Founder Editor Team
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder and CEO of Paytm, is a name synonymous with India’s digital transformation. As one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the Indian startup ecosystem, Sharma’s journey from a small-town boy in Aligarh to building one of India’s leading fintech giants is both inspiring and iconic. His vision, risk-taking ability, and relentless drive have positioned Paytm as a household name in the country’s digital economy.
Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Born in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Vijay Shekhar Sharma was a prodigy from the start. He completed his schooling in Hindi medium and later graduated from Delhi College of Engineering (now DTU). Despite facing challenges with English and adapting to a different academic environment, Sharma’s passion for computers and coding set him apart early in life.
While still in college, he built his first company — XS Communications, a content management platform that was later acquired. This marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.
The Birth of Paytm
In 2010, Sharma launched Paytm (Pay Through Mobile) under his parent company One97 Communications, initially as a mobile recharge platform. The turning point came during India’s demonetization in 2016, when the push for cashless transactions skyrocketed. Paytm was quick to seize the opportunity and rapidly expanded into QR payments, wallet services, and eventually a full-fledged fintech ecosystem.
Today, Paytm offers services including digital payments, financial services, wealth management, e-commerce, insurance, ticketing, and more. It has millions of active users and merchants, and its QR codes are present in nearly every shop, street vendor stall, and metro city across India.
Fintech Innovation at Scale
Under Sharma’s leadership, Paytm became the first Indian payments company to receive a Payments Bank license from the RBI. He expanded the brand into diverse verticals such as Paytm Money, Paytm Mall, Paytm Insurance, and Paytm Postpaid. Through constant innovation, he helped shape India’s financial inclusion narrative, bringing banking and payment services to unbanked and underbanked populations.
Sharma also launched the Paytm IPO in 2021, which was India’s largest-ever IPO at the time. While the listing faced volatility, it was a bold move that opened doors for more tech startups to go public in India.
Awards and Recognition
Vijay Shekhar Sharma has received numerous accolades, including:
- Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People (2017)
- GQ Man of the Year (2016)
- Forbes India Leadership Award
- Honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader
He is also one of India’s youngest billionaires and a vocal advocate for the startup ecosystem.
Legacy and Impact
Beyond just building a company, Sharma has inspired a generation of young entrepreneurs. His belief in “build for India, in India” has made him a poster child for Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Despite facing ups and downs, his resilience and commitment to innovation have kept Paytm relevant in an increasingly competitive fintech landscape.
