Ratan Tata joins IDG Ventures in advisory role

Iconic business leader Ratan Tata is taking the mentor's role at technology venture capital firm IDG Ventures India. Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, has joined the advisory board of IDG Ventures as a Senior Advisor. He will lend his expertise to IDG Ventures portfolio companies on business growth, global expansion, team building and leadership.

Besides, he will also be a special invitee, on selective basis, in portfolio company board meetings on strategic matters. "Tata is an icon when it comes to business leadership in the new age India. His rich experience in building businesses and expanding globally from India is of immense value to our portfolio companies. We are indeed privileged and honoured today," IDG Ventures Founder Chairman Sudhir Sethi said in statement. Tata, who retired as the head of over USD 100-billion conglomerate in December 2012, has emerged as a major venture capital investor since his retirement. He has made investment in more than a dozen startups since his retirement.

He has made personal investments in e-commerce players like Snapdeal, Urban Ladder, Bluestone and Cardekho.com, mobile commerce firm Paytm, wind energy startup Altaeros Energies and Chinese handset maker Xiaomi. Just like the salt-to-software conglomerate that he headed, Tata's investments also encompass a wide range of sectors, from health to women empowerment to technology. IDG Ventures is a venture capital fund with focus on early stage technology startups.

Ever since inception, the firm has advised investments in 50 companies, committing over Rs 1,000 crore in the early stage technology venture capital market. It has invested in companies like Flipkart, Yatra, Newgen, Lenskart.Com, Vserv, Firstcry.Com, Manthan Software and Zivame.com.