Chandra Sekhar Garisa has been appointed as the Managing Director of Claypond Capital. The company is the family investment office of Dr. Ranjan Pai, the chairman of the Manipal Education and Medical Group.
“I am excited to be moving to the other side of the table and join Claypond Capital as Managing Director,” Garisa shared on LinkedIn. “There has never been a better time for Indian start-ups as we see coming together of quality founders, bold ideas and tech-led innovation. We are building Claypond Capital to be the partner of choice of India’s entrepreneurs through a strong ‘Entrepreneur First approach’ – Confidence capital coupled with long-term commitment to the vision of the founders. I am very excited to work closely with founders as they build transformative businesses.”
An alumnus of the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, and the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, Garisa has been a part of some of the major companies within the Indian business industry. Some of his past workplaces include P&G to McKinsey and Company. From April 2018 to March 2020, he even served as Microsfts’s India Head for Partner Business and Development.
Before joining Dr. Ranjan Pai’s Claypon Capital, Garisa was a crucial part of Quess and foundit (formerly Monster Jobs). From March 2020 to January 2025, he served as the President of Emerging Businesses and Chief Strategy Officer at Quess. He was also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Member for foundit from July 2020 to January 2025. Around the same time, he also contributed to Qdigi, Hamara Jobs, and Hamara HR.
“After close to 5 years, I have decided to move on from foundit (and Quess). This has been my longest professional stint so far and one that will remain very close to my heart,” Garisa shared on LinkedIn. “Very rarely does one get the opportunity to turn around an once iconic business (foundit), turn around and monetize a business (Qdigi) and build from scratch a business (Hamara Jobs and Hamara HR). Along with that, it has been a privilege to have the opportunity to contribute to Quess as part of the management committee. I will forever be thankful for the opportunity and the learning.”
Dr. Ranjan Pai has also expressed his happiness with Garisa’s appointment, stating that his expertise will undoubtedly add to Claypond’s existing portfolio and growth. Garisa remains an Investor, Mentor, and Member of the Board of Directors for Sports365, a company he helped establish and served as the CEO for from January 2012 to March 2018.