MAM
Ongrid taps Manav Jain as chief business officer to energise growth engine
MUMBAI: In a strategic move to supercharge its growth ambitions, Ongrid appointed industry veteran Manav Jain as chief business officer on 22 April 2025. With a sparkling résumé spanning SaaS, fintech, IT, and manufacturing, Jain is set to inject fresh momentum into the company’s operations and customer success initiatives.
Jain brings over 20 years of heavyweight experience from notable stints at Loconav, Paytm, Microsoft, and the Murugappa Group, alongside his entrepreneurial forays as co-founder of hiring-tech startups UniHyr and Hyrr. A distinguished alumnus of XLRI (2004) and the Asian Institute of Management, Manila (2010), Jain is known for his laser-sharp business acumen combined with a pragmatic approach to human resources and technology.
At Ongrid, Jain will anchor critical functions including revenue growth strategies, technological innovation, human resources, finance, legal compliance, and administrative excellence. His appointment marks a pivotal moment as Ongrid sharpens its competitive edge amid dynamic market shifts.
“We are thrilled to welcome Manav Jain to Ongrid. His deep understanding of business operations, technology, and HR will be invaluable as we continue to scale and innovate. Manav’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our customer relationships and driving operational excellence across the organisation,” commented Ongrid co-founder & CEO Piyush Peshwani.
Sharing his enthusiasm about the new role, Jain remarked, “What interested me about Ongrid was the clarity of its mission, the relevance of the problems it’s solving, and the opportunity to work on real, operational challenges across industries. I’m looking forward to contributing to a business that is structured, execution-focused, and solving real-world problems in trust and compliance.”
With Jain steering the wheel, Ongrid clearly signals its readiness to accelerate business growth, build robust operational frameworks, and deliver precise, tangible solutions to industry-wide compliance and trust issues.
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
