V. Vaidyanathan

Biography

V. Vaidyanathan is founder and Executive Chairman of Capital First Ltd. He founded Capital First Ltd. by acquiring an equity stake in an existing wholesale NBFC, and then securing an equity backing of Rs. 810 crore in 2012 from reputed PE Warburg Pincus and concluded a successful buyout of the company[1] which resulted in buyout of other majority and minority shareholders through an open offer to public. As part of the process, fresh capital of Rs. 1.00 billion was infused into the company, the board of directors was reconstituted, the business of the company was changed from wholesale to retail lending, and a new brand, Capital First was created. Post the buyout, Vaidyanathan holds shares and options totaling 13% of the company on a fully diluted basis through personal holdings and related entities.[2] Before this entrepreneurial foray at 42, he was the MD and CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, and earlier on the Board of ICICI bank.

Research Interest

During his career, he has received a large number of domestic and international awards including the prestigious "Entrepreneur of the Year Award"[13] at APEA 2017, "Economic Times Most Promising Business Leaders of Asia" at the Asian Business Leaders Conclave 2016, Malaysia, "Outstanding Entrepreneur Award"[14] in Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2016, "Greatest Corporate Leaders of India 2014", and "Leaders Under 40" from Business Today in 2009. He was also nominated for "Retail Banker of the Year" by EFMA Europe for the year 2008. He is an alumnus of Birla Institute of Technology[15] and Harvard Business School and is a regular contributor on Financial and Banking matters in India and international forums