SV Advisors
Pracademics Inc.
Strategic insights. Commercial impact.
The Market Reality
Food & Agribusinesses Getting Squeezed
Caught between severe supply shocks and price-sensitive consumers, the sector faces a perfect storm. Raw material shortages, rising tariffs, and volatile commodity costs are driving inflation—while intense competition and regulation prevent companies from passing the bill to the customer. Profitability now requires more than just management; it requires a Pracademic approach to sourcing.
The "Pracademic" Advantage
Senior Procurement leaders often face a hidden challenge: digital transformation moving faster than the supply chain can adapt. SVAP provides the specialized expertise to bridge this gap. We architect the commercial and contractual frameworks required to align different cycles of operational assets and digital solutions, ensuring your margins are protected and your contracts are future-proof.
Our Approach
We bridge the critical gap between evidence-based research and commercial reality.
"Pracademics" applies the rigor of scholarly analysis to real-world problems, while using practical, on-the-ground experience to inform strategy.
SVAP was born from a desire to blend these two worlds into a seamless, differentiated offering for the Food Processing and Agribusiness sectors.
Our Belief
Maximizing value for both industry and academia through deep domain expertise.
Serving clients not with generic templates, but with bespoke, evidence-based solutions.
Our Capabilities
We contribute to our client's progress through four interventions
IT/OT Convergence
"Harmonizing CAPEX and OPEX to eliminate redundant spending."
Siloed Spend Consolidation: Harmonizing CAPEX (Machinery) and OPEX (IT/SaaS) to eliminate "Shadow IT".
Mission-Critical SaaS Governance: Sourcing cloud solutions (such as MES, PLM, QMS) with performance guarantees.
Risk-Adjusted Vendor Selection: Implementing commercial safeguards and security-linked SLAs.
Pointed Solicitation Documents: Architecting RFPs to prevent proprietary hardware dependency.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Modeling: Aligning long-term OT assets with short-term digital solutions.
Why SVAP?
Strategic insights. Commercial impact.
Flexible Leadership
Access high-level strategic thinking without the overhead of a full-time C-Suite hire. We provide "sounding board" sessions and leadership engagement adapted to your schedule.
Right-Sized Expertise
We offer tiered skill levels tailored to your specific organizational layer. Whether you need high-level strategy for the Board or technical training for buyers, we match the expertise to the need.
Engagement Modes
We contribute to our client's progress through four interventions
Executive Advisory
Harmonizing CAPEX and OPEX to eliminate redundant spending.
Standard Tier: Up to 8 hours/month (High-level advisory and strategic gut-checks)
Enhanced Tier: Dedicated support for complex, multi-stakeholder strategic shifts.
Targeted Implementation
Strategic execution across multiple timeframes and organizational needs.
Sprints (3-4 weeks): Rapid "surgical strikes" for immediate impact (e.g., a single RFP or a Should-Cost audit).
Initiatives (1-6 months): Comprehensive integration projects (e.g., an Ag-SaaS rollout or IT/OT audit).
Transformation (6-12 months): Strategic partnerships for total organizational change and digital overhaul.
Training & Capacity Building
Empowering your teams with strategic sourcing and leadership skills.
Value Capture Training: Teaching internal teams to monitor and enforce the TCO and Should-Cost models designed during the Sprints.
Executive Coaching: 1-on-1 sessions focused on leadership and strategic decision-making for the next generation of leaders.
Group Workshops: High-engagement sessions (capped at 20) on Negotiation, Strategic Alignment, and Sourcing Tech.
Founding Team
Dr. Sridhar Vishwanath
Founder and Director
With over 25 years of global experience in Food, Agribusiness, Consulting, and Academia, Sridhar specializes in Strategic Sourcing for Digital Technologies and Agricultural commodities for Food and Agribusinesses.
Since 2018, he has contributed to Academia as a Regular and Visiting Faculty of Strategy and Agribusiness Management at reputed institutions in India (IRMA, LBSNAA) and the UAE (IMT Dubai).
Education & Training:
- • Doctorate in Business Administration (Strategy)
- • Masters in Public Policy and Management
- • Postgraduate degrees in Agribusiness Management and Agricultural Sciences
- • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
- • Advanced training in Strategic Sourcing from KLEW, AT Kearney, Leadership Training from Dale Carnegie, Negotiations from CM Parters and Case Method Teaching from Harvard Business School - IIM Ahmedabad
Chitra Sridhar
Co-Founder
Chitra Sridhar is a co-founder and has expertise in Simultaneous interpretation in French-English-Hindi languages and in the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of training programs.
Education & Training:
- • Masters in Commerce
- • Bachelors in Education
- • Masters in Francophone Studies from India
- • Advanced level training in French language and Instructional Design
Our Global Advisory Panel
SVAP leverages a global panel of independent industry veterans to provide our clients with on-the-ground intelligence and execution depth. This model allows us to deploy top-tier global expertise directly to your specific procurement challenges.
Gary Gultekin
With over 30 years of global leadership, Gary is a seasoned executive who has held senior roles at major firms like Cargill and PepsiCo, specializing in commodities, sustainable sourcing, and supply chain transformations. He brings a solutions-based approach and hands-on international experience to deliver scalable business strategies and growth initiatives.
Manish Shakalya
25+ years career as business focused supply chain professional working across Industries viz Supply Chain Services, Consumer Durables, FMCG and Healthcare. Worked in markets across India, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa for global organizations like Zimmer Biomet, Mondelez, Samsung, Baxter, OSRAM and Sembcorp logistics. Oliver Wight certified Integrated Business Planning (IBP) Instructor/Coach since 2014. Certified Strategic Execution Professional (SEP) by Duke Corporate Education – Fuqua school of Business in 2024.
Let's Discuss Your Needs
Whether you're looking for Execution, Strategic Advisory, Training and Capacity Building or Consulting and lmplementation, we are here to help you achieve your goals.
