Google Mapmaker joins BetterPlace

MUMBAI, INDIA: Lalitesh Katragadda, the man behind Google Mapmaker has joined Bengaluru-based background verification firm BetterPlace as Executive Board member and investor.

Widely credited to be the man behind Google Mapmaker, Katragadda will integrate his technological knowledge with BetterPlace’s digital technologies, data analytics and application tools to SafePower every Indian Citizen. BetterPlace will also leverage his technological knowledge and practical, hands-on- expertise to develop complex large scale tech-driven safety solutions.

Katragadda is currently serving as an advisor to the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments on several projects related to redesigning fibre grids in order to make high-bandwidth internet available to all at affordable prices.

He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and holds a PhD in Robotics from the Carnegie Mellon University. He was previously associated with Google for over ten years and was heading its India operations before moving onto different ventures.

Pravin Agarwala, Co-founder & CEO, BetterPlace, said, “BetterPlace was created as a response to the rapidly deteriorating safety landscape in the country with a view of addressing the ever-expanding trust deficit by offering safety as a service (SaaS). With Lalitesh as a member of our Executive Board, we are confident that his invaluable experience and innovative thought process will help us improve upon our present offerings and guide our future strategies’ tobolster the safety quotient across the country.”

Katragadda added, “One thing that is fairly obvious to every Indian today is the dearth of trust we place in our fellow citizens owing to the high crime incidence rate. Joining BetterPlace gives me a much-valued opportunity to contribute to the society and help address the deteriorating safety conditions.”