Feb 2025 – Present · 1 yr 1 mo · San Francisco Bay Area

• #1 New Release in Venture Capital on Amazon
• Unlock the secrets to securing startup funding with The Funding Framework: Secure Startup Funding with Confidence by Vijay Rajendran. This indispensable guide is packed with actionable insights and expert strategies that can transform your approach to fundraising.

Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 2 mos

• In a world where disruption is the new normal, are you keeping up—or getting ahead?
• Vijay Rajendran is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and technology investor who helps leaders break out of reactive cycles and build companies that don’t just adapt to change but define it. With deep expertise in corporate innovation, venture capital, and high-growth startups, he challenges organizations to rethink how they approach strategy, leadership, and transformation.

Oct 2023 – Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

• Who I work with
• People I work with have the unique challenge of accomplishing hard things that have never been done before. As they try to improve the world, they find they want to improve themselves. Working with individuals in the way that I do means transformation. Often leaders come to me because they are struggling with something important in the business. They are very likely aware that they need to instigate change somehow and have probably tried many things but haven’t found the right solution.
• What the Process is like
• Specifically, when I work with someone, I am helping them in 1:1 individual coaching sessions and some team settings to find relief from such issues as Difficulty Fundraising (for their Startup or Fund), Challenges of Growing their Business, Co-Founder Disagreements, & Problems with Team-Building. We tackle those issues to find solutions, but also I help them overcome feelings of stress, conflict, and feeling stuck, the impact of which can be hugely significant [both at home and at work]. They tend to feel a new focus, rhythm, “lightness.”
• Why can I help you?
• I led the portfolio value team that supported one of the largest early stage venture capital portfolios in the world: 500 Startups. I've supported many founders and helped them on their journey to becoming CEOs. I have also developed relationships with investors and executives and understand how to help them develop professional and organizational success they want.

Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 2 mos · San Francisco Bay Area · Remote

• Creating and scaling generative AI companies at venture builder, gAI Ventures, alongside world-class operators to grow fast.

Dec 2022 – Oct 2024 · 1 yr 10 mos · Remote

• Angel investor in Climate startups and instructor in the Climate Angels educational program with members of the Climate Capital Team.

Dec 2021 – Sep 2023 · 1 yr 9 mos · San Francisco Bay Area · On-site

• I led a global team helping startups through community, events, and tools to develop connections and raise capital. Also, screening primarily fintech startups with the 500 Global / 500 Startups Global Accelerator investment team.
• Additionally, I mentor startups one-on-one on GTM and scaling and serve as one of our instructors for 500’s Bootcamp for Accelerator Managers.

Nov 2018 – Dec 2021 · 3 yrs 1 mo · San Francisco Bay Area · On-site

• Built entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world and led an international team that worked with corporations to facilitate startup partnerships and develop new growth areas.
• Authored pivotal CVC Report: Unlocking Corporate Venture Capital (~3000 downloads) and served as Corporate VC Unlocked faculty in 500-INSEAD program in Paris for 25 CVCs.
• Designed a fintech accelerator and sourced Series A and B startups for Visa in Asia-Pacific region.

Feb 2016 – Jan 2017 · 11 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

• As part of my role at BBVA, I led new business concepting and secured internal seed investment as interim CEO of one of the first digital banks for small business: Azlo (previously Noet Inc.).

Aug 2015 – Oct 2018 · 3 yrs 2 mos · San Francisco

• Led partnerships with startups and venture studios.
• Interviewed and selected Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for a new venture creation approach to design and incubate 5 new international ventures in SaaS, digital banking, identity, security and lending with over 60 employees and $20 million invested.
• Designed an open banking venture studio with a $10 million fund with Anthemis Group in the UK.

Nov 2013 – Aug 2015 · 1 yr 9 mos · San Mateo, CA · On-site

• Advised leaders on strategic issues related to launching new products, services, and businesses.
• Focused curating strategy for international go-to-market expansion, ecommerce marketplace platform development, and new customer experience.

Dec 2011 – Apr 2014 · 2 yrs 4 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

• I founded Hungry Globetrotter, a subscription-based ecommerce company that developed international meals, which busy professionals and families would make at home.

Jul 2007 – Apr 2012 · 4 yrs 9 mos · Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Consultant and a member of the core team of the Global Business Policy Council, a strategic service of Kearney serving CEOs of Global 100 companies.
• Advised clients from the consumer packaged goods, retail, chemical, and financial services industries on competitive analysis, new market assessment and international market entry strategy.