Dhanaay Stories - Sachin Bansal
Dhanaay Stories: Sachin Bansal
Introduction
Flipkart, India’s leading e-commerce platform, was founded in October 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal (not related). Incorporated in Singapore and headquartered in Bangalore, Flipkart revolutionized how Indians shop by offering 24/7 online access to millions of products.
With over 570 million internet users, India has seen an explosion in online shopping. Flipkart alone offers more than 80 million products across 80 categories, serving over 100 million customers. What began as a small startup focused on book sales quickly evolved into a giant marketplace for electronics, fashion, home goods, and more.
In 2015, both Sachin and Binny Bansal were featured on Forbes India’s Rich List. In 2018, Walmart acquired a majority stake in Flipkart for $16 billion, valuing the company at $20.8 billion — a landmark deal in India's startup ecosystem.
About Sachin Bansal
Born on August 5, 1981, in Chandigarh, India, Sachin Bansal is best known as the Co-founder and former CEO of Flipkart. A computer engineering graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (2005), Sachin started his career at Techspan, then moved to Amazon in 2006 as a senior software engineer.
In 2007, he left Amazon to build Flipkart along with Binny Bansal. Under his leadership, Flipkart became India’s most trusted online shopping destination. He stepped down in 2018, shortly after Walmart’s acquisition, and sold his 5.5% stake in the company, reportedly earning over $1 billion.
Following his exit, he focused on personal projects, gaming, and sharpening his coding skills — before launching his next big venture: Navi Technologies.
Early Life & Flipkart’s Rise
Sachin was raised in a business-oriented family. His father ran a business, and his mother was a homemaker. His education at IIT Delhi set the foundation for his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Flipkart began with a simple mission: to become India’s most reliable online bookstore. In its early days, the company operated out of a small apartment in Bangalore, delivering books via local courier services. The platform soon expanded into electronics, fashion, home decor, and more — tapping into the growing appetite for digital convenience in India.
Flipkart leveraged social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram to reach consumers. It also expanded its presence with offices in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.
In 2017, Flipkart acquired companies like eBay India and PhonePe, further expanding its footprint. The 2018 acquisition by Walmart marked a pivotal moment, not only for Flipkart but for the entire Indian startup ecosystem.
Navi Technologies: The Next Chapter
After Flipkart, Sachin Bansal founded Navi Technologies, a financial services company aiming to simplify banking, loans, and insurance for Indians.
- In December 2019, Navi acquired Maven Hive, a tech consulting firm.
- In 2020, it bought the general insurance brand COCO from Dewan Housing Finance Limited.
- That same year, Navi secured ₹209 crore in funding from Gaja Capital, and Sachin was appointed Managing Director.
- On March 12, 2022, Navi filed a draft prospectus with SEBI for a ₹3,350 crore IPO.
Sachin’s focus on fintech reflects his desire to disrupt another massive industry with technology and innovation.
Quote
“Age doesn’t matter if you have the attitude and drive to succeed.” — Sachin Bansal