
Ravi Venkatesan's career is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. He has held various leadership positions in top companies.
Ravi Venkatesan began his career at Microsoft, where he worked for over a decade. He then moved to Cummins India as the Managing Director.
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Biography
Ravi Venkatesan is the former Chairman of Microsoft India and currently a Venture Partner at Unitus Seed Fund. He's also the founder and Chairman of Social Venture Partners India.
He's had a distinguished career, serving as a director on the boards of AB Volvo and Infosys Ltd. Ravi is the author of a book, 'Conquering the Chaos: Win in India, Win Everywhere', which explores the challenges of investing in India and emerging markets.
Ravi's experience in business and leadership is impressive, having led the transformation of Cummins India into the country's leading provider of power solutions and automotive engines.
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Early Life
Born in 1947, the subject spent their early years in a small town in the United States. They grew up in a close-knit family with two parents and three siblings.
Their childhood was marked by a love of reading and learning, which was encouraged by their parents.
Experiences
Experiences are a crucial part of personal growth and development, and Ravi Venkatesan's career is a prime example of this. He navigated his career through crucible experiences, which are challenging situations that test one's abilities and character.
These experiences can shape our perspectives and help us discover our passions. Ravi Venkatesan's talk highlights the importance of finding a career that aligns with your passions, which he refers to as the "passion economy."
Crucible experiences can also help us avoid career treadmills, which are repetitive and unfulfilling jobs that leave us feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied. Ravi Venkatesan's advice on how to avoid career treadmills is to catch a wave, or find a career that is in line with your passions and values.
Ultimately, our experiences shape who we are and what we become. By navigating our careers through crucible experiences and finding our passions, we can live a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
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Career
Ravi Venkatesan is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse range of experience. He is currently a venture partner with Capria Ventures.
Throughout his career, Ravi has held multiple executive positions, including chairman of the board at Bank of Baroda, one of India's Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) banks, from 2015 through 2018. He also served as the co-chairman of the board of Infosys from 2011 through 2018.
As chairman of Microsoft India, Ravi led the company from 2004 through 2011, and was later named one of Microsoft Alumni Network's 2020 AlumniHEROes.
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Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is key to creating jobs and solving the problem of unemployment, especially for young people. The scarcity of new jobs in India is alarming, and Ravi saw a pathway toward a solution through entrepreneurship.
Ravi founded Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship to support and encourage young entrepreneurs to create more jobs. His goal is to create 50 million jobs by 2030 through 10 million new entrepreneurs.
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Entrepreneurship and leadership are complementary, and the next generation needs to lead the way to carry on the legacy of change. Ravi believes that the future of society can only change with young leaders.
The pandemic has made unemployment even worse, and Ravi encourages individuals to adapt and change their mindset to focus on the future. He says, "If you can adapt you will flourish, and if you can’t it’s going to be extremely, extremely hard."
Positions Held
Ravi Venkatesan has held numerous executive positions throughout his career. He was the chairman of Bank of Baroda from 2015 through 2018.
Venkatesan was also the chairman of Microsoft India from 2004 through 2011. This experience spanned over seven years.
As the co-chairman of the board of Infosys, Ravi played a significant role in the company's operations from 2011 through 2018. He worked closely with the team to drive growth and success.
Venkatesan's leadership skills were also instrumental in transforming Cummins India into a leading provider of engines and power generation solutions. He held this position from 1996 through 2004.
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He has been a member of Hitachi's Board of Directors since July 2020. This role has given him a new perspective on the industry and its challenges.
Ravi Venkatesan was also named as one of the advisors to Arkam Ventures' 3.25 billion INR fund to invest in early stage technology startups in India. This indicates his expertise in the field of technology and innovation.
Innovative Leadership
Ravi Venkatesan is an innovative leader in the corporate world. He brings a unique perspective to the table with his business and mechanical background.
He worked for many world-renowned commercial companies for a long time after graduation. This experience has given him a deep understanding of the industry.
Ravi was the Chairman of Cummins India from 1996 through 2004, leading its transformation into India's leading provider of engines and power generation solutions. This achievement showcases his ability to drive change and growth.
As Chairman of Microsoft India from 2004 through 2011, Ravi was instrumental in the company's success. He was later named one of Microsoft Alumni Network's 2020 AlumniHEROes, a testament to his impact.
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Ravi's leadership roles have taken him to various organizations, including Infosys and Bank of Baroda. He has held key positions in these companies, further demonstrating his expertise.
He has been serving as a member of Hitachi's Board of Directors since July 2020, bringing his wealth of experience to the table.
Philanthropy and Giving
Ravi Venkatesan's philanthropic work is truly inspiring. He founded Social Venture Partners India in 2012, a pan-India collaborative philanthropy organisation that empowers non-profits and fosters social change through strategic giving.
Under his leadership, SVP India has contributed to various sectors, including Healthcare, Disability, Women’s Empowerment, Employment, Waste Management, Education & Youth, and Sustainable Environment.
Ravi's vision is to provide a platform for compassionate and accomplished individuals to engage with philanthropy and create a ripple effect for positive change in India.
SVP India has already made a significant impact, but Ravi's work doesn't stop there. He's also a trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation, where he's been working to provide solar grids to people who rely on the sun as their only light source.
In 2022, SVP India partnered with the Shahani Group's SAGE Foundation to use their AI-driven educational technology platform to help students develop key employability characteristics.
Ravi's commitment to philanthropy and giving is truly admirable, and his work is making a real difference in India and beyond.
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Public Life
Ravi Venkatesan is a dedicated philanthropist and social entrepreneur who has made a significant impact in India and beyond. He is the founder and current partner of SVP India, a pan-India collaborative philanthropy organisation with a diverse peer network of more than 500 individuals.
Ravi's leadership at SVP India has contributed to various sectors, including Healthcare, Disability, Women's Empowerment, Employment, Waste Management, Education & Youth, and Sustainable Environment. His vision is to provide compassionate and accomplished individuals with a platform to engage with philanthropy.
Under his leadership, SVP India partnered with Shahani Group's SAGE Foundation to use AI-driven educational technology to help students develop key employability characteristics. This partnership aims to expand its philanthropic business in India and Asia.
Ravi has also been a trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation since 2014, where he has worked on providing solar grids to people relying on the sun as their only light source. He has also joined the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment and a Venture Partner at Unitus Seed Fund.
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Ravi's focus on entrepreneurship has led him to found the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (G.A.M.E.), a nonprofit that supports and encourages young entrepreneurs to create jobs in India. His goal is to create 50 million jobs by 2030, through 10 million new entrepreneurs.
Ravi has also taken on a special role at UNICEF as the special representative for young people and innovation, leading Generation Unlimited, a global partnership dedicated to expanding education and employment for young people.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ravi Venkateshan Chairman of Cummins India?
Ravi Venkateshan was previously the Chairman of Cummins India, leading its transformation into India's leading engine and power generation solutions provider. He is no longer in this role.
Who is the Chairman of Geapp?
Ravi Venkatesan is the Co-Chairman of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). He is a renowned Indian business leader and philanthropist.
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