Seasoned Investors Backing Next Gen Founders
Piyush Bhandari
Co-Founder & CEO xponential digital
Chartered Accountant and cross-border advisory expert, driving global business expansion through IMC Group.
- Managing Partner at IMC, offering cross-border services across Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
- Advises on market entry, tax, mobility, and outsourcing for global clients.
- Launched YourGlobalPro, a platform with 3,000+ professionals in 60+ countries.
- Serves on boards of CPAAI International and Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
Prabhakar Ram Venkataraman
Founder & CEO Newgen Imaging Systems Private Ltd
Entrepreneur in publishing and tech services, with decades of experience scaling global content solutions.
- Founded Newgen KnowledgeWorks in 1996, now a 800+ strong global team.
- Built end-to-end publishing services with offices in the US and UK.
- Raised investment from Carlyle; enabled successful secondary exits in 2011.
- Earlier led family business in printing, packaging, and paper distribution.
Prabhuram Duraiswami
Global Head (Customer Engineering) & India Head - CME Group
20+ years of experience across financial markets, enterprise technology, product development, and program management.
- Leads Global Capability Center in India for a large capital markets firm, managing ~1000 professionals
- Drives customer engineering capabilities, reporting to the Global CIO
- Expertise in global talent management across USA, UK, and India
- MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management; Double MS in Engineering (USA); B.E. from Anna University
Pradeep Cholayil
Chairman & Managing Director, Cholayil Pvt Ltd
FMCG leader driving the global expansion of Medimix and Cholayil’s diversification into wellness and Ayurvedic healthcare.
- Chairman & MD of Cholayil, home to Medimix, the world’s top-selling natural wellness soap.
- Led acquisitions of Cuticura and Krishna Thulasi to strengthen brand portfolio.
- Expanding into holistic Ayurvedic care through Sadayush wellness centres.
- Author and photographer; founded a medicinal herb park in South Tamil Nadu.
Prashanth Vishwanathan
Founder Scientia Partners LLC
Chartered Accountant with deep expertise in audit, forensics, and real estate, and an active mentor and angel investor in tech startups.
- Heads Internal Audit for a global real estate firm listed on the LSE.
- 20+ years in audit, risk, and compliance, with specialization in forensics.
- Angel investor in RPA, AI, and Web3; mentors student-led startups.
- Passionate about writing, painting, travel, and fitness.
Premkumar Seshadri
Chief Mentor, Persayprem Business Designs, LLP & Former Vice Chairman HCL Infosystems
Seasoned tech executive driving transformation and turnaround strategies at HCL Infosystems with a strong track record in scaling businesses.
- Executive Vice-Chairman at HCL Infosystems; leading strategic turnaround.
- Former Group CEO, Apollo Hospitals; ex-President, HCL Technologies.
- Managing Partner & Chief Mentor at Persayprem Business Designs.
- Chairs CII’s IT Committee; Advisory Board Member at edX; Charter Member at TiE Chennai.
Priyamvada Balaji
Director Lucas Indian Service Ltd
Auto aftermarket and finance leader at TVS Group, with a strong foundation in financial services and social impact.
- Director at Lucas Indian Service Ltd and Lucas TVS, overseeing finance and control.
- Former financial services professional with Fitch Ratings, HSBC, and Arthur Andersen.
- MBA from IIM Ahmedabad; BA in Economics from Stella Maris College.
- Trustee at Aim for Seva, supporting student homes across India.
Raghu Rajagopal
Head of India Operations, Ambient Scientific
Entrepreneur, Thought Leader, Enabling the India Advantage in Outsourcing, GCC India Advisor, Public Health, Social Ventures, Distinguished Alumni of BITS, Pilani.
- Head of India Operations, Ambient Scientific
- Cofounder of GuruJanaSeva a social initiative for the aging population
- Managing Trustee at Punarjanmam Foundation; drives social impact initiatives.
- Honorary Executive Advisor to the Indian Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Indian Association for Haemophilia and Allied Dis-orders, Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders – Asia Pacific
Rajeev Mecheri
Co-Founder of Twinit (Digital Twin Platform) & Invicara
Serial entrepreneur and angel investor in technology startups
- Co-founder of iMetrex Group, a leading technology provider for Smart Buildings which was later acquired by Siemens
- Founding Member of EO Chennai, Chapter & Regional Leader of YPO South Asia
- Charter Member of TiE Chennai and Executive Committee Member of The Chennai Angels
- Alumnus of University of Chicago (Booth School of Business) and Loyola College.
Rajesh Devaraj
Chief Executive Officer Uniform Craft Chennai, India
Textile industry leader with global experience, now redefining healthcare workwear through Uniform Craft.
- CEO of Uniform Craft since 2014, focused on functional and stylish medical apparel.
- Previously Partner at Fineyarns, growing yarn exports to Europe and Asia.
- Started career at Narayan Krishna Spinners; rose to Executive Director.
- Holds an MS from RPI, USA, and BE from Coimbatore Institute of Technology.
Rajesh P Surana
Founder & CEO MedCode Services Inc
Entrepreneur and investor with global healthcare experience
- Managing Director at Aradhyaa Infra & Holdings, focused on infra and startup investments.
- Co-founded and successfully exited Visionary RCM to the Carlyle Group in 2019.
- Brings cross-functional expertise in finance, marketing, and project execution.
- Active angel investor, leveraging deep industry and operational experience.
Rajiv B Sampat
Managing Director Samson Lighting Private Ltd
Lighting industry veteran and entrepreneur, with a passion for scaling energy-efficient solutions and exploring sunrise sectors.
- Managing Director of Samson Lighting, a pioneer in energy-efficient lighting.
- Built a pan-India retail network covering 12,000+ outlets and major projects.
- Experience in commercial real estate development and leasing.
- Believes in first-mover advantage; known for swift product pivots and innovation.
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