M. R. Rangaswami | |
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| Occupation | Businessperson, angel investor  |
M.R. (Madhavan) Rangaswami (born 1955)[1] is an Indian software executive, investor, entrepreneur, corporate eco-strategy expert, community builder, and philanthropist. Recognized as a software business expert, he participated in the rapid expansion of the Silicon Valley software industry during his tenure as an executive at both large and small software companies. In 1997, he co-founded Sand Hill Group,[2] one of the earliest “angel” investment firms, and in 2007, founded Corporate Eco Forum.
In 1997, Rangaswami partnered with Constantin Delvanis to form Sand Hill Group,[3] a software consulting and investment group. The firm was one of the early “angel investors” in Silicon Valley. Companies in which Sand Hill Group has invested include NeoForma, Niku,[4] Crossworlds, Luminate, Cord Blood Registry, and most recently, Adchemy, BDNA, Vysr, and Supercool School. Sand Hill Group has also become known for its community-building activities in the software industry. The firm produced the Enterprise[5] and Software[6] (now owned by CMP Technology)[7] conference series and publishes sandhill.com,[3] an online resource for software business strategy. Rangaswami was profiled on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.[8]
In 2007, M.R. embarked on a new venture as the founder of the Corporate Eco Forum,[9] an invitation-only membership organization for Global 500 companies that demonstrate a serious commitment to the environment as a business strategy issue.[10] CEF’s mission is to help accelerate sustainable business innovation by creating the best neutral space for business leaders to strategize and exchange best-practice insights. Members represent 18 industries and have combined revenues exceeding $3 trillion.[10]
In addition to the annual meeting, the CEF authors a series of research reports on corporate sustainability[11] and publishes The EcoInnovator Blog as well as a weekly newsletter that summarizes the latest eco-business news.[12]
Under the auspices of the SHG Foundation, Rangaswami founded Indiaspora to unite Indian Americans and to transform their success into meaningful impact in India and on the global stage.[13][14] In September 2012, Indiaspora's inaugural Forum hosted 100 leaders from all constituencies of the Indian American community, including CEOs, activists, academics, journalists, financiers, and diplomats. The weekend event energized the community and be a catalyst to transform the success of Indian Americans into a meaningful impact in India and on the global stage.[15]
In January 2013, Indiaspora hosted the first-ever Indian American Ball for the President of the United States. Indiaspora members and a sold-out crowd of 1,200 Indian Americans joined politicians, policymakers, and other guests and celebrated the accomplishments of the 3-million-strong community.[16]