Wipro appoints venture capitalist Patrick Ennis as board member

The appointment comes at a time when Wipro increasingly is looking at investing in global start-ups in emerging technology areas

India's third largest software firm Wipro said on Tuesday that it has appointed Patrick J Ennis, a venture capital investor who focuses on commercialising emerging technology patents on its board as an independent director.

Ennis's appointment comes at a time when Wipro increasingly is looking at investing in global start-ups in emerging technology areas. Wipro has a $100 million fund in Wipro Ventures and has invested so far in four start-ups in the US.

Ennis, a former AT&T and Bell Labs executive, is currently the Global Head of Technology at Intellectual Ventures, a privately held invention capital firm that focuses on building a portfolio of patents that it buys and commercialises them.

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'He brings in a unique combination of scientific curiosity, an in-depth understanding of the startup eco-system and business insights. I am confident Wipro will immensely benefit from his wide experience," Wipro Chairman Azim Premji said in a statement.

"Ennis will serve as an independent member on the Board from April 1, and will bring a wealth of experience to Wipro, having spent over twenty five years as an educator, inventor, scientist, and venture capitalist," the statement said.

Ennis holds a PhD, MS, and MPhil in Physics from Yale University; an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; and a BS in Mathematics and Physics from the College of William and Mary, it said.