Abhishek Gupta’s story is one of determination and ambition. He hails from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and is now making waves at IIT Madras. Born into a Marwadi family, his parents ran their own businesses. They instilled a sense of discipline and ambition in him from a young age. However, Abhishek’s academic journey was not smooth. During Class 11, he faced significant challenges. His grades were not exceptional, and he often struggled with subjects. Yet, everything shifted when he set his sights on the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
The IIT Dream
Like many aspiring students, Abhishek spent hours watching videos about life at IIT. The technology, the brilliant students, and the entrepreneurial success stories captivated him. The campus’s world-class facilities and startup incubators seemed like the perfect place to nurture ideas. Abhishek was inspired. He decided to dedicate himself to his IIT dream.
In 2020, Abhishek achieved a major milestone by clearing the JEE Advanced exam. He faced a crucial decision: should he pursue civil engineering at IIT Madras or metallurgy at IIT Bombay? Civil engineering was more familiar to his parents. However, Abhishek chose IIT Madras, prioritizing the institution over the specific branch of study. He knew the rich ecosystem at IIT Madras would nurture his aspirations.
The pandemic delayed his arrival on campus until December 2021, but Abhishek was eager to explore. When he finally arrived, he quickly adjusted to campus life. He found comfort in the energy of the community, the friendships he formed, and even the hostel food.
Navigating Social Challenges
Initially, Abhishek faced challenges when it came to socializing. He identified himself as a self-proclaimed nerd. Unlike many peers who developed social skills in coaching institutes, he felt a gap in his social confidence. However, he soon adapted to his environment. Life at IIT Madras transformed into a mix of academic learning, social interactions, and personal development. By his third year, he made a significant shift in his academic focus.
Abhishek opted for an Interdisciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) program. This program combined a BTech in Civil Engineering with an MTech in Biomedical Engineering. This choice opened new avenues for his education, contributing to a multidisciplinary approach that expanded his problem-solving skills.
Discovering a Passion for Innovation
Abhishek’s early years at IIT Madras were significant for self-discovery and exploration. He joined the Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) at the institute. This experience involved organizing sessions with experienced startup founders. These interactions ignited his ambition further and solidified his entrepreneurial spirit. As he progressed into his third year, he became deeply involved in the Centre for Innovation (CFI) at IIT Madras. At the CFI, he worked on projects involving drones and robotics, igniting his passion for innovative solutions.
One of his notable achievements at CFI was the development of a medicine delivery drone. He also designed lightweight drone components, which stood out in India’s burgeoning drone industry. Using his civil engineering knowledge, he created a drone frame that was five times lighter than existing alternatives. This hands-on experience not only bolstered his technical skills but also built his confidence to pursue various ideas. He benefited greatly from mentorship provided by professors, which often extended beyond traditional textbook learning.
In February 2023, Abhishek and his team achieved a remarkable victory at the Inter-IIT Tech Competition. This prominent event focused on entrepreneurship and showcased innovative projects. Winning this competition solidified his commitment to startup culture and reinforced his belief in bringing innovative ideas to life. Despite facing setbacks in his early ventures, including a failed AR food application for restaurants, a personal finance app, and a health insurance claim automation tool, Abhishek never lost hope. His current venture is now thriving; it assists banks in recovering more loans and has secured partnerships with 15 non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).
Balancing Startup Life with Academics
As Abhishek approaches the final year at IIT Madras, he has skillfully balanced his startup endeavors with his academic studies. He has completed all his courses, allowing him to devote his energy to his startup, which is pre-incubated at Nirmaan, IIT Madras’s entrepreneurial hub. Abhishek’s typical day starts at 8:30 am with breakfast. He then works at his office throughout the day. After lunch, he socializes with friends and hits the gym at 8 pm before returning to work, often late into the night.
Despite this demanding schedule, Abhishek finds time to indulge his interest in chess. He spends hours honing his strategic thinking skills through the game. Sundays provide him much-needed downtime, where he enjoys movies, dinners, and cultural events like Garba and Holi
