Sahir Anand is a seasoned cloud, SaaS, and ISV ecosystem executive with over 22 years of experience in business transformation, digital strategy, and technology innovation. His career spans Microsoft, technology startups, research firms, and Fortune 500 companies, where he has played a pivotal role in partner enablement, market intelligence, go-to-market strategy, product expansion and business growth. Till recently, as a Senior Director & Principal Program Lead at Microsoft, Sahir has been instrumental in building Azure Marketplace ecosystems, driving multi-billion-dollar growth, and fostering partner and customer engagement.
At Microsoft, Sahir has led the charge in Azure Commercial Marketplace transformation, growing billed sales from $XXX million in 2019 to $XX billion in FY24, with projections set to reach $XX billion in the current fiscal year. His expertise in cloud, marketplace strategy, ISV partnerships, and AI-driven growth models has resulted in the recruitment of 350+ ISVs, 1000+ transactable offers, and 100+ major enterprise customers. His leadership has enabled Fortune 500 companies such as ServiceNow, NetApp, Oracle, SAP, and Fidelity to successfully integrate with Azure Marketplace, driving multi-year cloud consumption and revenue acceleration.
Sahir’s extensive background in market intelligence, AI, and digital transformation stems from his tenure at Aberdeen Group, EnsembleIQ, and SAPInsider, where he built and led research and advisory practices. He played a crucial role in EKN Research’s acquisition by private equity, helping to scale its research and consulting services across retail, CPG, manufacturing, and supply chain industries. His thought leadership in AI innovation indices, benchmarking, and strategic growth planning has made him a trusted advisor in the digital commerce and enterprise technology landscape.
Beyond corporate leadership, Sahir is an advisor to AI and cloud startups, including 11.2 Ventures, Growth Enabler, and Spektra Systems, where he provides strategic insights on AI adoption, product-market fit, GTM and business scaling. His ability to navigate complex industry ecosystems and leverage AI and data-driven insights has positioned him as a key figure in the cloud marketplace and enterprise transformation space.
His educational credentials reflect his commitment to continuous learning and industry leadership. He holds a Management & Leadership certification in AI from MIT Sloan, a Strategic Management certification from Harvard Extension, a Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications from Emerson College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Delhi. Additionally, Sahir has achieved multiple Microsoft Azure and AI certifications, underscoring his technical proficiency in cloud and artificial intelligence technologies.
As a recognized thought leader, Sahir has authored several industry reports and research publications, including IoT Trends, Omni-channel Customer Profitability, AI industry use-cases and the POS Blueprint. He has been featured in Microsoft Industry Blogs, NRF, RILA, and analyst reports, sharing his expertise in e-commerce, market strategy, and AI-driven customer engagement. His ability to connect emerging technologies with real-world business needs makes him a sought-after speaker, strategist, and industry advisor.
Sahir’s leadership is defined by his strong strategic acumen, ability to execute at scale, and deep understanding of the technology landscape. He has a unique ability to bridge the gap between business and technology, creating high-impact GTM strategies and industry alliances that drive measurable results. His passion for market intelligence, competitive analysis and digital transformation has enabled organizations to identify market opportunities, streamline operations, and accelerate digital adoption.
Beyond his professional achievements, Sahir is deeply committed to mentoring and nonprofit work. He actively participates in Boys & Girls Club and Big Brother Big Sister programs, helping to shape the next generation of leaders, technologists, and business professionals. His love for outdoor sports, hiking, culinary arts, and global travel reflects his dynamic personality and well-rounded approach to leadership.
Sahir Anand is not just an executive leader but a visionary strategist, digital innovator, and ecosystem builder. His ability to drive transformative growth through AI, cloud, and SaaS models continues to make a lasting impact on the technology and business landscape. Whether leading multi-billion-dollar marketplace growth initiatives or advising next-generation AI startups, Sahir remains at the forefront of business and technology innovation.
Character
Sahir is a visionary leader dedicated to innovation, mentorship, and ethical business practices, ensuring sustainable growth for organizations in cloud, AI, and digital transformation. His leadership style fosters collaboration, continuous learning, and strategic execution, enabling both partners and enterprises to thrive in evolving technology landscapes.
Knowledge
With deep expertise in cloud marketplaces, AI, digital transformation, and strategic growth planning, Sahir has successfully built industry and horizontal ISV ecosystems that drive multi-billion-dollar growth. His background in market intelligence, SaaS, and digital commerce allows him to bridge technology with business strategy, helping organizations scale efficiently.
Strategic
Sahir has a proven track record of driving large-scale digital adoption, competitive go-to-market strategies, and industry expansion through cloud-based solutions, cloud marketplace innovation and AI-based solutions. His ability to anticipate industry trends, optimize partner ecosystems, and implement AI-driven strategies has positioned him as a key driver of enterprise success.
Communication
An effective communicator and thought leader, Sahir seamlessly connects business, technology, and partner ecosystems through strategic advisory, industry insights, and public speaking engagements. His ability to articulate complex technology trends in a business-friendly manner makes him a trusted advisor to executives, startups, and Fortune 500 companies alike.
