Exato.ai, a US-based AI-powered customer experience transformation company, has announced the appointment of Dr Omkar Rai as an Independent Director on its Board.
Dr Rai is a distinguished technocrat with over 28 years of experience in India’s technology and innovation ecosystem. He holds a PhD in Statistics from Banaras Hindu University and has served in leadership roles across national and state platforms.
As Director General of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under the Ministry of Electronics & IT, Dr Rai was instrumental in decentralising IT/ITeS operations, leading initiatives to expand the industry into Tier‑II and Tier‑III cities. He championed the establishment of more than 20–25 Technology Centers of Excellence (CoEs) focused on emerging deep-tech domains such as AI, AR/VR, IoT, blockchain, fintech, meditech, cybersecurity, chip design and more. He also played a key role in framing the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP 2019).
Later, as Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha (from April 2022 to September 2024), Dr Rai infused new dynamism into the state’s startup ecosystem. Under his leadership, the number of recognized startups grew from around 1,200 to over 1,800, including more than 700 women-led ventures. He was honored with the State Business Leadership Award 2024 for inclusive growth across sectors.
At Exato.ai, Dr Rai will provide strategic oversight, governance excellence and independent insight, shaping the company’s evolution as a global leader in AI-driven customer experience (CX) solutions.
Dr. Appuorv K Sinha, CEO, Exato.ai, said, “Dr Rai’s proven track record in building national innovation frameworks and scaling deep-tech ecosystems makes him a transformative addition to our Board. His mentorship will guide our journey to empower digital-first enterprises both in India and internationally.”
Dr Omkar Rai said, “India’s emergence as a digital powerhouse is underpinned by its innovation-driven approach and strong public-private collaboration. Organisations like Exato.ai are taking this momentum further by creating cutting-edge AI solutions that empower businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences at scale. I look forward to supporting the leadership team at Exato.ai as they continue to build globally competitive, future-ready platforms from India.”
