Times Internet has officially appointed Johney Maheshwari as the Head of Corporate Development, effective immediately. In this strategic role, Maheshwari will lead the company’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investment initiatives, driving Times Internet’s inorganic growth strategy while ensuring alignment with its broader business objectives.
Johney Maheshwari brings over a decade of extensive experience in corporate development and investment banking, with specialized expertise in the financial services sector. Before joining Times Internet, he served as Associate Director of Corporate Development at Razorpay, where he successfully led high-profile acquisitions, including Ezetap, BillMe, PoshVine, Curlec (Malaysia), and iZealiant. Additionally, he spearheaded Razorpay Ventures, focusing on investments in emerging startups to assist them in their growth journey.
In his new position at Times Internet, Maheshwari aims to explore investment opportunities across various segments, including news, sports, financial services, and events. He expressed enthusiasm about joining the company, stating, “The company’s diverse portfolio and ambitious vision present tremendous opportunities for strategic investments and acquisitions. I look forward to working with the talented teams across the organization to identify and execute value-creating opportunities that will accelerate our growth trajectory.”
Times Internet has been a prolific investor in the Indian startup ecosystem, having supported notable names such as Delhivery, Pocket FM, MPL, Swiggy, and more. The company claims to have deployed over INR 1,000 crore in investments and acquisitions over the past decade. Puneet Gupt, COO of Times Internet, remarked on Maheshwari’s appointment: “Strategic investments and M&A have been foundational to our growth story. With Johney’s exceptional track record and deep industry insights, we’re reinvigorating this crucial aspect of our business.”
Maheshwari’s appointment comes at a time when Times Internet is recalibrating its approach following recent divestitures of some digital properties. Notable sales include short-video platform MX Takatak to ShareChat and Dineout to Swiggy. These moves reflect a strategic shift as the company focuses on enhancing its core offerings while exploring new avenues for investment.
Maheshwari also highlighted that Times Internet invests off its balance sheet without a predetermined corpus earmarked solely for investments. “If the right opportunity emerges, we take it,” he stated.
In addition to traditional investments, Maheshwari is particularly bullish on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. He noted that Times Internet is actively encouraging teams to experiment with frontier AI technologies across all business elements. This includes enhancing consumer experiences through personalized content and innovative applications.
The company has already begun experimenting with generative AI (GenAI), which has shown promise in improving user engagement through its chatbot platform that interacts with readers across various digital properties.
Johney Maheshwari’s appointment as Head of Corporate Development at Times Internet signifies a strategic move towards reinforcing the company’s growth trajectory through targeted investments and acquisitions. As Maheshwari embarks on this new chapter, his expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Times Internet amidst an evolving digital landscape.
Key Highlights:
- Johney Maheshwari appointed as Head of Corporate Development at Times Internet.
- He brings over a decade of experience from Razorpay and investment banking.
- Maheshwari will focus on M&A and investment initiatives across various sectors.
- His appointment aligns with Times Internet’s strategy for growth amid recent divestitures.