Harshavardhan Lunia
Class of 2008





Tell us a little about your family background/ history. How has it influenced you?
My family has been an integral part of my personal and professional journey; the most important influence in my academic and social development. I grew up in Ahmadabad with two siblings. Having a traditionally rich lineage of self-made businessmen which went as far back as my great grandfathers, I was raised in a family with an academic bent and an entrepreneurial spirit.

My father was a rank holding Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. My mother was the university topper and best student of the college for 3 consecutive years. In her last year, she received an award from the then PM of India, Ms. Indira Gandhi. Having excelled in their academic careers, my parents instilled the value and importance of education in me and my siblings. My elder brother, Anand Lunia, who is founder and partner with India Quotient was an IIM Lucknow medallist and ‘Best student’ for two years in a row. My sister Abha Bhaskar (Lunia), completed her M.S from the US and currently is a Director – Technology in Talx Corporation in the US. I too after completing my CA and working for 3.5 years in banks, found my academic calling in ISB.

We were always taught that hard work and perseverance leads to growth and fulfilment in life. This influence has been crucial to my success in life.

Briefly describe your personal and professional achievements (including recent awards/ special projects).
In the course of my career, there have been many projects that I have cherished being a part of. Creation of Lendingkart last year was the beginning of a new challenge. A few months ago, when my team celebrated the first loan we disbursed in Guwahati, 2000kms away from where we are, was when we realised the potential of the platform we are building and the disruption we are set to initiate.

My biggest achievement will be unlocked when Lendingkart manages to reach out to all 700 towns and cities in India. We have begun our journey with E-commerce as we work with marketplaces like Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon & payment gateways like PayU.

Tell us about your profile prior to attending ISB and recap your professional life after ISB, including your career progression.
Prior to attending ISB, I had worked in SME Banking with HDFC Bank, providing plain vanilla loan products to SMEs. I then joined the Standard Chartered Bank as a City Manager for SME Banking.

On graduating from ISB, I joined ICICI Bank’s Investment and Corporate Banking division in London.

In 2010, I returned back to India with the aim to build a platform that makes Indian SME’s bankable. I started my entrepreneurial journey with an advisory business, in my company Domestic Finance & Investment Private Limited.

Though the business was doing well, I realized the various inefficiencies that marred the SME lending space in India. The credit decisions in banks took months. Any potential analysis was hindered by lack or complete absence of data. Information asymmetry was widespread. SME’s had no resources to execute financing transactions and the ones which did needed hand holding for the processes. I realized such a business would be scalable only when the entire process was taken online and a means to arrive at a credit score to take decisions could be created. Thus in 2014, I joined hands with Mukul Sachan, an old school friend, to create Lendingkart.

How do you think your time at ISB has contributed to your career and personal growth?
The one year I spent at ISB played a pivotal role in my entrepreneurial career. The institute exposed me to greater opportunities to start new business and I combined this with my experience in corporate banking. ISB helped me develop a deeper understanding of various facets of business, operations and people management.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?
The ability and opportunity to influence and make decisions on a regular basis and impact even smaller outcomes keeps me excited at work. Also, the journey of motivating and inspiring my team towards worthwhile goals with risks is very enriching.

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Are there any trends that you can identify?
Digital Lending, though nascent, is growing in India. As of this moment there are over 30 players building alternative lending platforms in India. Conventional banks and NBFC’s have also realized that technology is the answer to tapping the unbanked credit market across the nation and achieving the goal of financial inclusion. While some see competition, I see strategic alliances between traditional and new age financial platforms to make credit available to the remotest corners of the country.

What was the main highlight or most memorable aspect of your programme at the ISB?
ISB was defined by a perfect mix of highly competent academics and an energetic peer group. A big bundle of knowledge and experiences packed in an eventful one year. Each day was an uphill climb but overall the experience was quite stimulating and inspirational. I learnt so much just from listening to the diverse experiences of my peers and faculty. I still fondly remember the sleepless nights finishing projects and preparing for exams.

If you could offer a word of advice to the current class at ISB, what would it be?
Consider ISB as an investment for the long run. Therefore, be completely involved in the program and absorb as much as you can. Focus more on learning and exploring, rather than comparing yourself with others. Also, focus on what mode of career you will enjoy and direct your efforts towards that goal.

How do you feel you can contribute to ISB?
I would be happy to mentor budding ISB entrepreneurs.