Board of Directors
Murugavel Janakiraman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
He has a master's degree in computer science from the University of Madras. He started his career at Chennai-based Nucleus Software and moved to Singapore for a brief stint. He worked as a consultant in the US for leading companies on software projects and acquired valuable insights on Internet technologies. The Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce honoured Murugavel as one of the Top 5 Asian Indian Businessmen in the US below the age of 35. He was also honoured by the India Today Group as the "Business Icon of the Year."
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
He has a master's degree in computer science from the University of Madras. He started his career at Chennai-based Nucleus Software and moved to Singapore for a brief stint. He worked as a consultant in the US for leading companies on software projects and acquired valuable insights on Internet technologies. The Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce honoured Murugavel as one of the Top 5 Asian Indian Businessmen in the US below the age of 35. He was also honoured by the India Today Group as the "Business Icon of the Year."
Nikhil Khattau
He is an experienced banker, entrepreneur and venture investor who has built and invested in companies in India since 1995. He sits on the boards of Marico Ltd, Dealsandyou, Geodesic Techniques, and Sohanlal Commodity Management. Nikhil is also on the national Board of Advisors of AIESEC (The International Association of Students of Economics and Management) in India. Nikhil was the founding CEO of SUN F&C Asset Management, one of the first private sector mutual fund companies in India. Nikhil successfully sold the business to the Principal Financial Group, USA in 2004. Prior to that, he worked for Ernst & Young's Corporate Finance and Audit practices in New York and London from 1986-1995. He also helped set up the firm's investment banking advisory operation in Russia. Nikhil received his Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Bombay University and is an associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
He is an experienced banker, entrepreneur and venture investor who has built and invested in companies in India since 1995. He sits on the boards of Marico Ltd, Dealsandyou, Geodesic Techniques, and Sohanlal Commodity Management. Nikhil is also on the national Board of Advisors of AIESEC (The International Association of Students of Economics and Management) in India. Nikhil was the founding CEO of SUN F&C Asset Management, one of the first private sector mutual fund companies in India. Nikhil successfully sold the business to the Principal Financial Group, USA in 2004. Prior to that, he worked for Ernst & Young's Corporate Finance and Audit practices in New York and London from 1986-1995. He also helped set up the firm's investment banking advisory operation in Russia. Nikhil received his Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Bombay University and is an associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Rob Chandra
He is a partner in Bessemer's Menlo Park office. He focuses on consumer internet investments, particularly in emerging markets such as India. Since entering the venture industry in 1996, Rob has been involved with 24 investments that have gone public or been acquired by public companies. His historical investments include Altiga Networks (acquired by Cisco), BuyerZone.com (acquired by Reed Elsevier), Catena Networks (acquired by Ciena), DirectHit.com (acquired by Ask Jeeves), IPC- The Hospitalist Company (NASDAQ: IPCM), Motilal Oswal (BSE:MOSL), Mellanox (NASDAQ: MLNX), and PA Semi (acquired by Apple). Prior to joining Bessemer, Rob was a general partner with Commonwealth Capital Ventures. Previously, he worked in consulting, serving as an engagement manager with McKinsey & Co. and at Accenture's offices in both the U.S. and London. Rob began his career with IBM. Rob holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley. He was recognized by Forbes Magazine's Midas List as a top dealmaker in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
He is a partner in Bessemer's Menlo Park office. He focuses on consumer internet investments, particularly in emerging markets such as India. Since entering the venture industry in 1996, Rob has been involved with 24 investments that have gone public or been acquired by public companies. His historical investments include Altiga Networks (acquired by Cisco), BuyerZone.com (acquired by Reed Elsevier), Catena Networks (acquired by Ciena), DirectHit.com (acquired by Ask Jeeves), IPC- The Hospitalist Company (NASDAQ: IPCM), Motilal Oswal (BSE:MOSL), Mellanox (NASDAQ: MLNX), and PA Semi (acquired by Apple). Prior to joining Bessemer, Rob was a general partner with Commonwealth Capital Ventures. Previously, he worked in consulting, serving as an engagement manager with McKinsey & Co. and at Accenture's offices in both the U.S. and London. Rob began his career with IBM. Rob holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley. He was recognized by Forbes Magazine's Midas List as a top dealmaker in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
K.B. Chandrasekhar
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Anna University and in 2006 was awarded with an honorary Doctor of Science degree by his alma mater in recognition as a distinguished technologist, global entrepreneur and for his outstanding contribution to the field of IT and promoting research and development in India. He is actively involved in assisting entrepreneurs and is currently associated with more than 20 projects in which he has invested.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Anna University and in 2006 was awarded with an honorary Doctor of Science degree by his alma mater in recognition as a distinguished technologist, global entrepreneur and for his outstanding contribution to the field of IT and promoting research and development in India. He is actively involved in assisting entrepreneurs and is currently associated with more than 20 projects in which he has invested.
Alok Mittal
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Managing Director of Canaan Partners India, Alok focuses on investments in digital media and mobile companies, as well as innovators in managed software services and other IT enabled businesses. He has led Canaan's investments in BharatMatrimony, iYogi, Cellcast, UnitedLex, Chakpak and MotorExchange. Alok is also a co-founder of Indian Angel Network, and on the board of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) in Delhi.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Managing Director of Canaan Partners India, Alok focuses on investments in digital media and mobile companies, as well as innovators in managed software services and other IT enabled businesses. He has led Canaan's investments in BharatMatrimony, iYogi, Cellcast, UnitedLex, Chakpak and MotorExchange. Alok is also a co-founder of Indian Angel Network, and on the board of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) in Delhi.
George Zacharias
George currently heads Strategy at Mindtree, based in Bangalore. Earlier, George co-founded 7Strata which was acquired by Mindtree. He has also worked as Managing Director of Yahoo India, President and COO of Sify Ltd. and President of Madura Garments. George has a PGDBM from XLRI Jamshedpur.
George currently heads Strategy at Mindtree, based in Bangalore. Earlier, George co-founded 7Strata which was acquired by Mindtree. He has also worked as Managing Director of Yahoo India, President and COO of Sify Ltd. and President of Madura Garments. George has a PGDBM from XLRI Jamshedpur.