NEA to expand in India; Jerry Rao, Amit Sharma join as advisors

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Bangalore: Leading venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates (NEA), today announced the expansion of its India-based subsidiary. Jerry Rao and Amit Sharma have joined New Enterprise Associates (India) as Venture Advisors. Both Rao and Sharma bring to NEA India substantial operational expertise and a long history of successful entrepreneurship to support the growing portfolio of India-based technology companies within NEA's affiliated funds. "In bringing Rao and Sharma on board, NEA has further demonstrated its commitment to financing and building thriving companies in India," said Ben Mathias, Vice President, NEA India. "Rao's long history of successful entrepreneurship in the consumer finance and business process outsourcing sectors will make him a highly valued advisor to companies in the portfolios of NEA's affiliated funds. Similarly, we are very excited about the tremendous wealth of experience Sharma brings, particularly in the telecom sector here in India, and will look to him as a key advisor in this and related areas." Jaithirth (Jerry) Rao joined NEA India as a Venture Advisor in Feb 2008. Previously, he was the Founder, Chairman and CEO of MphasiS. Prior to founding MphasiS, Rao was with Citigroup, where he built and developed Citibank's consumer businesses as the Country/Regional Manager in India, Middle East, Eastern Europe and UK. He earlier headed Citibank's Global Technology Development Division and Global Electronic Cards Division. A seasoned veteran in consumer and corporate financial services and in technology management, Rao has testified before the U.S. Congress on e-commerce. Amit Sharma currently serves as Executive Vice President and President, Asia, for American Tower Corporation. Previously, Sharma was with Motorola, where he led teams in India and Southeast Asia in various roles including Country President, India and Head of Strategy, Asia-Pacific. He also served on Motorola's Asia Pacific Board and its Senior Leadership Team. Prior to joining Motorola, he was with GE Capital, serving as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, and prior to that with McKinsey, New York, serving as a core member of the firm's electronics and marketing practices. In addition to his role at ATC, Sharma is on the board of NIIT Technologies.

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