Alumni News
Swapna Mitra and Shashank Kothi Institute Memorial Scholarship at IIM Bangalore
IIM Bangalore alumni Swapna Mitra (PGP 1999) and Shashank Kothi (PGP 2000) have instituted the Shri Raghuvir Kothi Memorial Scholarship to support the education of the Institute’s staff community. The initiative was formalised through an MoU signed on 12 March 2026, marking the birth anniversary of Shashank’s father, Shri Raghuvir Kothi.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to one girl child of an IIMB staff member on a means-cum-merit basis, reinforcing a commitment to expanding educational opportunity. The award document was formally signed by Dr. Sudha Kothi.
Instituted by members of the Kothi family, the scholarship honours Shri Raghuvir Kothi’s deep belief in education. The alumni also acknowledged the support of the IIMB Alumni Office, faculty leadership, and the IIMB Development Foundation in enabling the initiative, which contributes to strengthening the Institute’s community and social impact.
Deepu Chandran (PGP 2010) Joins EMA Partners India as Partner – Technology & Start-up Ecosystem
Congratulations to Deepu Chandran (PGP 2010) on his appointment as Partner – Technology & Start-up Ecosystem at EMA Partners India Ltd.
In this role, Deepu will work closely with clients and teams to strengthen engagement across the technology, digital, and start-up landscape, and help build stronger connections between founders, investors, and leadership talent.
Deepu brings extensive entrepreneurial experience to the role, having founded ventures such as Pikkol and Hackle, where he built and scaled businesses from the ground up. His journey spans venture creation, product thinking, and operational scaling, along with working closely with investors and co-founders across different stages of growth.
We wish him the very best as he takes on this new role and continues to contribute to the evolving start-up ecosystem.
Himanshu Chopra (EPGP 2026) Publishes Poetry Book, Nominated for Emily Dickinson Award
Congratulations to Himanshu Chopra (EPGP 2026) on publishing his poetry book It Stayed, a remarkable creative achievement alongside the demands of the EPGP journey at IIM Bangalore.
Balancing classes, assignments, and the intensity of the programme, Himanshu pursued his passion for writing, culminating in a published work that has now been nominated for the Emily Dickinson Award.
His transition from banking to authorship reflects both perseverance and a deep commitment to creative expression. The recognition of It Stayed highlights the power of pursuing one’s passions, even amidst rigorous academic and professional commitments.
Himanshu’s journey is an inspiring reminder that creativity and discipline can go hand in hand.
Shyam Sanker Appointed Managing Director at HSBC Switzerland
Congratulations to Shyam Sanker (PGP 2009) on his new role as Managing Director, Head of Healthcare, Energy, Materials, and Power at HSBC Switzerland.
In this position, he will lead strategic initiatives across key sectors, bringing his extensive experience in financial services and deep domain expertise to the role. His appointment reflects a strong track record of leadership and the trust he has built with clients and colleagues over the years.
Shyam expressed his gratitude for the support he has received along his journey, acknowledging the many colleagues and clients who have contributed to his growth.
We wish him continued success as he takes on this important leadership role and continues to make an impact across industries in his new position.
Dinesh Soundappa Sets National Record in Freediving
Congratulations to Dinesh Soundappa (PGP 2018) on setting a new national record in freediving, marking a remarkable achievement in a highly demanding and niche sport.
Dinesh achieved a depth of 34.6 metres in the Variable Weight category, surpassing the previous national record and establishing a new benchmark for Indian freediving. The record was set in the Philippines, highlighting his rigorous training and commitment to the sport.
A certified freediving coach, Dinesh’s journey began after discovering the sport during a snorkelling trip, eventually leading him to train extensively and push the limits of physical and mental endurance.
His achievement reflects not just athletic excellence, but also discipline, resilience, and the pursuit of unconventional passions.
We wish him continued success as he explores new depths—both literally and figuratively.
Arun Pai Appointed Brand Ambassador for Swachha Bengaluru
Congratulations to Arun Pai (PGP 1993) on his appointment as Brand Ambassador for the Swachha Bengaluru initiative.
Arun is among a group of ambassadors brought on board to strengthen awareness around cleanliness, waste management, and citizen participation as part of the city’s Swachh Survekshan efforts. In this role, he will help drive public engagement and encourage responsible civic practices across Bengaluru.
His appointment reflects a continued commitment to community engagement and urban sustainability, contributing to a cleaner and more inclusive city.
We wish him the very best in this role as he works towards advancing the Swachha Bengaluru mission.
Shriyash Jichkar and Tiger Shroff Raise ₹4 Crore for PROWL
Congratulations to Shriyash Jichkar (PGP 2013) and Tiger Shroff on their men’s grooming brand PROWL raising ₹4 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round.
PROWL focuses on simple, effective skincare solutions tailored for active Indian men, positioning itself within the fast-growing men’s grooming segment. The brand has been steadily expanding its presence across leading e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra, building a strong and growing customer base.
The fresh funding will support the next phase of growth, including product innovation, market expansion, and strengthening distribution. With its focus on functionality and everyday use, PROWL aims to address the evolving grooming needs of modern Indian consumers.
The development has also been featured in The Tribune, reflecting the brand’s growing traction.
Anirban Gupta Appointed Senior Director – Strategy & CEO Office at Myntra
Congratulations to Anirban Gupta (PGP 2016) on his appointment as Senior Director, Strategy & CEO Office at Myntra.
In this role, he will work closely with the leadership team to drive strategic initiatives, business planning, and high-impact growth programmes across the organisation.
Prior to joining Myntra, Anirban served as Head of Business – Lifestyle & New Business Verticals at CityMall, where he led P&L responsibilities across categories and scaled the lifestyle business significantly. He has also held key leadership roles at apna, driving marketing, growth, and marketplace strategy.
Earlier in his career, he worked at Shop101, leading logistics and operations transformation, and spent over four years at Bain & Company, delivering strategy and transformation projects across sectors. He began his consulting journey at Inductis.
Samriddhi Bhattacharyya Appointed Senior Director & Head – National Enterprise & SMB at Iron Mountain India
Congratulations to Samriddhi Bhattacharyya (EPGP 2013) on her appointment as Senior Director & Head – National Enterprise & SMB at Iron Mountain India.
In this role, she will lead strategic growth initiatives across enterprise and small-to-medium business segments, focusing on expanding market presence, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing customer engagement. She will also play a key role in advancing Iron Mountain’s capabilities in secure information management and digital transformation solutions.
Her leadership comes at a time when organisations are increasingly investing in data management and digital infrastructure to drive efficiency and scale. This appointment reflects Iron Mountain India’s continued focus on strengthening its enterprise footprint and delivering value-driven solutions to its clients.
Kinshuk Mishra featured on Shark Tank India with Awenest
Great to see Kinshuk Mishra (PGP 2007) featured on Shark Tank India with his venture Awenest, a toxin-free baby care and home care brand.
Founded with the vision of enabling children to explore freely while ensuring safe and effective cleanup solutions for parents, Awenest focuses on practical, everyday innovations. One of its standout offerings—the wall scribble remover—highlights the brand’s emphasis on solving real household challenges.
Kinshuk, who built his early career in the retail and consumer space, transitioned into entrepreneurship post-pandemic, bringing with him deep insights into consumer behaviour and product development.
His appearance on the show reflects the growing momentum of purpose-driven consumer brands emerging from the IIMB alumni community.
We wish him and the Awenest team continued success as they build and scale their venture further.
