Hi, I'm Jaideep Rao
Operator, advisor, and Project Manager of a landmark family-business study at London Business School with Harvard and MIT.
A practitioner across digital product, research, and family-business advisory.
I work at the intersection of digital product development, research, and organizational transformation.
At London Business School, I design and build AI-native digital systems that support research, teaching, and operational teams — translating complex organizational requirements into practical tools and workflows. In parallel, I contribute to applied research and case writing in strategy, entrepreneurship, and organizational behaviour, with a focus on family-run and privately held enterprises and organizational transformation. I support the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital (IEPC) through research on family enterprises and family offices, and through practitioner-focused initiatives such as the Family Office Conference and CFO Private Business Forum.
I also project-manage the LBS Family Business Research Initiative — a 3,000-firm fieldwork programme on Indian family-owned businesses, with co-investigators at Harvard and MIT. Findings are not yet public.
Outside the LBS work, I advise a small number of Indian family-run businesses through the practices that move execution from founder instinct to repeatable systems. The advisory work is concentrated in manufacturing, MEP contracting, and pharma/healthcare — and structured around a 17-practice framework that has, in one anchor engagement (TEPL Nagpur), supported a 3x growth path in 15 months. I work from London, where I am also Dean's Special Advisor on the Academic Committee at Goodenough College. I write occasionally for Forbes.
For family offices & institutions
I currently project-manage the largest active study of Indian family businesses — a 3,000-firm fieldwork programme at London Business School with co-investigators at Harvard and MIT. I work from London, where I am also Dean's Special Advisor on the Academic Committee at Goodenough College.
My Journey
- 🏝️
Childhood in Udupi
Born to banker Tulu-speaking parents. Learned Karate and violin for 6 years, played football on the beach, and grew up with a love for learning and community.
- 🎓
Engineering in Manipal
Built an exam portal used by 6000+ students. Class Representative for 3 years, Placement Coordinator in final year. Developed leadership and tech skills.
- 🏢
Professional Growth
6 years in Bangalore (SAP), 4 years in Delhi (Edtech), 5 years in Hyderabad (Lifesciences, pharma, healthcare). Led teams, drove transformation, and built partnerships.
- 🎓
Connecting the dots
MBA at ISB. Certifications from Wharton, Harvard and London Business School in strategy and leadership. Started Management Consulting practice.
- 🔬
Research and advisory at LBS
Joined the London Business School Family Business Research Initiative as Project Manager — a 3,000-firm fieldwork programme on Indian family-owned businesses, with co-investigators at Harvard and MIT. In parallel, advise a small number of Indian family-run businesses through the practices that move the work from founder instinct to repeatable systems.
Professional Affiliations & Contributions
Family Business Research Initiative, London Business School (with Harvard and MIT)
- London Business SchoolDigital systems, applied research, case writing.
- Confidential Projects with HR giant & AI CRM company
- Dean’s Special Advisor in Academic Committee at Goodenough College, London
- Institute of Engineers, India (IEI)
- MIT Manipal Industry Advisory Committee
- Sapne Foundation (Founding Trustee)
- India Inclusion Summit, Inclusion Fellowship & Let’s Include Film Festival (Founding Member)
Research, with LBS, Harvard, and MIT.
I project-manage a 3,000-firm study of Indian family businesses being conducted at London Business School with co-investigators at Harvard and MIT. Findings are not yet public, and I do not advise families who are active research participants in the study.
Read more →Core Competencies
What I'm not for.
I do not advise VC-backed startups optimising for exit, and I do not advise active research participants in the LBS Family Business Study. I do not deliver brand-name consulting projects with rotating teams; the work is built around continuity with a senior advisor. I do not promise transformation in 90 days; the practices that compound across generations take longer than that. The fit is best when a serious operator wants a senior partner for the work — not a deck.
My Leadership Philosophy
Leadership Flywheel
This visual captures how I think about long-term leadership: purpose shapes choices, choices build systems, systems help people grow, and that growth reinforces purpose.
A visual summary of the beliefs that shape how I build, lead, and choose work.
Leadership is about building institutions that serve human wellbeing with integrity. Here are my guiding principles:
Purpose over Prestige
Choose opportunities based on long-term societal impact rather than short-term visibility.
Systems over Silos
Focus on root causes, feedback loops, and designing interventions that strengthen institutions.
Learning as a Lifelong Discipline
Reflection is core; write, synthesize, and refine mental models through every experience.
People as the Ultimate Multiplier
Progress scales through trust, partnerships, and creating environments for others to grow.
Sustainability over Speed
Endurance matters; design life and work for long-term contribution, not short bursts of intensity.
What energizes me outside of work
Endurance Sports
I love triathlons, running, and exploring the outdoors.
Lifelong Learning
Always curious—especially about history, culture, and urban spaces.
Disability Inclusion
Passionate about building inclusive communities and advocating for disability inclusion.
Reflections
Writing, reading, music (violin), and meditation are my ways to reflect and recharge.
Stay in the Loop
Subscribe to my monthly newsletter for updates on my work, reflections, and resources I find valuable. No spam, just thoughtful insights—straight to your inbox.