Former Google Interim head Vikas Agnihotri to join Softbank

Vikas Agnihotri has joined SoftBank Investment Adviser as operating partner - after a stint at Google that lasted almost a decade. "To continue its expansion in India and bolster portfolio companies, SoftBank Investment Advisers (SBIA) has announced the appointment of Vikas Agnihotri as its first operating partner to foster closer connections with the region''s technology ecosystem and the SBIA''s global network," said a SoftBank statement, as reported by PTI. He will be based out of Mumbai in his new role.

Over email, Agnihotri mentioned that he will be working across the SBIA (SoftBank Investment Advisers) portfolio companies along with the investing team, founders of the companies and the leadership teams to scale businesses, assist in sharing of best practices across the global portfolio network and provide guidance as and when required.

"The role goes beyond marketing. We believe that the next decade is a decade of opportunities and we need to collaborate to scale efficiently. To that extent ,the role is both wide and deep, focusing on helping teams in solving big problems and making an impact," he says.

He added that at SoftBank, teams are small, focused and passionate about adding value in line with the opportunity that lies ahead. "Based on the specific need, global resources come together to collectively add value to the portfolio companies. Access to global expertise from within the SBIA and global portfolio companies is a unique advantage that the Operating Group brings to the founders. The current role goes beyond building on advertising opportunities and takes on building business opportunities and helping achieve client’s business goals," says Agnihotri.

Outlook India reports that SoftBank Vision Fund I has already invested over $10 billion in e-commerce and technology based companies in India such as Grofers, Lenskart, Delhivery, FirstCry, Oyo, Ola, Paytm, and PolicyBazaar.

Agnihotri's last role saw him work in the position of interim country head and managing director of Indian operations. Apart from his work at Google, he's also on the board of the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

Agnihotri joined Google in 2011 as industry director, handling multiple verticals including CPG, BFSI, telecom, travel and media and entertainment. Prior to that, he worked at Religare Macquarie Private Wealth Management company as CEO. In the banking sector, some of the names he has worked with include Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and ANZ Gridlays Bank. Before getting into the banking sector, Agnihotri has worked as an adman with Ogilvy & Mather for three years.