EMA Partners names Deepu Chandran Partner for Technology and Startup Ecosystem in Bangalore

EMA Partners India Ltd, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, has brought on Deepu Chandran as Partner – Technology & Start-up Ecosystem, based in Bangalore. This move aims to expand the firm’s reach and expertise within India’s dynamic technology and entrepreneurial landscape, connecting founders, investors, and top leadership talent more effectively.
Chandran steps into the role with a strong entrepreneurial foundation, having founded and scaled Pikkol, India’s pioneering tech‑driven relocation platform, and Hackle, where he handled venture creation, product strategy, and operational growth from inception through multiple expansion phases. His hands‑on experience working alongside investors and co‑founders across startup lifecycles gives him a unique operator’s viewpoint on building high‑performing teams in fast‑moving tech environments.
Before launching his ventures over 15 years ago, Chandran gained early career grounding at Adani Wilmar and Larsen & Toubro. An engineering graduate from the Regional Engineering College (REC) Calicut, now NIT Calicut, and an IIM Bangalore alumnus, he actively contributes to his alma mater as Vice President and Trustee of the alumni association, fostering ties between academia and the startup world.
The appointment positions Chandran to guide EMA Partners’ efforts in sourcing and placing executive talent for technology firms and startups, at a time when India’s innovation ecosystem demands leaders who blend operational savvy with strategic vision. EMA Partners sees this as a way to solidify its standing as a go‑between for scaling ventures seeking mission‑critical hires.