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13 years after first rejection, ex-Zomato employee is back at Google India as a boss. Ragini Das' education, and career
ET Online | October 8, 2025 5:00 PM CST

Synopsis

Ragini Das, a Gurugram entrepreneur, has returned to Google as Head of Google for Startups – India, a full-circle moment after a missed offer in 2013. Her journey includes a significant stint at Zomato and co-founding leap.club, a women's professional network. After a break, she's back at the tech giant, ready to empower India's startup scene.

Ragini Das is the new Head of Google for Startups - India. (Instagram)
Sometimes life really does come full circle, and Ragini Das is living proof. The Gurugram-born entrepreneur and startup powerhouse is now the Head of Google for Startups – India, a role that feels tailor-made for her. From narrowly missing a Google offer in 2013 to building a women-focused professional network and finally landing back at the tech giant, Ragini’s journey is a mix of grit, guts, and a little bit of destiny.

Ragini’s academic journey began at Chettinad Vidyashram, followed by a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Lancaster University. She started her career with a summer internship in Delhi, creating business plans, and soon moved into wealth management at Standard Chartered Bank, Hyderabad. She later explored domestic and international marketing with Trident Group India, before joining Zomato in Telangana as Sales and Marketing Manager—a role that would define the next six years of her life.

In 2013, Ragini interviewed at both Google and Zomato. While Google didn’t work out, Zomato became her launchpad. There, she discovered her career “moat,” formed lifelong friendships, and built the resilience that would eventually lead her to co-found leap.club in 2020. The platform, a social-professional network for women, offered networking opportunities, curated events, and communities that empowered thousands across India.



After pausing leap.club in June 2025, Ragini took a much-needed breather—travelling, creating art, getting back into fitness, working on passion projects, and yes, taking countless photos of her dog Jimmy. By August, the perfect opportunity at Google appeared, aligning with everything she’d built so far. Following two months of conversations with their team, she’s now ready to bring her energy, experience, and vision to India’s startup ecosystem.


Her education and career background

Ragini Das’s academic foundation set the stage for her dynamic career. She completed her schooling at Chettinad Vidyashram before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Lancaster University, equipping her with a global perspective and strong business acumen.

Her professional journey began with a summer internship at a Delhi-based firm, where she crafted business plans that sharpened her strategic thinking. She then moved to Standard Chartered Bank in Hyderabad as a Wealth Management Trainee, gaining insights into insurance and portfolio management. Expanding her horizons, she ventured into domestic, US, and European marketing with Trident Group India.

In 2013, she joined Zomato in Telangana as Sales and Marketing Manager, relocating across Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. In 2020, she co-founded leap.club, a women-centric professional network, before stepping into her current role as Head of Google for Startups – India.
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