Ashneer Grover: From Finance Professional to Building BharatPe
Image via Grover Instagram
Ashneer Grover is known in India’s startup space for building BharatPe, a widely used digital payment platform that grew rapidly among small merchants in the country. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he spent several years working in the corporate and finance sector. His professional journey, along with his television appearance in a business reality show, made him a familiar name across India.
Ashneer was born in Delhi on 14 June 1982 and completed his schooling in the city. After school, he studied civil engineering at IIT Delhi and was selected for an international student exchange programme in France, supported by a scholarship. After returning to India, he pursued an MBA in Finance from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, which led him towards a corporate career.
His first major role was at Kotak Investment Banking in Mumbai, where he spent several years working on major financial deals. He later joined American Express in a senior position, but after gaining experience in the corporate world, he moved towards the startup ecosystem. Ashneer worked with Grofers, now Blinkit, as the Chief Financial Officer and later worked with PC Jewellers in a leadership role that exposed him to merchant networks and business operations.
The idea of BharatPe took shape while he was working with retailers and businesses. Along with co-founders Shashvat Nakrani and Bhavik Koladiya, he launched BharatPe in 2018. The company focused on QR-based UPI payments for merchants and introduced financial services that helped small businesses access lending and payment solutions. Over time, it became one of the most used merchant payment platforms in India. BharatPe grew quickly and expanded its services, gaining visibility across the country.
Ashneer also became a recognised face when he appeared as one of the investors on the first season of Shark Tank India in 2021. His direct approach and sharp business opinions made him widely discussed online. His journey later saw public controversies, including disputes and organisational decisions, and he resigned from BharatPe in March 2022.
Ashneer lives in Delhi with his wife, Madhuri Grover, who has also been involved in business operations, and their two children. Despite challenges, he continues to be seen as a bold figure in India’s startup community.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
Ashneer Grover’s journey reflects the fast-changing startup environment of India, where professionals from traditional careers are moving toward entrepreneurship. His rise from management roles to building a well-known digital payments company shows how rapidly the financial technology sector has grown in the country. His television participation brought mainstream attention to the world of investments and startups. While his career has included challenges and public debate, his influence within the business landscape remains significant. His story continues to interest audiences who follow technology, digital payments, and entrepreneurial journeys in India.