Tell us about yourself?
Hi, I am Apurva Singhi, recognized by FPSB as a CFP (Certified Financial Planner).
Professionally, I run a company Siddhanam Capital which is an AMFI Mutual Fund Registered Distribution Company. However, not only limited to that, we also advise on other distribution products like PMS, Bonds, Global Equity, and many others by leveraging the power of technology and AI.
My Platform offers free ‘Do-it-yourself’ Financial Planning for those who don’t deal with an advisor. Here you can plan each goal entirely for your life. Once done, we offer the best execution solutions from the bouquet of the world’s best distribution products, which will help you make a stride towards your financial goals.
I am a self-starter who has made immense strides in my career at a very young age. After graduating from St Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, I went to ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad, India for my post-graduate degree in MBA.
Prior to founding Siddhanam Capital, I have worked with three private banks for 10+ years catering to HNI & uHNI clients with their financial management. I hold more than 25000+ hours of rich experience working as a financial advisor representing the bank.
For me, the learning never stops, whether it is through experiences gained while on the job or by furthering my education. Towards this, I have completed my CFP (Certified Financial Planner), FPSB, the USA in 2017 which is a globally recognised professional degree for financial advisory business.
I have also received EPAT (Executive Program in Algorithmic Trading) degree, a global program conducted by prestigious QuantInsti. Here I have learned Quantitative, Algorithmic, and Artificial Intelligence domains of financial management.
I understand the value of mentoring and enjoy spending time with budding entrepreneurs and start-ups, sharing ideas and insights with eager minds.
My other area of interest lies in exploring history and experiencing Spirituality. I also invest time in exploring new technologies & researching how can these new technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain will define our world for good.
What do you think is the single biggest misconception people have when it comes to startups?
Most people think a start-up is like a lottery, either it will make very big or it will fail big time. There is no in-between.
If you could go back in time to any moment from your journey, and give yourself one tip, what would it be?
The only advice I would like to give my younger myself is I should have started earlier & should focus too much on securing myself before getting into my own startup model.
What makes you stand out as an entrepreneur?
Following two things that cannot be acquired: Passion toward the subject of my work, and grit.
What are some of the best working habits you’ve gained over the past couple of years?
Start early- gives more time to execute, create another brain to store the information
Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?
The biggest influence is the current ecosystem of the financial advisory business. Lots have been done on the Skill up-gradation part and very little has been addressed on the execution side. We are more focused on execution.
Where do you see your business in five years?
Our business at Siddhanam Capital thrives on clients. Currently, we offer our services only to Indians in India and Indians outside India(NRI’s). We are serving Indian clients from 10+ countries already and would want to reach 25+ countries over 5 years. The nature of business is that eventually, we will be at least x20 bigger in client size from today.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you in getting there?
We are dealing with two kinds of clients. Old ones with whom I have had relationships for the past 10 years due to previous assignments. The others are new ones who don’t know us. Acquiring them and building long-term trust with them would be the biggest challenge and we are building the right recipe to solve it!
Talk to us about your biggest success story so far?
I have been with the industry for over 10 years. There is not one but umpteen stories because my key job always has been completing goals for my clients. Most of the clients we met were at the stage where the client has half-knowledge, access to some poor advisory, or sometimes left hard dry by earlier advisors. We began a course of correction, always taking a conservative approach.
How do clients and customers find you? Are you much of a salesperson for yourself?
Over 10 years, I have built strong relationships with those we had worked with in the past with my previous assignments. We are trying to find the new one via social media. Indeed, I am the key sales driver in my company.
What one tip would you give to fellow startup founders?
Focus on sales first.
And finally, what do you hope the future brings both you personally, and your business?
We are financial planners who want to see goals getting accomplished before time for our clients. That would be the most joyous thing for us.
