Vijay Rajendran

Vijay Rajendran is an innovative leader and technology investor with a history of advising global companies, coaching startups, developing new markets, and creating new products and services.

Currently an advisor and executive coach to CEOs of startup companies, Vijay is the former head of Portfolio Value at 500 Global, a venture capital firm that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. He led a global team helping startups and their founders develop connections, raise capital, and create a thriving community.

Previously he was head of corporate innovation and partnerships at 500 Global.. Vijay has been an innovation advisor and strategic partner to a wide range of industries from financial services to retail to automotive. Before working in venture capital, he developed partnerships with fintech startups and worked directly with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence at global bank BBVA in San Francisco. As head of venture design, Vijay led a new Fintech ventures team and started one of the first digital banks for small businesses: Azlo. Additionally, he was a product innovation advisor with Jump Associates and a management consultant with Kearney where he was a member of the Global Business Policy Council, a strategic service for CEOs. He also founded the gourmet e-commerce company, Hungry Globetrotter.Vijay grew up in 5 different countries. His passion for entrepreneurship has always been international: He was a Peace Corps technical advisor in Cameroon, working in microfinance. Vijay received a BS in Business Administration from Boston University as well as an MS in Foreign Service and an MBA from Georgetown University. He is also an alumnus of the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute at the University of California, Berkeley.