I help business leaders make sense of AI, and founders become CEOs
Your leadership team doesn’t need another AI tools demo. It needs someone who has built and run a business to explain what AI changes, and what it doesn’t.
I built and ran a software company for twenty years, from Chennai to Seattle and London, and co-founded an AI fintech startup. Today I give keynotes to business leaders, and help founders grow into CEOs. TEDx speaker. Author of The Founder Catalyst.
26 cities · 11 countries · English or Tamil
Where would you like to start?
Event organisers
Keynotes and closed-door sessions for leadership teams on what generative AI means for a business — in plain language, with real examples.
Founders and CEOs
Working with founders and CXO teams on strategy, product direction, pricing, senior hiring and board readiness.
Readers
Three books, and a weekly newsletter, the Founder Catalyst Digest, on what AI means for leaders.
Who I am
I have spent more than thirty years in software, working from Chennai for customers around the world. I founded and ran a services and products company, co-founded an AI fintech venture, and have written three books.
Twenty-six cities across eleven countries, in English or Tamil.
The Founder Catalyst
English · New Horizon Media, 2025
Real lessons to turn founders into chief executives, with stories from Microsoft, Tata, Nykaa, Airbnb and Ogilvy.
In their words, not mine
Venkatarangan’s book is an absolute must-read! He shares authentic insights and wisdom from his remarkable business journey with refreshing honesty. Having had the privilege of witnessing parts of his path and knowing him personally, I wholeheartedly endorse this work.
Damir Tomicic · Former CEO, Axinom, Germany
Fellow Microsoft Regional Director who has followed my journey first-hand for decades. From his verified Amazon review of The Founder Catalyst.
Get in touch
v@thefoundercatalyst.com · WhatsApp +91 91760 42674 · LinkedIn · YouTube · My personal blog since 2004
Organisers: everything you need to announce a session — photographs, bios and technical details — is on the speaker kit.