Verlinvest has appointed Ashish Lingamneni as Operating Partner to reinforce its leadership team in India. The appointment has been made as the firm has doubled down on its investments in the Indian market, aiming to scale its portfolio of consumer brands.
Lingamneni has brought over 15 years of leadership experience across consumer internet platforms, marketing, product, and customer growth to Verlinvest. He has previously served as Vice President at Swiggy, where he has led large teams across media, social, creative, content, new product marketing, sustainability, and corporate communications for nearly six years. Before Swiggy, he has worked as Associate Director of Marketing at Ola and has held leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson and other FMCG and consulting firms.
The appointment coincided with Nishad Kenkre’s transition from Operating Partner to Chief Business Officer at Verlinvest portfolio company Heads Up for Tails. Verlinvest has stated that the leadership change has ensured continuity in its Operating Partner division and has strengthened its ability to support portfolio companies in India.
“We’re delighted to welcome Ashish to the Verlinvest team in India. Verlinvest has built a strong track record partnering with founders who are building and scaling category-defining consumer businesses globally. As we continue to double down on the India market and ramp up our partnerships with our founders in India, Ashish’s experience and insights will be an invaluable asset to the growth of our portfolio companies,” said Arjun Anand, Managing Director and Head of Asia at Verlinvest.
“I’m also very grateful to Nishad, for setting up the Operating Partner division for Verlinvest in India over the last few years and developing the playbook of partnering hand-in-hand with our portfolio companies to drive real value creation. His transition into a full-time operating role at one of our own portfolio brands, after an impactful stint as Operating Partner, further bolsters our commitment to seamlessly partnering with our portfolio founders on talent and growth. We are delighted to see him pursue his passion for building in pet care and feel reassured that he will continue to remain part of the Verlinvest family,” said Anand.
“I’m excited to join Verlinvest in the new role as Operating Partner. India’s investing landscape is rapidly evolving at present and presenting a wealth of exciting new opportunities to explore for emerging brands and entrepreneurs. I look forward to working closely with founders and leadership teams to tap these upcoming opportunities and build lasting brands that can thrive in the modern Indian consumer market,” said Lingamneni.
