Hari Balasubramanian, Angel Investor and Mentor
Hari Balasubramanian is an experienced entrepreneur, angel investor, mentor, and advisor with a passion for lifelong learning. He actively invests in innovative startups while promoting lean startup principles, global thinking, and local action to foster innovation . Hari mentors startups and entrepreneurs, helping them stay focused and progress . He uses frameworks like OKRs and extensively evaluates AI tools and facilitates use in his portfolio companies .
He has led numerous deals—predominantly through the Indian Angel Network and LetsVenture—facilitating exits and fundraising support for investors and portfolio companies. As a member of the Advisory Board at Ivy Cap Ventures, a Mumbai-based venture capital firm, Hari contributes to investment decisions across various companies. He also serves on the Investment Committee at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) , NSRCEL - IIM Bengaluru , ITIC - IIT Hyderabad and Venture Park , Patna , and the Incubator Seed Management Committee under the Startup India Seed Fund scheme, where he supports incubation and investment initiatives.
As an entrepreneur since 1987, Hari has been involved in multiple ventures, including the early adoption of the internet with his portal Calcutta Online, which was acquired by a NASDAQ-listed company in 1998. He co-founded Ontrack Systems Limited in 1988 and held key positions in trade bodies, trusts, and non-profit organizations, such as TiE-Kolkata, COMPASS, CIITA and FAIITA and others.