By Ritu Jha
Indian-American Amruth Paba began his journey in technology at an early age. By the age of 12, Paba developed his first edtech app and achieved his first success by 14. Now at 24, he is a serial entrepreneur, investor, innovator and above all, someone driven by curiosity about the world around him.
“I started programming when I was six years old, teaching myself from books I borrowed from the library,” Paba told iNDICA. He was one of the judges for MoonBattle and now works at a fintech startup in stealth stage. “I was really lucky to have my parents who were supportive,” he said, who didn’t have a background in computer science but provided him with resources. “We went to the library and I found an HTML book. With the help of an older cousin, I created my first HTML page. That was the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning.”
He first created a website for personal use where he could save his favorite websites and games. “I come from a different era, 10-15 years ago, when YouTube only had a few videos,” says Paba. Today, platforms like Code Ninja and Coding Academy, and organizations like Moonpreneur offer comprehensive programs for young students. But when he was 8-9 years old, these resources didn’t exist.
To overcome the lack of resources, Paba’s parents sought assistance from India. His father contracted with a local training institute and hired a dedicated instructor. Despite the time zone difference – India at night, US at day – the instructor helped him learn C programming over the summer. The books he received from India were not enough, but this unique journey shaped his experience. Today, it is amazing to witness how technology has evolved. “Today, there are thousands, tens of thousands of minds available at the tap of a mouse. And this is what these kids are doing so well. I wish I had these resources too. But I’m still young and I have a lot to learn. I’m grateful that we had the resources, but these kids, the amazing things they make, the ideas they bring to the table are incredible,” Paba added.
“Silicon Valley has always been a beacon of innovation and hope, not just today. We often hear incredible stories of people coming here with just a suitcase and a toothbrush and leaving as founders of multi-billion dollar companies. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight, nor does it happen by mere luck,” Pava said.
This epicenter of technological progress has seen world-changing technologies emerge. Some of these young innovators have parents who played key roles in those innovations. In contrast, his upbringing in Chicago did not provide the environment necessary to witness such rapid growth.
“But times have changed. The power of the internet has revolutionised the flow of information and now startup incubators and innovation hubs are in abundance. I have been actively involved in my local community and encouraged entrepreneurship among the youth,” Paba added.
Like Moonpreneur, he has created some great programs for kids, but they are very rudimentary compared to the turnkey solution offered by Moonpreneur.
Inspired by various ideas, Paba began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 12. His first venture was an edtech app. [iOS Application Creator – Classroom Management Platform] application. In the years that followed, he retired with a modest income. Though the endeavor didn’t make him millions of dollars, the experience allowed him to immerse himself in innovation and technology. He keenly observed trends, made strategic investments, and joined various companies, ultimately working his way to his current position.
At the age of 18, he started his second company, QuickPi, in the home automation space. Later, he ventured into the fintech space. However, India saw an explosion of internet as people went from not having internet at home to having 5G connectivity at home and on their mobile phones. “As someone who is involved in the fintech space and has good knowledge of the industry, India has taken a giant leap in payments. The UPI technology has taken India from a cash-based society to a cashless society,” he said.
Paba, a frequent visitor to India, said India’s fintech market is booming, with progress there outpacing that of the United States.
“What the Indian government and people have achieved is truly amazing and underscores the importance of top-level support for innovation. In my opinion, revolutionizing the payments industry is not an easy task. While fintech in the US is advancing rapidly, we still struggle with outdated bureaucracy, processes and methodologies. In contrast, India has chosen to forge ahead decisively,” Paba said.
During a visit to his hometown Hyderabad, he witnessed street vendors, many of whom did not own laptops, effectively using their mobile phones. They relied on Google Translate and UPI for their daily business. A decade ago, this level of digitization would have been unimaginable. It is a culmination of the Indian mindset, growth trajectory, and the country’s aspirations to become a global power. No doubt, India will be in the lead for the next 20-30 years.
When asked about his latest project in the fintech space, the young entrepreneur said, “We are developing a solution related to the payments space that is different from UPI. Though there is a lot of potential in the US payments industry, receiving funds online is not easy due to the presence of existing market giants. However, we believe there is room for innovation and other competitors. I and my team are actively working to address this challenge.”
Speaking about the lessons he learnt on his journey, Paba said, “The prevailing mentality in Silicon Valley is to drop out of school to become the next billionaire and pursue that ambition. But I was very lucky in that I believed in my academics. I took my academics very seriously.”
According to Pabba, it’s important to stay informed about and take advantage of new technologies, market trends and ongoing changes, whether you’re 50, 60 or even 20. Being a lifelong learner is essential to succeeding in this dynamic industry.
When asked how he learned the skills of networking, connecting and selling, Paba said he believes it is a continuous process. “My father always told me there is no need to rush and that life should be enjoyed. However, my drive and interest in shaping my own future is what drove me to pursue what I am doing now.”
“I didn’t have big venture capital scale or hundreds of millions of dollars raised. I built a very simple app myself with my own money. I believe in profitable businesses. I know that Silicon Valley has a different approach to business, where it’s about raising money, building aggressively and growing fast. I have a more traditional mindset on building a business. I believe in seeing profitability and scaling incrementally.”
Paba believes that all work and no play is not good. “It’s important to have a balanced schedule. With the world being so chaotic, self-care is essential. I’m a keen race car driver and spend a lot of time on the track honing my skills. I also love to travel and this year I aim to visit all seven continents. I don’t think I’ll push myself too hard. Personally, I’m not worried about burnout. I’m very mindful of how I spend and spend my time. Giving back to society is very important to me. Joining Moonpreneur and being part of the conversation is a step in that direction.”
