SPJIMR alumnus Saswata Biswas’s leadership journey in global product management
Saswata Biswas, SPJIMR (GMP batch 08) – ESB (2017-18)
Saswata Biswas’s career path is a masterclass in transformation, from a Java developer in Mumbai to a senior product leader in Berlin, working on cutting-edge fintech and Web3 solutions. His story reflects the essence of what a global management education can unlock: confidence, adaptability, and the ability to lead innovation across borders.
In 2025, Saswata was recognised as one of the winners of the Q1 Product Manager Awards by Products That Count, a global nonprofit organisation that honours outstanding professionals shaping the future of product management. “I’m truly honoured to be recognised alongside such accomplished peers, many of whom have been a source of inspiration and learning throughout my journey,” he shared. But behind the spotlight lies a journey marked by curiosity, continuous learning, and cross-continental ambition.
A shift from engineering to product: The early days
Saswata began his career at Citi in Mumbai, where he was part of a vendor team (LTI) starting as a Java developer. That’s where he first transitioned into product work. It was a foundational phase where he picked up the basics, data analysis, systems thinking, and how to collaborate with cross-functional teams. The world of technology excited him, but he knew he needed a broader lens to operate at a strategic level.
SPJIMR GMP: The launchpad for a global career
The decision to join SPJIMR’s Global Management Programme (GMP) became the turning point. “SPJIMR’s GMP was a pivotal step in launching my global career,” Saswata shares. The programme offered:
Diverse peer learning: At GMP, Saswata was part of a truly global classroom. His cohort included professionals from different industries, regions, and cultural backgrounds, each bringing unique insights and ways of thinking. One of the most underrated advantages of GMP is the exposure to diverse perspectives in every classroom discussion. Whether it was debating a business case or working on group assignments, the variety of thought helped Saswata develop a more holistic approach to solving complex business problems, something that would later prove invaluable in his roles across Europe.
Global faculty: GMP also gave Saswata early exposure to international teaching methodologies. Sessions were designed to go beyond lectures, incorporating simulations, live case studies, and cross-border collaboration projects. “It wasn’t just about learning business concepts,” he recalls. “It was about understanding how those concepts change when applied in a different cultural or regulatory context.” This global academic foundation made the transition to EBS Universität seamless and instilled in him the ability to adapt to multiple business environments.
A tight-knit alumni network: Perhaps the most lasting impact of the GMP experience was the relationships Saswata built along the way. “The alumni community is one of GMP’s greatest strengths,” he says. Whether he needed help preparing for interviews, navigating a new city, or bouncing off product ideas, there was always someone from the GMP family ready to offer support. Years later, many of those connections have evolved into professional partnerships and lifelong friendships, reinforcing the idea that your network truly is your net worth.
Saswata transitioned from GMP to complete his MS in Finance at EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht in Germany. The move marked the beginning of his European chapter. “At SPJIMR, I learnt how to navigate complex business situations. At EBS, I experienced firsthand how finance and technology intersect in research-driven environments.”
Scaling digital products across Europe
Post-EBS, Saswata joined Westwing as a Product Management Intern in Munich, learning the fundamentals of consumer internet businesses. Then came his move to ABOUT YOU, one of Europe’s fastest-growing fashion e-commerce platforms. Here, Saswata gained first-hand experience in what it takes to manage a digital product at scale. He played a key role in growing the company’s website and app to over 30 million monthly users across 27 European countries, contributing to an impressive €1.5 billion in annual recurring revenue. The experience helped him understand how data, user feedback, and design must work in tandem to deliver a seamless product experience to millions of users.
Leading in Web3 and fintech innovation
In 2021, Saswata took on the role of Head of Product at Spielworks, a Berlin-based Web3 gaming company. He built a crypto wallet used by more than 7 million gamers and launched a token that reached a market cap of $15 million, an ambitious foray into decentralised technology.
Today, he serves as Senior Vice President – Product, Growth & Operations at Raisin, a pan-European fintech platform managing over €75 billion in assets. At Raisin, he leads cross-border investment product initiatives for 3+ million customers. His current work represents the convergence of finance, regulation, product design, and user trust at a continental scale.
Unforgettable campus moments
Even years later, Saswata recalls the football tournaments and practice sessions on SPJIMR’s Mumbai campus as among his most memorable moments. He also highlights the entrepreneurship speaker sessions, where successful alumni shared valuable real-world lessons, giving students a window into how innovation unfolds beyond the classroom.
Advice to current GMP students
Saswata encourages participants to make the most of their limited time in the GMP programme by actively building meaningful relationships, not just with their peers, but also with faculty. He believes that the programme’s real strength lies in its people, and many of his closest professional connections were formed during this time.
He also highlights the importance of staying curious. From classroom conversations to alumni interactions and speaker sessions, he found that learning often happened beyond the formal curriculum.
Even after graduation, Saswata continued to benefit from staying in touch with the GMP network. Many of his most valuable career insights, he notes, came from ongoing exchanges with professors and alumni, showing that the programme’s impact extends well beyond the classroom.
What it takes to succeed globally
Reflecting on his career across India and Europe, Saswata believes the following skills are essential for thriving in global product roles:
Cross-cultural communication
Data-driven
decision making
Adaptability in fast-evolving environments
Customer empathy at scale
A journey fuelled by ambition, shaped by SPJIMR
Saswata Biswas’s professional journey, from Citi in Mumbai to leading fintech growth at Raisin in Berlin, is not just about roles and companies. It’s about curiosity, courage, and the continuous pursuit of meaningful impact. His time at SPJIMR GMP helped him build the foundation for a career that is both global and purpose-driven.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Saswata Biswas (GMP, Class of 2017) for being named one of the winners of the 2025 Q1 Product Manager Awards. His path exemplifies the global mindset, resilience, and excellence that SPJIMR strives to nurture in every student.
Book your appointment for a one-on-one session with GMP team