About Us
At Towards Equal Foundation, we believe that every individual deserves an opportunity to thrive, and every community can be empowered through access to resources and opportunities. Founded by Mahendran Balachandran and Sangeeta Prabhu Mahendran, Towards Equal is a Private Foundation with a profound commitment to creating a more equitable world.
Our vision is clear and unwavering – to contribute tirelessly to improving lives and fostering communities. We are dedicated to the creation of opportunities and the facilitation of resources that empower individuals and communities to reach their full potential.
Core Values
Ethics
We uphold the highest ethical standards in all our endeavors, ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in everything we do.
Empathy
We deeply understand and empathize with the challenges faced by individuals and communities, and we are committed to making a positive impact.
Collaboration
We believe in the power of collaboration. Together, we can achieve more, and we actively seek partnerships that enhance our ability to create change.
Innovation
We are relentless in our pursuit of innovative solutions that drive measurable impact. We believe that creativity and forward-thinking can transform lives.
Trustee Briefs
Mahendran Balachandran – Founder, Trustee
With over 34 years of experience, Mahendran Balachandran has held leadership positions in renowned technology companies such as Apple and Tektronix. He’s also a pioneer in the Indian Venture Capital ecosystem. As the Founder Partner for Accel and an alumnus of NIT Warangal and IIM Bangalore, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the foundation. Mahendran is passionate about paying it forward, championing projects in education, healthcare, livelihood, and sports. He has been a strong supporter of initiatives like the One Billion Literates Foundation, People for Animals, Swasthya Swaraj, and more. In 2019, he established the Crow Trust, fully subsidizing the education of children of caddies at Bangalore Golf Club. His vision of improving lives and empowering communities through opportunity creation is the driving force behind Towards Equal Foundation.
Sangeeta Prabhu Mahendran – Founder, Trustee
Sangeeta Prabhu Mahendran, with over 27 years of corporate experience, is an Engineer, Sales Leader, and Social Entrepreneur. She is passionate about women’s empowerment, fostering partnerships, and building communities. As a Business Mentor, she’s deeply involved in supporting women entrepreneurs globally. Sangeeta is also an investor in Social Enterprise, a Certified Diversity Professional, and the Founder of Antraprerna Ventures and MyBoTree. Her dedication lies in providing platforms, opportunities, and resources to youth, women, and the disenfranchised.
Santosh Prabhu – Trustee
With more than 25 years of corporate experience as a Computer Graduate and Engineering leader, Santosh Prabhu combines his technological expertise with a strong passion for animal welfare, sports, wellness, and travel. He now leverages his extensive experience, networks, and insights from the corporate sector to support social enterprises and foundations in scaling their impact. His venture, Antraprerna, empowers enterprises innovating for social good by fostering an ecosystem of technology experts and resources. Santosh actively engages in and supports projects related to animal welfare and environmental protection.
Shiran Mathew – Consultant – Communication & Programs
With over two decades of experience in advertising and marketing across various corporates and IT companies in Bangalore, Shiran Mathew is deeply passionate about women’s empowerment, equipping underserved youth with essential skills, and contributing to a greener world.
Sneha Sashidharan – Consultant – Operations & Outreach
With more than 18 years of experience in venture capital and private equity, Sneha Sashidharan brings a diverse background and a profound passion for social responsibility to the table. She is unwavering in her commitment to driving change, empowering communities, and building a brighter future through the vision of “Towards Equal.”
Grantees
What People Think
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Dwayt Harder
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