CTW Venture Partners, LLC to help accelerate disruptive innovation in the southeast

 Atlanta, GA – September 17, 2012 – Palaniswamy “Raj” Rajan today announced the formation of CTW Venture Partners, LLC, a venture capital fund focused on seed and early-stage entrepreneurs in Atlanta and throughout the southeast.  CTW will raise a $25 million fund with its first close expected in early 2013.  At that time, Rajan expects to begin investing with an eye toward companies in all industries with disruptive innovations or technologies and strong leadership teams.

Rajan, co-founder, chairman & CEO of Virima Technologies, has been shaping the concept that would become CTW since 2009.  He is an active angel investor and has invested in over 34 companies since 1998.  What he fondly refers to as the “geek fund” will focus on technology entrepreneurs in all industries, with patentable ideas and the technical expertise to be successful with disruptive technology.  The presence of a technical founder is key as is Rajan’s desire to become involved as early as the “friends and family” stage, the earliest opportunity for investment in the entrepreneur, and be the first money in.

The focus on seed and early-stage companies reflects Rajan’s philosophy that it is necessary to engage the entrepreneur early in order to have a real impact and help them grow through the stages of building a strong company.  “CTW, which stands for Change The World Venture Partners,” said Rajan regarding the genesis of the concept, “will work with entrepreneurs that have the same mindset of changing the world by creating disruptive technologies and innovation.  I want to be engaged early to help the entrepreneur grow, leveraging my experience and rolodex to help them to be successful.”

CTW Venture Partners, LLC will be based in Atlanta, GA.  For more information, please visit http://www.CTWVP.com.