Arjun Ahluwalia is a prominent and successful entrepreneur in the country. He kickstarted his journey as an entrepreneur when he moved back to India after working in America for several years. He is the founder of the rural fintech startup ‘Jai Kisan.’ Arjun Ahluwalia’s house help who is a resident of Dharavi, Mumbai, often took loans from private financial institutions. Inspired by the idea, he established a rural fintech startup. Today, his company is valued at Rs 2000 crore. 

Who is Arjun Ahluwalia?

Arjun Ahluwalia was employed at a private equity firm in New York, USA. He enjoyed a life of luxury and comfort that he got from his high-paying job. Despite the allure of his affluent lifestyle, he opted to leave his job and return to India with a friend. The two friends wanted to venture into the world of business together. Upon their return, Arjun and his friend spent six months in a village in Maharashtra to understand the intricacies of the farming community. 

Business ideas

After graduating with a degree in finance from Texas A&M University, Arjun Ahluwalia, joined the Abraaj Group in New York. Recognizing India’s emergence in the global market, he harboured a vision of establishing a business. He returned to India with the business idea of providing financial support to farmers, aiming to give them freedom from the clutches of moneylenders. He conducted a pilot project for his rural fintech firm in states like Karnataka and Maharashtra for a duration of 8 months before officially launching the company. 

Investors in the company

Securing funding for the company posed a significant challenge initially. However, in recent years, Arjun's company has achieved remarkable success in fundraising efforts. The company successfully secured approximately $80 million in Series A and Series B funding rounds. Currently, the rural fintech firm is valued at approximately Rs 2,000 crore. Noteworthy investors such as GMO Ventures, DG Daiwa Ventures, Yara Growth Ventures, Arkam Ventures, among others, have demonstrated their confidence in 'Jai Kisan'.