Ajay Chowdhury

Ajay Chowdhury (born April, 1962) is a tech entrepreneur, board director, and novelist. He is known for his contributions to digital transformations and tech issues such as Generative AI, Digital Transformations, and the Metaverse. He has played key roles in the growth and success of multiple ventures, ranging from mobile and e-commerce to digital media and venture capital.
==Early life and education==
Ajay Chowdhury was born in April 1962. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Bombay University in 1983. He earned an MBA degree from The Wharton School in 1986. He also pursued theatre directing at the Central School of Speech and Drama in 1992.
==Career==
===Tech Entrepreneur===
Ajay Chowdhury began his professional career at Bain & Company in London, where he worked from 1986 to 1991, gaining experience in strategic consulting. He later served the role of CEO at LineOne, an internet service provider, during the period from 1999 to 2000.
In 2000, Ajay Chowdhury took on the position of Managing General Partner at IDG Ventures Europe, a venture capital firm specializing in technology startups. During his tenure, he also served as Chairman of Shazam, a music recognition and discovery platform, from 2001 to 2007.
Chowdhury embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, serving as CEO of Comqi, a company that specialized in digital signage solutions. Later, he led the position of CEO at Seatwave from 2013 to 2014, overseeing its acquisition by Ticketmaster.
Since 2015, Chowdhury has been a Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Chowdhury has also served as a non-executive director on the board of the UK Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), as well as on the boards of Historic Royal Palaces, and Arts Council England.
Ajay Chowdhury has also made contributions through his involvement with Cambridge Enterprise, an organization dedicated to supporting knowledge transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the University of Cambridge.
===Novelist===
Ajay Chowdhury is recognized as a novelist with a series of published works. Some of his notable novels include "Ayesha & The Firefish" (2016), "The Waiter" (2021), "The Cook" (2022), and "The Detective" (2023).
"Ayesha & The Firefish" was adapted into a musical by Enacte Arts and premiered in Palo Alto, California, in January 2020. The TV rights for "The Waiter" have been optioned by Moonage Pictures.
His novel "The Waiter" was honored with the Harvill Secker/Bloody Scotland award for Debut BAME crime writer.
===Theatre Director===
Ajay Chowdhury has pursued a career in theatre directing. Notably, he served as the artistic director of Rented Space Theatre London, where he directed several plays, including an acclaimed production of "Cymbeline" that was featured in the Arden Shakespeare. He also directed "The Merchant of Vembley", an Asian adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", which was well received in London.
==Awards and recognitions==
Ajay Chowdhury's contributions to the tech industry have earned him numerous awards and recognitions:
* In 2019, he was acknowledged as one of the 30 pioneers in Asian tech.
* In 2015, he received the Dealmaker of the Year award from M&A Magazine for his role in the sale of Seatwave to Ticketmaster.
* He was honored as one of the Top 100 Asian tech stars in the UK.
==Personal life==
Ajay Chowdhury is married to Angelina Melwani and has three daughters.
Category:1962 births
Category:University of Mumbai alumni
Category:Entrepreneurs
Category:Board of directors
Category:Novelists