As a first-generation immigrant, David Ponraj experienced firsthand the challenges and sacrifices involved in pursuing the American dream. This formative experience instilled in him a deep passion for empowering entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to overcome systemic barriers and achieve economic success.
After a successful tenure at Nielsen leading global innovation, Ponraj founded Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC) in 2018 to address the fragmented and inefficient resources available to entrepreneurs.
Economic Impact Catalyst connects communities at the speed of trust, by creating best-in-class, technology-enabled solutions to support entrepreneurship-led economic development. The firm works with more than 100+ economic development agencies empowering their communities by streamlining development efforts with a single platform for managing SSBCI, ARPA, Build Back Better MBDA, and other community development initiatives.
The EIC platform is designed to power programming like mentorship, grant management, educational programs, and technical assistance to achieve greater speed, efficiency, and impact. EIC represents a growing portfolio of innovative tools and solutions supporting $100 million in small business programs.
Under his visionary leadership, the company has developed a cutting-edge platform that streamlines program management for economic development organizations, enabling them to more effectively support small businesses and drive inclusive growth.
As Ponrajs company crosses the six-year mark, he is filled with gratitude for the invaluable contributions of their team members, whom they call Catalyzers, and the unwavering support of their clients. Together, they have served over 50,000 small businesses across more than 35 states, with a team of nearly 30 full-time employees worldwide.
In his role, Ponraj has fostered a statewide relationship with the Mississippi Small Business Development Center to address equitable funding opportunities for rural entrepreneurs across the state.
As a leader, Ponraj believes it is imperative to possess a unique blend of qualities that enable him to navigate the complexities of business growth. I rely on seeing the big picture and making decisions that align with our overarching goals, he said. I’m constantly looking toward the future as I prepare my organization for upcoming changes and opportunities.
He also relies on his superpower of observation to connect with others. I believe that really knowing and understanding my team allows me to recognize and leverage the unique strengths of each team member, fostering a diverse and high-performing workforce, said Ponraj. This combination of attributes enables me to guide my organization with foresight, adaptability and a deep understanding of human potential.
