How does achieving the Forbes 30U30 feat feel, and how has it impacted your career?

The experience has been incredibly rewarding. It has provided me with substantial exposure, credibility, and recognition in the industry. Since founding OnFinance, our trade volumes have increased significantly, reflecting our growth and success.

Can you describe your journey from BITS Goa to OnFinance AI?

My journey began at BITS Goa, where I was always interested in finance and AI despite being a Chemical Engineering major. Joining the Wall Street Club (WSC), and pursuing a finance minor helped set my trajectory. I gained valuable experience through internships and projects in financial domains. After graduation, my desire to automate finance led to the creation of OnFinance in December 2022.

Was the idea for OnFinance conceived during your time at BITS?

Yes, my co-founder and I, who have known each other since college, often brainstormed ideas. Manoj, a full-stack developer skilled in AI research and coding, complemented my strengths in marketing. Our collaboration was pivotal in bringing OnFinance to life.

How did you start your journey in finance?

Although I was a Chemical Engineering student, my interest in finance led me to pursue it despite a lower CGPA. I worked with Pandas and NumPy, which led to a Data Scientist position at Rapido. Watching YouTube videos to gain knowledge and connect with co-founders on LinkedIn was also part of my journey.

How do NeoGPT and OnFinance impact current jobs and the market?

NeoGPT is essentially ChatGPT for enterprise finance, designed to boost productivity for auditors and financial professionals. We've partnered with major firms, like Motilal Oswal, EY, and Jio, enhancing our market presence. We aim to replace traditional equity and research analysts with efficient AI copilots and agents.

What has been the most exciting project you have worked on so far?

One of the most exciting projects is working with the government on account aggregated data. Our copilot is also working on daily spending to create personalized financial plans, guiding users on when and how to spend wisely.

What were some pivotal moments and challenges in your career?

Pivoting from a B2C app to a B2B company was crucial. Although we had many users, monetization was a challenge. Ensuring high-quality data and gaining credibility in the industry were significant hurdles. Convincing traditionalists of our value and procuring data to train our AI were pivotal moments.

What skills do you recommend for entering this field?

It's essential to use AI tools like ChatGPT and others regularly. These tools enhance productivity and can even assist non-tech professionals in coding. Awareness of the industry's changes is crucial. I predict significant job displacement due to AI, so I recommend taking relevant courses to stay ahead. Some valuable resources include:

• Udemy
• Coursera
• AI newsletters
• Hands-on experience

What current trends in the fintech industry excite you?

The fintech industry holds vast data and automation potential. Tasks like compliance and fraud detection can be automated. We're developing quant agents using natural languages, which is particularly exciting.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey?

Being my boss and working on something I'm passionate about has been immensely rewarding. The support and happiness of my family and friends, along with financial success add to the fulfillment.

What are your thoughts on job displacement due to AI?

Many industries, including fintech, healthcare, and supply chain, are ripe for automation. This will lead to significant layoffs in the next few years. However, those well-versed in AI will not be affected. It's crucial to stay updated with the latest technology.