TiE brings Google’s Rajan Anandan on board to nurture Delhi-NCR’s startup ecosystem

Rajan Anandan, who takes over from Pramod Bhasin, Founder of Clix Capital, will spearhead TiE Delhi-NCR's initiatives through mentoring, networking and education, funding, and incubation.

Rajan Anandan, Vice President, South East Asia and India, Google, joins TiE’s highly coveted Delhi-NCR chapter as the president. Prior to Anandan, Pramod Bhasin, Founder of Clix Capital led the chapter for two years. In his additional responsibility, Rajan will spearhead TiE Delhi-NCR’s initiatives through mentoring, networking and education, funding, and incubation.

In a statement released to the media, Rajan Anandan, President of TiE Delhi-NCR, said, “TiE Delhi-NCR is the largest, among the most active and highly rewarded chapters of TiE. The organisation has taken huge strides in nurturing and transforming Delhi-NCR’s startup spirit with marquee programmes bridging the gap of networking, funding, and mentoring. While I’ve been actively involved in the startup ecosystem, I am eagerly looking forward to my new role in a year where TiE’s biggest event – TiE Global Summit - is coming to town on November 29 and 30.”

With an industry experience spanning more than two decades, Rajan has an in-depth understanding of the startup economy, having enabled diverse sectors with his mentorship and investments. His prior associations include Microsoft India, Dell India, and McKinsey & Company, which have empowered him with the required mix of business acumen and managing skills instrumental for TiE’s onward journey in India, the statement says.

An alumnus of Standford University and a BSc from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Anandan held a key role at McKinsey & Company in Chicago, after which he worked at Dell Inc as the vice president.

In 2008, Anandan joined Microsoft India to spearhead the tech giant’s software, OEM, and service business. Under his leadership, Microsoft India emerged as the top subsidiary among emerging markets, including China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, South Africa, and India. After a two-year stint with Microsoft, he joined Google India as the Vice President of Sales and Operations in early 2011.

He has also been one of the prominent investors with interest in several internet, mobile, and software startups like ZipGo, Lucideus, Omnify, Sheroes, and Unacademy.

Geetika Dayal, Executive Director of TiE Delhi-NCR, is confident that Rajan Anandan’s leadership will help bring a new perspective to the chapter’s initiatives to nurture the national capital’s startup ecoystem.

“Rajan’s first-hand experience of working closely with the founding teams of startups as an investor would provide a huge fillip to TiE Delhi-NCR. Rajan is known nationally for his contribution to the ecosystem; his leadership will help bring a new perspective to our initiatives. Given his passion for entrepreneurs and the startup space, we are excited about the possibilities with him at the helm.”

Last year, Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) appointed Rajan Anandan as the new Chairman.