Shantanu Naidu

Shantanu Naidu is a multi-faceted individual who has made significant contributions to animal welfare and entrepreneurship. He started his journey by creating music videos for social causes during his engineering days. However, he found his true calling in animal welfare when he produced the video 'Paws for a Cause,' which marked his entry into the field. As an automotive design engineer at Tata Elxsi, Shantanu established a start-up called Motopaws, which focused on enhancing road safety by putting reflective collars on India's stray dogs, thus preventing night-time road accidents. His venture caught the attention of Mr. Ratan Tata, who became a primary investor in the initiative. After completing his MBA at Cornell University in New York, Shantanu returned to India and joined Mr. Tata's office as Deputy General Manager. In this role, he actively assisted Mr. Tata with various activities, including philanthropic initiatives, evaluating start-up proposals, and handling social media responsibilities. During his time at Mr. Tata's office, Shantanu noticed a lack of understanding and fear among young students regarding entrepreneurship. To address this gap, he founded 'On Your Sparks,' an online entrepreneurship course that teaches fundamental principles through engaging stories. The proceeds from this initiative are directed towards animal welfare projects. In addition to his work in animal welfare and entrepreneurship education, Shantanu established the 'Cyber Aid Army,' an organization that provides technological assistance and counseling to victims of cybercrime free of charge. Shantanu's passion for animals remains a significant part of his life, and he spends a considerable amount of time with dogs while also engaging with students online to foster their entrepreneurial spirit. He is known for his creative ideas, love for pina coladas, and his connection to Mumbai. Through his various ventures and initiatives, Shantanu Naidu continues to make a positive impact on both the animal welfare and entrepreneurial landscapes in India.