Biography of Naveen Tewari: Founder and CEO of InMobi -An Indian Entrepreneur
Biography of Naveen Tewari: Leading Innovation in Mobile Advertising
Early Life and Education
Naveen Tewari, an esteemed Indian entrepreneur, was born in
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He pursued his education at the prestigious Indian
Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT), where he earned a bachelor's degree in
mechanical engineering. Tewari later pursued further studies abroad, obtaining
an MBA from Harvard Business School in the United States. Naveen Tewari's net
worth is estimated to be approximately ₹1,668 crores.
Career and Achievements
Tewari is renowned as the founder and CEO of InMobi, a
globally recognized mobile advertising and technology platform. Under his
leadership, InMobi has grown to become a prominent player in the digital
advertising ecosystem, leveraging innovative technologies to connect brands with
consumers across the globe.
In addition to his role at InMobi, Naveen Tewari serves as a
board member at Paytm, contributing his expertise to one of India's leading
digital payment platforms. His influence extends beyond business, as he founded
and chairs the India School Fund, a nonprofit organization based in the United
States. This initiative focuses on funding and establishing schools in rural
areas of India, reflecting Tewari's commitment to social impact and education.
Naveen Tewari's Journey: From McKinsey to Entrepreneurship
Naveen Tewari embarked on his professional journey after
graduating by joining McKinsey and Company as a business analyst, where he
honed his analytical skills from 2000 to 2003. His career path took an academic
turn in 2003 when he pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School, during which he
also worked as an Associate at Charles River Ventures in 2004.
Entrepreneurial Ventures: From mKhoj to InMobi
In 2007, Naveen Tewari, along with three friends, ventured
into entrepreneurship by founding mKhoj, initially envisioned as an SMS search
engine. Despite its initial setback and subsequent pivot, the team transitioned
to focus on mobile advertising and technology. This pivot marked the inception
of InMobi, a platform that would redefine mobile advertising globally.
Investments and Supporting Startups
Beyond founding InMobi, Naveen Tewari has made significant
contributions to the startup ecosystem. He has invested in approximately 30
startups and provided personal support to ventures such as NestAway, SlideRule,
Mettl, and Razorpay, among others. His investments reflect a commitment to
fostering innovation and supporting promising entrepreneurs across various
sectors.
Co-founding iSPIRT: Shaping India's Software Products
Landscape
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors and
investments, Naveen Tewari co-founded iSPIRT. This organization plays a crucial
role in influencing government policies, catalyzing market opportunities, and
nurturing the growth of product entrepreneurs. Its overarching goal is to
elevate India into a global hub for next-generation software products,
demonstrating Tewari's vision for impactful industry transformation.
Naveen Tewari's journey from consulting at McKinsey to
founding InMobi, coupled with his extensive investments and co-founding of
iSPIRT, underscores his role as a pivotal figure in India's entrepreneurial
landscape. His initiatives not only drive innovation but also foster a
supportive ecosystem for startups, contributing to India's emergence as a
leader in technology and software innovation.
InMobi: A Detailed Journey of Growth and Strategic Expansion
Securing Early Funding and Setting Foundations
InMobi embarked on its journey in 2008 with a significant
boost from a Series A funding round of US$7.1 million led by Kleiner Perkins.
This initial investment provided the fuel needed for the company to establish
itself as a formidable player in the emerging mobile advertising industry.
Biography of Naveen Tewari: Founder & CEO of InMobi -An Indian Entrepreneur/ Co-founding iSPIRT/journey of Naveen Tewari/Investor/story of mKhoj/success
Venturing into Europe and Talent Acquisition
By 2009, InMobi had already set its sights beyond its Indian
roots and expanded aggressively into Europe. Recognizing the importance of
local expertise, the company strategically hired top talent from the region,
laying a strong foundation for its international operations and market
penetration strategies.
Series B Funding and Strategic Acquisitions Begin
Building on its early success, InMobi raised an additional
US$8 million in Series B funding in 2010, with participation from Kleiner
Perkins and Sherpalo Ventures. This capital injection fueled further expansion
initiatives and enabled the company to pursue strategic acquisitions that would
bolster its capabilities and market position.
Strategic Acquisitions to Enhance Capabilities
In 2011, InMobi made its first major acquisition by
integrating Sprout, a US-based provider of mobile advertising solutions. This
move not only expanded InMobi's portfolio of offerings but also strengthened
its technological prowess and market reach in North America.
Continued Growth and Market Innovations
InMobi continued to innovate within the mobile advertising
landscape. In 2012, the company acquired MMTG Labs, based in San Francisco,
which operated Appbistro, a marketplace for Facebook apps. This acquisition
further diversified InMobi's product offerings and enhanced its presence in the
competitive Silicon Valley ecosystem.
Pioneering Mobile Native Advertising Exchange
In a landmark move in 2014, InMobi launched the world's
largest mobile native advertising exchange, powered by a partnership with
Rubicon Project. This innovative platform revolutionized mobile advertising by
offering seamless, non-intrusive ad experiences tailored to mobile users,
solidifying InMobi's reputation as an industry leader in ad tech innovation.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Expansion
In 2015, InMobi expanded its footprint into Asia through a
strategic monetization partnership with APUS Group, a prominent mobile internet
services provider based in China. This collaboration enabled InMobi to tap into
the vast and rapidly growing Asian market, strengthening its position as a
global player in mobile advertising solutions.
Achieving Unicorn Status and Further Expansion
By 2016, InMobi achieved unicorn status, becoming India's
second privately-held startup valued at over $1 billion. This milestone
underscored the company's rapid growth trajectory and market impact,
solidifying its position as a frontrunner in the global digital advertising
industry.
Strengthening Capabilities with Strategic Acquisitions
In 2017, InMobi bolstered its technological capabilities
with the acquisition of AerServ, a leading inventory and audience monetization
platform for mobile publishers. This strategic move enhanced InMobi's ability
to deliver targeted advertising solutions and further expanded its reach across
mobile app developers and publishers globally.
Global Recognition and Partnerships
In 2018, InMobi entered into a transformative partnership
with Microsoft Corp, aimed at empowering modern Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs)
to transition from traditional digital advertising to mobile-first marketing
strategies. This collaboration not only validated InMobi's innovative approach
but also opened new avenues for growth and market expansion on a global scale.
Diversification into Content and Media
Continuing its strategic expansion in 2019, InMobi
diversified its portfolio by acquiring Roposo, a popular short video content
platform in India. This acquisition marked InMobi's foray into digital content
and media, leveraging Roposo's strong user base and content creation
capabilities to strengthen its presence in the dynamic digital media landscape.
Naveen Tewari: Achievements and Recognition
Pathbreaker and Distinguished Alumnus
In 2013, Naveen Tewari received the prestigious Pathbreaker
of the Year Award from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing his
pioneering contributions. The same year, he was honored with the 'Distinguished
Alumnus Award' by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, celebrating his
excellence in entrepreneurship.
Recognition on the Global Stage
Naveen Tewari's impact extended globally with notable
recognitions. In 2013, he was listed as the 7th Most Important Person on
Business Insider's Mobile Power List, highlighting his influence in the mobile
technology sector.
Forbes India Leadership Award
In 2014, Tewari's leadership and vision were acknowledged
with the Forbes India Leadership Award for 'Outstanding Start Up,' underscoring
InMobi's transformative impact in the digital advertising space.
Continued Recognition from Indian Leadership
His contributions continued to be recognized nationally. In
2015, he received the 'Future Leaders Award' from Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
reaffirming his role as a visionary leader shaping India's entrepreneurial
landscape.
Global Acclaim: Fast Company's Top Innovative Companies
InMobi, under Tewari's leadership, achieved global acclaim. In 2016, InMobi was ranked 15th on Fast Company's 'World's Top 50 Innovative Companies,' recognizing its innovative approaches in mobile advertising and technology.
Conclusion
Naveen Tewari's journey from Kanpur to the helm of InMobi
exemplifies entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. His contributions to mobile
advertising technology and commitment to education underscore his impact on
both the business landscape and society at large. Tewari continues to inspire
with his innovative approach and dedication to creating positive change through
technology and education initiatives.
