The last rites of Atul Hegde, Founder and Chairman of YAAP Digital, will be conducted in Mumbai on Tuesday evening, according to a statement shared by his family.
The funeral procession will begin at 5:00 pm from his residence at Oberoi Springs in Andheri West. The cremation will take place at 6:00 pm at Oshiwara Hindu Smashan Bhoomi (South Gate).
Hegde passed away earlier on Tuesday morning following a heart attack. He was in his early fifties. His sudden demise marks a significant loss for India’s advertising, marketing and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A veteran of the digital marketing industry, Hegde built a career spanning over two decades, establishing himself as a digital-first entrepreneur and business leader with a strong focus on technology, content, data and evolving consumer behaviour.
He was best known for founding YAAP, which he grew into an integrated digital marketing and technology company with operations across India and international markets. Under his leadership, the company expanded its capabilities across content, influencer marketing, digital media and technology-led marketing solutions.
Beyond YAAP, Hegde remained closely involved with India’s startup ecosystem through early-stage investments and mentorship. Through Rainmaker Ventures, which he co-founded, he supported emerging businesses and entrepreneurs.
Hegde’s career was rooted in advertising, branding and communications, experiences that shaped his vision of building an independent, technology-enabled agency network. In recent years, he had been leading YAAP through a phase of expansion, with the company focusing on artificial intelligence, proprietary technology, strategic acquisitions and geographic growth.
He will be remembered by the industry as a digital pioneer, entrepreneur and mentor who played a key role in shaping India’s evolving marketing ecosystem.
