RTP Global Appoints Smita Goel as COO for Asia Operations

Early-stage global venture capital firm RTP Global has elevated Smita Goel to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its Asia operations, formalising an expanded role that builds on her existing responsibilities across finance and operations in the region.

In her new role, Goel will oversee Asia operations, fund structuring, global compliance and finance portfolio support. Over the past four years, she has worked with RTP Global and its portfolio companies on complex cross-border matters spanning international taxation, fund and entity structuring, due diligence, investment structuring and transactions, as well as tax audits and assessments.

Expanded Responsibilities Across Asia

Goel’s expanded mandate will cover the firm’s operations across Asia, alongside responsibilities related to fund structuring, compliance and finance support for portfolio companies.

She has worked extensively across India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, supporting RTP Global and its portfolio companies on cross-border financial and regulatory matters.

Two Decades of Tax and Regulatory Experience

Goel brings more than two decades of experience across international taxation, fund structuring, cross-border transactions and regulatory compliance.

Before joining RTP Global, she worked in the tax and regulatory practices at EY and PwC. She also served as Tax Head at Allstate India.

Goel is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and holds a degree in Commerce.

Goel on Her Expanded Role

Smita Goel, Chief Operating Officer, Asia, RTP Global, said the expanded role builds on her experience across the firm and its portfolio companies.

“The last four years at RTP Global have been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I have had the opportunity to work across many parts of the firm and with our incredible founders on some genuinely complex and meaningful problems alongside an exceptional team,” Goel said.

“I am excited to take on this expanded role and continue building with the team, bringing greater structure and rigour to how we operate and supporting our founders and portfolio companies across the different stages of their journeys,” she added.

RTP Global on Goel’s Leadership

Galina Chifina, CEO and Partner, RTP Global, said Goel has been an integral part of the firm since the establishment of its India office.

“Smita has been an integral part of RTP Global since we established our India office, and this appointment reflects the breadth of responsibility she has taken on over the years. She has an exceptional ability to take what is complex and make it feel manageable, for our team, for our portfolio companies, and for the firm,” Chifina said.

Chifina also highlighted Goel’s adoption of new ways of working, including AI-based solutions developed to benefit the firm’s team and portfolio companies.

Focus on Operational Excellence

Nishit Garg, Partner, RTP Global, said operational excellence is an important part of how a global investment firm operates and highlighted Goel’s experience across finance, tax and fund structuring.

“Operational excellence is critical to how a global investment firm operates, and Smita brings exceptional depth and rigour to that role. She combines this expertise with a genuine understanding of and commitment to the founders we back,” Garg said.

He added that her experience gives her a perspective across different aspects of building and supporting a portfolio, particularly as companies and transactions become more complex across markets.

Supporting RTP Global’s Asia Operations

Goel’s elevation formalises a broader operational mandate covering RTP Global’s Asia activities. Her responsibilities will span finance, fund structuring, compliance and portfolio support as the firm works with founders and companies operating across multiple markets.