Rajan Anandan

Known as a hands-on leader, Rajan Anandan works closely with startup teams with the goal of maximizing growth potential from inception. He has worked with over 80 startup investments in India and more than 10 investments in Sri Lanka. In addition to investments made, Anandan also holds several management consulting roles.

Anandan’s investment interests are mainly focused on early-stage technology companies, including mobile, internet, and software startups, mainly in India, Sri Lanka, and the United States. With a deep understanding and passion for technology, Anandan has cultivated a firm reputation as a veteran in his field.

Location

Rajan Anandan was born in Sri Lanka and relocated to India with his family. Anandan attended MIT and received a BSc in Mechanical Engineering before attending Stanford University, where he received an MSc in Manufacturing Systems Engineering.

Starting his career in the United States at a management consultant firm, McKinsey & Company, where he worked as a partner for over 10 years. Anandan then moved to Dell, where he held various managerial roles across the globe. After leaving his position as Country General Manager at Dell, the businessman joined Microsoft and was appointed Managing Director of the company’s Indian arm.

Anandan later took on the role of Vice President of Google India and SEA, a position he held for eight years. In 2019, he joined Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital) as Managing Director and has been with them ever since. Furthermore, Anandan’s board and advisor roles include:

• Business advisor at Ayata
• Strategic advisor and Trekurious
• Board member at ASCI
• Advisor at CapitalG
• Board advisor at Anthem Academy
• Board member at WebEngage

Remarkable Investments

Rajan Anandan, BEENEXT, and other investors backed Trell, a video-first experience discovery platform with US$1.25 million in 2018. Trell plans to strengthen its team in the areas of technology, product, and data science with the generous backing it received.

Designed for millennials, the platform achieved over a million uploads within the short space of only eight months.

Other major investments by Anandan include: US$7 million raised for Vaaree, US$3 million raised in coinvested for PingSafe, and US$7 million co-invested in Newtrace.

Latest News

The Indian Venture and Alternative Capital Association (IVCA), the foremost industry body representing alternative assets in India, has inaugurated its new Venture Capital (VC) Council for the term 2024-26, and Anandan was named as co-chair.

Anandan has been active on social media, participating in many interviews and public talks about AI, and giving advice to entrepreneurs and investors who are now starting their journeys.