Ratan Tata is IDG Ventures’ newest advisor

Private equity firm IDG Ventures announced today that Ratan Tata will be joining their team in an advisory role.

IDG Ventures has been listed among the top three investors in Asia and India. Based out of San Francisco, IDG Ventures is a global network of venture capital funds with successful projects in countries like China, Vietnam, India, and Korea.

In India, IDG has invested in companies such as fashion portal Myntra, online travel agency Yatra, and eyewear marketplace LensKart. It has also completed several successful exits in India, including Flipkart’s acquisition of Myntra, analytics system Manthan, and security testing provider iViZ.

Globally, IDG Ventures has been an early investor in technology firms like Chinese web service company Baidu.

Ratan Tata’s global expertise

After stepping down as chairman of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata has thrown himself headfirst into India’s burgeoning world of startups. He has personally invested in companies like Snapdeal, Alibaba-backed online wallet PayTM, Chinese electronics and cellphone company Xiaomi, and Indian taxi hailing service Ola Cabs. He also recently joined Kalaari Capital and Jungle Ventures as an advisor.

At IDG Ventures India, Ratan Tata will lend his expertise to business strategy — including growth and global expansion — as well as strengthening organizational leadership. He will also be present at select portfolio board meetings.

Tata’s global expertise and proven success make him a strong addition to the ambitious team at IDG Ventures. “Technology companies are changing the future across verticals like retail, healthcare, analytics, and enterprise technology,” explains Sudhir Sethi, founder and chairman of IDG Ventures India Advisors. “The vision and experience of Mr. Ratan Tata will help us pave the way for homegrown disruptors to scale rapidly as category leaders in India and globally.”