In a country where fintech has become the backbone of digital progress, Upasana Taku has carved her name as a true trailblazer. As the Co-Founder of MobiKwik, one of India’s leading digital payment platforms, Upasana’s journey is a story of grit, innovation, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.
From Engineering to Entrepreneurship
Born and raised in Surat, Gujarat, Upasana completed her B.Tech in Industrial Engineering from National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jalandhar and later pursued her Master’s in Management Science from Stanford University, USA.
Her early career saw her working at global firms like PayPal and HSBC in the U.S., where she gained deep insights into payment systems and global banking structures. But a strong desire to create impact in her own country pulled her back to India.
Founding MobiKwik: The Leap of Faith
In 2009, Upasana Taku joined hands with her husband Bipin Preet Singh to co-found MobiKwik—a mobile wallet aimed at making digital payments seamless for Indians. At a time when mobile wallets were unheard of, and digital payments were still gaining traction, Upasana took the bold leap into entrepreneurship.
She became one of the first women in India to lead a payments startup, often stepping into boardrooms filled with skepticism, but always walking out with confidence and clarity.
Challenges & Breakthroughs
Building MobiKwik wasn’t easy. Upasana faced numerous hurdles:
-
Raising early-stage funding as a woman entrepreneur in fintech
-
Convincing merchants and users to adopt digital payments in a cash-driven economy
-
Balancing product development, compliance, operations, and scaling all at once
Yet with persistence and sharp execution, MobiKwik grew into a fintech powerhouse, serving millions of users, merchants, and offering services ranging from UPI, credit, insurance, to BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later).
Achievements and Impact
Under Upasana’s leadership:
-
MobiKwik has onboarded over 120 million users and 3 million merchants.
-
It became one of the top 3 mobile wallets in India, alongside Paytm and PhonePe.
-
The company filed for its IPO in 2021, a milestone few fintechs have reached in India.
-
She was named among Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women in Business.
Leadership Style and Philosophy
Upasana’s leadership is marked by:
-
Hands-on involvement in every aspect of the business
-
Advocating for diversity and inclusion in tech teams
-
A belief in long-term value over quick wins
-
Encouraging more women to step into fintech and entrepreneurship
Inspiration for Future Leaders
Upasana’s story continues to inspire countless young women to break through stereotypes and pursue careers in finance, tech, and entrepreneurship.
“You don’t need to fit in to succeed. You need to stand out and lead.” — Upasana Taku
Conclusion
Upasana Taku’s rise in India’s fintech landscape is not just about building a successful business—it’s about challenging norms, creating impact, and proving that with vision and courage, women can lead revolutions. Today, she stands not just as a co-founder of a billion-dollar startup, but as a symbol of fearless leadership in India’s digital era.
