Rohini Chakravarthy, formerly a partner at venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates (NEA), has taken the same position at NGP Capital, the VC firm spun off from Finland-based communications technology manufacturer Nokia.
At NGP Capital, Chakravarthy will be investing internationally in the intelligent enterprise space, as she has done in the past.
Chakravarthy said: “Many of my [past] investments have been in the intelligent enterprise space, in areas such as security, storage, and networking infrastructure and applications. I have worked on investments in companies around the world, so I am planning to apply that global lens right from the start.”
Chakravarthy said she joined NGP because of its global outlook and past deals, such as its investment in China-based internet-of-things technology producer Xiaomi in 2013 when it still operated primarily as a smartphone provider.
During her time at NEA, she had focused on investments in the software, systems and technology spaces. She held board positions at 13 NEA portfolio companies including US-based online database platform developer Aerospike and US-based ethernet connectivity technology producer Aquantia.
Prior to joining NEA, Chakravarthy was a senior investment manager at Intel Capital, semiconductor maker Intel’s corporate venturing vehicle, and head of wireless, corporate business development at networking equipment supplier Cisco Systems.
In addition to her investment activities, Chakravarthy founded India-based online stationery and customised invitation card provider Inksedge in 2015, and was CEO until July 2017.
Regarding the lessons she learned from Inksedge, she commented: “Being an entrepreneur is a lonely job; I’ve been on that side of the table as well, and I know how difficult it can be.
“Having venture partners you can rely on, and who stay with you when things get difficult, can often make the difference between success and failure.”
– Photo of Rohini Chakravarthy courtesy of LinkedIn.
