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Jay Vijayan is the Founder and CEO of Tekion Corp, a leading automotive retail cloud platform. He is also a prominent angel investor and was previously the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Tesla.
Jay Vijayan primarily invests in early-stage companies focused on B2B SaaS, enterprise software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and advanced automotive technologies. He seeks disruptive solutions and visionary founders.
Jay Vijayan works as the Founder and CEO of Tekion Corp, which is headquartered in San Ramon, California.
Jay Vijayan is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tekion Corp, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Before founding the automotive retail platform, he served as Chief Information Officer at Tesla Motors, where he developed the automaker's proprietary enterprise resource planning system. His earlier career includes senior technology leadership positions at VMware and Oracle, following a Master of Science from the University of Madras. Under his leadership, Tekion reached a $3.5 billion valuation after a $250 million Series D round in 2021, and secured a $200 million growth equity investment from Dragoneer Investment Group in July 2024. The company has attracted strategic backing from major automotive manufacturers and venture capital firms, including General Motors, BMW iVentures, and Index Ventures. Vijayan currently focuses on scaling enterprise software solutions and modernizing dealership management systems globally.
Jay Vijayan stands as a transformative leader and influential investor at the intersection of technology and the automotive industry. As the visionary Founder and CEO of Tekion Corp, he is at the forefront of revolutionizing automotive retail through cutting-edge, cloud-native platforms. Tekion, under his leadership, leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide dealers and manufacturers with an integrated, seamless, and data-driven experience, fundamentally changing how vehicles are bought, sold, and serviced. His strategic acumen has propelled Tekion to unicorn status, solidifying its position as a major disruptor in the sector.
Prior to founding Tekion, Vijayan held the pivotal role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Tesla. During his tenure, he was instrumental in scaling Tesla's global IT infrastructure and systems during a period of unprecedented hyper-growth. His work at Tesla involved building robust enterprise applications, optimizing operational efficiencies, and supporting the company's ambitious goals in electric vehicle production and innovation. This invaluable experience provided him with a deep understanding of building and scaling high-growth technology companies, a perspective he now brings to his investment endeavors.
As an active angel investor, Jay Vijayan focuses on identifying and nurturing early-stage startups with the potential for significant market disruption. His investment thesis is heavily influenced by his background in enterprise technology and automotive innovation. He primarily seeks out companies operating in B2B SaaS, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced automotive technologies. Vijayan is particularly drawn to founders who demonstrate a clear vision, a strong technical foundation, and a commitment to solving complex industry challenges through scalable software solutions. He looks for ventures that can leverage data and intelligent automation to create efficiencies and new value propositions.
While specific public disclosures of all his notable investments are not always readily available, his portfolio is understood to include promising ventures across the tech landscape. He often acts not just as a capital provider but also as a strategic advisor, leveraging his extensive network and operational expertise to guide portfolio companies through critical growth phases. Jay Vijayan's commitment to fostering innovation extends beyond his own ventures, making him a sought-after partner for entrepreneurs aiming to build the next generation of industry-leading technology companies. His journey from a key executive at a pioneering automotive company to the founder of a disruptive tech firm, and now an influential investor, underscores his enduring impact on the global technology ecosystem.
