Ragini Das, co-founder of Leap.club and former Zomato executive, has been appointed Head of Google for Startups, India — marking a full-circle journey from rejection to leadership in India’s booming tech ecosystem.
New Delhi | October 7, 2025 | The Interview Times — In an inspiring turn of events, Ragini Das has been appointed as the Head of Google for Startups, India, marking a powerful “full-circle” moment in her career. Over a decade after being rejected by Google during her early job hunt, Das now leads one of the tech giant’s most influential programs in one of the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems.
A Full-Circle Journey
Ragini Das announced her appointment on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) on October 6, 2025, recalling her 2013 interview experience when Google turned her down. “Life has come full circle, and I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Google as Head of Google for Startups – India,” she wrote, reflecting on her journey from rejection to leadership.
Her story embodies perseverance, self-belief, and resilience — qualities that mirror the entrepreneurial spirit she now aims to nurture across India’s booming startup landscape, which boasts over 100,000 active startups and a growing focus on AI, sustainability, and digital innovation.
Life has come full circle, and I’m excited to share that I’ve joined @Google as Head of Google for Startups – India 🍋
— Ragini Das (@ragingdas) October 6, 2025
The backstory: In 2013, I sat for two interviews: one at Google and one at Zomato. pic.twitter.com/Hs9cqKHFxJ
Ragini Das: Early Life and Education
Born and raised in India, Ragini Das studied at Chettinad Vidyashram in Chennai, where she served as Cultural Secretary, revealing her early leadership instincts. She pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA) with First Class Honours from Lancaster University, UK.
Her exposure to international academic environments shaped her understanding of business strategy, marketing, and global leadership — a foundation that continues to inform her professional philosophy.
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Career Beginnings: The Zomato Chapter
Das’s early career included internships at Standard Chartered Bank and Aludecor, followed by a corporate role at Trident Group India. However, her defining moment came in 2013 when she was offered a position at Zomato after Google’s rejection.
Her six-year journey at Zomato saw her take on roles in sales, growth, and international partnerships, contributing to the company’s rapid global expansion. “I didn’t make it through Google’s last round, but Zomato changed everything for me,” she recalled.
At Zomato, Ragini Das cultivated what she calls her “career moat” — a combination of skills, resilience, and networks that later powered her entrepreneurial ventures.
Leap.club: Building Communities for Women Leaders
In 2020, Ragini Das co-founded Leap.club with Anand Sinha, a women-only professional network aimed at breaking barriers in leadership. The platform offered curated networking opportunities, mentorship, and community support to women professionals across industries.
Under her leadership, Leap.club raised between $2.2–$2.59 million from investors like Titan Capital, Artha India Ventures, and Whiteboard Capital, and grew to over 25,000 paid members. It became a trusted ecosystem for women aspiring to leadership roles and a model for inclusive professional networks in India.
Das described the venture as her “most defining chapter,” saying it gave her purpose and identity while impacting thousands of careers.
Championing Gender Equity in Startups
Beyond Leap.club, Das has been an active advocate for gender inclusion in entrepreneurship. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Women in Startups Committee at FICCI, where she collaborates on policy dialogues and programs to empower women-led ventures.
Her appearances on podcasts like Insider Investing and several YouTube features have positioned her as a leading voice in the women-in-tech movement, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs to challenge systemic barriers.
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Taking a Pause and Rediscovering Purpose
In June 2025, after Leap.club paused operations, Das took a break from her entrepreneurial journey to focus on self-care and creativity. She spent her time painting, traveling, staying fit, and reconnecting with her dog, Jimmy. This period of reflection helped her realign her priorities and rediscover her drive.
Two months later, a new opportunity came knocking — this time, from Google itself.
Joining Google: A Dream Realized
In August 2025, Das began discussions with Google for Startups — an initiative dedicated to supporting early-stage founders with mentorship, resources, and access to Google’s technology ecosystem. Her appointment was officially confirmed in October 2025.
“This role aligns perfectly with my experiences and passions,” Das wrote. “We’re on a mission to support thriving startups around the world, and I’m thrilled to lead this effort in India.”
Her vision emphasizes inclusivity, founder-first mentorship, and the expansion of startup access beyond Tier-1 cities.
Leading India’s Startup Renaissance
As the new Head of Google for Startups, India, Ragini Das is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s next phase of entrepreneurial growth. With her unique mix of startup grit and corporate insight, she is poised to champion programs that nurture early-stage founders, promote diversity, and bridge India’s startup ecosystem with global opportunities.
Her journey — from a rejection letter to leading Google’s flagship startup initiative — stands as a reminder that no rejection is final. For Ragini Das, the circle has indeed come full — and brighter than ever.