Having ventured into Digital Marketing services more than 15 years ago, Atul Hegde is a visionary who co-founded Rainmaker Ventures, a US$50 MN start-up fund. He is an entrepreneur, investor, mentor, and hoarder of sneakers.
Atul along with Sudhir Menon co-founded Rainmaker Ventures, in 2016, that aims to fund and wholly mentor start-ups operating across various industries. Some of the companies in their investment portfolio include Digital Content Firm YAAP, Online Jewellery Platform Melorra and Programmatic Media Company Oplifi, to name a few.
In the past, Atul has held several leadership roles, notably the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) post at Ignite Digital Services Pvt, and was responsible for the overall operations of Ignite’s business in India and overseas. His other stints include French Media Giant HAVAS & India’s premier branding company VGC.
Atul possesses an outspoken personality and likes to describe himself as a ‘professional entrepreneur’. In his 25 year long career, Atul has worked across Advertising, Brand Identity Design, Digital Media Marketing & Venture funding. He has built companies across India, South East Asia & the Middle East.
At an industry level, Atul has been a Member of the Digital Media Committee of
Industry bodies like the Internet & Mobile Association Of India (IAMAI). He has also been on the Jury & Advisory board for the Indian Digital Media Awards. He has been an advisor on some of the largest digital marketing initiatives of GOI including Make in India, Start Up India and Incredible India. He has also worked on brands like Air France, Philips, Sony Television, Samsonite, ITC Hotels, Dubai Tourism among many more.
He is currently working with a range of start-ups in the digital media & content space with a focus on building the next generation companies that leverage tech & creativity.
Among all the feathers that Atul wears, being a sneakerhead is something that comes right from his heart. An avid student of the sneaker culture and a collector of sneakers, Atul is also known as the Sneaker Monk. He says that his passion for sneakers brings him pure joy!
