Professional Role and Responsibilities
Ben Leiken holds the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Arkestro, a company specializing in predictive procurement orchestration. In his CTO role, Ben leads the company’s Product Organization and is responsible for shaping Arkestro’s product strategy, overseeing the development of user-centric, cutting-edge technology solutions aimed at addressing complex procurement challenges. His leadership focuses on leveraging AI to transform and optimize procurement processes.
Company Overview and Market Position
Arkestro is recognized as a leading platform in predictive procurement orchestration, amplifying the impact of customers’ purchasing decisions across diverse spend categories. Under Ben Leiken’s technical leadership, Arkestro has developed sophisticated AI-driven software products designed to reduce procurement cycle times while increasing savings. The company’s platform has been identified as a Representative Vendor in Gartner’s Market Guide for Sourcing Applications and has received recognition in Spend Matters’ Spring 2025 SolutionMap, highlighting Arkestro’s advancement in procurement technology.
Notable Company Developments and Funding
- Arkestro has secured significant funding:
- $26 million Series A funding in June 2022 to fuel growth and enhance predictive procurement capabilities.
- $36 million funding round in May 2025, aimed at revolutionizing procurement through AI technologies.
- The company holds an ISO/IEC 27001 certification, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality security and operational standards, with Ben Leiken publicly affirming this milestone.
- Arkestro has expanded operations with new offices, including one in Atlanta, reinforcing geographic growth and market reach.
Technical and Strategic Expertise
Ben Leiken’s background encompasses prior leadership as Head of Product before taking on the CTO role, reflecting a deep understanding of both product management and technical innovation. He combines expertise in building user-centric software solutions with an emphasis on solving large-scale and complex problems using advanced technologies. His focus aligns closely with scaling procurement performance by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and data-driven decision-making.
Educational Background and Personal Profile
Ben Leiken is an alumnus of Tufts University. His professional narrative frequently emphasizes a passion for solving major technological challenges and developing impactful software products.
Key Contributions and Public Presence
- Co-founder of Arkestro alongside Edmund Zagorin and Robert DeSantis (the latter noted as co-founder of Ariba).
- Publicly active on LinkedIn, regularly posting on topics such as predictive procurement, procurement transformation, and AI innovation.
- Participates in industry events such as the Arkestro Advisory Council, which focuses on innovations to de-risk supply chains and improve procurement outcomes for enterprise clients.
- Engages in live product demonstrations and webinars, notably showcasing Arkestro’s AI-driven procurement capabilities and real-world procurement performance improvements, such as achieving up to 75% faster procurement cycles and 25% average savings demonstrated by clients.
Industry Relevance and Strategic Positioning
Ben Leiken’s leadership is central to Arkestro’s positioning as an innovator in the rapidly evolving procurement technology landscape. His role involves not only guiding technology development but also articulating the value proposition of AI-enabled procurement orchestration as a strategic superpower in enterprise sourcing and supply chain management. His experience as a former engineering and product leader at SurveyMonkey, paired with founding Arkestro, positions him uniquely at the intersection of software product innovation and procurement domain expertise.
Summary of actionable insights:
- As CTO, Ben Leiken drives product innovation focused on AI-powered, user-centric procurement solutions that deliver measurable savings and operational efficiencies.
- Arkestro’s recent funding and certifications signal robust growth and commitment to security standards, reinforcing the company’s credibility in the procurement technology market.
- Arkestro’s leadership, including Ben Leiken, actively promotes thought leadership through industry recognitions, webinars, and advisory events centered on predictive procurement orchestration.
Ben Leiken’s profile highlights a technically proficient executive with strong product vision and implementation expertise in leveraging technology to solve complex procurement challenges, positioning Arkestro as a prominent player poised for continued expansion and technological leadership in the procurement sector.
