WhatsApp Welcomes New India Head Abhijit Bose, former CEO of digital payments firm, Ezetap, is appointed as the new India head of WhatsApp

By Bhavya Kaushal

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

WatsApp Facebook, Abhijit Bose Official LinkedIn

This year is turning out to be the year of CEO appointments. From OYO to Tesla, many tech giants are appointing new heads. The latest one to join the bandwagon is WhatsApp. Abhijit Bose, former co-founder and CEO of Ezetap (founded in 2011), a digital payments firm which was also was recognized by CNBC as one of the Top 50 Disruptors in 2018, has been appointed as the new WhatsApp head for India. The operations for the same will run in the Indian subcontinent. This is a unique endeavour and one that promises hope.

Fresh Beginnings

Bose will be heading operations from an office based in Gurgaon and will be one of the firsts to create an office and team outside the headquarters in California. Matt Idema, Chief Operating Officer of WhatsApp, said in a statement, "WhatsApp is deeply committed to India and we are excited to keep building products that help people connect and support India's fast-growing digital economy. As a successful entrepreneur himself, Abhijit knows what it takes to build meaningful partnerships that can serve businesses across India."

Among the many proud moments India has had in the past in the field of Indians spearheading tech giants, this case of the most recent appointment by the online messaging platform is definitely giving us a reason to rejoice.

In August, WatsApp had appointed a grievance officer Komal Lahiri, an Indian based in the U.S. Later reports surfaced that Lahiri was being shifted to the Indian base to focus growth and progress on the home soil.

A Happy Techie

Bose is a happy man today. He has clinched an enviable opportunity, one that many business executives would dream of having. His excitement and joy of joining the online platform were evident in his statement, "WhatsApp is special and can be a major partner for financial inclusion and economic growth in India. It's not only how so many families stay in touch, but increasingly it's how businesses are engaging with their customers. WhatsApp can positively impact the lives of hundreds of millions of Indians, allowing them to actively engage and benefit from the new digital economy." Bose will join Whatsapp in the early part of 2019, the company itself revealed in the statement.

Abhijit Bose boasts of an illustrious background. A graduate from Harvard Business School and Cornell University, Bose's professional experience gives him an edge that can help the Facebook Inc-owned Whatsapp to accomplish its goals and mission. The announcement and the appointment come after WhatsApp's efforts to inculcate more privacy in its system. New appointments lead to fresh departures as rightly said. A new tale of progress is definitely ready to unfold!

Bhavya Kaushal

Former Features Writer

I am a work-in-progress writer and human being. An English graduate from Delhi University, writing is my passion and currently, I was Entrepreneur India's start-up reporter. I love covering start-ups and weaving their stories into unforgettable tales with the power of ink! 
Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

News and Trends

India has the Potential to Host over 620 New Large GCCs by 2030: ANSR

The BFSI sector dominates GCCs in India, followed by Manufacturing and Retail/CPG. There is also a strong focus on digital technologies, with 85 per cent of GCCs engaged in digital commerce initiatives.

News and Trends

Ecozen Secures Over USD 23 Mn Debt Funding to Expand Climate-Smart Solutions

This round of investment will be directed toward scaling Ecozen's flagship solutions, including Ecotron, Ecofrost, and advanced motor control systems.

News and Trends

D2C Skincare Brand Foxtale Raised USD 30 Mn Series C Funding

Last year, the Mumbai-based brand raised USD 18 million (around INR 150 crore) in its Series B funding round, led by Panthera Growth Partners from Singapore.

News and Trends

RP Tech to Acquire 70% Stake in Satcom Infotech to Expand Cybersecurity Portfolio

Satcom Infotech will leverage RP Tech's extensive financial resources and robust nationwide distribution network to enhance service delivery and scale operations. Meanwhile, RP Tech will integrate Satcom's expertise in cybersecurity into its offerings, aiming to introduce new brands and forge impactful industry partnerships.