Sandeep Jethwani (Dezerv): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Sandeep Jethwani is a prominent Indian entrepreneur and wealth management expert, widely recognized as the co-founder of Dezerv, a technology-driven wealth management platform. With a rich background in the financial services industry and significant leadership roles prior to founding Dezerv, Jethwani has emerged as a key influencer in the evolving landscape of wealth-tech in India. Dezerv, founded in 2021 alongside Sahil Contractor and Vaibhav Porwal, is committed to redefining how India’s emerging affluent class invests and manages wealth by blending technology with personalized financial advisory. This article explores the multifaceted aspects of Sandeep Jethwani’s career, his role in Dezerv, and the broader implications for wealth management in India.

1. Early Career and Background

Sandeep Jethwani began his career in the financial industry after completing his postgraduate diploma in management (PGDBM) in Finance and Strategy from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) between 2003 and 2005. Before co-founding Dezerv, he held several managerial and senior leadership positions at reputed firms such as IIFL Wealth and Kotak Wealth Management. His early work at these organizations involved managing advisory services and wealth management portfolios, equipping him with extensive domain expertise that would later underpin his entrepreneurial ventures.

2. Founding of Dezerv

In 2021, Jethwani co-founded Dezerv, aiming to serve India’s growing emerging affluent and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) with tailored and tech-enabled wealth management solutions. Along with co-founders Sahil Contractor and Vaibhav Porwal, Dezerv was created to fill the gap for a tech-first, client-centric platform that integrates financial expertise, transparency, and easy access to sophisticated investment opportunities. The company focuses on portfolios across equities, fixed income, and alternative investments, supported by a blend of data analytics and human advisory.

3. Dezerv’s Assets Under Management Growth

Within a few years, Dezerv experienced rapid growth in assets under management (AUM), reaching over ₹14,000 crore by 2025. This remarkable expansion marks an eightfold increase from ₹1,265 crore in late 2022, with ambitious goals to hit ₹25,000 crore by the end of 2025. This growth is built on strategic client acquisition, technology-driven portfolio management, and a differentiated approach that combines AI-enhanced advisory with proactive relationship management.

4. Innovative Technology and Wealth Monitor

One of Dezerv’s breakthroughs under Jethwani’s leadership is the development of the "Wealth Monitor"—a proprietary tool that enables investors to comprehensively track and analyze their portfolios, including mutual funds, stocks, bank accounts, NPS, fixed deposits, and more. The app empowers more than 5 lakh users in India to make informed decisions with access to real-time net worth analysis. Future plans include adding coverage for bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs), loans, and credit cards, aiming to become a holistic financial dashboard for Indian families.

5. Investment Philosophy and Portfolio Approach

Jethwani advocates for a disciplined and data-driven investment philosophy. Dezerv uses a centrally managed portfolio strategy, removing human biases by employing quantitative models and machine learning techniques such as random forests. This forward-looking approach focuses on sustainable compounding and risk management, distinguishing Dezerv from traditional wealth advisory models by emphasizing outcome-oriented portfolio construction rather than product pushing.

6. Fundraising and Investor Support

Under Sandeep Jethwani’s stewardship, Dezerv has raised significant capital through multiple funding rounds since its inception. Notably, in October 2025, the company secured ₹350 crore in Series C funding, co-led by marquee investors Premji Invest and Accel, with participation from Elevation Capital and Z47. This brought the total capital raised to over ₹850 crore, underscoring investor confidence in Dezerv’s vision and scalability. The fresh funds are earmarked for enhancing client experience, deepening technical capabilities, expanding investment solutions, and onboarding more relationship managers.

7. Industry Impact and Vision for Wealth Management

Jethwani’s vision with Dezerv goes beyond just asset management—it is actively shaping the future of India’s wealth-tech ecosystem. By targeting underserved segments like emerging affluent professionals and wealth creators from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, Dezerv aims to democratize access to expert portfolio management. The company emphasizes transparency, aligned pricing, and client-centricity, aiming to build a trusted institution that blends technology with human touch for long-term wealth creation.

8. Challenges and Market Competition

Despite rapid growth, the wealth management sector in India is fiercely competitive, with traditional financial institutions and numerous startups vying for market share. Dezerv faces challenges such as scalability, market education, and regulatory compliance. However, Jethwani’s focus on data-driven solutions and technology-led automation positions the company to address these hurdles effectively, with continuously improving operational efficiency and customer retention.

9. Role as a Thought Leader

Apart from his operational role, Sandeep Jethwani is an active thought leader on wealth management in India. Regularly sharing insights on social media and industry forums, he discusses topics like asset allocation, ESOP wealth generation, investment discipline, and financial awareness. His engagement helps raise awareness about prudent investing and the evolving landscape of wealth for professionals and entrepreneurs in India.

10. Future Prospects and Growth Strategy

Looking forward, Jethwani and Dezerv plan to deepen their technological infrastructure, expand geographically beyond major metros, and innovate with new asset classes and financial products. Emphasis on building high-quality relationship management teams, AI-driven insights, and comprehensive family wealth management solutions form the core of their strategy. Dezerv’s ambition is to scale sustainably while maintaining trust and delivering superior client outcomes in a rapidly growing wealth management industry.

Conclusion

Sandeep Jethwani stands as a pioneering figure in India’s wealth-tech revolution, translating decades of financial expertise into a dynamic platform that empowers emerging affluent Indians to invest wisely. Through Dezerv, he has shown how technology and principled advisory can merge to reshape wealth creation and management, particularly for a demographic previously underserved by traditional players. As India’s wealth accelerates, the model espoused by Jethwani signals a transformative future for wealth management where data, transparency, and client-first philosophy define success. His journey prompts an intriguing question: How will technology continue to redefine personal finance and wealth advisory in India’s burgeoning financial landscape?