Vijay R.

Vijay Rajendran

5.0

(9)

Former 500 Global Head | Expert in Startup Fundraising & Growth

Haas School of Business (Berkeley) Logo

Studied at Haas School of Business (Berkeley)

Various Tech Startups Logo

Works at Various Tech Startups

Successful clients at

Not currently taking new clients

Vijay’s Venture Capital Qualifications

Coaches professionally

Experience level: Angel Investor

10+ people coached for Venture Capital

Vijay has helped clients get into these companies:

Welcome to my profile! With a robust background in venture capital and startup coaching, I specialize in guiding founders and executives through the complexities of growing their businesses. As the former Head at 500 Global, I led a global team that supported one of the largest early-stage venture capital portfolios, providing invaluable insights into fundraising, team-building, and scaling strategies. My experience includes mentoring startups on go-to-market strategies and serving as an instructor for accelerator programs. Having coached 18 individuals, I am passionate about helping leaders overcome challenges and achieve transformative success. Let's connect to explore how I can support your journey to becoming a successful CEO.

Vijay can help with:

AI Automation

AI Deal Sourcing

AI Deck Building

AI Financial Modeling

AI Fundamentals

Behavioral Interview Prep

Cover Letters

Deal Sourcing

Due Diligence

Freelancing

Fundraising

General Exploration

Investment Evaluation

LinkedIn Review

Networking Strategy

Portfolio Management

Promotion Strategy

Resume Review

Salary Negotiation

Skill Building

Technical Interview Prep

Venture Capital Strategy

View all of Vijay’s categories

About Vijay

You built something from nothing. You defied the odds, secured investors, hired your first team, and got your product into the world. Now, the stakes are higher. Scaling requires a different kind of leadership—one that moves beyond hustle and intuition to intentional, strategic, and authentic leadership. I’m Vijay Rajendran, a Silicon Valley-based executive coach, and I help founders make that leap. After 20 years as an entrepreneur, investor, and advisor, I’ve worked with hundreds of startup leaders navigating the shift from scrappy founder to confident CEO. This transition isn’t just about mastering strategy, fundraising, or team building (though we’ll tackle those, too). It’s about who you are becoming as a leader. How do you scale yourself as fast as you scale your company? What mindsets, habits, and blind spots are either propelling you forward or holding you back? What would it look like to step fully into your own unique genius—and lead from that place? So, what kind of leader do you want to be? And what’s possible when you step fully into that role?

Why do I coach?

Before coaching, I led portfolio value at 500 Global, a venture firm with $2.7 billion under management, helping founders in 80+ countries build connections, raise capital, and grow thriving businesses. I’ve built and led companies in fintech and e-commerce, launched a venture studio for a global bank, and started my career as a strategy consultant. I know firsthand the challenges of leading at scale—because I’ve lived them. But coaching isn’t about giving you a playbook. It’s about unlocking your own best leadership. You don’t need to be perfect—you need to be resilient. You don’t need to fit someone else’s mold—you need to lead as yourself.

Work Experience

Various Tech Startups Logo

Startup Coach

Various Tech Startups

October 2023 - Present

Who I work with People I work with have the unique challenge of accomplishing hard things that have never been done before. As they try to improve the world, they find they want to improve themselves. Working with individuals in the way that I do means transformation. Often leaders come to me because they are struggling with something important in the business. They are very likely aware that they need to instigate change somehow and have probably tried many things but haven’t found the right solution. What the Process is like Specifically, when I work with someone, I am helping them in 1:1 individual coaching sessions and some team settings to find relief from such issues as Difficulty Fundraising (for their Startup or Fund), Challenges of Growing their Business, Co-Founder Disagreements, & Problems with Team-Building. We tackle those issues to find solutions, but also I help them overcome feelings of stress, conflict, and feeling stuck, the impact of which can be hugely significant [both at home and at work]. They tend to feel a new focus, rhythm, “lightness.” Why can I help you? I led the portfolio value team that supported one of the largest early stage venture capital portfolios in the world: 500 Startups. I've supported many founders and helped them on their journey to becoming CEOs. I have also developed relationships with investors and executives and understand how to help them develop professional and organizational success they want. Leadership, Personal Development and +4 skills

500 Global Logo

Head

500 Global

November 2018 - September 2023

Hiring Manager

I led a global team helping startups through community, events, and tools to develop connections and raise capital. Also, screening primarily fintech startups with the 500 Global / 500 Startups Global Accelerator investment team. Additionally, I mentor startups one-on-one on GTM and scaling and serve as one of our instructors for 500’s Bootcamp for Accelerator Managers.

Education

Haas School of Business (Berkeley) Logo

Haas School of Business (Berkeley)

Executive Coaching and Leadership Program

2024 - 2024

The Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute's interdisciplinary approach incorporates analytical and emotional intelligence for executive coaching in service of the hearts and minds of leaders. Leadership, Leadership Development and +1 skill

Boston University Questrom School of Business Logo

Boston University Questrom School of Business

BSBA, Business Administration

1996 - 2000

McDonough School of Business (Georgetown) Logo

McDonough School of Business (Georgetown)

MBA

9 Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0


Vijay has helped clients get into these companies:

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Vijay R.

Vijay R.

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