Shivanath Devinarayanan’s journey from a young coder in Kochi to being named one of the “Super 30 Visionary Leaders to Watch in 2025” is a testament to passion and perseverance. His fascination with technology began in school when he got his first computer, and after college, he became hooked on Salesforce. In 2010, he took a risk by specializing in Salesforce, a bold move at the time in India. This decision turned out to be life-changing, leading him to rapidly grow within the tech world.
By 2013, Shivanath was leading a team at Simplion Technologies, and later joined Groupon, where he played a pivotal role in one of the world’s largest Salesforce implementations. His expertise earned him multiple accolades, including being named a Salesforce MVP and a Force.com MVP in 2014.
In 2015, he founded Dazeworks, a Salesforce consulting firm that rapidly expanded globally. By 2021, Dazeworks was acquired by iLink Digital, allowing Shivanath to integrate AI and Salesforce for future innovations.
In late 2024, Shivanath launched Mindcat Consulting, focusing on AI-powered CRM solutions. As CEO, he continues to drive transformation in business through the convergence of AI and Salesforce, while also mentoring new entrepreneurs as an angel investor and advisor.
Beyond Mindcat, Shivanath advises Salesforce-focused consulting firms on scaling operations, strategic acquisitions, and technical due diligence. Leveraging his experience with Dazeworks and its acquisition, he partners with private equity firms to evaluate acquisitions, guide integrations, and create value post-investment.
Shivanath’s story is one of vision, innovation, and community—dedicated to shaping the future of technology and inspiring others along the way.
Mindcat Consulting: Empowering Businesses Through AI and Salesforce
In late 2022, Shivanath Devinarayanan founded Mindcat Consulting with a clear mission: to drive business transformation by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Salesforce. Headquartered in Kochi, India, with a presence in the UAE, Mindcat offers services ranging from Salesforce implementation to AI-driven solutions like predictive analytics and chatbots, aimed at enhancing customer experiences and business operations.
The name “Mindcat” reflects the company’s agile and intelligent approach, always ready to adapt to shifting technologies. Shivanath describes the term “Mindcat” as a “Mindful Catalyst,” highlighting their role in sparking thoughtful change. Despite being a young company, Mindcat has quickly built a talented team and positioned itself as a trusted partner for businesses looking to leverage AI and Salesforce to drive growth and innovation.
Unlike traditional Salesforce partners focused mainly on CRM implementations, Mindcat uniquely integrates Salesforce deeply with cutting-edge AI automation, providing capabilities like advanced generative AI-driven chatbots and predictive models not commonly found in standard CRM solutions.
The Visionary Behind Mindcat Consulting: Shivanath Devinarayanan
At the helm of Mindcat Consulting stands Shivanath Devinarayanan, the company’s Founder and CEO. As the key person driving its success, Shivanath wears many hats—leading strategic initiatives, mentoring his team, and ensuring the company’s vision of business transformation through AI and Salesforce is realized.
Shivanath’s primary role involves setting the company’s direction and nurturing relationships with clients. “I bridge the gap between business needs and technical possibilities,” he explains, emphasizing his commitment to both big-picture growth and the quality of technology delivery. His hands-on approach also means that he is deeply involved in solving complex client challenges, advising on technical architecture, and guiding his team of developers to excel in Salesforce best practices.
Shivanath’s career began in 2010 when he was a software developer in Kochi. It was here that he discovered Salesforce, a platform that captured his imagination due to its speed and flexibility. Choosing to specialize in Salesforce was a bold decision at a time when it was still relatively unknown in India. Over the years, he worked his way up, taking on a pivotal role at Groupon, where he managed one of the world’s largest Salesforce implementations, supporting 28 countries and 16,000 users. This experience not only sharpened his technical skills but also solidified his ability to deliver under high pressure.
His contributions to the Salesforce community have been equally significant. Shivanath was awarded the Salesforce MVP title in 2014 and was inducted into the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame in 2020. He was also one of the few to hold both Salesforce.com MVP and Force.com MVP titles simultaneously. His passion for knowledge sharing led him to found several Salesforce user groups and co-found India Dreamin’, which became the largest community-led Salesforce conference in the world.
Now, as the CEO of Mindcat, Shivanath continues to inspire his team by fostering a culture of innovation and mentorship. He believes in creating “transformational, not transactional” interactions, focusing on helping his team and clients experience those breakthrough moments. With a career that spans from developer to architect to serial entrepreneur, Shivanath brings a 360-degree perspective to his role, ensuring that Mindcat Consulting remains at the cutting edge of technology and client satisfaction.
Mindcat Consulting’s Clientele: Driving Innovation Across Industries
Mindcat Consulting works with clients across various sectors, all united by a common goal—leveraging Salesforce and AI for business transformation. Their early clients include mid-sized companies in financial services, retail, and technology. One example is a fintech startup, where Mindcat is implementing Salesforce Financial Services Cloud with AI-driven analytics for personalized customer outreach. In retail, they’re enhancing e-commerce customer service using AI chatbots and Salesforce Service Cloud.
With a strong presence in the UAE, Mindcat also serves clients in the Middle East, such as a manufacturing firm in Dubai, optimizing their sales and supply chain processes with AI-powered forecasting tools. The firm also collaborates with nonprofits, applying Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud with AI to improve donor engagement.
Mindcat’s ideal clients are growth-focused companies that view technology as a strategic tool for transformation. Whether a startup or large enterprise, Mindcat’s goal is to help them innovate, optimize operations, and enhance customer experiences. Despite being a young company, Mindcat has already built lasting relationships with clients through its commitment to delivering value and innovation.
Who They Work With—and the Impact
Mindcat serves a diverse global clientele, including real estate, healthcare, IT services, and financial enterprises. Two standout client success stories demonstrate the power of its work:
- Real Estate Firm in Dubai: By embedding Salesforce Einstein and custom-built chatbots into the client’s Salesforce Sales Cloud, Mindcat automated 75% of interactions. The result? Customer satisfaction rose by 40%, and sales productivity increased by 50%.
- Global Healthcare Provider: Leveraging RAG-powered chatbots integrated into Salesforce Service Cloud, Mindcat reduced patient query response time from days to minutes. Patient engagement scores improved by 35% within just one quarter.
Mindcat Consulting: A Unique Blend of AI and Salesforce Expertise
Mindcat Consulting stands out by combining AI and Salesforce in ways most firms don’t. Rather than just implementing standard CRM systems, they enhance solutions with intelligent automation, predictive insights, and machine learning from day one. This gives clients a competitive edge with tools like Einstein GPT before others can catch up.
With Salesforce MVP Shivanath Devinarayanan at the helm, Mindcat offers deep Salesforce expertise and proven methodologies from global projects. The team’s international experience helps them deliver solutions tailored to diverse business cultures.
Mindcat’s nimble size ensures senior experts oversee every project, ensuring top quality. Their innovation-first mindset means they’re always exploring new Salesforce features and AI tools to solve challenges in creative ways.
Most importantly, Mindcat values client partnerships, offering personalized solutions that align with business goals. This combination of expertise, innovation, and client focus sets them apart from competitors.
Mindcat Consulting’s Vision: Leading the AI & Salesforce Transformation
Mindcat Consulting’s goal is clear: to be the go-to firm for business transformation using AI and Salesforce. Founder Shivanath Devinarayanan aims for Mindcat to be the first choice for companies looking to modernize customer experiences, automate operations, and leverage data.
To achieve this, the firm focuses on building a top-tier team with expertise in both Salesforce and AI, fostering innovation with in-house solutions like AgentForce, and forming strategic partnerships to stay ahead of the curve. Mindcat is also expanding into key markets, particularly North America, to serve clients more effectively.
At the core of Mindcat’s strategy is client success—measuring results like lead conversions and operational efficiency. As these success stories grow, Mindcat aims to establish itself as the leading name in Salesforce and AI-driven business transformation.
Revolutionizing Enterprises with Immersive Technologies
Immersive technologies like AI, AR, and VR are transforming how businesses operate, says Shivanath Devinarayanan, founder of Mindcat Consulting. AI is at the core, automating tasks, providing predictive insights, and personalizing customer experiences, leading to higher efficiency and better decision-making. For instance, AI chatbots handle basic queries, while predictive models optimize sales and operations.
While Mindcat focuses on AI and Salesforce, they recognize how AR and VR are enhancing customer engagement. AR helps in training and maintenance, while VR offers immersive product demos. In real estate, for example, VR walkthroughs integrated with Salesforce streamline sales processes.
Mindcat embraces these technologies internally as well. AI-powered tools help with quality assurance, and they’re exploring generative AI for tasks like drafting personalized proposals. Automation, especially with RPA, further enhances efficiency.
By staying ahead of the curve and experimenting with new tech, Mindcat ensures that their clients not only adopt the latest innovations but also achieve real-world results. Their expertise in blending AI, Salesforce, and immersive technologies sets them apart as leaders in this space.
Shivanath Devinarayanan’s Vision for 2025
As 2025 approaches, Shivanath Devinarayanan aims to position Mindcat Consulting as a leader in AI-driven Salesforce solutions. He plans to double the team and client base, while expanding into North America and strengthening the UAE presence with a new innovation hub. A key goal is to refine the AgentForce AI chatbot framework, potentially launching it at tech events.
Shivanath also hopes to see his early hires take on leadership roles within the company, fostering a culture of growth. Additionally, he aspires to secure industry recognition, such as Salesforce Summit (Platinum) Partner status or innovation awards, cementing Mindcat’s place as a trailblazer in the industry.
Shivanath Devinarayanan on Key Industry Trends
The tech consulting industry is rapidly evolving with several key trends. AI, especially Generative AI, is no longer a niche but a core part of business transformation, driving predictive analytics and AI-powered CRM systems.
Hyper-automation is another major trend, where AI, RPA, and analytics combine to create seamless, automated workflows. Alongside this, low-code and no-code platforms are empowering business users to build solutions, shifting IT’s role from developers to enablers.
Industry-specific solutions are gaining popularity, with tailored products addressing niche needs in sectors like healthcare and finance. Personalization is also a key focus, with AI enhancing customer experiences.
Remote work and global teams are reshaping consulting, offering flexibility and new opportunities for firms like Mindcat. Lastly, cybersecurity and data privacy are now central to digital transformations, ensuring secure, compliant solutions.
These trends are transforming businesses, making technology more embedded and efficient across industries.
Overcoming Challenges: Path to Success
Shivanath Devinarayanan’s journey has been shaped by overcoming significant challenges. One of his early hurdles was choosing Salesforce over more conventional developer paths in 2010-2011 when the platform was still emerging in India. With limited resources, he taught himself, quickly mastering Salesforce and establishing expertise.
His career took him across India and internationally, requiring him to adapt to new cultures and work environments. Leading large-scale projects, like integrating Salesforce for Groupon, taught him resilience under pressure.
Starting Dazeworks was another challenge. Convincing clients to trust a new company from India, competing against established firms, meant taking extra steps like offering pilot projects. Scaling the company globally required shifting leadership styles and overcoming operational hurdles.
The 2021 acquisition of Dazeworks by iLink presented a personal challenge—transitioning from running his own company to integrating into a larger corporation. Despite the difficulties, Shivanath views each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, strengthening his leadership for future endeavors with Mindcat.
What Success Means to Shivanath Devinarayanan
For Shivanath Devinarayanan, success is not about titles or profits, but about impact, growth, and fulfillment. It’s about delivering value to clients, empowering his team, and creating lasting change. Success is seeing clients thrive with the solutions provided, fostering a team that grows into confident leaders, and driving innovation to solve tough challenges.
He views financial success as an outcome of doing things right, but focuses on excellence and impact. Building a legacy that endures beyond his direct involvement and finding balance between work and family are also key elements of success. Ultimately, for Shivanath, success is about waking up each day excited to make a positive impact on others, both professionally and personally.
Shivanath Devinarayanan’s Key Leadership Decisions
As CEO of Mindcat, Shivanath Devinarayanan makes crucial decisions that shape the company’s growth. One early key choice was focusing on AI + Salesforce, setting Mindcat apart and ensuring long-term success. Hiring the right talent is also vital, with Shivanath carefully selecting individuals who align with the company’s values to foster growth.
Financially, Shivanath often prioritizes long-term investments, like building internal AI tools, over immediate revenue. Client selection and partnerships are equally important, with Shivanath ensuring Mindcat works with clients who share the company’s values. He also fosters innovation through initiatives like “Innovation Days,” ensuring a motivated and creative team.
From tackling crises to making strategic calls, Shivanath’s decisions are grounded in Mindcat’s mission, driving the company’s continued success
Shivanath Devinarayanan: New Strategies Powering Mindcat’s Growth
In the fast-evolving world of tech consulting, Shivanath Devinarayanan has set Mindcat Consulting apart with innovative strategies that push boundaries and redefine industry norms. Here are the key strategies driving the company’s success:
- Niche Specialization with Broad Integration
Mindcat has chosen to specialize in AI + Salesforce, offering targeted expertise while maintaining the ability to integrate diverse technologies. Their approach goes beyond just meeting project requirements—they proactively suggest AI opportunities that can benefit clients long-term, positioning themselves as forward-thinking partners. - Agile and Remote Delivery 2.0
Mindcat has perfected remote agile delivery. With teams spread across time zones, they’ve adapted agile practices to ensure seamless collaboration, using tools like Jira, Slack, and Zoom. This approach allows them to maintain momentum and client satisfaction, even without on-site presence. - Thought Leadership Marketing
Rather than relying on traditional marketing, Mindcat fosters credibility through thought leadership. Shivanath regularly shares insights on AI and Salesforce trends, establishing himself and the company as trusted experts. This strategy attracts clients through value-driven content, not aggressive sales tactics. - Strategic Alliances and Network Leverage
Mindcat leverages partnerships with complementary consulting firms, such as a UX/UI design boutique and a data analytics firm, to offer holistic solutions. Shivanath also taps into his global network of Salesforce MVPs, forming virtual coalitions of experts to tackle larger projects collaboratively. - Startup Mindset in Projects
Mindcat adopts a startup mentality for each project, prioritizing fast, iterative results. They often start with a proof-of-concept or MVP approach, building small prototypes to quickly demonstrate value, which strengthens client trust and sets them apart from traditional consultancies. - Employee Experience as Strategy
Mindcat’s commitment to employee experience is a core business strategy. By providing mentorship, career growth opportunities, and streamlined processes, they attract and retain top talent, ensuring high employee satisfaction and, consequently, superior client service. - Data-Driven Decision Making
From project delivery times to customer satisfaction, Mindcat tracks a range of metrics to optimize operations. Their data-driven approach ensures proactive interventions, helping to solve problems early and maintain smooth project execution.
These innovative strategies provide a strong foundation for Mindcat, allowing the company to continuously refine its approach and deliver outstanding value in a competitive landscape.
Shivanath Devinarayanan: Future Endeavors and Vision for Mindcat
Looking ahead, Shivanath Devinarayanan has big plans for both Mindcat Consulting and his personal journey. He aims to expand Mindcat’s global presence, with a U.S. branch in a tech hub like San Francisco or Austin, and develop AI-driven products like their AgentForce tool, which could eventually be listed on Salesforce AppExchange.
On a personal level, Shivanath is passionate about mentoring and investing in AI and cloud computing startups in India, particularly in his hometown of Kochi. He also plans to write a book on Salesforce and AI in business transformation and scale community-driven events like India Dreamin’ internationally.
A key goal for Mindcat is to reach Salesforce Summit (Platinum) partner status, and Shivanath also aims to balance business success with social impact by supporting nonprofits and creating training programs for underprivileged youth.
With a clear vision and a strong drive, Shivanath is set to achieve great things, both in business and in giving back to the community.
Shivanath Devinarayanan: The Best Advice for Aspiring Professionals and Entrepreneurs
Shivanath Devinarayanan shares key advice that has shaped his career and entrepreneurial journey.
- Stay Curious and Keep Learning: The tech industry is ever-evolving, so stay curious and make learning a habit. “The moment you stop learning, you stop growing,” he says, urging continuous self-improvement through courses, books, and webinars.
- Embrace Challenges and Take Calculated Risks: Growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone. Shivanath believes in taking calculated risks and seeing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
- Focus on Value Creation, Not Just Money or Position: Success follows when you create genuine value. Shivanath advises aspiring leaders to focus on service and excellence rather than titles or revenue. “Chase impact, and success will chase you.”
- Build Relationships and Community: Networking is about genuine relationships, not just collecting contacts. “Helping others without expecting anything in return can lead to lasting partnerships and friendships.”
- Be Adaptable and Embrace Change: The key to thriving in a fast-changing world is adaptability. Shivanath encourages being flexible and open to new ideas, particularly in tech.
- Take Care of Your Team and Yourself: Leadership is about inspiring your team. Shivanath emphasizes supporting your people while also taking care of yourself to avoid burnout.
- Stay True to Your Values and Ethics: Integrity is crucial. “Do business in a way that you’ll be proud of when you look back,” he advises, emphasizing that success is hollow without ethics.
In summary, Shivanath’s advice is simple: remain curious, embrace challenges, focus on value, and always stay true to your values.
How Writing Shaped His Professional Brand
For Shivanath Devinarayanan, writing has been central to his professional journey. Through his blog, blog.shivanathd.com, he shares insights on Salesforce, leadership, AI ethics, and even philosophy. What started as a space for reflection has turned into a powerful tool for connecting with a global community of developers, founders, and CIOs.
His writing not only helps others solve problems but has also played a key role in growing Mindcat Consulting. Many clients and partners discovered the company through his content, not traditional advertising. For Shivanath, thought leadership has become the new marketing, solidifying his personal brand and business in the tech world.
Memorable Awards, Speaking Engagements, and Recognitions
For Shivanath Devinarayanan, some awards and recognitions stand out more than others. While the Salesforce MVP and Hall of Fame honors are significant, it’s the community-based recognitions that truly resonate. Being invited to speak at prestigious events like Dreamforce, India Dreamin’, and other community-led gatherings holds a special place for him.
He was also named one of the Salesforce Top 20 Influential Voices in APAC, a recognition that highlighted his influence in the region. More recently, he was part of a leadership panel at Salesforce TDX Bengaluru, where he engaged in a dynamic discussion about AI’s evolving role in enterprise transformation. This event showcased how far the community has come.
Shivanath also recalls the Star Performer Award he received at Groupon in 2013. At the time, it gave him the confidence to scale technology at a global level. He believes early recognitions often have the most lasting impact.
Habits That Fuel Productivity and Creativity
To stay productive and creative, Shivanath follows a few key habits. Writing daily, even if it’s just a small post, helps him clear his mind and stay sharp. He also values walking meetings with his leadership team, using 15-20 minute walks to foster clearer thinking.
Staying hands-on with Salesforce and AI is crucial to him, so he blocks out weekly time to complete modules on Trailhead. He also takes time for weekly retrospection every Sunday night, reflecting on what went well, what he learned, and what could be improved. Lastly, mentoring founders and developers each month helps him stay grounded, offering fresh perspectives on tech challenges.
The Legacy Shivanath Devinarayanan Hopes to Leave Behind
For Shivanath Devinarayanan, his legacy isn’t about accolades or titles; it’s about empowering others. He hopes to be remembered as someone who inspired people to believe in their potential—whether through a thoughtful conversation, a blog post, or creating an environment where others could thrive.
On a company level, Shivanath aspires for Mindcat to be recognized not just for its business success but for elevating everyone it touches—clients, employees, partners, and communities. His goal is for Mindcat to be seen as a company that taught others to lead with empathy and innovate fearlessly.
And within the broader community, he aims to leave a mark by contributing to the Salesforce and startup ecosystems—making them more open, inclusive, and impact-driven. This is the type of legacy Shivanath strives to build: one rooted in meaningful contributions to people and communities.
Final Thoughts on His Journey and Vision
As Shivanath reflects on his journey—from tinkering with code in Kochi to building global companies—he expresses deep gratitude for the mentors, community, colleagues, and family that have supported him along the way. Being featured among the “Super 30 Visionary Leaders to Watch in 2025” is a humbling acknowledgment, and for Shivanath, it’s a reminder that the journey is ongoing.
He sees himself as a perpetual student, always learning, and a catalyst, eager to spark change. Whether it’s helping clients embrace new ideas or encouraging individuals to unlock their potential, technology is merely the tool he uses.
For anyone starting their journey, Shivanath’s message is simple: if he can do it—coming from humble beginnings with just a passion and idea—so can you. The tech world is full of opportunities, and persistence, paired with a strong network, can lead to success.
At Mindcat Consulting, big dreams are grounded in the belief that every significant change begins small—one idea, one success, one growth moment at a time. Shivanath remains open to collaboration, conversations, and ideas, inviting others to connect with him to explore business transformation or simply share insights.
In closing, Shivanath expresses his gratitude for the recognition and the motivation it gives him to keep innovating, learning, and leading with purpose. He is excited for the future, not just for himself and Mindcat, but for the broader community of innovators who share knowledge and push boundaries to transform businesses and lives.
