Mark Heynen 🎒
Education
Amherst College
BA, Magna Cum Laude, Economics, History, Immigration Studies -Work Experience
Knapsack
Current
Knapsack
Next Billion Advisors
Current
Next Billion Advisors
Stellar Development Foundation
2020-05-01 - 2024-05-01
Stellar Development Foundation
PayJoy
2015-08-01 - 2020-04-01
PayJoy
Skycatch
2013-08-01 - 2015-10-01
Skycatch
Droptalk
2012-08-01 - 2013-03-01
Droptalk
2010-05-01 - 2012-05-01
2006-06-01 - 2010-05-01
Electrobug Technologies
2000-04-01 - 2006-11-01
Electrobug Technologies
Skills
Summary
Mark has led go to market in emerging markets for large and small companies, from Google’s initial push into maps in the mid 2000s to Facebook’s early mobile efforts and ultimately launching PayJoy, a Silicon Valley-based fintech, in 20 countries. He served as VP of Business Development at the Stellar Development Foundation, and is currently pushing the boundaries of AI on the edge with Knapsack. His focus has been on analyzing markets, structuring transformational partnerships, hiring highly functional teams in market, and then producing revenue quickly with great unit economics. He has also raised ~$100M in early stage VC, venture debt, and SPV debt financing across four companies he built, and advised companies on fundraising. Prior to moving to Silicon Valley in 2006, Mark split his time between India and London, founding and running his first startup, Electrobug Technologies. As this company had clients in 18 countries and 250+ staff in India through a wholly owned subsidiary, Mark learned firsthand of the challenges and opportunities of working in emerging markets, and is currently an advisor for a number of startups. Mark graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College with a degree in Economics and History His main drive is in building interesting products and making them ubiquitous, with a specific focus on access for the underserved. Views expressed here are his own. Specialties: business development, search, travel, content licensing, mobile, app development, android, indian outsourcing, offshore labor, social media.
