Global Settlement Network

Founding team member and Chief Product Officer
globalsettlement.com

Chief Product Officer

Cryptan Labs

One of the founding partners of Cryptan Labs, an emerging tech Web3 and ai-based venture studio working with companies from pre-seed to series A. 

Areas of expertise include: Technical roadmapping, technical due diligence, early product development, user experience research, prototyping, and more.

Co Founder & Head of Development

Yuzu Health

Special Operations | Head of Support

Birdwell Solutions

Started Birdwell Solutions to build mobile apps, web apps, and custom software for startups and small businesses. We specialized in early stage product development and web3 tech (dApps, blockchain, NFTs, metaverse, cryptocurrency, DAOs, DeFi, etc...)

Co-Founder and CEO

Capital Entrepreneurs

A grassroots community organization for startups, entrepreneurs, and community leaders in Madison

Officer

Virtual United Inc.

Our virtual event platform gives communities a space for informal networking, intentional relationship building, and authentic interactions

Founder

gener8tor

At gALPHA we focus on business ideation and collaboration to provide early stage ideas the tools they need to become high growth companies in any industry

gALPHA Associate

University of Wisconsin-Madison

I was a friendly and energetic IT guy who delivered computers to university customers all over campus. Every computer I delivered was accompanied by a smile and people were always happy to see me

Facilitated projects, delegated workflow, created documentation, serviced customers, led student field services team

Cheerful IT Guy Delivering Computers

The Uptown Diner

If you ever visit uptown Minneapolis, go here. Even 5+ years later this place still feels like home and I know most of the staff on a first name basis and receive the employee discount 🤫

Started as host quickly promoted to food runner and then to to-go server and finally server
Took care of patrons and developed regular customers with exceptional service

Server at my all-time Favorite Restaurant

The Minikahda Club

My first job, started during my freshman year of highschool. Taught me that you can have as much fun while playing golf as you want - you can be great and it can be a horrible experience, or you can take 12 shots per hole and have a blast

Caddie

Building the future of tokenized assets
3+ Companies founded. 30+ Applications built. 100+ Companies advised. Product Development, blockchain, and AI expert. 
Benny leads development teams to build emerging tech products.

Minneapolis ✈️ Madison, WI ✈️ Austin ✈️ Miami 📍

🚀 Benny Pekala

Cointelegraph

Building Coin Telegraph's first venture fund in tandem with Cointelegraph accelerator program.

Managing Partner and Head of Ventures 

Lydian Group

Management Team and Investment Team

Singularity VC 

50m VC fund in government and military technology.

Managing Partner

Founding Partner and CEO of Cryptan Labs a Web3 and blockchain-based accelerator working with companies from pre-seed to series A.  

7 companies in venture studio.  Over 6m raised 
Areas of expertise include: Fundraising, pitch decks, investor relations, marketing, development, metaverse, nfts, and more.

Stealth Startup

CEO of an industry disruptor blockchain technology company merging web3 technology into the sports and entertainment industries.  

Currently raising an initial seed round with a MVP completed and proof of concept executed.  Reach out to ryan@cryptanmedia.com to receive a white paper or pitch deck.

Chief Executive Officer

Cryptan Media

CEO and founder of a web3/crypto accelerator working with companies in Web3 to raise funds and grow from pre-seed through series B.  Using our unique fractional CMO/COO design we work on the ground floor of your business with the infrastructure of a large-scale enterprise to make sure your team is equipped for every stage of growth possible.  

On the other side of the market, we work with fortune 5000 brands to bring them into the world of WEB3 from metaverse projects, to NFTs, to tokenization, and more.

Anatomie Fashion

Hired during an investor raise to lead the marketing and revenue goals of 5x growth in the next 3 years, leading omni-channel marketing efforts, creative direction, financial and revenue modeling and reporting, forecasting/pricing, and other duties.

- Responsible for building the internal marketing team from scratch.  First year growth of 6 marketing employees.  
- Built out entire marketing and revenue reporting and forecasting structure across multiple channels (e-commerce, wholesale, retail, and stylists). 
- Defined and managed towards monthly marketing budgets, kpis, and initiatives. 
- Led rebranding efforts across all channels from a luxury travel line to a broader everyday wear line of clothing.  Key rebranding "Proleisure" and "Athleisure meets Luxury"
- Led 61% YOY growth in 2021 net revenue on ecommerce through site improvements, digital advertising, pr, email, text, and mailers.  Increased repeat purchase rate by 2x in first six months.  
- Worked with leadership team and board members to build a series B pitch deck and handle investor relations.

Head of Marketing and Revenue 

SharpSpring

- Created and managed the follow sales teams: enterprise, mid-market, internal expansion, international sales, and channel partners.  With a total organization comprising of two managers and 14 sales account executives and business development representatives.  
- Responsible for interviewing and hiring sales reps across the company.  
- Built out KPI and commission plans for new teams along with revising current models.  
- Managed key relationships, partnerships and sales processes with Fortune 5000 companies.  
- Launched and advised on unique marketing campaigns for the sales organization, including a referral campaign, winback, and franchise oriented marketing efforts.
- Launched and managed the internal Perfect Audience team responsible for digital ad retargeting, covering Sales, Am, Support, Marketing, and Product.

Vice President of Sales

PartsBase Inc.

- Managed a team of 5 sales executives responsible for the full sales cycle across the MENA region.  Selling a SAAS based data, inventory and E-commerce solution. 
- Responsible for negotiating and handling complex contracts with airlines, government agencies, militaries, and contractors.
- Successfully closed deals with foreign militaries, international/domestic contractors, and airlines to cover procurement needs reaching over 200% to quota in Q3 and Q4 and the top individual contributor in November as a selling manager. 
- Implemented a new retention program for international military and government clients through in person trainings and frequent follow up on best procurement practices
- Designed an international digital marketing campaign covering 52 countries, with ROI of 120% through two months.

International Sales Director Asia-MENA 

Kirkley Strategies

•	Founded and ran a digital marketing firm focused on political campaigns and venture capital marketing and private equity digital audits.
•	Produced engaging online marketing campaigns totaling over $20,000,000.
•	Planned and negotiated media purchases, including TV, radio, print, and digital 
•	Managed and hired teams ranging from three to twenty paid employees
•	Built a nationwide grassroots organization of over 10,000 people for a presidential candidate
•	Worked on over 50 campaigns performing various roles including Campaign Manager for a U.S. 
        Senate campaign, Communications Director for Presidential PAC, as well as countless leadership 
        positions

CEO 

As an innovative marketing and revenue leader, I have worked across many industries and organizations to drive aggressive revenue growth and scaling through investors.  I have always believed that enhancing stakeholder value is directly tied to adding value for customers, colleagues, and team members through data-backed initiatives.  In the last year, I have deep-dived into the world of blockchain, crypto, nfts, and now work with major brands and organizations to prepare their growth and marketing for the evolution of web 3.  

I have thrived as a leader under several types of structures and scenarios, from leading a new selling initiative at Sprint growing to over 30 employees reporting to me, to building new teams inside of SAAS organizations diversifying go to market strategies, to managing a full-scale marketing agency specializing in data, digital ads, and email marketing.  A key goal is to always provide new ideas and marketing approaches to growing organizations in order to drive consistent YOY growth. 

VALUE PROPOSITION ATTRIBUTES:
● Team Leadership / Organizational Development
● Data-Driven Marketing / Revenue Growth
● Domestic / International Business Development
● Sales / Marketing Operations
● Digital Marketing
● P&L / Budgeting / Planning / Forecasting
● Channel Partner Management
● Cloud Migration (SaaS) / On-Premises Software
● blockchain, nft, web 3

SOFTWARE: Salesforce / SharpSpring / Looker / Hubspot/ Google Analytics / MailChimp/ Marketo/ Active Campaign/ Send Grid/ Expert-level user of Microsoft Word and Excel

Programming Knowledge: SQL/ HTML/ PYTHON/ C++

taplio

The Battle

🚀 Benny Pekala

Ryan Kirkley

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