Jayesh Veralkar has exited Dolby after more than 13 years with the company to dedicate himself full-time to Vinyl Souk, the UAE-based music and culture platform he co-founded.
Veralkar joined Dolby in August 2013 and most recently served as Senior Marketing Manager for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. During his tenure, he spearheaded regional marketing initiatives and partner collaborations, while playing a key role in bringing Dolby Cinema to the Middle East.
Reflecting on his departure, Veralkar described his time at Dolby as an incredible chapter, expressing gratitude for the experiences and learnings gained during his association with the company. He noted that Vinyl Souk, which began as a passion project, has evolved into a platform he deeply believes in, prompting his decision to devote his full attention to its growth.
Founded in 2023, Vinyl Souk champions independent music, vinyl culture and the arts through curated live experiences, educational programmes, festivals and recorded music. The platform has attracted more than 10,000 attendees across over 50 curated experiences, featuring more than 240 regional and international artists.
Its initiatives include Souk Sessions, Souk Lab, the Vinyl Souk Mini Festival and Made in the Emirates, a compilation series documenting the UAE's independent music scene.
Before joining Dolby, Veralkar worked with Sony Music India, where he established and led an independent music vertical focused on unsigned artists, live programming, talent management and bookings. His professional journey also includes stints at IBM, Integreon and Channel V. He additionally founded Eventuality Inc., a venture centred on music events and brand activations.
