IIT graduates are often sought after by major corporate companies, offering them lucrative job packages during their final year of college. These graduates dedicate themselves to rigorous preparation for the JEE exam, aiming to secure a place in esteemed engineering institutes. However, there are instances where IITians opt to forge a different path, choosing to drop out and explore alternative careers or entrepreneurial ventures.
Shashvat Nakrani is a notable example of an IIT Delhi dropout who co-founded a successful company. He is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BharatPe, a payment app launched in collaboration with Ashneer Grover in 2018. Nakrani took this entrepreneurial leap at 19, leaving college in his third year.
In a significant achievement, Nakrani became the youngest individual to be featured in the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List in 2021, securing a place among 13 other self-made billionaires born in the 90s. The Hurun India Rich List recognizes individuals with a net worth exceeding Rs 1,000 crore.
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BharatPe, the company Nakrani co-founded, experienced substantial growth, raising USD 370 million in funding in 2021 and achieving a valuation of USD 2.9 billion. This financial success underscores the impact of Nakrani’s entrepreneurial vision.
Nakrani’s journey began while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Textile Technology at IIT Delhi. Identifying a significant gap in the market for a merchant-friendly payment gateway that doesn’t compromise their profits, Nakrani leveraged the interoperability feature of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) to bring ‘BharatPe’ into existence.
