Sudhir Rao
InvestorManaging Partner - India at Celesta Capital
India
Writes $500K – $20M checks
FoundedCloudleaf
About
Sudhir Rao built Karvy, India's largest capital markets intermediary, then launched a cross‑border India–US platform and uses his accounting and operating experience to guide companies digitizing agriculture, healthcare and construction.
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechHardwareNew MaterialsRoboticsSemiconductorsSpace Tech
Experience
- Celesta CapitalManaging Partner - Indiacurrent2019 — presentBangalore
- IndusAge Capital Managers LLP.Founding Managing Partnercurrent2012 — presentGreater Chennai Area
- IndusAge Advisors Ltd.Foundercurrent1999 — present
- Connect and Heal - CNH CareNominee Non Executive Directorcurrent2021 — presentBangalore Urban, Karnataka, India
- Stellapps Technologies Private LimitedNominee Non-Executive Directorcurrent2018 — presentBangalore
- Get My ParkingBoard Observercurrent2016 — presentGreater Delhi Area
- KettoNominee Non Executive Directorcurrent2015 — presentMumbai
- Radhakrishna Foodland Ltd.Independent Non - Executive Directorcurrent2009 — present
- HealofyNon-Exec Chairman ( Nominee )2022 — 2026Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- 5C NetworkNominee Non-Executive Director2022 — 2025Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- RBL FinServeIndependent Non Executive Director2020 — 2025Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Aditya Birla Money Ltd.Independent Non - Executive Director2009 — 2025
- ArzoooNominee Non Executive Director2020 — 2024Bangalore Urban, Karnataka, India
- ideaForge Technology Pvt. Ltd.Nominee Non-Executive Director2017 — 2022Mumbai Metropolitan Region
- RBL BankIndependent Non-Executive Director2012 — 2020Mumbai
- WOAS Technology Pvt. Ltd.Nominee Non-Executive Director2018 — 2019Bangalore
- QuadGen Wireless SolutionsNominee Alternate Non Executive Director2018 — 2019Bangalore
- Art links Learning Pvt LtdEx Non-Executive Director2012 — 2018Chennai
- Market Simplified India LtdEx Non-Executive Director2010 — 2018Chennai, India
- MusicUniv India Pvt LtdEx Non Executive Director2010 — 2018
Education
- University of CambridgeALP - Judge Business School, Business2010
- The Chartered Institute of Management AccountantsCIMA, Management Accountancy1983 — 1985
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of IndiaACA, Accountancy & Audit1979 — 1982
- St. Xavier's CollegeB.Com( Hons ), Accountancy1978 — 1981
- Madras Christian CollegePre-University, Maths1977 — 1978
- Madras Christian College Higher Secondary SchoolSSLC, Engineering1973 — 1977
Skills & more
Entrepreneurship52Business Modeling14Investor Relations15Corporate Finance16Program Management7Private Equity27Business Strategy27Risk Management3Investments6Analytics6Finance7Mergers & Acquisitions4
+9 more
Portfolio ManagementBusiness PlanningStart-upsFinancial ServicesEnterprise SoftwareStrategic PlanningMentoringManagementStrategyFrom Sudhir's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended University of Cambridge652
Niko BonatsosInvestment Team at General CatalystGeorgia StevensonInvestor at Index VenturesHannah SealInvestor at Index VenturesAnthony PhilippakisInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Erik NordlanderInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Nic LowdenInvestor at Moonfire Ventures
+ 646 more
Also attended The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India184
Vivek KothariController at Sierra VenturesAnupama SrinivasInvestor at Powerhouse VenturesKshitij GolwalkarInvestor at Powerhouse VenturesDipanjan BasuCo-Founder & Partner at Fireside Ventures Advisory LlpAmit KulkarniChief Financial Officer at Fireside Ventures Advisory LlpSiddharth GuptaVP - Finance at Fireside Ventures Advisory Llp
+ 178 more
Also attended St. Xavier's College24
Mark FernandesManaging Partner at Sierra VenturesKendall BardenFund Accountant at Sierra VenturesPaula MariwalaGeneral Partner Advisor at Beyond Capital VenturesManpreet RatiaManaging Partner, Portfolio Success at Jungle VenturesRahul AgarwallaFounding and Managing Partner at SenseAI VenturesVicky BindraCEO at Team8
+ 18 more
Also attended Madras Christian College2
Shared employers
Also worked at QuadGen Wireless Solutions1
Deals · 1
CloudleafBoard seat
via Celesta Capital · filed Jul 2019 · $25M raise
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.
Colleagues at Celesta Capital
Anand Chandrasekaran
Managing Partner at Celesta Capital
Anita Rehman
Partner at Celesta Capital
Arun Kumar
Managing Partner at Celesta Capital
Charles Lespérance
Partner at Celesta Capital
David Goldman
Partner at Celesta Capital
Dr. Arogyaswami Paulraj
Senior Advisor at Celesta Capital
Dr. James Rothman
Senior Advisor at Celesta Capital
Frantz Saintellemy
Senior Advisor at Celesta Capital
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