Venture capitalist Ennis to join Wipro board

Noted technologist and venture capitalist Patrick J. Ennis will join the Wipro board as an independent member from April 1, the global software major said on Tuesday.

"Ennis will bring a wealth of experience to Wipro, having been an educator, inventor, scientist and venture capitalist over 25 years," the city-based company said in a statement here.

As global technology head of Intellectual Ventures, the US-based invention capital firm, Ennis invests in innovation and technology commercialisation.

"Ennis brings in scientific curiosity and good understanding of the startup eco-system and business insights. I am confident we will benefit from his wide experience," Wipro chairman Azim Premji said in the statement.

A doctorate in physics from Yale University and a business graduate from Wharton school at University of Pennsylvania, Ennis was managing director of Arch Venture Partners where he funded and built startups in diverse markets and technologies.

"I look forward to contribute to the company's next phase of growth as it is one of the trusted brands in the global IT industry, with a rich heritage of technology and innovation," the statement quoted him as saying.

Ennis also worked at AT&T, Bell Labs and Lucent Technologies and served on boards of many corporate, educational and non-profit organisation.