IndiaTech.Org has appointed Dhiraj Gyani as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Rameesh Kailasam, who has stepped down after leading the industry association for eight years. Gyani has been elevated from the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO), a role in which he worked closely with members on policy advocacy, government engagement and strategic initiatives.
Announcing the leadership transition, Kailasam said Gyani had played a significant role in advancing the organisation’s policy agenda and expanding its membership over the past three years.
“His leadership, deep domain expertise, and strategic vision make him uniquely suited to steer Indiatech.org into its next phase of journey ahead,” Kailasam said.
Gyani also confirmed his elevation in a LinkedIn post, saying he was starting a new position as Chief Executive Officer at IndiaTech.Org.
Gyani joined IndiaTech.Org in June 2023 as Senior Director – Policy and Operations before being elevated to COO in July 2024. His appointment as CEO marks his second elevation within the organisation.
Rameesh Kailasam steps down after eight years
Kailasam, who has led IndiaTech.Org since its early years, said his decision to step down followed eight years of working to establish a unified voice for India’s startup and technology ecosystem.
“When we started this journey, the vision was to build a strong, unified voice for the Indian startup and technology ecosystem,” Kailasam said.
He said the organisation had advocated policies covering innovation, access to capital, global competitiveness, foreign direct investment, ease of doing business and the listing of asset-light businesses on Indian stock exchanges.
Reflecting on his tenure, Kailasam credited the organisation’s members, industry partners, investors and policy stakeholders for contributing to several policy milestones that have shaped India’s startup ecosystem.
He said he would remain available to mentor and guide the organisation whenever required.
Over two decades of experience in technology and public policy
Gyani brings more than two decades of experience spanning public policy, corporate and government affairs, strategic planning, marketing and business development across multinational companies, industry associations and non-profit organisations.
Before joining IndiaTech.Org, Gyani worked with GitHub, the Microsoft-owned software development platform, where he led government and education engagements in India.
Prior to GitHub, he spent over five years at Microsoft India, where he was responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies for the company’s commercial enterprise and public sector businesses, engaging policymakers, decision-makers and stakeholders across government, healthcare and education.
Gyani has also worked with organisations including FICCI, Project Management Institute (PMI), Foreign Trade Development Centre and the Indian Institute of Economic Studies & Trade. He holds an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune.
At IndiaTech.Org, Gyani is expected to lead the organisation’s engagement with policymakers, regulators, technology companies and startup founders, continuing its work on policy issues affecting India’s technology and digital economy.
IndiaTech.Org represents stakeholders from India’s internet and technology startup ecosystem and advocates policy and regulatory measures aimed at supporting innovation, business growth and global competitiveness.
