From Shimla to Silicon Valley: The Rise of FinTech Trailblazer Upasana Taku
“When I walked into a Board Meeting one day before my C-Section, I knew I wasn’t just Birthing a Child—I was building a Legacy.”
— Upasana Taku, Co-founder of MobiKwik
In a world where FinTech is often dominated by Men in suits and StartUp Lingo, Upasana Taku has crafted a Revolution with Resilience, Vision, and Grit. She didn’t just break the Glass Ceiling—she rebuilt the room entirely.
The Humble Beginnings
Born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Upasana grew up in a modest Middle-Class Family with strong academic roots. She pursued Engineering from NIT Jalandhar, followed by a Master’s in Management Science from Stanford University—a decision that would become the first big pivot in her Career.
PayPal to Purpose
Her career began at PayPal in the U.S., where she learned the ins and outs of Global Digital Payments. But unlike most, Upasana didn’t just want a job in FinTech—she wanted to Transform it Back Home in India.
Driven by a deeper purpose, she returned to India in 2008 with a dream—to make Digital Financial Services Accessible, Affordable, and TrustWorthy for the average Indian.
Birth of MobiKwik
In 2009, alongside her Husband Bipin Preet Singh, she Co-Founded MobiKwik, starting with Mobile Recharge Services and eventually scaling to Digital Wallets, Credit Products, UPI, BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) and more. Today, MobiKwik is used by over 120 Million Users and 3 Million Merchants, valued at nearly ₹8,000 Crore.
But the journey was far from easy.
Battling Bias in BoardRooms
Investor Rooms often mistook her for an Assistant. People asked about her Marriage Plans more than her Business Strategies. “Being a Woman in FinTech meant fighting Stereotypes every day,” Upasana recalls. But she used that doubt as fuel.
When questioned, she didn’t raise her Voice—she raised her Vision.
Pregnancy, Pressure & Power Moves
In a moment that symbolizes her strength, Upasana walked into a BoardRoom meeting one day before her scheduled C-Section. She handled business with grace, then walked into the Maternity Ward.
Leadership and MotherHood didn’t compete—they complemented.
MobiKwik: A FinTech Unicorn
From a Two-Member team working in a small Apartment to a Digital Payment Unicorn, MobiKwik is now a symbol of Innovation and Resilience in India’s FinTech space. It offers services like Instant Loans, Bill Payments, Digital Gold, Insurance, and UPI Payments—becoming a one-stop Financial PowerHouse.
A Role Model for Women in Tech
Upasana has become a beacon for Women dreaming of Tech Leadership. She’s been featured in Forbes Asia's Women to Watch, ET Women Ahead, and speaks regularly on Entrepreneurship, Diversity, and FinTech.
She didn’t just build a Business—She’s built a movement.
Her Words That Inspire:
“Don’t wait for the world to give you permission to dream. Start Small, Stay Hungry, and lead like you were meant to.”
Upasana Taku’s story is not just about FinTech or Entrepreneurship. It’s about believing in yourself, showing up against the odds, and rewriting the rules. For every Young Woman who’s ever felt UnderEstimated—this is your reminder that you can build an empire, raise a family, and lead a revolution—without choosing between them.
Trisha Kesarwani
Fintech Specialist
Asiatic In Corp
LinkedIn -
https://fs.blabigo.com/s/3mjdTRUA
Vcard:
https://linko.page/svhhsuwbth0t
