Ques. Tell us something about yourself and your colleagues.
I am Aditya, 24 years old. I completed my graduation from ShaheedSukhdev College of Business Studies in 2018 in BBA(FIA). I always wanted to study this course. I was interested in going towards business and finance ever since school. So, I prepared for this course. I went to a lot of colleges for competitions and was active and prominent around DU. I had a good network of students that all prompted me to work with start-ups. Then, FAAD came to my college to hire interns. I did an internship over there for 2 months and then continued working part-time. After college, I started working with them full time and was promoted as the partner and the CEO of the company.
Ques. How has been your journey from an intern at FAAD to the CEO of the same company?
My journey has been transformational at FAAD. When I was offered the leadership role at the age of 21 it gave me a sense of responsibility and anxiety too that will I be able to do it or not. Getting responsibility early helps you to shape up your life much faster as an individual. FAAD has given me a sense of maturity and the skills to do work hard and make things work.
Ques. While you were in college, what all activities did you do apart from internships? Were you involved in any investment-related activity?
I was part of a lot of college societies related to economics and finance and used to do a lot of work with them. I participated in many competitions across many universities. I have also gone to finance competitions at IIMs. I won competitions at IIM Indore, IIT Roorkee and across the University of Delhi. Also, I was researching on my own learning about startups, doing courses, and doing a lot of business stuff. Along with reading blogs, I also used to write blogs too. I used to work with colleges and companies for more experience. Furthermore, in my final year of college, I also got an opportunity to represent India at World Business Dialogue in Germany. I went there and worked on a project with Zurich insurance where I developed an algorithm to calculate the insurance score. I even got an offer to join.
Ques. You are also working as a mentor with various organizations. How is that going?
It’s been good. I have worked as a mentor in a project called Entrepreneurship Scheme under the Delhi government and Atal Innovations under NITI Aayog. It helps you to work with the government and give feedback directly as the person mentoring comes from the same field. Secondly, working with students gives you a sense of responsibility and the fulfilment of giving back to society. While working with Government I got the opportunity to talk with thousands of students, to motivate them, and to listen and understand their problems. Basically, be a sound listening board for them. Students don’t discuss their problems with anyone else, but with the mentors, they open up and speak up about their problems. Working with students, understanding their entrepreneurial dreams, and giving them inputs gives me immense satisfaction.
Ques. How did your journey of mentoring the organizations begin?
I was involved in everything related to entrepreneurship that was happening all across DU. I have been to approximately 300 events in the last 3 years and there has not been a single college of DU where I haven’t been. So basically, I had direct connections with students. Also, I was doing my campaign education yatra which was about teaching essential skills to unprivileged students. I taught about 5000+ students for 2.5 years. I got to know about the perspective of both college students and underprivileged kids. Basically, through that I got a sneak peek into their mind from both sides. This campaign eventually became big. I came to the notice of the Government when I got the Microsoft changemakers award under the age of 20 . I saw a person doing a webinar on the topic, connected with them and became an ambassador and now a mentor.
Ques. How did your interest in finance and entrepreneurship develop? Is there any particular reason you were interested in this field?
When I was growing up, I wanted to become a cricketer. I was playing well but my grades started dropping. Because of that, my family didn’t let me play cricket. So, from childhood, it was always in my heart that I am not doing something I want to do. But there was no going back like I can’t start playing cricket now, cricket already is a very competitive field. So, I realized that now I have to do something of my own. I wanted to explore myself. This came out because I couldn’t play cricket for long when I was doing well in it.
Ques. You could have chosen any other B-School. Is there any particular reason that you chose DU?
Firstly, the University of Delhi is a big thing in Indian families. Secondly, one of my cousins is an alumnus of the same college and he was doing well after graduating. We knew this is a good college. I started preparing for the entrance from the class 11th. Also, I thought as it is one of the best business schools in India. The course I chose to be was also related to finance. I thought to give it a shot. Though later I realized people aren’t doing business in B-School, so I joined FAAD.
Ques. What is basically FAAD about? Are you an investor individually?
We are a bunch of angel investors who provide funds to start-ups at an early stage. We invest some of our money as well with that we have investors who invest in us. We provide funds to young startups to realize their dreams. As an individual, I have invested in about 10 companies.
Ques. You were the youngest Padma Shri nominee as well. What were you nominated for? How was that feeling of being nominated for such a respectable honour?
I never thought I’ll be nominated for it. The feeling of nomination was next level. The nomination was for education yatra, my life till now and work with Government and NITIAayog. An amalgamation of all the work I did lead to the nomination. My family was very proud and happy.
Ques. Who has been your source of inspiration in your whole journey?
I have been supported by a lot of people at my workplace. My partners at FAAD, their support, patience, and confidence in me to give the responsibility of CEO at 21. No one in my family has been a part of the business world until me.
Ques. You became CEO from an intern at the age of 24. What would your advice be to someone who wants to follow the same path?
There is no magic formula in this. Never chase the title, always follow the process and always explore. Try to listen to yourself. We make our decisions after listening to people. That shouldn’t be the way because if we get successful in life, the credit goes to the people. And if we fail, we have to take all the blame. So, it's better to take credit for both failures and success. Be your own support and back yourself. Don’t think you can’t do. Give it your best shot. Be humble, confident, and grounded. Be a good people person. If you are not a good people person, how can you become a good CEO?
Ques. You are a CEO of a company and working as a mentor. How do you manage your time along with the other activities?
It’s extremely hard initially. As you become CEO, it takes time to understand the work. But now as I have been there for 3 years at this position, I have settled and have gotten used to the work. Being in this position, I have to delegate the work properly. Also, I have realized work will never end irrespective of whatever you do in life. So, you have to decide where to stop and give time to yourself. When I have to work long hours, I take small breaks to relax. It also helps in improving my decision-making skills.
Ques. You are very young now. You can even start something of your own. Are you planning to stay with FAAD or are there any other plans?
For now, I haven’t decided on this. If someone would have said to me 5 years back that all these things would happen, I wouldn’t have believed it. I am just working for the right opportunity. If there’s a bigger opportunity, where I’ll grow then I might evaluate and think of taking it. So, anything that gives me an opportunity to grow, I’ll take it.
Ques. You wanted to be a cricketer. Do you get time to play cricket now?
Yes, I reserve the weekends to play cricket with my friends.
Great 💯👍🏻✨