Mitali Pattnaik profile photo

Mitali Pattnaik

Founding Partner at Keywork

Product LeadershipAI/ML IntegrationB2B SaaSStartup ScalingP&L ManagementVenture Capital
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About

I'm Mitali Pattnaik, the Founding Partner at Keywork. My career has been a journey through the heart of tech—from building crash recovery at Microsoft and scaling products at Yahoo, Twitter, and Google, to founding my own company, IntroHQ, which was acquired by LinkedIn. After years of leading product for Sales Navigator and serving as CPO at Syndio, I’ve shifted my focus to what I call the 'real economy.' At Keywork, we are building an AI operating layer and capital solution for the local, human-centric businesses that traditional VC often ignores, like restaurants and childcare. I’m passionate about using AI as a force multiplier to give founders their time back and leveling the imbalance between talent and opportunity. I’m always looking to connect with real-economy founders and builders who believe that tech should serve the physical world.

Networking

What I can offer

  • ›20+ years of high-level product intuition
  • ›Angel investment and venture capital experience
  • ›Expertise in scaling AI-native workflows

Looking for

  • ›Real-economy founders (especially immigrant/first-gen)
  • ›Early-stage investors
  • ›Full-stack builders

Best fit for

SMB founders in the real economyTech investorsProduct leaders and builders

Current Interests

The Real Economy (SMBs, trades, childcare)AI Ethics and SafetyPay Equity and DEIMeditation and Philosophy

Background

Career

Began at Microsoft (Office), moved through Yahoo, Google, and Twitter. Founded IntroHQ (acquired by LinkedIn), then spent 7 years in product leadership at LinkedIn before becoming CPO at Syndio and launching Keywork.

Education

MBA in Marketing & Entrepreneurship from London Business School; BA in Computer Science & Philosophy from Mount Holyoke College (Magna Cum Laude).

Achievements

  • ›Received Bill Gates Award of Excellence in Engineering (2003)
  • ›Founded IntroHQ (acquired by LinkedIn)
  • ›Led LinkedIn Sales Navigator through AI-driven transformation
  • ›Grew Yahoo! Answers to the #1 Q&A site
  • ›Generated multi-million dollar revenue at Twitter via Lead Gen Cards

Opinions

  • AI should remove friction for human-centric businesses, not replace jobs.
  • Clarity follows action; take the first step without a full roadmap.
  • Tech platforms have a moral responsibility to fight AI-generated misinformation even if it hurts engagement.
  • The current regression in DEI programs is a concerning erosion of progress for women.