Ecom Express Cofounder TA Krishnan Passes Away At The Age Of 60

The Indian startup ecosystem has lost another founder in 2023. Months after the death of  Pepperfry cofounder Ambareesh Murthy, another Indian new-age tech entrepreneur has bid adieu to the world.

Logistics giant Ecom Express’ cofounder and former chief executive officer (CEO) TA Krishnan has passed away after a prolonged illness. 

Krishanan, aged 60, was unwell for quite some time now. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.

Meanwhile, all succession plans are said to be in place at the logistics giant to replace Krishnan. 

In June this year, Ecom Express announced the appointment of Ajay Chitkara, former director and CEO of Airtel Business, as the new managing director and CEO of the company. It said Chitkara would take over the reins of the logistics giant from September 1 and report to its board.

Krishnan, along with Manju Dhawan, K Satyanarayana and Sanjeev Saxena, founded Ecom Express in 2012. The startup offers end-to-end logistics solutions and facilitates first-mile pickup, processing and last-mile delivery. 

Krishnan, a former senior Blue Dart executive, was part of the early wave of startup founders in the country and was instrumental in scaling the logistics startup. Since its inception, the logistics major has expanded its operations to more than 3,000 delivery centers spanning 9.6 Mn sq. ft. of space. 

It claims to offer end-to-end logistics solutions at more than 27,000 pin codes and 2,700 cities and towns across the country. It employed more than 50,000 employees in the country at the end of June. 

Ecom Express has raised $301 Mn in funding till date and is backed by marquee names such as Partners Group, Warburg Pincus, British International Investment. It competes with the likes of Delhivery, Shiprocket, Xpressbees, among others. 

Ecom Express has been looking to list on bourses for a few years now but adverse market conditions forced it to shelve its IPO plans. 

With Krishnan’s death, Ecom Express has lost a key figurehead who helmed the startup since its inception.

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