TheCconnects: Dr. Raj, it’s a pleasure to sit down with you today. You’ve had an impressive 25-year career in financial services, culminating in your role as CEO of Investigen.ai. Can you walk us through your professional journey and what inspired you to launch Investigen?
Dr. Vikash Raj: Thank you for having me! My journey began in the late 1998, right after I completed my Master’s in Business Finance. I started in sales for investment products, which gave me a front-row seat to observe how individuals make financial decisions. Back then, India’s mutual fund industry was just gaining traction, and I saw immense potential for data-driven strategies to transform wealth management. Over the next decade, I moved through roles at institutions like Standard Chartered and IDFC Pension Fund, where I focused on product strategy and analytics. By 2016, as Head of Analytics at IDFC AMC which later became Bandhan AMC, I was building predictive models and business intelligence tools to drive growth.
The idea for Investigen.ai took shape in 2023. I noticed that while AI was revolutionizing algorithmic trading, its potential in wealth management, especially for retail advisors, was largely untapped. I wanted to create a platform that empowers financial advisors with AI-driven tools to make smarter, faster, and more inclusive decisions. That vision led to founding Investigen.ai in 2024, and we’ve been sprinting ever since to build solutions that bridge technology and human-centered financial advice.
TheCconnects: That’s a remarkable trajectory. Who would you say has been the most influential figure in shaping your approach to leadership and innovation?
Dr. Vikash Raj: That’s a tough one, but two mentors stand out. During my early years, Dr. J.D. Agarwal at the Indian Institute of Finance laid the foundation, his deep conceptual clarity and disciplined teaching gave me the confidence and structure I needed. Later at IIM Calcutta, Professor Aniruddha Bose had a profound influence. He was a pioneer in applying quantitative methods to solve business problems and had an extraordinary ability to simplify complex ideas without diluting their depth. One of the biggest lessons I carry from him is that true innovation lies at the intersection of rigor and empathy, solving for the human need, not just the algorithm. His principle of ‘solve for the customer, not just the numbers’ continues to guide us at Investigen, especially as we build AI tools that aim to strengthen trust, not just automate tasksTheCconnects: Speaking of challenges, you’ve navigated a rapidly evolving industry. What have been some of the biggest hurdles in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Dr. Vikash Raj: One of the biggest challenges was during my tenure at IDFC Mutual Fund around 2017. We were tasked with growing AUM in a highly competitive market, but the data infrastructure was fragmented, and advisors lacked tools to make quick, informed decisions. I spearheaded the development of a centralized data mart that integrated client portfolios, market trends, and predictive models. It was a massive undertaking, convincing stakeholders, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring data integrity. We overcame it through relentless collaboration and by focusing on small, measurable wins to build momentum. By 2019, we’d broken even and having positive ROI, and that experience taught me the power of aligning technology with business goals.
Another challenge was launching Investigen.ai in a crowded fintech space. Many doubted whether AI could gain traction among traditional advisors in India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. We tackled this by focusing on user-friendly SaaS models and conducting pilot programs to demonstrate ROI. The feedback from early adopters has been phenomenal, and it’s validated our mission to democratize AI-driven wealth management.
TheCconnects: Those are inspiring stories of resilience. What key lessons have you learned from your career that you carry into your leadership at Investigen?
Dr. Vikash Raj: First, never underestimate the power of simplicity. Whether it’s a predictive model or a client-facing chatbot, the best solutions are those that feel intuitive to the end user. Second, adaptability is non-negotiable. The financial industry evolves rapidly, regulations change, markets shift, and technology leaps forward. You have to stay curious and agile. Finally, trust is the currency of wealth management. No amount of AI can replace the human connection between an advisor and a client, but it can amplify it by freeing up time for meaningful conversations. That’s why our tools at Investigen are designed to enhance, not replace, the advisor’s role.
TheCconnects: Let’s talk about the digital landscape. What do you see as the biggest challenge for brands in the financial services sector today?
Dr. Vikash Raj: The biggest challenge is cutting through the noise. Clients are bombarded with information, market updates, investment apps, robo-advisors, you name it. For brands, the struggle is to deliver personalized, trustworthy advice at scale without losing the human touch. Many fintech platforms lean heavily on automation, but that can feel cold and impersonal. At Investigen, we’re addressing this by blending AI’s precision with tools that empower advisors to build deeper client relationships. For example, our FundFlare platform uses generative AI to create tailored digital campaigns, helping advisors connect with clients in a way that feels authentic and relevant.
TheCconnects: That’s a great segue into Investigen’s offerings. How do your solutions specifically address the pain points of financial advisors and their clients?
Dr. Vikash Raj: Advisors often juggle multiple roles, researcher, marketer, compliance officer, and relationship manager. This leaves little time for what they do best: advising. Our AI tools tackle this by automating time-intensive tasks. For instance, our Scheme Shortlist & Whitelist tool uses machine learning to analyze thousands of mutual funds based on risk, return, and macroeconomic factors, giving advisors a curated list in seconds. Our Portfolio Constructor & Rebalancer optimizes client portfolios using goal programming, ensuring alignment with their financial objectives while minimizing risk.
For clients, we focus on education and accessibility. Our Retirement Planning Bot, for example, uses conversational AI to guide users through complex decisions like corpus planning. This is especially impactful in smaller cities, where financial literacy is low, and advisory penetration is below 15%. By making these tools affordable and easy to use, we’re helping advisors reach underserved markets while delivering value to clients.
TheCconnects: You mentioned smaller cities, which ties into financial inclusion. How is Investigen working to make wealth management more accessible?
Dr. Vikash Raj: Financial inclusion is at the heart of our mission. In India, wealth management has historically been concentrated in metros, leaving Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities underserved. Our SaaS model is priced to be accessible for independent advisors in these regions, and our tools are designed to simplify complex processes. We’re also partnering with regional banks and mutual fund houses to roll out training programs, ensuring advisors in these areas can leverage our technology effectively. The goal is to make quality financial advice as ubiquitous as a smartphone.
TheCconnects: That’s a powerful vision. Outside of work, how do you unwind or spend your free time?
Dr. Vikash Raj: Outside of work, I’m deeply drawn to mythology, not just the stories, but the events, symbolism, and the scientific underpinnings behind age-old beliefs that have shaped civilizations. I find it fascinating how mythology often mirrors the complexities of modern life, offering timeless lessons in leadership, decision-making, and human behavior. It’s both a way to unwind and a source of unexpected insight
I also enjoy mentoring young professionals, especially those entering data science or fintech. On weekends, you’ll find me exploring Mumbai’s food scene or taking long walks by the sea, which is where I do some of my best thinking. It’s amazing how a good plate of vada pav and a sea breeze can spark new ideas!
TheCconnects: Any favorite spots in Mumbai we should check out?
Dr. Vikash Raj: Oh, absolutely! For street food, I’d recommend Elco in Bandra for their pani puri, it’s a burst of flavor. For a quiet escape, Marine Drive at sunset is hard to beat. It’s a great place to reflect and recharge.
TheCconnects: Let’s wrap up with some advice. What would you tell aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break into the WealthTech space?
Dr. Vikash Raj: First, focus on solving a real problem. The WealthTech space is crowded, so your solution needs to address a specific pain point with clarity and impact. Second, don’t shy away from learning the technology yourself. You don’t need to be a coder, but understanding the basics of AI or data analytics will help you communicate with your team and clients. Third, build for trust. In finance, credibility is everything, invest in robust compliance and transparent processes. Finally, be patient but persistent. Building a startup is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay focused on your vision, and don’t be afraid to pivot when the market demands it.
TheCconnects: Dr. Raj, this has been an incredibly insightful conversation. Thank you for sharing your journey and vision for the future of WealthTech. We’re excited to see where Investigen.ai goes next!
Dr. Vikash Raj: Thank you for the opportunity to share our story. I’m excited about the road ahead, and I hope we can inspire more advisors and clients to embrace the power of AI in wealth management.
