A Celebration of Camaraderie, Chaos, and Razor-Sharp Innovation: A Decade of Razorpay with the Founding Team
What sustains a startup in the ruthless arena of fintech for a decade? For Razorpay, success is not merely about pioneering innovation, industry disruption, or revenue; it’s about what unfolds when passion, vision, and friendship intersect. Leading back to 2014, Razorpay was birthed by two ambitious young men from Jaipur, Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar, alongside a dedicated team of friends from college and school, who embarked on a journey that would transform how businesses accept online payments in India.
The founding team, extending beyond the founders, included key players like Sagar Saxena, Ayush Bansal, Shashank Mehta, Chetty Arun, Rishav Kumar, Pranav Gupta, and Abhay Rana (Nemo).
Today, Razorpay is recognized globally, empowering millions of businesses with its robust financial solutions, including 80 of India’s 100 unicorns, and it has reached an annualized Total Payment Volume (TPV) of $180 billion. The firm has solidified its position as the market leader in digital payment processing, driving innovation and growth at a massive scale.
In an exclusive conversation with the founding team, Ayush Bansal, VP & GM of Razorpay, Sagar Saxena, VP of Account Management, and Anuradha Bharat, the first and former Head of HR, shared the laughter, lessons, and legacy of building Razorpay from the ground up.
The Beginning
Anuradha recalled, “Honestly, it was a goosebumps moment. Nine years ago, I was approached about a startup. At that time, I didn’t even know what a payment gateway was! My first meeting with Ayush and Harshil was amusing. I was dressed in corporate formals, meeting these boys in pajamas and flip-flops. But their vision was captivating. It wasn’t about roles but about creating something groundbreaking. By the day’s end, I called my husband and said, ‘Looks like I’ve joined Razorpay.'”
Ayush added, “I’ve known Harshil since school, and when he started this crazy idea called Razorpay, I wanted to help, even if just hiring interns. One thing led to another, and soon I was pitching Razorpay as a payment gateway to businesses, hiring folks, managing operations, and more. From the start, it was all hands on deck.”
Sagar had an unconventional initiation, “I joined unofficially before we had a structured team. It began with weekend trips to Jaipur, brainstorming business ideas. I didn’t hesitate when Harshil and Shashank asked, ‘Why not just join us?’ The early days were filled with wild pitches, developing plugins, and managing operations all at once!”
Tackling Challenges
Ayush reminisced, “Oh, the ‘Great Payment Gateway Shutdown.’ Two weeks after I joined in 2014, our partner bank pulled out, leaving hundreds of merchants furious. Customers called to vent, and we’d take turns handling complaints, passing calls among team members until they calmed down. We never gave up. It took four months to get the payment gateway back online, and we were floored by how many merchants returned, saying, ‘We’re coming back because you didn’t stop taking our calls.'”
Sagar added, “Yes! I remember one merchant called us 25 times! He practically knew all our team’s names. Once we fixed everything, his loyalty became unshakable. It was a huge lesson in perseverance.”
Anuradha shared her adaptation journey, “Adjusting to startup life from 12 years of corporate experience was surreal. There was no structure, policies, or even an office. The team worked from a bachelor pad, coding and strategizing into the night. I had to unlearn a lot while crafting HR practices that matched Razorpay’s unique energy.”
Ayush noted humorously, “Anu was the antidote to our chaos, and I mean that respectfully. Imagine ten boys in shorts interviewing candidates while she showed up in elegant formals. She taught us professionalism, from conducting interviews to creating HR policies, transforming us from a bunch of boys into grown-ups.”
The Bond of Camaraderie
Sagar shared, “We bonded through late-night problem-solving sessions. Harshil would work till 5 a.m., I’d pick from there, and Ayush would handle the early morning. It felt like running a 24/7 relay race!”
Ayush agreed, “Sharing highs and lows bonds you for life. Like the time we had to buy ‘Tazorpay.com’ because a bank kept misspelling our name. We laughed so hard fixing it, and to date, it’s still hilarious!”
Anuradha emphasized, “For me, it’s mutual respect. Even during arguments, it was never personal; we were all committed to the same dream, and fun was always at the heart of Razorpay. Whether celebrating big wins or cracking jokes after a long day, laughter was our constant companion.”
A Decade of Lessons
Anuradha highlighted, “From Ayush, I learned empathy and commitment; he’d take merchant calls even on his wedding day! From Sagar, it’s his persistence, never giving up. And from both, dreaming big while staying grounded.”
Sagar noted, “Anu taught us to care deeply about people. Her gestures, like remembering team birthdays, shaped Razorpay’s culture. Ayush, with his humor, shows how to handle pressure with flair.”
Ayush added, “Sagar’s attention to detail is unmatched. Anu taught us to value the human side of work. Together, they’ve made me a better person.”
The Future is Bright
Ayush envisioned, “We’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible. I see us expanding globally, becoming the go-to platform for money movement. More than revenue, I’m excited to build a legacy of leaders who inspire.”
Sagar agreed, “I want Razorpay to be India’s ‘PayPal Mafia,’ launching incredible talent and ideas. It’s about empowering people.”
Anuradha emphasized, “Continuing to prioritize people, ensuring Razorpay is where employees feel valued and inspired. That’s our secret sauce.”
Closing Thoughts
As advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Anuradha concluded, “Always do the right thing, even when hard. Build a culture of trust and empathy from day one. Success will follow.”
Sagar advised, “Listen to customers, understand their needs before building anything, and never underestimate your team.”
Ayush chimed in, “Have fun! Startups are tough but exhilarating. Surround yourself with believers in your vision and enjoy the ride.”
From the chaos of their formative days to becoming a fintech powerhouse, Razorpay’s founding team’s journey embodies teamwork, resilience, and the magic of shared dreams. Here’s to the next decade of innovation and impact!
