Srikanth Velamakanni Appointed New Chairperson of Nasscom

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder and Group Chief Executive of Fractal, has taken over as Chairperson of Nasscom. He succeeds Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director of SAP Labs India, who completed her term in April 2026.

Velamakanni previously served as Nasscom’s Vice Chairperson and was a member of its Executive Council for more than six years. As the co-founder of a leading Indian AI company, he has extensive experience in artificial intelligence, analytics, responsible technology, and international business strategy.

In his new role, Velamakanni will work alongside Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar and the Executive Council to set priorities for India’s technology sector. The key focus areas will include increasing AI adoption among businesses, developing AI-powered products, promoting Agentic AI, and strengthening India’s DeepTech ecosystem. Nasscom will also support growth in semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and advanced engineering.

Developing skills for AI-related jobs will be another important area of focus. Nasscom plans to support training programmes to prepare India’s workforce for changing industry needs. It will also continue to promote responsible AI practices and industry standards to strengthen India’s position as a trusted technology partner globally.

Speaking about his appointment, Srikanth Velamakanni said he was honoured to lead Nasscom at a time when AI is changing the way businesses operate worldwide. He said India has a strong opportunity to play a leading role in this shift. He added that Nasscom would work to drive AI-led growth, encourage innovation, and help professionals develop the skills needed for future opportunities. He also thanked outgoing Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan for her leadership and said he looked forward to working with the Executive Council and the wider technology industry.

Rajesh Nambiar, President of Nasscom, said Velamakanni’s entrepreneurial experience and knowledge of AI would be valuable in guiding the organisation. He added that Nasscom would continue to support the expansion of India’s technology industry and strengthen the country’s position as a trusted partner for AI-driven business transformation.

Sindhu Gangadharan, the outgoing Chairperson, said it had been a privilege to lead Nasscom during a period of major changes in the technology industry. She expressed confidence that Velamakanni would build on the progress made so far and further advance the organisation’s AI initiatives.

Beyond his leadership role at Fractal, Velamakanni is actively involved in advancing AI and supporting India’s technology ecosystem. He has taken part in government discussions on AI policy and national security. He studied at IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad and has received several honours, including IIT Delhi’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2025 and the CEO of the Year award at the 2023 Entrepreneur Awards. He is also the founder and a trustee of Plaksha University, where he supports technology education and innovation.