C. Balagopal is an entrepreneur, startup mentor and a writer. After completing his postgraduate studies in Economics from Madras University, Balagopal joined the IAS in 1977. Having worked with the IAS in various capacities in Manipur and Kerala, he resigned in 1983 to take up a new role as an entrepreneur. He then went on to forming a start-up using legitimate sources from a national lab, to create biomedical devices for the first time in the country. This company went on to become one of the largest makers of blood transfusion bags in the world. He then sold the company to a Japanese multinational and retired from active business in 2012. Since then, he has engaged himself in investing, writing, mentoring start-ups, traveling, and reading while following additional interests. In an effort to mobilize and support social enterprises in rural areas, Balagopal and Vinita set up the Anaha Trust foundation.