Ankit Mehra (GyanDhan)
Overview
Ankit Mehra is the co-founder and CEO of GyanDhan, an innovative education financing startup based in India. Established in 2015, GyanDhan has played a pivotal role in providing education loans to students seeking to study both domestically and internationally. Under Mehra's leadership, GyanDhan has become a prominent platform in the field of education loans, aiding thousands of students in achieving their academic dreams. Formed with the intent to make education financing accessible and transparent, GyanDhan collaborates with various banks and offers a hybrid model combining a loan marketplace with a non-banking financial company (NBFC).
Recent Developments
2025
- GyanDhan raised ₹50 crore in Series A funding from Classplus and Pravega Ventures. The funds are aimed at scaling operations, expanding to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and enhancing their technology stack to further streamline the student financing process. This capital injection reflects investor confidence in GyanDhan's mission to democratize access to education.
- Despite global challenges such as visa regulation changes and macroeconomic factors affecting international student mobility, GyanDhan has maintained strong demand for its services.
2024
- Ankit Mehra's leadership has been pivotal in promoting financial literacy among students, with GyanDhan hosting seminars and workshops to educate them about financial planning and loan management.
- GyanDhan introduced a first-of-its-kind loan-based university selector tool, designed to assist consultants in the admission process by indicating potential loan eligibility based on a student’s profile.
2023
- GyanDhan expanded its services during a global slowdown in international education due to changing economic factors and stricter visa regimes. It focused on building infrastructure to support the growing demand for education financing in India.
- The company continued to offer competitive loan products and advisory services, navigating regulatory challenges and enhancing its digital platform capabilities.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ankit Mehra |
| Born | Nathnagar, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Co-founder and CEO of GyanDhan |
| Known For | Education Financing |
| Net Worth | Approx. ₹0 – ₹500+ Cr (approx. $0 – $60M) |
| Education | B.Tech from IIT Kanpur, MBA from IESE Business School |
Early Life and Education
Ankit Mehra was born in Nathnagar, Bhagalpur, into a family engaged in the silk trading business. His early education took place at St. Joseph’s School in Bhagalpur, after which he moved to Delhi to complete his higher secondary education at DPS RK Puram. Demonstrating a strong aptitude for academics, Mehra cleared the JEE exam, securing a place at IIT Kanpur. There, he completed his B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2007. The pursuit of higher intellectual and professional goals led him to the IESE Business School in Spain, where he earned his MBA. It was during his MBA tenure that he identified the significant gaps in student financing, inspiring him to create GyanDhan.
Career and Notable Achievements
Ankit Mehra’s professional journey began with Capital One Financial Corporation, where he developed a strong foundation in financial analytics and business strategy. His role spanned from Business Analyst to Senior Business Analyst over several years, providing valuable insights into financial services and entrepreneurship. Post-MBA, he interned as an Investment Banking Summer Associate at Credit Suisse, which was instrumental in honing his skills in financial markets.
In 2015, recognizing the unmet needs in education finance, Mehra co-founded GyanDhan. Under his leadership:
- GyanDhan secured a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) license, allowing it to provide direct loans to students.
- The platform facilitated loans totaling more than ₹7,000 crore to students.
- Partnerships with major banks and financial advisors were cultivated, expanding GyanDhan’s influence and effectiveness.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Ankit Mehra is focused on scaling GyanDhan’s operations, particularly in untapped markets like Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where the need for education financing is immense. The company's recent funding boost reflects its ongoing commitment to bringing about social impact through fintech innovations. Beyond business operations, GyanDhan is actively involved in improving financial literacy and access to higher education through technology.
Conclusion
Ankit Mehra’s dedication to solving the education financing challenges faced by Indian students has established him as a significant figure in the fintech space. With GyanDhan, he has fostered a platform that not only addresses financial barriers but also empowers students by making education accessible. Looking forward, Mehra’s vision for GyanDhan entails further expansion and integration of technology to support students’ educational pursuits worldwide, thus leaving a lasting impact on the industry.