Webchutney co-founder Sidharth Rao no more, dies at 43
What's the story
Sidharth Rao, a co-founder of one of India's first and most famous digital advertising agencies, Webchutney, and Punt Partners, a mar-tech business, is no more.
The advertising stalwart passed away on Friday evening (April 21) due to cardiac arrest at the age of 43, said reports.
Rao, who served as Webchutney's CEO for over two decades, is survived by his parents and his wife.
History
Brief look at Rao's association with Webchutney
Webchutney was founded by Rao in 1999, and the agency was acquired by Japanese firm Dentsu in 2013.
In July 2021, he was promoted to group CEO of London-based Dentsu McGarryBowen. Under his leadership, the agency bagged awards for a documentary at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2022.
The same year, he stepped down as CEO and started his own venture.
Business
Rao made investments in several start-ups
Rao was not only a company man but also an angel investor. From 2013 onward, he invested in over a dozen start-ups, including Pepper Content and ScoopWhoop.
In September last year, he also co-founded Punt Partners with close confidant and serial entrepreneur Madhu Sudan. It was a venture in the marketing technology (mar-tech) domain.
Rao's untimely demise has shocked the industry fraternity.
Information
He wrote a book in 2019
Rao also penned a book in 2019 titled How I Almost Blew It. It is an anthology of the difficulties faced by Indian entrepreneurs like Deep Kalra, Deepinder Goyal, and Girish Mathrubootham in becoming successful in their ventures.
Twitter Post
Rao's peers paid their condolences
lost a very dear friend. go well @sidharthrao 😢
— Anand Jain (@helloanand) April 21, 2023
have no words how much he meant to me :(
Official Words
Take a look at Punt Partners' statement
Punt Partners put out a statement on Rao's demise.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and founder, Sidharth Rao. He suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on the 21st of April. Sid's sudden demise has left us all in shock, and we request everyone's time to grieve the loss of our beloved friend, son, brother, husband, and colleague."