V.S.S Mani - The Progress Catalyst
A pioneer in digital transformation
Venkatachalam Sthanu Subramani Mani (V S S Mani) is a visionary entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO of Justdial, India’s leading local search and business listing platform. With a mission to simplify access to business information, he transformed Justdial from a small telephone directory service into a tech-driven digital marketplace. His journey is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the ability to scale a business without prior expertise in entrepreneurship.
Nationality: Indian
Date of Birth: 1966
Hometown: Jamshedpur
Spouse: Anita Mani
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Commerce
Employment History:
Founder & CEO of Justdial
Former employee at Yellow Pages India
V S S Mani’s vision of bridging the gap between businesses and consumers revolutionised India’s local search industry, making Justdial a household name.
V.S.S Mani, transforming local search industry
V S S Mani’s entrepreneurial journey began in the 1990s, when he recognised the need for a reliable, single-point contact service for businesses and consumers. He launched Justdial in 1996 as a telephonic business directory, allowing users to find local businesses, services, and professionals through a single phone call.
As internet penetration increased, Mani digitised Justdial, making it India’s largest local search platform, offering listings across restaurants, healthcare, travel, education, and more. His ability to adapt to technological shifts helped Justdial remain relevant and competitive in the ever-evolving digital economy.
In 2021, Justdial secured a ₹3,497 crore investment from Reliance Retail, further strengthening its position in India’s digital marketplace ecosystem.
Impact Maker V.S.S Mani
V S S Mani’s impact on India’s digital economy is immense. By providing a comprehensive and accessible platform, he has empowered millions of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to reach wider audiences without the need for expensive marketing.
Justdial’s expansion into app-based search, voice search, and AI-powered recommendations has further enhanced consumer convenience, making local business discovery faster and more intuitive. His pioneering efforts in digital business listings have played a key role in India’s shift towards online business solutions.
Change Maker V.S.S Mani
Despite lacking formal business expertise, V S S Mani successfully scaled Justdial into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. His entrepreneurial resilience was evident during the dot-com bubble burst and economic slowdowns, yet he remained focused on long-term growth.
He introduced innovative monetisation strategies, such as freemium business listings, premium advertising models, and lead-generation services, ensuring sustained revenue growth. His ability to secure strategic investments, including Reliance Retail’s stake in Justdial, has further cemented the company’s future in India’s digital economy.
Progress Catalyst V.S.S Mani
V S S Mani’s contributions extend beyond Justdial’s success—he has inspired a new wave of Indian entrepreneurs to embrace digital-first business models. His focus on customer-centric innovation, data-driven insights, and AI-enhanced search functionalities continues to shape the future of local business discovery in India.
As Justdial expands into new verticals such as e-commerce, hyperlocal delivery, and fintech solutions, Mani’s vision for digital transformation remains stronger than ever.
Achievements
Founded Justdial in 1996 – Built India’s first local search platform, connecting millions of businesses and consumers.
Led Justdial to a ₹3,497 crore deal with Reliance Retail – Strengthened the platform’s financial and technological future.
Digitised India’s local business ecosystem – Helped SMBs go digital and increase their reach.
Expanded Justdial’s services – Introduced mobile apps, AI-based recommendations, and voice search integration.
Transformed India’s digital business landscape – Set a benchmark for local search and business listing platforms.
Awards & Recognitions
Recognised by Economic Times & Forbes as one of India’s leading tech entrepreneurs.
Nominated for multiple industry awards for excellence in digital transformation.
Key player in India’s digital economy expansion, influencing start-ups, business owners, and tech innovators.
Media References
StartupTalky – V S S Mani’s Success Story
Livemint – Lessons from Justdial’s V S S Mani
DNA India – How V S S Mani built Justdial & secured a ₹3,497 crore deal
Forbes India - How V S S Mani pre-empted competition
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