Biography of
Also CEO of Medlife & Myntra Jabong
Biography of Ananth Narayanan:
Ananth Narayanan is a prominent figure in India’s consumer
internet sector, known for his role as the founder and CEO of Mensa Brands.
Launched in May 2021, Mensa Brands has quickly risen to become India’s largest
direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand house. The company’s mission is to create
tech-driven brands from India that can compete on a global stage. Remarkably,
within just six months, Mensa became Asia’s fastest unicorn and the second
fastest globally, achieving a valuation of $1 billion.
Rapid Success with Mensa
Mensa Brands has built an impressive portfolio that includes
diverse brands such as Karagiri, a women’s apparel brand based in Pune, and
Priyaasi, a jewelry brand from Delhi NCR. The company also boasts brands like
Hubberholme for men’s casual wear and Helea, a smart FMCG startup. Most of
these brands are experiencing rapid growth, with many showing a 100%
year-on-year increase. Mensa’s success in scaling so quickly is a testament to
Ananth’s strategic vision and execution.
Academic Foundations and Board Contributions
Ananth Narayanan holds a Bachelor of Engineering in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras and a Master of
Engineering from the University of Michigan. His educational background
provided a solid foundation for his diverse career. Beyond his corporate roles,
Narayanan is also a trustee for various non-profits, including The Live Love
Laugh Foundation, which focuses on mental health, and Arghyam, which is
dedicated to water conservation. His involvement in these organizations
underscores his commitment to social impact and sustainable development.
The Medlife Era
Before Mensa, Ananth Narayanan was the co-founder and CEO of
Medlife, a leading e-health company in India. Medlife operated in various
domains such as pharmacy, diagnostics, and e-consultation. Under his
leadership, Medlife expanded significantly, and eventually, the company was
merged with Pharmeasy. This merger created a dominant player in the Indian
healthcare technology market, showcasing Ananth’s ability to lead and scale
e-health ventures effectively.
Myntra's Transformation
Ananth’s impact on the Indian e-commerce landscape extends
back to his role as CEO of Myntra, India’s largest fashion and lifestyle
platform. During his tenure, Myntra grew sixfold and achieved improved
profitability in just 3.5 years. He played a key role in acquiring Jabong and
integrating it with Myntra, strengthening the company’s position as a market
leader in fashion e-commerce.
From Medlife to Mensa Brands: A Journey of Innovation
Before launching Mensa Brands, Ananth Narayanan co-founded and served as the CEO of Medlife.com, a leading healthcare platform, from July 2019 to March 2021. His leadership at Medlife was marked by efforts to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare services. Prior to this, he was the Chief Executive Officer at Myntra Jabong from September 2015 to August 2019, where he played a crucial role in transforming the online retail landscape in India.
A Legacy of Leadership at McKinsey & Company
Narayanan’s career began at McKinsey & Company, where he
spent nearly 16 years. He served as a Managing Partner in the Product
Development Practice for Asia and was a senior director during his tenure. His
time at McKinsey was instrumental in shaping his expertise in product
development and strategic management, skills he has carried forward into his
subsequent ventures.
Biography of Ananth Narayanan: Founder and CEO of Mensa Brand- Entrepreneur/ CEO of Medlife & Myntra Jabong/Age/net worth/Success story of Ananth Naray
A Proven Leader
Recognized as one of India’s top business leaders under 40
in 2014, Ananth Narayanan has a deep understanding of performance improvement
and digital transformation. His career also includes a significant stint as a
senior partner at McKinsey & Company, where he worked across offices in
Chicago, Shanghai, Taipei, and Chennai. This extensive experience has equipped
him with the skills needed to drive growth and innovation.
Diverse Board Roles
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Ananth serves as an
independent director on the board of Marico, a leading consumer goods company.
He is also an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and the
Champions of Change, a transformation conclave established by Niti Aayog under
the Prime Minister of India. His involvement in various boards and
organizations highlights his commitment to fostering business growth and
societal impact.
Philanthropic Efforts
Ananth Narayanan is dedicated to social causes, including
improving access to safe water through his role on the board of Arghyam, a
foundation established by Rohini Nilekani. Additionally, he supports mental
health initiatives as a trustee for Deepika Padukone’s Live Love Laugh
foundation, reflecting his commitment to using his resources and influence for
positive change.
Building Mensa Brands
Mensa Brands was founded in the wake of the COVID-19
pandemic, in May 2021. Within a month of its inception, Ananth successfully
raised $50 million in initial funding. The startup quickly attracted
significant attention and investment, reaching a $1 billion valuation within
just six months of operation. This rapid growth underscores Ananth’s expertise
in scaling businesses and securing funding.
Ananth Narayanan: Shaping the Future of Brands- Mensa
Ananth Narayanan, a visionary entrepreneur, has been making
significant strides in the business world through his role as the Founder of
Mensa Brands. Since May 2021, he has been leading Mensa Brands, a company
dedicated to partnering with top founders to scale digital-first brands using
advanced technology. Based in Bangalore, Mensa Brands aims to exponentially
grow innovative brands in the digital space.
A Unique Business Model
Mensa Brands operates on the Thrasio model, a strategy that
involves acquiring and scaling up existing brands. This model has allowed Mensa
to rapidly expand its portfolio and achieve substantial market presence. The
company’s ability to identify and elevate successful brands demonstrates its
strategic approach to e-commerce and brand management.
The Concept Behind Mensa
Ananth’s vision for Mensa Brands stems from a gap in the
Indian market for well-established fashion, beauty, and home brands. Despite
India’s robust manufacturing capabilities, there has been a lack of global
branding from the country. Ananth saw an opportunity to build brands that could
achieve international recognition and success, leveraging India’s manufacturing
strengths and evolving digital infrastructure.
Global Expansion Strategy
Mensa Brands aims to take Indian brands global, an endeavor
that involves overcoming challenges in distribution and brand building. By
utilizing established logistics networks and growth hacking techniques, Mensa
Brands is working to ensure that Indian products can reach international
markets effectively. For instance, the brand Karagiri has already begun selling
in the US, tapping into the Indian diaspora looking for fashionable, affordable
saris.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Ananth Narayanan emphasizes the importance of customer
satisfaction in building successful brands. He believes that while marketing
and subsidies can drive sales, true success depends on strong unit economics
and a compelling consumer value proposition. Additionally, he advises new D2C
entrepreneurs to diversify their presence across multiple channels to maintain
growth and control.
Balancing Strategies
In the early stages of scaling a brand, Ananth recommends
balancing direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales with offline platforms. This approach
helps in establishing a tangible brand presence while maintaining ongoing
consumer engagement. The blend of online and offline strategies is crucial for
sustainable growth and achieving long-term success.
Personal Life
Ananth Narayanan is married to Sandhya Subramanyam, an
investor, and together they have three children: Nayantara, Shreya, and Aarya.
His personal and professional life reflects a commitment to both family and
career, with a passion for wine and a successful track record in leading
high-impact ventures.
Legacy and Impact
Ananth Narayanan’s journey from leading major e-commerce
platforms to founding Mensa Brands illustrates his entrepreneurial spirit and
strategic acumen. His work has not only transformed the Indian e-commerce
landscape but also set a precedent for building global brands from India. His
contributions continue to influence the industry and inspire future
entrepreneurs.
A timeline summarizing Ananth Narayanan’s career and Mensa
Brands’ milestones:
1992-2008: Worked at McKinsey & Company, including as
Managing Partner in the Product Development Practice for Asia.
2008-2011: Served as Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company,
working across multiple global offices.
July 2019 - March 2021: Co-founded and was CEO of Medlife,
which merged with Pharmeasy.
September 2015 - August 2019: CEO of Myntra Jabong,
transforming Myntra into India’s largest fashion platform.
May 2021: Founded Mensa Brands, which quickly became India’s
largest D2C brand house.
June 2021: Raised $50 million in initial funding for Mensa
Brands.
November 2021: Mensa Brands achieved a valuation of $1
billion, becoming Asia’s fastest unicorn.
2022: Mensa Brands began expanding its portfolio with brands
like Karagiri and Priyaasi, experiencing rapid growth.
