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Why Investing in Startups Helping Businesses Reduce Climate Change is a Smart Move
Talks about Climate Change, Venture Capital and Startup
VR
Vijay Rajendran
Fractional Executive at Astreva
VR
Vijay Rajendran
Fractional Executive at Astreva
San Francisco Bay Area
Overview
Vijay Rajendran is a former founder and venture capital portfolio head who transitioned into a CEO coach, specializing in helping leaders with fundraising, market creation, product launches, and team building. With a background as the Global Head of Portfolio Value at 500 Global and experience as a Venture Partner at Republic, he now focuses on coaching high-growth startup CEOs and teaching B2B sales strategy for startup founders at Maven.
Highlights of his career include serving as the Head of Corporate Growth, Innovation, and Partnerships at 500 Global, and his role as a Venture Partner at Republic, where he gained experience in working with diverse founders and investing in female-led companies.
Work Experience
Executive Coach to High-Growth Startup CEOs
2023 - Current
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 and fundamental to them. 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.
Fractional Executive
2024
Fractional Chief Strategy / Business Officer
2024
Available for 3-6 month fractional assignments to helping startup CEOs navigate the complex world of fundraising, founder sales, and team building.
Climate Capital Syndicate Investor and Climate Angels Fellowship Program Instructor
2022
Angel investor in Climate startups and instructor in the Climate Angels educational program with members of the Climate Capital Team.
Climate Capital is an investment firm that supports companies that directly or indirectly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Senior Executive Coach
2024
Leadership Coaching
Course Instructor, B2B Sales Strategy for Startup Founders
2022 - 2024
Launched one of the first B2B selling courses specifically designed for early-stage startup founders on the expert learning platform, Maven.
Maven Car Sharing is a smart alternative to traditional car rental.
Global Head of Portfolio Value
2021 - 2023
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.
Head of Corporate Growth, Innovation and Partnerships
2018 - 2021
- 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.
500 Global is a multi-stage venture capital firm that invests in founders building fast-growing technology companies.
Raised $2,271,999.00 from Abu Dhabi Financial Group.
Venture Partner
2021 - 2022
Deal flow: I helped to source and share Republic-ready companies with Republic and the VP network.
Republic Crypto offers a compliant and inclusive blockchain financing and investment platform for investors seeking high growth potential.
Angel Syndicate Investor
2018 - 2022
- Sourced and led due diligence in software, hardware, and consumer marketplaces for GVC Partners angel investment group focused on pre-seed, seed, and Series A technology firms.: - Conducted diligence and invested in Sote, building Africa’s digital logistics infrastructure
Director and Head of New Venture Design (Venture Studio)
2015 - 2018
- 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.