Visionary India

What inspired you to start Kalpi Capital, and what problem were you hoping to solve?

In India, most people still invest through tips from friends, WhatsApp, or Telegram groups, while globally over 50% use systematic, data-driven methods. I wanted to bridge this gap and democratize smarter investing. That’s how Kalpi Capital was born - its name inspired by Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, and Kalpvriksh, the tree of fortune, symbolizing wisdom and prosperity.

How has your journey with Kalpi Capital changed you personally and professionally?

Kalpi has been a crash course in entrepreneurship. Beyond finance and tech, I’ve had to pitch investors, handle sales, market products, and build teams - all at once. It pulled me out of my comfort zone, taught me to adapt quickly, and fast-tracked my learning curve. Personally, it’s made me more resilient and comfortable with uncertainty, knowing growth often lies just outside familiarity.

What's something unique about the way Kalpi Capital operates that you think more people should know?

We’re a lean, fast-moving team that values action over endless meetings. Our hiring focuses on people who thrive in 0 to 1 environments, those who roll up their sleeves and get things done, not just answer theory questions. We also rely heavily on AI agents in our day to day operations, which keeps us efficient and allows us to scale without unnecessary complexity.

Ashwar, can you share a memorable story about your journey of building Kalpi Capital or any interesting story that shaped you?

Startups test your conviction. At times, big players tried to pull me down or tempt me with safer opportunities. But I realized belief in your vision is the only anchor. I follow a simple rule: give your startup at least 1000 days before judging its fate. Building Kalpi taught me that persistence in the face of doubt is what separates those who build from those who quit.

What are some achievements, milestones, or proud moments you've experienced with Kalpi Capital that you'd love people to know about?

While I may not want to highlight concrete achievements yet, what truly stands out are the moments when something I once thought was too difficult or where I doubted myself, finally came to life. That sense of breaking past your own insecurities and proving to yourself that it’s possible is surreal and in many ways more fulfilling than any milestone.

What's one challenge you've faced as a business owner, and how did it shape your outlook on leadership or growth?

Patience has been my biggest lesson. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but neither does it come from waiting passively. You need to keep knocking on doors, exploring every opportunity and trust that things will align in time. This balance, being patient yet persistent - has shaped my leadership style and made me more focused on sustainable, long-term growth.

Outside of work, what's one hobby or passion that keeps you grounded or help you in anyway?

For me, the gym is therapy. Building a company brings stress, uncertainty and constant decision-making. Training regularly not only keeps me fit but also helps clear my head, reduce anxiety and regain focus. It’s less about physical health and more about mental clarity - lifting weights often lifts the weight of entrepreneurship off my shoulders.

Ashwar, do you have a favorite book, movie, or quote that reflects your values or entrepreneurial mindset?

I live by two quotes. First: “Work in silence and let your work make the noise” - a reminder to stay focused on building rather than chasing validation. Second, Buffett’s wisdom: “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.” Both reflect my belief in discipline, patience and the compounding power of consistent effort.

Who has been your biggest influence or role model in business or life, and why?

Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, is a huge inspiration. He built for the future when no one believed in GPUs, went bankrupt twice, but stayed madly persistent about his vision. That conviction turned NVIDIA into a trillion-dollar company. His journey shows me that resilience, vision and passion can turn irrelevance today into inevitability tomorrow.

Looking ahead, what's your dream vision for Kalpi Capital in the next 5 years?

My dream is to democratize data-driven investing for India and the world. I envision Kalpi as a hedge-fund-grade platform that’s accessible to everyday investors, where anyone can research, design, and deploy systematic strategies. Imagine a “ChatGPT for investing” - a tool that brings global-grade sophistication into the hands of individuals and inspires greater participation in equity markets.

Is there any website/app or any other link you want to share with readers of this interview at Visionary India?

We regularly share fresh perspectives on finance and AI through our community. You can follow us here: WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H6WuPwWLMZ23JFv6KDwyvb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kalpi-capital/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KalpiCapital

What do you want to tell your future team members or collaborators?

To my future team, I want you to see yourselves as entrepreneurs in whatever you do. Own your work like a founder would. If we all bring that mindset, together we can build something extraordinary and becoming a unicorn will just be a milestone along the way.”

If you could give one piece of advice to someone building a startup today, based on your own experience, what would it be?

Don’t get stuck overthinking, just take action. Build, test, fail, iterate. That’s how you discover what works. Doing hard things builds unshakable confidence and building a startup is the hardest of them all. If you embrace the struggle instead of fearing it, the journey itself becomes your greatest reward.