Hi, I’m Arunjay

When I was young, I wanted to be super-rich. Now I want to change the world.

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where it started

Shaping Thinking.

Making money came easily to me and over the years it helped me understand the impact entrepreneurs make on society, and also the flaws in the system. I worked for a global accountancy firm before launching my startups designed to help improve financial inclusion in developing countries.

My knowledge of the international development and payments industry led me to realize that neoliberal capitalism isn’t working and that we need to proactively shift our consciousness if we’re going to reimagine a better world that tackles the ultimate challenge: including everyone.

the journey

From Bean Counting to Startups.


I grew up in India in a fairly affluent family, and I was entrepreneurial through my teens—at age 11, I traded snacks in boarding school. But I saw a lot of poverty. I couldn’t ignore it and often wondered why as most others did so easily… but it would take me three decades to be able to do something about it.


My career trajectory shaped my global outlook. I moved halfway around the world from India to Trinidad and Tobago when I was 22.
The first five years of my working life were spent as a bean counter for Ernst & Young before I started my entrepreneurial journey. Over a ten year period, I co-founded and exited three startups, one of which eventually sold to Twitter.

And I helped set up DFS Lab to support startups in emerging markets. I've mentored more than 20 startups, including Nala, Nobuntu, Numi, Pezesha, Pula, TaniHub and Teller.

Raising Consciousness.

At age 13, my mother introduced me to meditation. Over the past 30 years, I have slowly increased my consciousness — moving away from narrow-minded self-interest and wanting to be super-rich — to a desire to help humanity. I left a career in investment banking along the way to work in international development.


This desire has grown stronger and stronger along with a simple belief that we can make a difference. But, despite spending the last decade trying to improve the lives of the poor by my work in financial inclusion, the progress the entire international development sector has made is very little. I experienced this realisation during the pandemic.

where to next?

Change is possible.

While 500 million more people have access to bank accounts in the last decade (albeit mostly empty ones), the economics haven’t changed. As a result, more than half the world’s population continues to be left behind.
The feudal system still lives with us today. And we can feel its effects through injustice, inequality, and extreme poverty.

Yet, I strongly believe change is possible and we can create a world where everyone thrives.

I'm on a mission to raise our collective consciousness; to learn, educate, and rally a tribe who will join my mission to save our world.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MISSION

My Timeline

A journey through time
Age 11

I traded snacks in boarding school and developed a strong desire to be super rich

Age 13

My mother introduced me to meditation

Age 22

I moved halfway around the world from India to Trinidad and Tobago

Age 27

I left a career in investment banking to work in International development

Early 30s

Exited three startups, one of which eventually sold to Twitter

Now

I strongly believe change is possible and we can create a world where everyone thrives

small steps to big change

What I do

Thinker

I started growing my awareness at the age of 13 and want to share my thoughts with you.

READ MY BLOG
Speaker

In an effort to educate and inspire I offer keynote talks free of charge for those hungry to learn.

BOOK ME TO SPEAK
Author

Inspired by what I have learnt, I set out to write not one, but two books. You can read the first one for free.

DOWNLOAD MY BOOK

The power of micro money transfers

This book explains why micro money transfers matter, the impact they have on peoples’ wellbeing, and the importance of transparency in an industry riddled with “confusion” pricing.​ It also outlines how the future of micro money transfers will develop, and how additional financial services can be layered on top to welcome the underserved into the formal financial system.

Get the book
arunjay-katakam-economic-systems
COMING SOON!

Reimagining our world: an economic system that includes everyone

What would our world look like if we started all over again? Neoliberal capitalism hasn’t worked. Despite huge technological change, human progress has remained relatively static over the last 50 years. And with a global pandemic, some suggest we’re taking a step back.

Ready to build a better world? Join our tribe today and receive updates and resources straight to your inbox.

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