Last year, during a train journey from Jamshedpur to Kolkata, I encountered an extraordinary railway hawker who profoundly impacted me. He was selling phone stands, but it wasn’t just the product—it was his boundless energy, confidence, and ability to captivate the entire coach that stood out. In just 20 minutes, he sold 14 units, demonstrating exceptional salesmanship and a deep understanding of his audience. This serendipitous encounter became a powerful metaphor for the vibrant energy I seek in my career, ultimately guiding me towards the Indian startup ecosystem and leading me to join Kalaari’s Fellowship Program.
Finding My Path in Fintech
My passion for financial innovation began at Goldman Sachs, where I helped build Apple Cards and Savings products. This experience naturally drew me to India’s rapidly transforming financial sector. As India strides towards financial inclusion, I’m excited to be part of this transformative journey. The country’s bold leap into Open Finance promises to usher in an era of personalized financial products and services.
My transition to Kalaari was a pivotal moment in my career. It provided me with an opportunity to work with exceptional entrepreneurs who’re building for the next half billion and contribute to the growth of promising startups. This experience has instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to driving positive change in the financial services industry.
Impact Through Innovation
In addition to exploring opportunities within the fintech domain, I have been deeply involved in identifying and supporting investment opportunities in India’s thriving DeepTech sector. Kalaari Capital has been a steadfast supporter of this burgeoning ecosystem, providing an early-stage platform for DeepTech innovators to flourish. This role has been particularly meaningful as it reconnected me with my alma mater, IIT Madras—a hub of groundbreaking innovation and a strong advocate for the DeepTech revolution.
Building Bonds Beyond Work
As a sports enthusiast, I found immense joy in participating in the Kalaari Capital Premier League, an experience that rekindled my passion for sports and the camaraderie that comes with it. This was reminiscent of my college days, where I organized multiple events with enthusiasm and creativity. Kalaari helped me relive those moments, particularly through organizing initiatives like the Women’s Day celebration, which brought together team spirit, and creativity.
Culture at the Core
What sets Kalaari apart is its deep connection to our roots and where we come from. From the culturally rich office interiors to celebrations of Onam, Pongal, and Diwali, the firm creates a genuine sense of belonging. This cultural integration inspires us to go above and beyond for the vision we embody.
To more experiences
This role comes with immense responsibility alongside unparalleled exposure, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, to this greater cause. It’s been a journey of growth, learning, and meaningful impact—one that I will always cherish.
If you are passionate about fintech and are building in this space, please reach out to me at meenakshi@kalaari.com. I would love to connect!
