Vijay Rajendran

Experience

• My Startup System

  Executive Coach

  Jan 2024 - Present

  As a founder, advisor, and investor, I have developed a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and the challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs.​ 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

  • Partnering with CEO to unblock milestones and unlock the potential of them and their teams.
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  Climate Capital

  Climate Capital Syndicate Investor and Advisor

  Nov 2022 - Present

  Angel investor in Climate startups and instructor in the Climate Angels educational program with members of the Climate Capital Team.

  • Launched Climate Angels Fellowship program in 2024 to bring more angel investors into the Climate Tech Field
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  Maven

  Course Instructor, Business to Business Sales Strategy for Startup Founders

  Aug 2022 - Present

  Get the right strategic footing Be more strategic when it comes to market size and sectors, find the best industries and decision makers who need their products, then understand how these prospects think. Solve Valuable Problems for your Future Customers Conduct world class customer development. Everyone's got problems in big companies. So are you good at identifying them? That's the secret to great customer development that makes your product better and creates new channels for your business. De-Risk your Solution for Decision Makers How do you ask people to take a bet on you? I'll share the importance of building a pilot program. Together, we'll go create one. You will de-risk your startup's product/service for decision-makers so they will advocate for you. Develop Results that Produce Momentum You'll need social proof to succeed. Turns that first win into a compelling case study for others to follow

  • Showing founders that corporate partnerships are about selling and pitching, it’s really about listening, planning, and collaborating.
  • Positioning pre-seed startups to work with corporates and win that first pilot, proof-of-concept, or deal.
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  500 Startups

  Head of Portfolio Value

  Nov 2021 - Sep 2023

  Helping 1800 startups and their founders develop customers, raise capital, and create community at leading global venture capital firm. I also connected the most promising startups with the executive leadership of innovative companies that want to understand the venture ecosystem, navigate partnerships, and make new investments.

  • Provided 166 fundraising introductions to raise $13 million and partnerships for global portfolio.
  • Developed a startup sourcing program in mobility for a Tier 3 supplier and oversaw GM mobility track in 500 Startups flagship accelerator, investing in 10 companies since 2018.
  • Led fintech accelerator and sourced Series A and B startups for Visa in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Sourced and diligence of fintech, SaaS, and marketplace startups to invest in our Accelerator.

• Azlo

  Interim CEO

  Feb 2016 - Jan 2017

  As part of my role at BBVA, I led new business concepting and secured internal seed investment as interim CEO of one of the first digital banks for small business: Azlo (previously Noet Inc.).

  • Compliance-approved onboarding for business bank accounts.
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  jump associates

  Project Lead

  Nov 2013 - Aug 2015

  Launched new products and businesses for a leading design and innovation strategy consulting firm.

  • Created product roadmap for an e-commerce client’s new strategy set to transact over $50 billion.
  • Developed financial model for omnichannel customer experience concept evaluation and new store experiments for a retailer to add $200 million sales lift in the home improvement category.