Dasha Kroshkina
Position: CEO & Founder
Company: Connected
Locations: San Francisco, CA; Headquarters in Russia
Professional Summary
Dasha Kroshkina is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, prominently known as the CEO and Founder of Connected. She has a rich background in B2C, subscription SaaS, and community-driven business models. Dasha is also a serial startup founder with specialization in EdTech, having founded StudyFree, a platform facilitating international education opportunities for students.
Experience and Achievements
- Founder & CEO of Connected: An app that connects international talent with global opportunities, leveraging AI for international education, scholarships, job, and relocation benefits.
- 2x EdTech Founder: Previously established StudyFree, which gained significant accolades and recognition.
- At StudyFree, the platform connected students with scholarships and grants worth $10.3M, enabling them to study in leading universities globally.
- StudyFree was recognized as a top innovative EdTech startup and a recipient of the Seedstars global competition award.
- Forbes 30 Under 30 Russia and Global EdTech 800 list honoree.
- Industry Expert: Recognized in growth and international scalability, cross-cultural leadership, and business development.
- Mentorship and Development: Participated in globally recognized accelerator programs such as Techstars and Berkeley SkyDeck.
Education
- Machine Learning, Stanford University.
- Master’s in Finance, Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
- Bachelor’s in International Business, Zhejiang University, China.
- Visiting student in Economics, Spain.
Professional Insights
Dasha is an active thought leader and content creator, contributing practical insights on topics such as:
- Fundraising Challenges for Immigrant Founders: Shared personal experiences and strategies for gaining investor trust.
- International Expansion: Emphasized preparation techniques for successful multinational operations.
Awards and Recognitions
- Forbes 30 under 30 Russia
- Global EdTech 800 list
- Seedstars Global Winner: First female winner in the competition's seven-year history.
Company Profile: Connected
- Founded: 2018
- Industry: Higher Education, EdTech
- Focus: Connecting students with international educational opportunities
- Achievements:
- Scholarships and grants worth $10.3M facilitated.
- User base of 70,000 students.
- Listings of over 100,000 programs with $90B worth in scholarships globally.
- Employee Size: 51 - 200
Locations and Market Presence
- Connected operates internationally, having entered markets in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Brazil, and India. Significant user growth was observed post-entry into these regions, illustrating the platform's effective scalability and outreach.
Additional Roles and Contributions
- Growth Mentor at Seedstars
- Active EdTech community member and startup mentor.
Professional Network and Public Engagement
Dasha is effectively utilizing platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to engage with a broader audience, discussing themes around community building, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Her content often emphasizes her journey and strategies that have led to her successes.
This comprehensive profile encapsulates key information that would be impactful for engaging with or understanding Dasha Kroshkina’s professional journey and current endeavors within the educational technology and global talent mobility sectors.
