Ravi
Kikan
Advisory Board Member, NASSCOM Insights
A go-to-market and growth leader with over two decades of experience across digital ecosystems, SaaS, generative AI, and HR technology. Ravi Kikan has built marketing functions from the ground up, scaled ventures internationally, mentored founders, and written six books for entrepreneurs.
Ravi Kikan specialises in accelerating the growth of ventures through data-led go-to-market design, strategic sales execution, and community building. His experience spans marketing, sales, product, operations, and customer experience, in both startups and enterprises.
He began his career in marketing, sales, and business expansion roles at HT Media, Publicis Groupe, Sify, Karvy, Indiabulls, and Citifinancial India (Citigroup), before moving into leadership roles at Panaesha Capital and Plus Offices.
At ZingHR he built the global marketing function from the ground up, and at United We Care he was part of the founding team as Global Chief Marketing Officer, launching Stella, an AI-powered digital human coach for mental health. In February 2026 he joined HONO as Chief Marketing & Growth Officer.
Beyond his corporate roles, he sits on the NASSCOM Insights advisory board, mentors founders through MentorEdge (CIIE–IIM Ahmedabad), and has mentored early-stage startups through initiatives linked to the Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration.
Building Growth Engines for Technology Ventures
Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, HONO
Leads HONO's mission to build a multi-country, multi-module global HRMS platform, scaling its international footprint and steering global go-to-market, growth strategy, and brand transformation. His mandate includes customer acquisition and scalable marketing frameworks for enterprise and mid-sized clients.
Global Chief Marketing Officer, United We Care
Spearheaded global go-to-market, digital sales, and product marketing for AI-driven mental health solutions, including the launch of Stella, positioned as the world's first generative AI-powered digital human virtual coach for mental health.
Director – Marketing, Online Sales & Growth, ZingHR
Built ZingHR's global marketing function, led international expansion and channel programmes, and executed a major corporate identity transformation for the HR technology company.
Startup Community Builder and Mentor
Built and runs one of the largest startup communities on LinkedIn, which he describes as over a million members strong. Member of the NASSCOM Insights advisory board and mentor with MentorEdge (CIIE–IIM Ahmedabad).
Two Decades Across Media, Finance, and Technology
Leadership Roles
Chief Marketing & Growth Officer
Enterprise HRMS platform; international expansion and brand transformation.
Global Chief Marketing Officer
AI-driven mental health technology; global go-to-market and digital growth.
Director – Marketing, Online Sales & Growth
HR technology; global marketing, international expansion, and brand repositioning.
Leadership roles
Spanning proptech, fintech, and financial services.
Early Career & Advisory
Marketing, sales, and business expansion
Early career roles across financial services, technology, and media.
Advisory Board Member
Contributes to India's technology and knowledge economy through thought leadership.
Mentor
Mentors founders and early-stage startups.
Contributor
Writes on startups, growth, and scaling ventures.
Six Books for Founders, Professionals, and Hustlers
How To Validate Your Startup Business Idea
A step-by-step guide to testing a business idea before launch, written for anyone planning to start a venture, from students to corporate professionals.
View on Amazon ↗
Bounce Back Now
Self-help tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners to stay resilient and grow in tough times.
View on Amazon ↗
How To Raise Funds Like A Rockstar
Simple, practical strategies for founders preparing to raise capital, including building a growth mindset and running a startup like a rockstar.
View on Amazon ↗
Don't Sit and Brood: Stop Brooding, Start Living
Practical tools for building a growth mindset in life, work, or business.
View on Amazon ↗
To The Trees With Love
A deeply personal real-life story about the unseen bond between human beings, nature, and the cosmos.
View on Amazon ↗
Listen, Don't Screw Up
A quick guide for first-time entrepreneurs and founders on starting and growing a successful business. Unlearn, relearn, start building.
View on Amazon ↗Ravi Kikan on Startup Growth, Funding, and Community
Effective Business Planning
His session on effective business planning at Startups Expo 2022. (TechGenez)
Watch on YouTube ↗
StriveUp: Startup Funding Trends Q2 CY2023
A nasscom StriveUp session on startup funding trends in the second quarter of 2023. (nasscom community & insights)
Watch on YouTube ↗
TBH Talks: How to Build Community
Episode 4 of the TBH Talks podcast, on building community. (Vertocity)
Watch on YouTube ↗Ravi Kikan in the News
Ravi Kikan Appointed Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at HONO
His appointment, career highlights, and advisory roles.
Read on CXO Digital Pulse ↗HONO Names Ravi Kikan as Chief Marketing & Growth Officer
His mandate at HONO and his career from Citigroup to United We Care.
Read on Social Samosa ↗Stories by Ravi Kikan
His articles for YourStory on startups and growth.
Read on YourStory ↗Connecting Environmental Impact with Scalable Growth
As Growth & Impact Advisor and board advisor to Earth5R, Ravi Kikan supports sustainability-led business models and strategic communication frameworks that connect impact with scalable growth.
His go-to-market experience helps ensure that Earth5R's grassroots environmental work translates into credible, investable, and scalable programmes.
About Ravi Kikan
Who is Ravi Kikan?
Ravi Kikan is a marketing, go-to-market, and growth leader with over two decades of experience across digital, SaaS, generative AI, and HR technology. He is Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at HONO, a member of the NASSCOM Insights advisory board, a mentor with MentorEdge (CIIE–IIM Ahmedabad), the author of six books for entrepreneurs, and Growth & Impact Advisor to Earth5R.
What is Ravi Kikan's current role?
In February 2026 he was appointed Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at HONO, an enterprise HRMS platform, where he leads international expansion, global go-to-market and growth strategy, and brand transformation. He is based in Gurugram.
What did Ravi Kikan do at United We Care?
He was part of the founding team and served as Global Chief Marketing Officer, leading global go-to-market, digital sales, and product marketing for AI-driven mental health solutions, including the launch of Stella, positioned as the world's first generative AI-powered digital human virtual coach for mental health.
What books has Ravi Kikan written?
He has written six books: How To Validate Your Startup Business Idea, Bounce Back Now, How To Raise Funds Like A Rockstar, Don't Sit and Brood, To The Trees With Love, and Listen, Don't Screw Up. Most offer practical guidance for founders on validation, resilience, fundraising, and growth mindset.
What is Ravi Kikan's role at Earth5R?
As Growth & Impact Advisor and board advisor to Earth5R, he supports sustainability-led business models and strategic communication frameworks that connect environmental impact with scalable growth.