Deepak Bagla

Mission Director
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog
Government of India

Deepak Bagla brings a rare blend of global private sector experience and public sector leadership, having worked with institutions like World Bank, Citibank, and 3i plc across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

He served as Managing Director & CEO of Invest India (2015–2023), India’s National Investment Promotion Agency, guiding initiatives such as Startup India, One District One Product, and driving digitisation in investment approvals. Under his tenure, Invest India became the world’s most awarded IPA.

A strategic advisor, he has contributed to numerous high-level government committees on infrastructure, fintech, innovation, tourism, healthcare, and startups, and has represented India on official bilateral CEO forums with over 20 countries.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from St. Stephen’s College and dual Masters in International Diplomacy & International Trade and Finance from Georgetown University, USA. He is also the former President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), the world’s largest investment platform spanning 105+ countries.

Sharad Sharma

Co-Founder
iSpirit

Sharad Sharma is a visionary leader with three decades of experience across the Internet, Enterprise Software, and Digital Infrastructure markets. He is a prominent voice in India’s technology ecosystem and a passionate evangelist for building a robust software product ecosystem in India.

He co-founded iSPIRT Foundation, a non-profit think tank dedicated to making India a product nation, and has held leadership roles at NASSCOM Product Forum and the NASSCOM Executive Council.

Sharad co-founded Teltier Technologies Inc., now part of CISCO, and is an active angel investor with over two dozen technology investments. He also played a key role in India’s first IP-focused fund, India Innovation Fund.

Sharad also contributes to national policy and advisory bodies, including the National Startup Advisory Council, SEBI’s FinTech Committee, RBI’s MSME Committee, and the National Digital Payments Committee.

Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, IAS

Director, Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology
Government of Karnataka
MD, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS)

Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur is a dedicated officer of the Indian Administrative Service from the 2019 batch. An alumnus of RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, he holds a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering.

Known for his forward-thinking approach and commitment to public service, Sankanur brings a strong foundation in technology and governance to his administrative responsibilities. His work reflects a keen interest in leveraging innovation for effective policy implementation and citizen-centric development.

He has also contributed to the IT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Departments of the Government of Karnataka.

Pankaj Kumar Pandey, IAS

Principal Secretary to Government, DPAR (e-Governance)
Managing Director, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL)
Government of Karnataka

Pankaj Kumar Pandey, an IIT Roorkee graduate in Mechanical Engineering, secured 1^st rank in the Indian Engineering Services (IES) examination in 1999 and joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Karnataka Cadre, in 2000.

He has served in multiple key roles across the Karnataka state administration, including Revenue, Rural Development, Urban Development, Elections, Skill Development, Food & Civil Supplies, Health & Family Welfare, Tourism, and Industries.

A visionary innovator, he is a patent holder for the Swan Neck Group Operating System (GOS), a solution that created hundreds of kilometers of pedestrian-friendly space in Bengaluru. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–21), he served as Health Commissioner, overseeing the state’s critical response efforts.

Ramachandran R, IAS

Managing Director
Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC)

Ramachandran R is a senior civil servant with over a decade of dedicated service in public administration. As an officer of the Indian Administrative Service, he brings rich, multi-sectoral experience spanning both district and state-level governance. Currently serving as the Managing Director of BMTC, he is leading initiatives toward clean, green, and sustainable urban public transport in Bengaluru.

A firm believer in innovation-driven governance, Ramachandran is committed to nation-building through inclusive development and sustainable urban transformation.

Aman Mittal, IAS

Joint Chief Executive Officer
Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA)
Government of Maharashtra

Aman Mittal is a distinguished IAS officer. Passionate about innovation, governance reforms, and digital transformation, he works to make public services more efficient, accessible, and citizen-friendly.

Under his guidance, MITRA drives projects that promote sustainable development, smart governance, and technology-enabled administration, helping Maharashtra emerge as a model for progressive and innovative governance.

Aman’s efforts are reshaping public administration to be smarter, more responsive, and future-ready.

Shantanu Roy

Chairman & Managing Director
BEML Limited

Shantanu Roy is an accomplished leader with over 28 years of experience driving business growth and strategic transformation. Known for his strong team leadership and development skills, he excels in aligning organizational goals with market opportunities to maximize penetration and performance.

A highly organized and decisive professional, Shantanu combines outstanding communication abilities with cross-cultural people management expertise. His forward-thinking approach and tactical decision-making have consistently delivered impactful results and strengthened business direction.

T Bhoobalan, IAS

Chief Executive Officer
DPAR (e-Governance)
Government of Karnataka

A Karnataka cadre officer from the 2015 batch, T. Bhoobalan brings extensive experience in public administration and digital governance. As CEO of Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) - e-Governance, he plays a pivotal role in driving innovative digital solutions, streamlining public services, and accelerating Karnataka’s transformation into a smart, technology-driven state.

Dr. Sanjay Tyagi

Jurisdictional Director
STPI,Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Govt. Of India

Dr. Sanjay Tyagi is a senior Government of India official with over 30 years of experience in policy formulation, digital infrastructure development, startup ecosystem enablement, and mission-mode implementation of technology-driven initiatives. A founding officer of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), he has played a pivotal role in shaping India's IT growth trajectory since 1994.

His career spans strategic projects in foreign trade policy execution, Global Capability Center (GCC) facilitation, and domain-specific Centres of Entrepreneurship under MeitY Startup Hub—supporting over 745 startups. Dr. Tyagi’s leadership has contributed to implementing flagship initiatives like PLI for electronics, EMC 2.0, and state-level policies to attract global investments in IT, ITES, and ESDM sectors.

Ratan Kumar Kesh

Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer
Bandhan Bank

Ratan Kumar Kesh brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across diverse domains including Operations, Technology, Transaction & Affluent Banking, Product, Risk, Governance, Intelligent Automation, Digital, Customer Experience, and Organizational Transformation.

Since March 2023, he serves as Executive Director & COO at Bandhan Bank, overseeing Technology, Operations, Customer Experience, Transformation, Internal Audit, Recovery, and support functions. He spearheaded the Bank’s IT transformation and continues to drive process optimization, control enhancements, and business excellence.

He is recognised among India’s top 50 Quality Professionals by the World Quality Congress and one of the top 25 Emerging Tech Leaders by BIOCON Network & MeitY.

Loknath Behera

Managing Director
Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Limited

Loknath Behera is the Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. and a distinguished former Director General of Police & State Police Chief, Kerala, having retired on 30th June 2021 after serving five years in the role. With over 16 years of experience in the NIA and CBI and four years as Commissioner of Police, Kochi City, he brings extensive expertise in counter-terrorism, corruption prevention, and central government operations. Since August 2021, he has been leading transformative urban transport initiatives, including the launch of the unique Water Metro in Kochi.

A recognized authority in legal, investigative, and technology matters, he specializes in International Criminal Law, cybercrime investigation, and law enforcement modernization. Known for his innovative approach, he has pioneered numerous technological solutions in policing and security. He is also an experienced trainer, conducting sessions on law, investigative procedures, technology, and cyber security for law enforcement professionals.

Sanjeev Kumar Gupta

Chief Executive Officer
Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)

Sanjeev Kumar Gupta is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience spanning government and global technology firms. He began his career with the Government of India in 1998, serving in key roles for a decade. His corporate journey includes leadership positions at IBM, Accenture (Managing Director), and Microsoft (General Manager). He also led Lahari, a Government of India initiative, as MD & CEO until 2022.

Sanjeev holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Statistics from Banaras Hindu University, an M.Sc. in Statistics from Delhi University, and an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi.

Kartikeya Anand

Head – Investment Promotion, RE, Education & Skill Training
Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB)
Government of Andhra Pradesh

Kartikeya Anand leads Investment Promotion for Renewable Energy, Education, and Skill Training at the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board. With 23+ years in public policy, he specializes in clean energy, climate tech, ESG, and sustainable industrial growth.

An MBA and Master’s in Public Policy graduate from the Indian School of Business, Kartikeya has also pursued executive education at Cornell University and IIM Bangalore.

He currently drives one of India’s boldest clean energy transitions, aligning climate action with inclusive economic development, while also spearheading education and skill initiatives to build a future-ready workforce in Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. Panneerselvam Madanagopal

Chief Executive Officer
MeitY Startup Hub
Government of India

Dr. Panneerselvam Madanagopal is an innovation-driven leader with over 20 years of expertise in consumer insights, marketing strategy, branding, and product development.

With deep understanding of B2C and B2B markets, he has worked with leading organizations like Axis Bank, Titan, HP, Tata Steel, Tata Global Beverages, and Unilever.

He has a proven track record in designing strategic frameworks for sales, distribution, brand tracking, and customer experience, while mentoring teams and driving innovation for corporates and startups alike.

B Sundar, IFS

Special Secretary
IT, Electronics & Communications Department
Government of Andhra Pradesh

B. Sundar is a 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service officer with extensive experience in technology policy, digital governance, and innovation-driven development. He has played a key role in shaping Andhra Pradesh’s IT ecosystem, driving smart governance initiatives and the adoption of emerging technologies to foster digital transformation and innovation across the state.

Raghu Dharmaraju

CEO
ARTPARK

Raghu Dharmaraju is the CEO of ARTPARK at IISc, leading AI and Robotics innovation through startups, platforms, and skilling. With 20+ years in building impact-driven institutions, he is also a Fellow of the Lancet Commission for Reimagining India’s Health Systems.

At ARTPARK, he is driving the use of LLMs for societal good in LMICs and developing digital public infrastructure in health, climate, and language sectors, in collaboration with national bodies like MEITY, ICMR, and NITI Aayog. His work with ARMMAN and Belongg earned ARTPARK a double win at the Global Grand Challenge for Equitable AI.

Previously, he co-founded Wadhwani AI and led AI-based public health solutions that won global recognition. He has advised several med-tech startups and helped scale Embrace infant warmers to 20+ countries. Raghu is an alumnus of IIT Madras, UMass Amherst, and Cornell.

Bharadwaj Amrutur

Executive Director & Chief Technologist
ARTPARK
IISc

Bharadwaj Amrutur holds a B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Bombay (1990), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University (1994, 1999). He has worked at Bell Labs, Agilent Labs, and Green Field Networks in the USA.

Currently, he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, specializing in VLSI circuits and systems. He also serves as the Director and Chief Technologist of ARTPARK at IISc, a Section-8 non-profit fostering innovation in AI and Robotics by connecting startups, industry, research, and government.

ARTPARK is supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, and the Government of Karnataka under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).

M. Balasubramaniam (Bala MS)

CEO, Stratinfinity Inc
Deputy Chairman, MoE & AICTE Investor Committee

Bala MS is a seasoned CEO, board director, investor, and startup mentor with over 24 years of experience in scaling Global Capability Centres (GCCs), driving M&As, and leading digital transformation across fintech, edtech, and deep tech sectors.

He is the Founder and CEO of Stratinfinity, a global consulting firm that supports organisations in setting up Indian subsidiaries and accelerating growth through geolocation strategy, talent development, and stakeholder management.

Sandhya Vasudevan

Board Member & Fintech Chair
TiE Bangalore
Former MD
Deutsche Bank & Thomson Reuters
Independent Director & Trustee

Sandhya is an Independent Director and a trusted partner in the start-up and scale-up ecosystem. With a global leadership background in financial services—from front-office to back-office, she brings strategic depth and cross-functional expertise.

As a mentor, social venture partner, and think tank member, Sandhya combines curiosity with experience to drive growth, innovation, and meaningful change across sectors.

Sanjeev Rastogi

CEO - GCC
Adani Group

Sanjeev Rastogi leads India's first multi-industry, multi-functional Global Capability Center (GCC) at Adani Group, setting a new benchmark for the future of business services. With a rich global background in GBS and organizational transformation, he has consistently driven large-scale change and delivered high-impact outcomes.

Known for blending operational excellence with innovation, Sanjeev has led diverse, technology-enabled transformations across geographies, enhancing business performance and customer experience.

Akhil Gupta

Co-founder and Chief Product & Technology Officer
NoBroker

Akhil Gupta is a passionate technologist and product leader, driven by a mission to solve real-world problems through the power of technology and data. As Co-founder and CPTO of NoBroker.com, India’s first proptech unicorn and the world’s largest C2C real estate platform, he has redefined property transactions by eliminating brokerage and delivering a seamless, tech-led user experience.

An IIT Bombay alumnus (B.Tech + M.Tech, Chemical Engineering, Class of 2000), Akhil previously led Sales Cloud development at Oracle, earning a patent for his innovations. In NoBroker’s early days, he single-handedly built the platform, embedding AI and machine learning to enable its scalable growth from day one.

Aarti Singh

Chief Information Officer
Mahindra Group

Aarti Singh is a seasoned CIO with extensive expertise in Digital Transformation, IT, Analytics, and Management across diverse industries including Aerospace, Automotive, Financial Services, Energy, and Shared Services. She brings strong global experience working across India, US, Europe, Asia, and Australia, driving technology initiatives in Digital, Data & Analytics, IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Automation.

Certified Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, Aarti excels in IT strategy, organizational transformation, and building global capability centers. Her core strengths include data governance, AI platforms, global IT infrastructure delivery, change management, cybersecurity, financial and vendor management, and navigating regulatory frameworks across multiple geographies.

Suresh Khadakbhavi

Chief Executive Officer
Digi Yatra Foundation

Suresh Khadakbhavi is driving the digital future of air travel in India as CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation. Under his leadership, Digi Yatra has pioneered a pan-India biometric passenger processing system powered by cutting-edge technologies like Self-Sovereign Identity and Distributed Ledger. The initiative sets new benchmarks for privacy, security, and seamless travel.

With a strong background in digital innovation, Suresh is leading the nationwide expansion of this contactless platform, transforming the airport experience into a frictionless, health-safe, and privacy-first journey.

Harsh Vardhan

Global Head - Digital Innovation
Apollo Tyres Ltd

Harsh Vardhan is a dynamic leader in AI and digital transformation, known for translating visionary ideas into tangible business impact. As Global Head of Digital Innovation at Apollo Tyres Ltd, he champions an AI-first strategy, driving innovation from boardroom to shop floor.

Harsh leads the adoption of advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, AR/VR, and digital twins to revolutionise operations, boost manufacturing efficiency, and accelerate sustainability outcomes, positioning Apollo Tyres at the forefront of digital excellence.

Nikhil Bhushan

Chief Technology Officer
Tata Starbucks Limited

A results-driven technology leader, Nikhil Bhushan excels in delivering differentiation and competitive advantage through transformative digital strategies. He brings rich experience in application and infrastructure modernisation, ERP rollouts, global program management, and digital workforce transformation across banking, insurance, and F&B sectors.

With a strong consulting and pre-sales background, Nikhil is known for solving complex challenges with agility and innovation. His commitment to quality and out-of-the-box thinking makes him a trusted strategic partner and go-to leader in high-stakes scenarios.

George Inasu

Managing Director and Country Head
Fidelity National Financial India

George Inasu leads Fidelity National Financial India, a wholly owned subsidiary of FNF Inc. (ranked 238 on the Fortune 500), overseeing operations of 5,000+ professionals. With nearly two decades at FNF, he has held key leadership roles globally, including COO of FNF India and VP – Global Operations, Projects & Strategy at the U.S. headquarters in Florida.

Prior to FNF, George worked with Hewlett Packard and Ocwen across consulting, investment banking, and financial services. He holds a postgraduate degree in Financial Management and is an alumnus of IIM Bangalore.

Vrijesh Nagathan

Chief Information & Digital Technology Officer
Marico Ltd.

Vrijesh Nagathan is a dynamic technology leader with over 20 years of experience across IT leadership, business transformation, project management, and shared services. His cross-functional expertise spans industries such as FMCG, IT consulting, automotive, and engineering.

Currently leading digital and technology strategy at Marico Ltd., Vrijesh brings deep insight into driving business value through technology. His global exposure—having worked across Asia and Europe with diverse, multicultural teams—has shaped his passion for innovation, team building, and value-driven transformation.

Arvind Heda

Chief Technology Officer - Naukri.com
Info Edge India

Arvind Heda is a seasoned technology leader with deep expertise in building scalable, data-driven platforms across enterprise services, SaaS products, and consumer-facing applications. Currently serving as the CTO of Naukri.com, India’s leading job platform under Info Edge, he is spearheading innovation at the intersection of engineering, data, and AI.

With a distinguished career that includes leadership roles at Adobe and Info Edge, Arvind has led the architecture and delivery of several flagship products, including Adobe Enterprise Suite, Adobe Marketing Cloud - Data Platform, Adobe Analytics, advanced e-commerce decision engines, and Naukri.com’s tech ecosystem.

Praveen Shrikhande

Chief Digital and Information Officer
Aditya Birla Group

Praveen Shrikhande is a seasoned technology leader with over 30 years of experience in steering IT and digital functions across global enterprises. Since December 2019, he has been serving as the Chief Digital & Information Officer at Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd, where he leads the company’s digital transformation journey and oversees enterprise-wide IT strategy and execution.

An alumnus of IIT Mumbai and IIM Bangalore, Praveen combines deep technical acumen with strategic vision. His leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation, enhancing customer experience, and integrating advanced technologies across retail operations.

Debashish Roy

Chief Digital Transformation Officer
CEAT

Growth-driven digital transformation leader with nearly 16 years of experience enabling organizations to embrace change with speed, agility, and sustainable impact. Expert in leveraging cutting-edge digital solutions to optimize processes, enhance customer experience, and drive revenue growth.

Proven track record in leading large-scale business transformations, designing operating models, managing complex programs, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Skilled in launching innovative business models, expanding market reach, and delivering customer-centric strategies that result in sustainable growth, improved retention, and scalable new business acquisition.

Experienced in guiding multicultural teams across North America, Europe, and Asia, driving innovation and scalable digital disruption within Fortune 500 companies.

Anand Thakur

Chief Product and Technology Officer
Reliance Retail

Anand Thakur is a seasoned entrepreneur and techno-business leader with over two decades of experience driving digital transformation across e-commerce, retail, and omni-channel ecosystems.

With CXO roles at Reliance Retail, Housing.com, Domino’s (Jubilant), Koovs, and Lenskart, he has led large-scale product innovation, architecture design, and tech-marketing integration for both startups and large enterprises.

He holds a US patent, has published multiple papers, and is recognized for scaling technology and business operations across global markets.

Arindam Banerji

EVP & Country Head
State Street India

Arindam Banerji is Executive Vice President and Country Head of State Street India, overseeing operations across Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, and Vijayawada, with a workforce of approximately 22,000 employees. He is responsible for managing critical services and processes, governance, and regulatory compliance, and chairs the State Street India Management Committee and the India Risk and Compliance Committee.

With over 30 years of global, cross-functional experience in the financial services sector, including commercial and investment banking, Arindam brings deep insights into financial operations, risk management, and strategic leadership.

Dr. Shailesh Kumar

Chief Data Scientist
Center of Excellence in AI/ML, Reliance Jio

Dr. Shailesh Kumar is the Chief Data Scientist at Reliance Jio’s Centre of Excellence in AI/ML, with over 20 international publications and 20+ patents in AI/ML. Recognized among India’s top 10 data scientists (Analytics India Magazine, 2015), he brings vast expertise across AI domains.

Previously, he served as VP at Ola Cabs, tackling AI and optimization challenges in fleet management, and was Chief Scientist & Co-Founder of Third Leap, an AI-driven personalized EdTech startup. At Google, he contributed to cutting-edge AI research in Information Retrieval, Natural Language Understanding, Computer Vision, Knowledge Graphs, and Deep Learning.

Dr. Kumar’s AI innovations span finance, retail, remote sensing, conversational computing, and more, driving transformative solutions across industries.

Arif Khan

Chief Innovation Officer
Razorpay

A seasoned leader with over 17 years of experience in the payments industry and digital channels, Arif Khan brings a strong track record of driving innovation and delivering impactful technology solutions. Prior to Razorpay, he played pivotal roles at HDFC Bank, Mastercard, and PwC, leading the development of transformative financial products and services.

With deep expertise in large-scale digital transformation, Arif is known for his ability to align diverse teams, deliver disruptive solutions, and spearhead strategic initiatives that shape the future of fintech.

Binit Jha

Chief Data Officer
IDBI Bank

Binit Jha brings over 22 years of experience, with 16+ years dedicated to data engineering, analytics, automation, and process re-engineering. As Chief Data Officer at IDBI Bank, he leads data-driven transformation, combining deep technical expertise with strong operational and human capital strategies.

Previously, Binit played a key role in building niche data and automation teams for global capability centers (GCCs), while also scaling large functions like front office operations and SRE. His leadership spans across setting up and expanding departments, driving innovation, and implementing specialized hiring programs for firms like Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Bank of America.

Pankaj Gupta

Chief Digital & Marketing Officer
Karnataka Bank

With over 30 years of experience, Pankaj Gupta brings a unique blend of strategic leadership and digital innovation. Since 2019, he has been driving the digital transformation of Karnataka Bank as CD&MO, spearheading initiatives like Cloud@Core and leading the charge towards a tech-forward future.

Previously, he shaped Sify 3.0 over four impactful years, following a 16-year tenure at Wipro where he held key business leadership roles across IT products and services. His early career at Godrej Pacific and Acer laid the foundation in channels and distribution.

Known for building enduring CXO relationships, he combines deep techno-commercial acumen with a forward-looking, entrepreneurial mindset.

Prasanna N

Head AI and Digital
Federal Bank

Prasanna N brings over 20 years of expertise in driving digital transformation across the IT and financial services landscape. As Head of AI and Digital at Federal Bank, he leads cutting-edge initiatives in AI, ML, RPA, NLP, and cloud-based cognitive services.

Known for his strategic leadership and strong execution across project management, vendor relations, and P&L ownership, Prasanna is a seasoned expert in building scalable digital ecosystems and managing large technology portfolios.

Shiv Kumar

Chief Data & Analytics Officer
L’Oréal India

Shiv is a strategic technology and analytics leader with nearly two decades of experience driving digital transformation and building high-impact data-driven businesses. At L’Oréal India, he leads the enterprise-wide adoption of Data, Analytics, and AI, partnering across divisions and global teams to accelerate growth and innovation.

He brings deep expertise in AI/ML, digital platforms, and business strategy, with a proven track record of incubating and scaling Data & Analytics Centers of Excellence across startups, global corporations, and GCCs—delivering measurable P&L impact.

Rakesh Sharma

Chief Information Security Officer – CISO
IndiGo

Rakesh Sharma is a seasoned cybersecurity, risk, and governance leader with over 22 years of experience safeguarding digital and operational assets across industries. As the Chief Information Security Officer at IndiGo, he leads the vision and execution of the airline’s enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy, ensuring resilience, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder trust in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

His expertise spans enterprise risk management, data protection, threat intelligence, and incident response. He is also an active mentor and educator, contributing to professional development programs like the IIM Indore CISO initiative.

Debdoot Mukherjee

Chief Data Scientist – Head of AI and Demand Engineering
Meesho

Debdoot Mukherjee is a passionate data science leader with over 14 years of experience spanning research, technical architecture, and engineering management.

As Chief Data Scientist at Meesho, he leads the AI and Demand Engineering teams, driving innovations that turn data into scalable, intelligent products. His work focuses on applying cutting-edge science to solve real-world problems in e-commerce and beyond.

Ganesh Ramakrishnan

Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
IIT Bombay

Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan’s research spans human-assisted AI/ML, data-efficient learning in resource-constrained environments, and symbolic knowledge integration in ML and NLP. He is currently spearheading Decile.org, a platform that organizes machine learning modules for such environments.

His work has demonstrated real-world impact in Machine Translation, OCR, ASR, and Video Analytics, and he is now extending these innovations to Generative AI, Large Language Models, and multi-modal analytics.

Jyothirlatha B

Chief Technology Officer
Godrej Capital

Jyothirlatha B is a visionary technology leader driven by curiosity and a passion for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges. As CTO of Godrej Capital, she shapes the company’s tech vision by driving transformational initiatives and building empowered, innovative teams.

Under her leadership, Godrej Capital is evolving into a TechFin company, adopting a data-driven approach powered by a centralized Snowflake platform and AI/ML-driven analytics. This has enhanced operational efficiency, reduced issue resolution time significantly, and boosted customer satisfaction with personalized solutions and a best-in-class Net Promoter Score.

Suman Guha

Chief Product Technology Officer
Tata CLiQ

With two decades of experience spanning B2C, D2C, retail, fashion, beauty, marketplaces, and B2B SaaS, Suman operates as a hybrid CTO and CPO, leading strategy, product, engineering, design, data, marketing tech, and digital business outcomes.

He specializes in building AI-native platforms that blend technology, brand, growth, and transformation, driving tech innovation, product strategy, revenue, customer experience, and digital transformation.

Beyond his operational roles, Suman is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, angel investor, and mentor to emerging digital leaders, actively collaborating on AI tools, growth architecture, and experience-led commerce strategies.

Manikandan Thangarathnam

Senior Director – Engineering
Uber

Manikandan Thangarathnam is a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation at scale. As Senior Director of Engineering at Uber, he heads the Bangalore tech center, leading teams that power global advancements in Mobility and Marketplace experiences.

Previously, he played a key role at Amazon, leading the global AppStore team and helping establish the Amazon Chennai development office. A passionate innovator, Manikandan holds 12+ patents.

Dr. Anuradha Bhatia

Head of Technology
Standard Chartered India

Dr. Anuradha Bhatia is a data strategy and transformation leader with a strong focus on building client-centric, sustainable, and secure tech solutions. She brings deep expertise in model explainability, bias-free AI/ML development, and fraud detection across the full data lifecycle.

Passionate about rapid innovation and responsible AI, she drives cutting-edge capabilities in Data Architecture, Cloud, DevSecOps, MLOps, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity—enabling future-ready, resilient ecosystems.

Rahul Pandey

Chief Information Officer
Indian Clearing Corporation Limited

Rahul Pandey is a dynamic technology leader with a proven track record in product management, digital transformation, and M&A strategy across diverse organizations. He has successfully built high-performance teams, driven innovation at scale, and led the establishment of Global Capability Centers (GCCs).

With a deep passion for aligning enterprise tech with strategic business goals, Rahul fosters strong collaboration with stakeholders and board members. His leadership has consistently delivered impactful outcomes, transforming operations and touching millions of lives.

Chandan Vijay

Global Chief Data Officer
ABB

Chandan Vijay serves as the Global Chief Data Officer for ABB’s Energy Industries division, where he leads data and analytics strategy to drive business value, operational excellence, and improved customer outcomes. With over 20 years of global experience, he brings a strong blend of technical depth and strategic vision.

He specialises in enterprise-wide digital transformation, leveraging data-driven innovation across cloud architecture, data lakes, product and program management, and large-scale IT delivery.

Kapil Madaan

CISO & Data Protection Officer
Max Healthcare

Kapil Madaan is a seasoned cybersecurity and data protection leader with over two decades of global experience across India, the US, and Europe. As the CISO at Max Healthcare, he drives enterprise-wide digital trust by securing platforms, products, and operations with a proactive, compliance-driven approach.

With deep expertise in cybersecurity, data privacy, IT governance, and risk management, Kapil champions a holistic vision of “Digital Trust”—where security, transparency, and resilience form the backbone of modern healthcare ecosystems.

Nitin Gupta

Vice President and Head - Data, Analytics & AI
Mastercard

Nitin Gupta is a seasoned AI, Analytics, and Engineering leader with 20+ years of experience driving innovation across fintech, finance, retail, and more. Expert in AI and Generative AI, he delivers scalable solutions that fuel growth and optimize operations.

An IIT Dhanbad and IIM Bangalore alumnus, Nitin blends technical depth with strategic vision to lead teams, foster innovation, and create impact globally. He is also a sought-after speaker and guest lecturer at top AI forums and institutes.

Surya Mantha

Managing Partner
Capria Ventures

Surya Mantha is a Managing Partner at Capria Ventures, where he skillfully guides startups and investment firms, spearheading investment operations across India. His leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in shaping Capria’s growth and impact in the region.

Before joining Capria’s India operations (formerly Unitus Ventures), Surya held prominent leadership roles at Sify, RealNetworks, Peepul Capital, and Omidyar Network India Advisors (ONIA). As a founding member of ONIA, he led investments in sectors such as e-commerce, digital media, education, and government transparency. Notably, some of his early ONIA investments have scaled into unicorn companies.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from IIT Kanpur, a PhD from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and an MBA from the University of Rochester, NY. Surya currently resides in Bangalore, India, with his family.

Arpan Mukherjee

Chief Technology & Product Officer
JioMart Digital | Reliance Retail

Arpan leads engineering and product strategy for multiple Reliance Retail verticals, pioneering the B2B2C business line including JioMart Digital’s endless aisle and franchise management. He built a digitized paper finance marketplace and is developing one of the world’s largest distribution platforms across Reliance brands and B2B channels.

He also created an ML-driven omnichannel inventory management system for real-time stock availability, procurement automation, and supply chain optimization. Previously, Arpan launched multiple business lines at Quikr, focusing on C2C and SMB marketplaces and driving them to sustainable profitability.

Expertise: Startup advisory, mentorship, board governance, digital transformation, product strategy, big data analytics, and data engineering.

Santosh Bhat

Head of Data Science, AI and Advanced Technology
Policybazaar

Santosh Bhat leads Data Science, AI, and Advanced Technology at Policybazaar, driving innovation in applied machine learning, advanced analytics, and data engineering. With extensive experience in technology product development, he focuses on creating solutions that are both scalable and impactful.

Passionate about tackling complex, open-ended problems, Santosh combines analytical rigor with a strategic perspective, always keeping the bigger picture in mind. His work bridges cutting-edge technology and real-world applications, enabling businesses to leverage AI and data-driven insights for smarter decision-making and transformative growth.

Sivakumar Selva Ganapathy

VP – Software Engineering & Head, OpenBlue India & APAC Solutions | Director, JCIPL
Johnson Controls

Sivakumar Selva Ganapathy is a result-oriented global technology and digital executive with experience across software, industrial, manufacturing, and consulting sectors. As Vice President of Johnson Controls OpenBlue India Software Engineering and APAC Solutions, he leads a team of 1,350+ engineers and 500+ partner associates across five engineering centers, driving customer-centric connected solutions on the OpenBlue platform for smart buildings and sustainability.

A member of the Global OpenBlue Leadership team and APAC leadership board, Sivakumar accelerates digital growth across the region while serving as Director on the JCIPL board.

Nithya Subramanian

Senior Director, Data & AI Centre of Excellence
Best Buy

Nithya Subramanian is a global leader with over 20 years of diverse experience spanning Retail, CPG, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Technology. As Senior Director at Best Buy, she drives AI-led digital transformation to accelerate growth, enhance efficiency, and elevate customer experience.

An expert in AI/ML, data governance, automation, ERP (SAP), and product management, Nithya has built and led high-impact global CoEs delivering scalable, insight-driven solutions.

A recognized industry thought leader and frequent speaker at platforms like NASSCOM, CII, and ICAI, she actively mentors DeepTech startups and advocates for responsible AI, innovation, and future-ready talent. She is also a certified Independent Director and startup advisor focused on sustainable value creation.