In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis engages in an insightful conversation with Arjun Agarwal, an entrepreneurial powerhouse and the Founder and CEO of inaam. Arjun, who also wears the hats of KPMG High Growth Ventures Portfolio Manager at KPMG Australia brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation. If that were not enough, he also hosts the The Arj Speaks Podcast. From pioneering blockchain funds at a young age to revolutionizing fintech and impact investing, Arjun’s journey is a testament to resilience and innovation. Tune in as he shares his unique perspective on navigating the startup landscape, staying true to your mission, and leveraging technology for real-world impact.
Arjun Agarwal opens up about his journey, starting with his early venture into blockchain funds at the age of 18 and progressing through roles in investment banking and tech innovation. He highlights his “learn by doing” philosophy, which has shaped his career from setting up custom Bloomberg terminals to creating inaam, a fintech aimed at democratizing impact investing. Arjun’s background reflects his deep commitment to making a meaningful difference, driven by his childhood experiences in South Africa during the end of apartheid.
The discussion delves into Arjun’s approach to technology and innovation. He emphasizes the importance of viewing technology as a tool for advancement and personal growth rather than just a showcase of capabilities. Arjun reflects on his early interest in AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... and stresses the need to understand foundational concepts to drive meaningful innovation. He advocates for focusing on solving real problems with technology rather than merely replicating existing successful models.
Arjun and Anthony further explore the challenges faced by tech startups, particularly the pitfalls of jumping into tech solutions without a clear understanding of the problem. Arjun advises that technology should address specific problems rather than being a solution in search of a problem. He underscores the importance of effective communication with stakeholders and development teams and highlights the value of the fail-fast methodology, especially in regulated industries like fintech and medtech.
In concluding the episode, Arjun shares his thoughts on the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the significance of staying true to one’s vision even through pivots and challenges. He reflects on his experience of shifting focus from niche fractional investments to global stock portfolios and underscores the importance of having a committed team aligned with the mission. Arjun also discusses the value of obtaining honest feedback from a wide audience to continually refine and improve offerings, ensuring that every change is beneficial for the customer.
Topics Covered
- Arjun Agarwal’s Background and Journey
- Arjun’s Philosophy of “Learn by Doing”
- Approach to Technology and Innovation
- Identifying and Solving Real Problems
- Challenges for Tech Startups
- Pivoting and Staying True to Vision
- Value of Feedback
Important Time Stamps
- Arjun Agarwal: The Serial Entrepreneur Who Turned Challenges into Triumphs (0:06 – 4:10)
- From Blockchain to Impact Investing: Arjun Agarwal’s Evolution as a Global Innovator (4:11 – 10:20)
- How Understanding Tech’s Core Concepts Drives Innovation: Insights from Arjun Agarwal (10:24 – 13:48)
- The Pitfalls of Copycat Models: Arjun Agarwal on Innovating, Not Imitating (13:49 – 17:24)
- Tech Startups: Don’t Build Cool Tools—Solve Real Problems! (17:25 – 27:26)
- Staying True to Your Vision: Arjun Agarwal on Pivoting Without Losing Your Way (27:27 – 30:07)
- “Investor Problems vs. Customer Problems: Why Arjun Agarwal Prefers the Former (30:08 – 34:44)
