behind the spark
Battle-Tested Leadership:
Built in the Trenches to Scale Your Mission.
Meet Shiren Mathai
Founder | Advisor | Builder of Builders
Quick Facts:
- The "Agent of Chaos": Purpose-built for high-stakes missions where information is limited, I drop into disorganized environments to establish clarity, rebuild confidence, and drive the team toward its objective.
- Scale Under Pressure: Orchestrated the product strategy that helped scale Incfile (Bizee) from $60M to $120M+ in annual revenue.
- Strategic Architect: Served as Head of Product and Chief of Staff, mastering the art of bridging executive vision with high-stakes operational reality.
- Digital Transformation: Founded Lost Points LLC, a firm specialized in salvaging stalled projects and navigating complex digital transformations for national organizations.
- Sustainable Scaling: Recruited and led elite UX, Engineering, and Product teams, designing systems built to succeed long after my involvement ends.
For me, entrepreneurship has never been about titles or exits—it's about people.
It's about the late-night problem solvers, the parents building something between shifts, and the dreamers turning a "maybe someday" into a tangible "I did it." I built Illinois Spark because I wanted a place where those stories mattered. I wanted to create a space where every entrepreneur—from the side-hustler to the second-chance founder—could find the clarity and confidence they deserve.
This work is deeply personal. It's about building relationships, listening to those in the trenches, and leaving our community a little better than we found it. The best ideas come from the ground up, not the boardroom down.
Why You Can Trust Me as Your Advisor
I've built what others only talk about.
As the former Head of Product and Chief of Staff at Incfile (Bizee), I helped scale the company from $60M to $120M+ in revenue. I didn't do it with theory; I did it by listening to founders like you and building the exact tools they needed to survive and thrive.
I thrive in the "Messy Middle."
Through my firm Lost Points LLC, I've led national projects and rebuilt platforms under impossible deadlines. I specialize in taking digital chaos and turning it into measurable progress and digital transformation.
I build teams that outlast me.
From startups to national associations, I've built and scaled high-performing teams across UX, product, and engineering. My goal is always the same: build a system so sustainable and talented that it succeeds long after my engagement ends.
I speak both "Founder" and "Operator."
I've been the corporate executive, the high-level consultant, and the small-business owner. This blend of experience means my advice isn't academic—it's battle-tested practicality designed for the real world.
What I Believe
Ownership is the Ultimate Goal
Entrepreneurship isn't about working more hours; it's about owning more of what you create and the life you live.
Clarity Beats Complexity
The best decisions come from simple, transparent guidance. I have no interest in jargon, bloated teams, or unnecessary upsells.
Community is the Catalyst
Illinois Spark is built to support local entrepreneurs. When you grow, our community grows with you.
From the Trenches to Your Mission
Let's Start Scaling
I'm not interested in selling you a service you don't need. I'm interested in hearing your story and figuring out the most efficient way to help your business flow. Whether you're stuck in the "messy middle" or just starting to ignite your spark, let's talk.
No pitch decks. No jargon. Just a conversation about where you are and where you want to go.