About Us
The CIO Angel Network (CAN)
CAN operates through its Mumbai and Delhi chapters and brings together some of India's most experienced Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), technology leaders and business executives. The network is dedicated to identifying high-potential startups and helping them scale through strategic guidance, industry expertise and investment.
The primary objective of CAN is to invest in promising seed-stage companies. While members collaboratively evaluate startup opportunities, every investor independently decides whether or not to participate in an investment. This model provides founders with access to experienced decision-makers while maintaining investment autonomy.
Beyond funding, CAN provides startups with an invaluable opportunity to establish long-term relationships with leading CIOs and technology executives. These relationships often result in business partnerships, enterprise customer introductions, strategic mentorship and market validation in addition to investment opportunities.
CAN members possess extensive expertise across technology, enterprise transformation, business strategy, digital innovation, cybersecurity, operations and leadership. Their collective experience enables startups to receive practical advice that significantly improves their chances of long-term success.
Unlike a traditional investment fund, CIO Angel Network functions as a collaborative network of independent investors who work together in screening, evaluating, mentoring and supporting innovative startups while making individual investment decisions.
Investor's Speak
Besides capital, the close mentoring engagement provided by CIO Angel Network members cannot simply be purchased. CAN's network of mentors, investors and CIOs represents one of the strongest technology leadership communities in the ICT industry.
Investor members include distinguished leaders such as Manish Choksi, President – Home Improvement, International & IT, Asian Paints Limited; Srinivas Tata, CIO at Adani Ports & SEZ; Subodh Dubey, Experienced Business-Oriented CIO; Shailesh Joshi, Head Corporate IT & CIO, Godrej Group; Bharat Banka, Former CEO, Aditya Birla PE; Suneel Aradhye, Group CIO, RPG Enterprises; Ganesh S. Iyer, Strategy & Business Leader; and Anthony Thomas, Former CIO, Vodafone, among many other respected industry leaders.
Investor Member Quotes
“CIOs and CTOs possess the expertise to evaluate startup innovation, technology, leadership capability and ecosystem readiness. CAN is uniquely positioned to mentor startups and help ensure the success of their products and services.”
“CAN is a win-win platform for technology startups to benefit from the experience and expertise of CIOs while helping CIOs discover innovative solutions that can transform their organizations.”
“CIOs have mastered evaluating innovative technology from both business and technical perspectives. CAN provides startups access to the collective wisdom of India's leading CIOs.”
“CIOs with multi-industry experience are uniquely positioned to evaluate IT products and services because they understand what truly works inside enterprises.”
“It is inspiring to witness innovative ideas from energetic entrepreneurs. As a CIO, CAN allows me to stay closely connected with the technology innovation ecosystem.”
“Once startups begin scaling, they need experienced navigators. For enterprise use cases, no one is better positioned than CIOs. CAN provides that bridge.”
“The idea behind CAN emerged from the rapid disruption created by startups. CIOs are uniquely qualified to mentor them because they represent the largest buyers of enterprise technology.”
“With most startups operating in the technology space, CIOs possess the knowledge and professional networks necessary to mentor entrepreneurs and help them succeed.”
“CAN is a unique community of angel investors with extensive experience in enterprise technology. It bridges the gap between innovative products and real enterprise business needs.”