Tushar is a Partner at S45, bringing 16+ years of experience across finance, technology, blockchain, and manufacturing. His career has been shaped by a deep understanding of capital markets, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies, making him a valuable partner for businesses looking to scale efficiently.
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He currently co-leads the fixed-income business at Dexif Securities, where he and Deepank are working to solve structural inefficiencies in India's debt capital markets. In a short span, Dexif has emerged as a leading player, collaborating with some of India’s most respected financial institutions and banks.
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A firm believer in the economic impact of capital markets, Tushar started his career at JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley in London, navigating the 2008 global financial crisis firsthand. He later worked as a market-maker in index derivatives, first for European hedge funds and then in India.
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His early recognition of disruptive technologies led him to the blockchain space in 2014, where he collaborated on Bitcoin applications with the founders of Chess.com, well before crypto became mainstream.
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Beyond finance and technology, Tushar is a strong advocate for the Make in India movement. He built and ran a vertically integrated D2C consumer brand with in-house manufacturing, gaining hands-on experience in cash flow management, workforce operations, supplier relationships, marketing, and customer acquisition. This experience has deepened his understanding of what it truly takes to build and scale a business from the ground up.
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At S45, Tushar focuses on bridging the gap between capital, strategy, and sustainable growth, offering patient, practical, and strategic insights to entrepreneurs. His multi-sector expertise allows him to work closely with high-potential businesses, helping them navigate challenges and scale effectively in competitive markets.

Pankaj is a Partner at S45, bringing over 22 years of experience in capital markets, merchant banking, and corporate advisory. A Company Secretary by qualification, he began his career with Dolphin Laboratories before transitioning into merchant banking at Microsec India Limited in 2003.
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Throughout his career, he has played an instrumental role in over 16 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on the main board, executed 25+ takeovers, and led numerous rights issues, buybacks, mergers, and demergers, successfully listing companies across various exchanges.
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Pankaj has worked closely with some of East India’s largest listed corporates, including Ramkrishna Forgings, Rupa Limited, Emami, Haldia Petrochemicals, and Centuryply. More recently, he was part of the Investor Relations team at Shyam Metallics and Energy Limited, gaining deep insights into corporate growth strategies and market dynamics.
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Over the years, he has closely observed the factors that drive long-term growth and stability, as well as the missteps that have led once-promising companies to decline. His expertise lies in advising mid-sized companies on capital raising, M&A strategy, and long-term value creation. He has been instrumental in facilitating equity raises through private equity and public markets, helping businesses unlock new opportunities for scale and expansion.
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With a strong belief in empowering passionate, high-potential founders, Pankaj has joined forces to build S45, with a vision to reshape the capital landscape for India’s small and mid-sized enterprises. At S45, he focuses on guiding businesses through strategic growth initiatives, identifying acquisition targets, and unlocking capital market access to fuel sustainable expansion.

Aman is a Partner at S45, where he focuses on investing in and scaling high-growth businesses. His journey has been shaped by a deep entrepreneurial and operational background, having built, scaled, and advised companies across fintech, consumer tech, and enterprise technology.
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He founded SayF during his pre-final year at IIT Delhi, growing it into a venture-backed company that grew into a multi-million dollar business footprint. Following this, he worked directly with the founders of a Bay Area-based SaaS startup backed by Khosla Ventures, driving strategic initiatives and growth operations.
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His experience spans building from scratch, navigating fundraising, establishing growth levers, and executing at scale. Through these ventures, Aman developed a firsthand understanding of operational challenges, capital efficiency, and sustainable growth strategies.
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Perspectives & Principles
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Having grown up in an Indian Army household, adaptability and resilience have been core to my approach. Over the years, a few guiding principles have shaped how he thinks and operate:
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     -     It's often better to make a poor decision quickly than the best decision too late
     -     Prioritize people in everything you do; It pays off in the long run
     -     Majority advices are just a series of Barnum–Forer effect
     -     Always bet on yourself & don't forget your roots
     -     Life is too short to work on things that are purposeless
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At S45: Partnering with Founders for Growth
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As a Partner at S45, his focus is on empowering ambitious entrepreneurs—providing capital, strategic direction, and operational support to help them scale efficiently and build enduring businesses. Having been a founder myself, he understands the nuances of fundraising, product-market fit, and navigating growth challenges. He works closely with entrepreneurs to help them unlock strategic opportunities, optimize execution, and create long-term value.
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Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, meeting interesting people, breaking down long-form essays, and reading non-fiction.

Devika has spent the past five years at the crossroads of media and technology, building brands and global networks. She launched her podcast in 2019, led community growth at a blockchain startup in New York, and served as CMO at a venture capital firm—honing her expertise in digital storytelling and brand amplification.
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As a fractional CMO, she blends media strategy with business acumen, helping S45’s portfolio companies scale from local to global. Her experience spans growth strategy, brand positioning, and capital-efficient marketing—all critical for India's ambitious SME sector.
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Her approach aligns with S45’s founder-first philosophy, driving measurable impact for growth-stage enterprises through collaborative, resource-efficient marketing strategies.

Abhishek is a Principal, Private Investments at S45, bringing a unique blend of finance, trading, and technology to the world of capital markets. His expertise spans alternative investments, proprietary trading, and investment banking, with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making and automation.
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His journey began at Edelweiss, where he advised HNIs and UHNIs on Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and Portfolio Management Services (PMS). Though a short stint, it provided him with an intensive learning curve in high-stakes investing.
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Driven by a passion for trading and risk management, he founded AR Quants, a proprietary trading desk that scaled from zero to ₹20 crore in AUM within just three months. Specializing in derivatives trading on the MFT side, he eventually grew the portfolio to $5 million, establishing a strong foothold in the space.
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During the COVID era, Abhishek launched Iris Capital, an investment banking boutique specializing in Series C to pre-IPO deals. He successfully executed large-scale transactions while building a deep network of investors, helping companies secure critical late-stage funding.
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Along the way, he transitioned from finance to coding, teaching himself how to automate trading systems and integrate technology into investment strategies. This fusion of numbers and tech has allowed him to optimize trading execution, improve risk models, and drive efficiency in capital markets.
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As a Principal, Private Investments at Dexif, Abhishek applies his deep market expertise to identify, evaluate, and scale high-potential investment opportunities. More than just an investor, he has always been on the business side—ensuring profitability from day one in every venture he has built.
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When he’s not structuring deals or refining trading algorithms, you’ll likely find him riding waves—because adventure isn’t just for markets.

Achin is a Principal, Investments at S45, bringing over five years of experience in private equity and investment banking. His expertise lies in identifying high-potential investment opportunities, structuring deals, and driving value creation for growth-stage businesses.
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Before joining S45, Achin was an Associate on the investment team at Affirma Capital, where he worked extensively on private equity investments, due diligence, and portfolio management. Prior to that, he began his career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Arpwood Capital, gaining hands-on experience in M&A transactions, financial modeling, and strategic advisory.
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A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Achin combines analytical rigor with a deep understanding of capital markets and investment strategies.
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At S45, he is focused on empowering ambitious entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the right capital, strategic direction, and operational support to scale efficiently and build enduring businesses.

Shivam is a Product Manager at S45, leading the Investment product vertical and working at the intersection of technology and finance. With four years of experience in fintech, he specializes in building scalable, user-centric products that simplify financial services.
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Before joining S45, he co-founded a media-tech startup and led product teams across multiple fintech companies, gaining hands-on experience in product strategy, design, and execution. He thrives on building from the ground up, transforming ideas from a blank whiteboard into impactful solutions.
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A Computer Science graduate with a strong product sense, Shivam is focused on developing tools that enhance accessibility, efficiency, and usability in financial services.
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At S45, he is dedicated to creating seamless digital experiences, ensuring that founders and investors have the right technology to unlock capital, scale operations, and drive growth. He works closely with founders, investors, and stakeholders to build products that streamline investments and optimize financial decision-making.
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He is always looking for ways to improve user experience—if you have any suggestions to make the platform more seamless and intuitive, feel free to share!

Rajesh is a Partner at S45, where he brings over two decades of capital markets leadership to help high-growth businesses align financial performance with strategic storytelling, access to capital, and market trust.

‍A seasoned investor and capital markets strategist, Rajesh has advised more than 80 public companies, partnering with CXOs and boards to navigate financial events, investor sentiment, and capital strategy. His expertise spans investor relations, structured finance, corporate strategy, and debt markets—helping organizations communicate value with clarity and confidence.

Before S45, Rajesh was CEO of Stellar IR Advisors. He also held a senior leadership role at Orient Capital, (a MUFG group company), scaling investor engagement platforms and aligning capital flows with long-term vision. Earlier, he co-founded Cleaon IR and also led investor relations at UFlex Ltd., managing global outreach and financial narratives. His journey includes leadership in Treasury and DCM at Capri Global, along with earlier stints at Reliance Capital, Pfizer, and Bayer— giving him a 360° perspective across finance, strategy, and stakeholder engagement.

‍Bridging Performance & Perception

‍"Capital markets reward clarity as much as performance. The right message, at the right time, with the right intent—can move more than just markets. It moves confidence."

Rajesh thrives at the intersection of finance, strategy, and communication. Whether structuring debt instruments or managing earnings cycles, he ensures business value is amplified—not lost—in translation. His holistic understanding of both institutional and public market dynamics makes him a trusted advisor to founders seeking sustainable, long-term growth.

At S45, Rajesh works alongside entrepreneurs to sharpen financial strategy, elevate investor readiness, and build market credibility. He partners closely with founders to prepare them for scale—optimizing capital structures, refining narratives, and aligning execution with investor expectations resulting in access to capital through his network of investor relationships across AIFs, Family offices, DIIs etc. His mission at S45 is to help entrepreneurs unlock strategic capital, scale efficiently, and build institutional-grade governance and market credibility from Day 1.

Rajesh practices Ghatastha Yog as a way of life, grounding his leadership in mindfulness and discipline. He's also an avid traveller and home chef, always exploring new cultures and cuisines with curiosity and joy.

Ritesh is the Head of Distribution at S45, where he brings over 25 years of financial markets expertise to help high-growth businesses develop comprehensive financial strategies, access specialized investment solutions, and build sustainable wealth creation frameworks.

‍A seasoned financial strategist, Ritesh has navigated all facets of the financial ecosystem, from equity broking and wealth management to structured products and real estate investments. His entrepreneurial approach has empowered HNIs, MSMEs, and growth-stage businesses to optimize capital allocation, mitigate risks, and capitalize on strategic opportunities across market cycles.

Before S45, Ritesh held leadership positions at premier financial institutions including IIFL Securities and SMC Advisory, where he facilitated high-value transactions and built robust wealth management frameworks. He spearheaded multi-regional business operations at Narnolia and Indiabulls, establishing profitable centers across North India. Throughout his journey, Ritesh has cultivated deep relationships with major financial distributors including Motilal Oswal, IIFL, Prudent, Bonanza, SMC, and LKP—building an extensive network that spans the entire financial ecosystem.

‍Connecting Capital with Opportunity

‍"The most promising ventures often need more than just capital—they need the right capital, from the right partners, at the right time. Distribution excellence means creating meaningful connections that drive mutual growth."

Ritesh thrives at the intersection of financial engineering, market insight, and strategic execution. Whether structuring complex investment vehicles or optimizing capital allocation, he ensures that financial strategies remain aligned with long-term business objectives. His comprehensive understanding of both traditional and alternative investment landscapes makes him a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs navigating critical growth phases.

At S45, Ritesh leads distribution initiatives, connecting promising investment opportunities with the right capital partners. He leverages his extensive network to create powerful synergies between entrepreneurs and investors, ensuring mutual alignment and sustainable value creation. He works closely with founders to enhance their investment proposition, refine distribution strategies, and access specialized capital through his vast network across wealth managers, family offices, and institutional investors. His mission at S45 is to build distribution bridges that transform innovative businesses into compelling investment opportunities, delivering superior outcomes for both entrepreneurs and investors.

Ritesh is deeply committed to social and spiritual development, actively contributing to organizations like Isha Foundation and Vipassana Research Institute. He balances his professional pursuits with his passion for personal growth, mindfulness practices, and community engagement.