# Ajay Tewari

> Ajay Tewari is the co-founder, Global CEO and Managing Director of smartData Enterprises Inc. A former merchant navy chief officer, he moved into software entrepreneurship in 1999 after 11 years at sea. His public work also includes startup mentoring, angel investing and long-distance running.

- **Role:** Co-founder, Global CEO and Managing Director at smartData Enterprises Inc.
- **Organizations:** smartData Enterprises Inc., smartData Enterprises (India) Limited, TiE Chandigarh, Chandigarh Angels Network, Indian Angel Network, Inflection Point Ventures
- **Nationality:** Indian
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science, University of Bombay (now University of Mumbai), Maritime training, T.S. Rajendra, Postgraduate maritime study; described by Tewari as a master’s in marine shipping, Marine Safety Agency UK
- **Known for:** Recipient of the APEA Most Promising Entrepreneurship Award, 2011, as reported by TiECON Chandigarh., Co-built smartData from a small team into an organisation described by its leadership biography as having more than 1,000 employees., Received the TiE Chandigarh Ecosystem Catalyst Award at TiECON Chandigarh 2026.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Completed BSc in Nautical Science at the University of Bombay.
- **Before 1999** — Spent 11 years in merchant shipping, rising to chief officer and travelling to more than 60 countries.
- **1999** — Began his entrepreneurial work with smartData; held VP operations and COO roles before becoming CEO.
- **2003** — Founding member of TiE Chandigarh.
- **2004** — Took the helm of smartData.
- **2015-2016** — Served as president of TiE Chandigarh.
- **2024** — Helped lead the December TiE Chandigarh and Chandigarh Angels Network collaboration.
- **2025** — Assumed the global CEO role as Rakesh Pant became CEO - India.
- **2026** — Received the TiE Chandigarh Ecosystem Catalyst Award; outlined a platform-led strategy at smartData’s 27th Founder’s Day.

## Achievements

- Recipient of the APEA Most Promising Entrepreneurship Award, 2011, as reported by TiECON Chandigarh.
- Co-built smartData from a small team into an organisation described by its leadership biography as having more than 1,000 employees.
- Received the TiE Chandigarh Ecosystem Catalyst Award at TiECON Chandigarh 2026.
- Recognised at the Zee Media and SAP Architects of Viksit Bharat forum in Ludhiana, reported in August 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Recognised at the Zee Media and SAP Architects of Viksit Bharat forum in Ludhiana.
- **2026-08** — At smartData’s 27th Founder’s Day, emphasised reusable capabilities, intellectual property and a platform-led operating model.
- **2026-04** — Received the TiE Chandigarh Ecosystem Catalyst Award at TiECON Chandigarh 2026.
- **2026-01** — His New Year message discussed reliability, explainability and governance in AI, and continued work on enterprise automation.

## Links

- Website: https://www.smartdatainc.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tavarejay
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/tavarejay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajay.tewari

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ajay-tewari
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23