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Vijay Rajendran

Vijay Rajendran

Innovative leader, executive coach, and technology investor

vijayrajendran
San Francisco, California
Joined October 2025
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Network

2.1K connections
💰
Venture Capital Investors
🚀
Startup Founders
🤖
AI Founders & Operators
💡
Startup Advisors Mentors
💳
Fintech Payments Leaders
🌍
Climate Impact Investors
🤝
Decile Group Network

Summary

Venture builder and corporate innovation leader — Vijay combines venture capital experience with hands-on venture-building to help launch and scale startups and strategic corporate-startup programs. gai+2
Executive coach and advisor to founders — He coaches CEOs and founders on fundraising, go-to-market, and leadership transitions, delivering cohort-based workshops and one-on-one coaching. exec+2
Operator-turned-strategist with founder experience — Vijay has founded and led startups and served as interim CEO of Azlo, giving him operator credibility when advising early-stage companies. kqed+1
Writer and educator focused on fundraising and corporate-startup collaboration — He authors books, reports, and newsletters that help founders understand fundraising dynamics and corporate venture structures. georgetown+2
Globally-minded background and cross-sector experience — Raised in multiple countries and having worked across fintech, retail, automotive, and financial services, he brings an international perspective to venture and innovation work. gofractional+1

Work

Education

Projects

Writing

The Funding Framework: Secure Startup Funding With Confidence

January 1, 2025

A guide for founders on fundraising strategies, investor dynamics, pitch construction, term sheets, and cap table management designed to help startup founders raise funding with confidence.

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Unlocking Corporate Venture Capital

January 1, 2019

A report from 500 Global summarizing the results of a large corporate venture capital survey and providing insights for corporations and startups about CVC strategies and challenges.

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Corporate-Startup Experiments

A 500 Global publication co-authored with others about designing and running experiments between corporates and startups to accelerate innovation.

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The Secrets to Venture Studio Model Success

A 500 Global piece outlining lessons and best practices for venture studio models and how they can be used to systematically create new startups.

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Hobbies

Enjoys good food, strong coffee, and exploring the outdoors around the Bay Area. kqed+1

Notes

GKGeorge Kurtykasaid they've seen
VRVijay R.
make a real impact on product or design at a high-growth company in ecommerce, marketplaces, travel, education, or fintech.

Jun 4, 2026

AGAmit Goelsaid
VRVijay R.
is one of the most insightful investors in AI they've worked with.

Mar 9, 2026

AGAmit Goelsaid
VRVijay R.
is one of the best networkers or superconnectors they've encountered in their professional life.

Nov 28, 2025

VRVijay Rajendransaid
VRVijay R.
is one of the most insightful people they know when it comes to helping early-stage US startups expand globally.

Oct 22, 2025

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