Chintan Thakkar, the CFO of Info Edge, steps down to take on the role of Group CEO at IAN Group.

In a significant move, Chintan Thakkar has announced his departure from Info Edge, a leading digital classifieds company, where he served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Thakkar's notice period will conclude at the end of the month, and Ambarish Raghuvanshi will join as the Interim CFO.

Thakkar's contributions to Info Edge have been extensive, spanning strategic investing, capital market, M&A, start-up portfolio management, risk management, treasury management, tax, and corporate governance. He has been instrumental in elevating the finance, investor relations, regulatory, legal, and secretarial functions at the company.

Sanjeev Bikhchandani, the Founder and Vice Chairman of Info Edge, has expressed admiration for Thakkar's role in saving him from himself, considering it an admirable job. Bikhchandani also acknowledged Thakkar's valuable advice and insights during his tenure at Info Edge. Kapil Kapoor, the Chairman of Info Edge, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Thakkar's advice was extremely valuable.

Thakkar is not leaving Info Edge entirely. He will remain a friend and a trusted advisor to the company after his departure. He will also complete his notice period of three months with the company.

In a new chapter of his career, Thakkar has been appointed as the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at IAN Group, formerly known as India Angel Network. IAN Group, one of the pioneers and the largest platform for early-stage investing in India, was founded in 2006 by Saurabh Srivastava, Raman Roy, Mohit Goyal, and Padmaja Ruparel.

IAN Group transitioned into a venture capital firm in 2017 with the launch of its first fund, a Rs 375 crore vehicle. The firm announced its second fund targeting Rs 1,000 crore in 2022. The IAN Alpha Fund invests between $1 million and $5 million in early-stage startups.

At IAN, Thakkar will serve as the Senior Managing Partner of the IAN Alpha Fund. IAN Group has already invested nearly Rs 900 crore in over 225 startups, with companies like Zypp, Propelld, and Wooden Street in its portfolio.

Info Edge, on the other hand, is in the process of identifying and appointing a suitable successor for the position of CFO. The candidate has not been disclosed at this time.

This move by Thakkar is part of a broader strategy to strengthen leadership at IAN Group. Thakkar's expertise and experience in venture capital and start-up finance will undoubtedly be an asset to the organisation.

As Thakkar prepares to take on his new role, he leaves behind a lasting impact at Info Edge. His dedication, professionalism, and strategic insights have undoubtedly contributed to the company's success. We wish him all the best in his new endeavour.