Global Channel Development Leader with 20+ Years Experience

Igor Koshutin

Rochester, MN ****@*******.*** linkedin.com/in/igor.koshutin 507-***-****

SUMMARY

Business Development and International Sales leader with 20+ years of experience driving revenue, building global partnerships, developing channels, and launching products across North/South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Strong track record in GTM strategy, market expansion, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership.

CORE SKILLS

• Business Development & Partnerships

• International Sales & Channel Strategy

• Market Expansion & GTM Strategy

• Negotiation & Vendor Management

• E-commerce & Digital Marketing

• Global Supply Chain Leadership

• Strategic Planning

• Cross-Functional Leadership

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CEO & Founder — HipStar LLC

Rochester, MN Jul 2018 – Present

• Founded and scaled a consumer mobility startup, leading business development, partnerships, and global strategy.

• Developed, patented, and launched the HipStar® product line globally, generating $350K+ revenue in the first year and selling in 30+ countries.

• Raised $150K within one week via crowdfunding, validating strong demand.

• Secured U.S. patents and international trademarks across the U.S., China, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia.

• Reduced projected production costs by ~70% through supplier strategy, sourcing optimization, and efficient commercialization.

• Built and managed global supply chain operations — including Asia-based manufacturing, logistics, freight, and fulfillment — managed directly without intermediaries.

• Led GTM strategy, brand development, and e-commerce operations for a global D2C customer base spanning the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

• Featured on CBS’s Henry Ford Innovation Nation and covered in hundreds of media publications.

• Finalist: Crowdfunded Summit Pitch Competition; Two-time semifinalist: Minnesota Cup.

• Led business planning, investor communications, and fundraising.

International Sales Director — NGTEL GROUP, LLC

Minneapolis, MN Jun 2013 – Jul 2018

• Developed and executed international sales and channel strategies across EMEA and CIS.

• Built distributor partnerships and negotiated key agreements, driving regional revenue growth.

• Led market expansion initiatives and regional go-to-market planning.

International Channel Lead — Sonus (Ribbon Communications)

Westford, Massachusetts, 2012 – Jun 2013

• Directed channel strategy and new business development across CEE and CIS.

• Identified partnership opportunities and supported regional revenue initiatives.

Regional Channel Sales Manager, EMEA & CIS

Network Equipment Technologies (NET) — Fremont, CA May 2005 – Aug 2012

• Doubled regional sales within two years by expanding channel networks.

• Resolved inherited channel conflicts through segmentation and differentiated partner strategies.

• Reduced marketing costs by working with U.S. Commercial Service offices to co-host regional events.

• Strengthened distributor relationships and expanded coverage for secure communications and unified communications products.

Director of Business Development — Charlin International Business Services

Rochester, MN Feb 1997 – May 2005

• Led product and business development, market analysis, and go-to-market strategy for emerging technology companies entering international markets.

• Prepared investor materials, business plans, and commercialization strategies for startups and innovators.

• Supported inventors through patenting, positioning, and market-entry processes, resulting in multiple successful product launches.

• Oversaw marketing campaigns, secondary market research, and international sales initiatives supporting client expansion.

EDUCATION

• Master of Business Administration, International Business Management — Russian Foreign Trade Academy (RFTA)

• Bachelor of Science, Technical Education and Industrial Arts — Nizhny Tagil Engineering-Pedagogical Institute

Contact this candidate