Updates and Information on upcoming events from the alumni association.
MORE >>

• Faculty Achievements
• ISB Recent Events
• PGP Admission Infosessions

Previous Occupation: Vice President – Corporate Strategy, Prithvi Information Solutions
Present Occupation: Founder and CEO, ArthaYantra Corporation Pvt. Ltd
Sector: Financial Services & Technology (FinTech)
Work Experience: I have worked for over 13 years in sectors such as banking, private equity, IT product development and multilateral financial institutions in multiple functions.
I have had exposure to working in the United States, India, Middle East and Africa.
Interests:
Professional: I am a serial entrepreneur focused on changing the way financial services are delivered to middle-income professionals in India.
Personal: I am an avid reader, and I like travelling and solving unique problems.

Can you tell us a little about your family background/ history?
I was born and brought up in a working class, middle-income family where both my parents worked. I am married to Rekha, who is a U.S. Manager with Deloitte Consulting. I am blessed with two sons, Ayush, who is three years old, and Anay, who is four months old.

Briefly describe your personal and professional achievements (including recent awards/ special projects).
I hold multiple patents in the fields of technology and financial services.
ArthaYantra, the company I founded, has been recognised as one of the top 35 FinTech companies by Finovate Asia, 2013. I have been at the forefront of the success story of Arthayantra, making it India’s largest online personal finance advisory company.

Tell us about your profile pre-ISB, and recap your professional life after ISB, including your career progression.
Prior to pursuing my MBA at ISB, I worked with a start-up and also with Bank of America in financial services in various cities in the U.S. I also hold a Masters in Electrical Engineering from Northern Illinois University.
Post-ISB, I worked with another start-up, Infoknox, where I set up their India operations and was the head of the product. I moved to Mahindra Satyam to head one of their products in their Middle-East operations. Then I joined Prithvi Information Solutions, where I headed Corporate Strategy and Global Marketing before I started my own venture, ArthaYantra.

Describe your fondest memory of ISB.
The fondest memory I have is of winning the Business Plan Competition. It remains my best memory of ISB to date.

In your personal life, how have you changed post-ISB? Do you see yourself doing something differently because you went to ISB? What has left a lasting impression?
I have become more organised and have been able to manage my time better post-ISB. I have also been able to channelise my energy in the right direction. Also, I was able to make many friends at ISB, whom I will cherish for the rest of my life.

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth?
ISB has given me the ability to look at different data points and derive strategic inferences which help me take better decisions.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word:
Game-changer!

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB?
Listening to and being taught by the best talent would be the biggest highlight of the programme at the ISB.

Word of advice for the current class?
Think long-term and stay grounded.

What was your favourite course/ class at ISB and why?
Macroeconomics, because it gave me the foundation to understand and practise finance in a very different way.

Was there anyone during your time at ISB who acted as a mentor for you? Tell us a little about this relationship and why it was valuable.
Professor Chandru was with the Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (WCED) and was a mentor to me. As a “wanna-be” entrepreneur, I learnt a lot of things from him which still benefit me today.

What are the areas in which you can contribute to ISB?
I have been involved with ISB at multiple levels, both officially and unofficially. I would be glad to continue to do that.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?
It is liberating to be able to make a difference in a common man’s life like no other financial services company can claim to do.

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Any trends that you can see?
Online Financial Advisory is a new concept in the Indian financial services domain. ArthaYantra has been a pioneer in this segment. I foresee a significant increase in online players in the next few years. Regulators are already seeing the benefits that clients can derive from this
non-traditional way of delivering financial advice. Being a pioneer, ArthaYantra has been able to create a niche for itself by identifying itself as the only unbiased and pro-customer company in its domain.
 

© 2014 Indian School of Business, Disclaimer.