Made a vital contribution through fundraising by campaigns and speeches for the TMS carnival that raised a total of AED 325,819($80,000)
Silent Partner, Downtime Bar& Restaurant
Raised over $200,000 in the first round of funding as a silent partner.
Coordinate and approve budgets for product development, inventory management, marketing, overhead, and growth.
Software Engineering Applications & Research
Cryptocurrency
Spring 2021
Programmed and deployed a BEP20 token on the binance smart-chain.
Applied custom features (via Remix) and listed token on pancake swap
Finance API project
Fall 2020
● Simulated a 9% return using financial pairs trading (The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo) on python.
● Used Kraken API to make financial models of cryptocurrency price predictions and automated trading using Python.
Self-Driving Motorcycle - Arduino
Engineering
● Solidified understanding of mechatronics (DC motors, servos, encoders, motor drivers, PWM signals, etc), model-based design, control theory - PD control, image and signal processing, data visualization and analysis.
● Applied physics and mathematics, text-based programming with MATLAB, and visual programming with Simulink.
Internet of things project - Appl490
● Applied custom algorithms for complex math operations, image processing, and PID control.
Created an automated laundry folding machine that utilized 3d printed components, Arduino microcontrollers, laser-cut flat boards and proximity sensors.
Fourier transform project
Attempted to build an app that identifies car engine problems based on the component frequencies utilizing the principle of Fourier transforms
Modeled and simulated behavior of dynamic systems in Simulink and Incorporated logic-based algorithms that define system behavior for different states.
Would you like to hear more about my experiences? Get in touch with any questions about my professional journey.
Entrepreneurship
Growing up in a small town in India and then moving to Dubai allowed me to see contrasting sides of life; from enjoying a milkshake in a luxurious hotel in the city to milking a cow by hand in a rural town. This forced me to be empathetic which allows me to build a rapport with both clients and teammates.
My passion for engineering and product development started at a very young age. When I was thirteen years old I was extremely interested in circuits. After much pleading, a local mechanic decided to teach me how to build practical circuits. Within a few weeks, I was making radios and selling them to my relatives. By the time I turned 14, I was building furniture which I sold to neighbors. In my teenage years, I worked on managing philanthropic campaigns that raised thousands of dollars for underprivileged children, and gained recognition from former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial flair that has been enhanced by my love for engineering and design. I thrive when I’m able to create something, market it and then turn a small profit. In my first year of college, I noticed that there aren’t any popular clubs in town so I signed a contract with a local transportation company to shuttle local club-goers to the neighboring town and created value for hundreds of students each month. This side hustle formed the groundwork for many valuable social and business relationships as I got involved with the local bar and restaurant scene which eventually brought me the opportunity to open my own restaurant/bar with a group of other partners.
A year later I realized that the price of tutoring in Dubai was heavily inflated, leaving room in the market to create a competitive advantage by bringing in outside tutors for a business startup. I made a business plan to hire teachers at a rate that would be highly competitive in India but would be very affordable in Dubai to teach at a rate that far more people could afford. The plan raised $100,000 from investors and is now providing tutoring services for students in Dubai at a physical location and virtually on our online platform. The online platform helps students practice at home while we collect performance data in order to build profiles of students and predict optimal test prep strategies for them.
Academic Experience
My choice of majors may seem unusual but I have observed that there are natural synergies between Physics and Finance [Click here to see] . Numerous analytical models used in financial engineering are derived from mathematical models used in physics. For instance, the Nobel Prize winning BlackScholes option pricing model is based on the heat equation in physics. In addition, the types of numerical methods developed for solving problems in physics have direct applications in finance.
Aug 2021 - Sep 2022
M.S. Technology Management
Current Grad Student At Columbia University in NYC passionate about Technology management, De-fi and Product management.
Aug 2017 - May 2021
PHYSICS with Quant Finance Track
UNC Chapel Hill
Bachelor's Degree
Aug 2017- May2021
IDST Engineering Project Management
Bachelor's Degree
January 2023 - June 2025
High School Diploma
TMS Dubai
STEM PREMED TRACK
Notable Achievements
High School Class President
M.U.N Sec General
Varsity Soccer Team
10/10 CGPA (X)
July 12, 2023
Other
Minor in Computer Science (UNC)
Harvard Business School Online- Entrepreneurship Essentials (2019)
University of Pennsylvania- Developing the opportunity (2018)
PMP Certification (Expected- Summer 2022)
My Skillset
Competence & Aptitude
Computer Programming
Project Management
Critical Thinking
Product
Management
"I want the hallmark of my career to be consistent innovation and skillful implementation of creative technical solutions"
Vinayak Grover
All Videos
Linkedin Preview, Infographic & XD design
Hobby Project
Motion activated cocktail maker
(Arduino)