Excl: John Kuruvilla Moves On From Via; Founder Of Taggle Plans To Start New Venture After One Year

John Kuruvilla, who joined online travel and deals site Via (part of Bangalore-based Flightraja Travels Pvt Ltd) late last year, has moved on from the company after five months on the job.

Kuruvilla is the founder of the now defunct e-commerce site Taggle.com, run by Bangalore-based Taggle Internet Ventures. Taggle, which raised funds from Battery Ventures and Greylock Partners in June 2010, shut shop late last year (more on that here). Previously, Kuruvilla was the chief revenue officer of Air Deccan (which was later acquired by Kingfisher) and also served as an executive vice-president at Oberoi Hotels.

While separate media reports stated that Kuruvilla was roped in by Via as the chief marketing officer, he told Techcircle.in he had joined the firm for an assignment-specific contract which required him to help Via broaden and scale up its B2C side of the business.

"This is the result of a time-bound agreement which has come to an end. I had some deliverable, which I have met, and now I have decided to move on," said Kuruvilla. He was involved with work related to branding, marketing and customer acquisition.

When contacted by Techcircle.in, Vinay Gupta, founder & CEO of Via, did not specifically comment on Kuruvilla's departure, nor did he confirm if the former chief of Taggle was brought in on contract and if the firm would find a replacement for him.

Kuruvilla said that he would take a one-year sabbatical and then would start a venture of his own "which is now taking shape." He said that he would be going on a month-long vacation to the Amazon and "really chill" during this time.

We will update you regarding his next venture as and when it happens.