Thomas Thekkethala, Managing Partner

Mr. Thekkethala is an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist with over twenty-five years of experience financing, operating, and scaling global technology companies through their growth and acquisition. He is currently the Managing Partner of TOLIMA LP, which invests in and advises disruptive innovation-driven technology companies in AI, cloud computing, communications, energy, and robotics. 

Prior to TOLIMA, he was the Founder and Managing Partner of JT Ventures which invested in and mentored early-stage technology companies through growth and successful exits. Notable investments include CrosStor (acquired by EMC), Allegro (acquired by Cisco), Fidelia (acquired by NetScout), Ibrix (acquired by HP), and Sixth Sense Media (acquired by EVOL).

As a serial entrepreneur, Mr. Thekkethala led multiple technology companies from inception through product strategy, market validation, and global expansion. His leadership drove both organic growth and expansion through partner channels and strategic acquisitions across Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Companies he co-founded include SRG (acquired by CNSL), CCSS (acquired by MCLD), Fidelia (acquired by NTCT), and Sixth Sense Media (acquired by EVOL).

He also served as CEO of Evolving Systems (NASDAQ: EVOL), a real-time digital engagement company, where he completed the acquisition, integration, and optimization of UK-based digital marketing companies Business Logic Systems and Lumata product portfolios, accelerating overall revenue growth and profitability. The company grew to over 100 mobile operator customers and brands in 65 countries, engaging more than two billion consumers and led to the company’s acquisition by PartnerOne Software.

Mr. Thekkethala is the Founder of Learn for Life Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for less-privileged children in developing communities through holistic and online education models. He established Learn for Life Centers to advance STEM education in rural schools across multiple states in India.

He received his Masters' degree from the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was also an adjunct faculty member and spoke at numerous industry conferences worldwide. He strongly believes that expanding access to education in rural areas can transform lives and uplift communities.