Smart Capital for
India’s Early-Stage Startups
About The Chennai Angels
Founded in 2007, The Chennai Angels (TCA) is one of India’s most active and trusted angel networks, bringing together 150+ seasoned investors with a shared passion for nurturing innovation. Over the years, we’ve invested over ₹193 Cr across 177+ deals, backing 99+ promising startups across diverse sectors. With ₹139+ Cr in successful exits, our track record reflects not just smart capital, but strategic mentorship and long-term partnership. At TCA, we don’t just invest in startups — we support and empower founders to build enduring businesses.
Mission
Connect founders with capital, mentorship, and strategic growth support.
Vision
Empowering startups to build impactful, enduring businesses with purpose.
Value
We champion entrepreneurs with empathy, insight, and unwavering support.
Our Board of Directors & Executive Committee
Gopal Srinivasan
Board of Directors
A seasoned entrepreneur and chairman driving mid-cap Indian business transformation through private equity and strategic mentorship.
- Founding Chairman of TVS Electronics; Director on the Board of TVS & Sons and few other companies in and outside the TVS Group
- Founding member of The Chennai Angels and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)
- Board member of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH)
- Holds B.Com from Loyola and MBA from University of Michigan
Lakshmi Narayanan N
Board of Directors
A veteran technology leader with deep expertise in corporate governance, strategy, and customer engagement across global markets.
- Founding member and ex-Vice Chairman of Cognizant, shaping its delivery model.
- Past Chairman of NASSCOM; former U.S.-India Business Council board member.
- 30+ years of leadership across Europe, India, and the US.
- Active in education and inclusive growth via Cognizant Foundation and nonprofits.
Ramaraj R
Board of Directors
Serial entrepreneur and internet pioneer, best known for co-founding Sify and mentoring India’s next generation of leaders.
- Co-founder & former CEO of Sify, India’s first Internet company listed on NASDAQ.
- Senior Advisor at Elevar Advisors; formerly served on IIM Calcutta’s Board of Governors.
- Founding member and first Indian on the Board of ICANN; ex-Trustee, TiE Global & Olympic Gold Quest.
- Recipient of CII Lifetime Achievement Award; co-founded Coaching Foundation of India.
Shankar V
Board of Directors & Head of Executive Committee
Founder of CAMS, now investor and startup ecosystem builder through Acsys and The Chennai Angels.
- Founded and exited CAMS, India’s largest listed Registrar & Transfer Agent
- Leads Acsys Investments, his family office focused on early-stage investing
- Actively mentors and supports startups across sectors
- Heads the Executive Committee at The Chennai Angels
Rajeev Mecheri
Executive Committee Member
Serial entrepreneur and angel investor with deep expertise in building and scaling tech ventures globally.
- Co-founder of Invicara & TwinIt, focused on Digital Twin technologies.
- Built and exited a leading security and automation firm to Siemens.
- Founding President of EO Chennai; ex-Regional Chair, YPO South Asia.
- Alumnus of Loyola College and Chicago Booth; active in TiE Chennai; Executive Committee Member of The Chennai Angels
Mahalingam K
Executive Committee Member
A versatile entrepreneur and investor with expertise in automotive retail, financial services, real estate, and environmental solutions.
- Heads TSM Group’s pre-owned car dealership network in South India.
- Pioneered third-party financial product distribution with major partners.
- Leads 100+ real estate projects via Shreyas Investments and Qualitas.
- Chairman of Enzotech Solutions; Executive Committee Member of The Chennai Angels.
Ramkumar L
Executive Committee Member
Seasoned business leader and angel investor, with deep expertise in manufacturing, corporate strategy, and startup mentorship.
- Former MD of Tube Investments of India; 25+ years leading businesses across industrial sectors.
- Independent Director on boards of Shanthi Gears and Igarashi Motors; on Governing Board of IIM Bodhgaya.
- Active angel investor and mentor with The Chennai Angels and IITM Incubation Cell.
- Past President of Madras Management Association; awarded Business Leader of the Year by Loyola Alumni Association.
Chandu Nair
Executive Committee Member
Seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over 30 years of cross-sectoral experience in building, scaling, and advising knowledge-driven ventures.
- Co-founded and grew Scope e-Knowledge Center to 1,000+ employees.
- Hands-on experience with angel, VC, and strategic funding; two successful exits.
- Active mentor through TiE Chennai and other advisory platforms.
- PGDM from IIM Ahmedabad; frequent speaker and visiting faculty.
Ramakrishnan K (Ramki)
Executive Committee Member
A veteran investment banker with three and a half decades of experience across corporate finance and investment banking.
- Founding leadership team at Spark Capital, key member of its journey from an advisory boutique to a full service investment banking franchise.
- Earlier led investment banking for South India at ICICI Securities.
- Holds leadership roles at The Chennai Angels, The Madras Chamber, TiE Chennai and Madras Management Association.
- Founding Fellow of Chennai International Centre; qualified in Mechanical Engineering and Management.
Elango P
Executive Committee Member
Veteran oil & gas executive with over 28 years of leadership experience in upstream operations and strategic industry transformation.
- Former CEO & Whole-Time Director at Cairn India, scaling crude oil production to 30% of India’s output.
- Began career at ONGC in 1985; strong operational and business expertise across energy value chain.
- Leading exploration and production growth at HOEC since 2015.
- Recipient of Platts Asia CEO finalist, Oil Industry Safety Award, and Golden Peacock Award.
Reji Joseph
Executive Committee Member
Transforming enterprises through high-impact interventions
- A Chartered Accountant with Big 4 credentials (PwC, KPMG), a globally experienced financial executive with leadership across premier financial markets, in India, GCC and Southeast Asia
- Specialising in management, private equity, investment banking, and corporate finance.
- Longest-serving and most successful CEO of a publicly listed Private Equity holding company, led the enterprise through a dramatic turnaround from record losses to record-breaking profitability.
- Executed high-impact investments, IPOs, structured and exited growth capital investments, and led board-level transformations.
Harikumar S
Executive Committee Member
A specialist provider of award-winning eLearning solutions for global enterprises.
- Leads Origin Learning, serving Fortune 500 clients like GE, HP, and VMware; recipient of multiple Brandon Hall and CLO awards.
- Brings 30+ years of experience across eLearning, education, publishing, and software industries.
- Previously held senior roles at Manipal Group, Thomson Learning, Sify, and Brilliant’s.
- Holds a Master’s in Commerce; passionate about education, technology, philosophy, and gardening.
The Chennai Angels Secretariat Team
Sai Shanmukha Yadavalli
Vice President
Darshan Kumar
Asst. Vice President
Kaushik Srikanth
Manager Partnerships
Udith Chatrani
Investment Analyst
Tracy Chatelier
Manager Marketing
Sai Suraj
Investment Analyst