Dr. Ramaraj, a PGDM Batch 8 alumnus of IIM Calcutta, had done his B. Tech in Chemical Engineering from the University of Madras, and Ph. D. from SRM University. He is a serial entrepreneur who has been involved in ventures in IT, Cellular, and Internet industries. He was associated with Computer Point, India’s first multi-product retail outlet for personal computers and peripherals, and later co-founded Microland, India’s first networking company. He was the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sify which, under his stewardship, became the first Indian Internet company to list on NASDAQ National Market in the US. He later served as a Senior Advisor at Sequoia Capital, and is currently in a similar position at Elevar Equity. His early career included stints at Jagatjit Industries, Berger Paints, and Johnson & Johnson.

Ramaraj is on the board of Olympic Gold Quest, a Not for Profit organization, committed to bridging the gap between the best athletes in India and the best athletes in the world. He is the co-founder and Director of Coaching Foundation of India, an organization that trains and certifies CEO Coaches. He is also the Chairman of Villgro Foundation, an Incubator for social enterprises, and a Director of the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. He is the Chairman of the Investment Committee at the IIT Madras Incubation Centre.

Ramaraj is the first Indian to be invited to join the Board of Directors of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) where he served as an Independent Director for six years. He was a member of the Global Board of Trustees of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs). He was a Member of the Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta from 2010 to 2015.

He was recognized as the ‘Evangelist of the Year’ at the India Internet World Convention in September 2000 and was also voted the IT Person of the year in 2000 and in 2001 in a CNET.com poll in India. In 2010, The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recognized him with a Life Time Achievement Award for nurturing the Spirit of Entrepreneurship and inspiring and mentoring numerous entrepreneurs.

R Ramaraj receiving his award