Biography of Neeru Sharma: Co-Founder of Infibeam-Indian Entrepreneur
E-Commerce and Fintech Company
Biography of Neeru Sharma:
Neeru Sharma grew up
in a middle-class family in New Delhi. Her father worked in human resources and
tried to start his own business, but it didn't work out, leading to financial
struggles. To support the family, her mother took over their small autolamps
factory while her father looked for another job. During this time, Neeru,
Sharma's elder sibling, took on the task of managing the household, all while Sharma
excelled in her studies.
Neeru Sharma: A Journey of Education and Leadership
Neeru Sharma, a prominent business leader and successful
entrepreneur, has a rich educational background that highlights her dedication
and diverse interests. She completed her MBA in Finance and Strategy from
Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business between 2006 and 2008.
Before that, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Maharshi
Dayanand University, where she was involved in various activities such as CRY,
Helpage India, and served as the President of the College Computer Society, all
while pursuing her passion for dance.
Neeru's earlier education was completed at Modern Vidya
Niketan in Faridabad, where she finished her Class XII in 1997, following her
foundational schooling at St. Joseph Convent School in Faridabad, which she
attended from 1983 to 1995.
A New Chapter
In 1997, Sharma enrolled in Maharshi Dayanand University in
Rohtak to study computer science and engineering. It was at this university
that she met her best friend, who would later become her husband. When Sharma
graduated in 2001, the IT sector was facing a downturn due to the dotcom bubble
burst. Despite the tough job market, TCS was the only company recruiting from
her college, and she was fortunate to secure a position there. After working
for TCS for over two years, Sharma moved on to a new opportunity at Alcatel.
Exploring the Business Side
At Alcatel, Sharma gained insight into the business world
when the company introduced tele-voting for a reality show, marking a first in
Indian television. As a product manager, she worked closely with the show’s
marketing team, learning that while technology is essential, building a
successful business needs more than just technical know-how. It requires a
clear vision and strategic planning.
A New Journey: MBA Decision
In 2005, Sharma and her husband decided to embark on a new
journey together by pursuing an MBA before starting a business. Rather than
enjoying a typical honeymoon, they focused on studying for the GMAT. Their
dedication was rewarded with acceptance into Carnegie Mellon University, where
they both earned their MBAs with a focus on finance and strategy.
Experience in Major Corporations
Before her entrepreneurial ventures, Sharma gained
significant experience at Amazon and Nokia. At Amazon, she worked in Corporate
Development, focusing on strategic and financial due diligence for partnerships
and acquisitions from May 2007 to July 2009. She also interned there,
developing budgeting models for media products. Earlier in her career, she
worked at Nokia as a Project Manager at Alcatel Development India, handling the
development and delivery of intelligent network services, and at Tata
Consultancy Services as a Module Leader, leading various projects.
Working with Industry Leaders
After completing their MBAs, Sharma joined Amazon and had
the opportunity to work directly with Jeff Bezos. One of her notable colleagues
was Vishal Mehta, who would later become the CEO of Infibeam. Sharma's team was
responsible for evaluating the emerging e-commerce market in India, a sector
that was just beginning to develop. At that time, Flipkart was in its infancy,
and established players like Rediff and IndiaMart were not yet dominant.
Biography of Neeru Sharma: Co-Founder of Infibeam-Indian Entrepreneur/e-commerce and fintech company/Success story of Infibeam and Neeru Sharma story
Venturing into E-commerce
Recognizing the potential in the growing e-commerce market,
Mehta returned to India in 2007, and Sharma followed in 2009. They teamed up to
co-found Infibeam, seizing the opportunity in a market that was ripe for new
entrants and innovations.
A Pioneering Entrepreneur
Sharma co-founded Infibeam Avenues in 2009 and has been
instrumental in its growth. Infibeam Avenues, India's first e-commerce and
fintech company to be listed on Indian stock exchanges, offers comprehensive
online services including e-commerce platforms, digital payment solutions, and
more. Sharma has been a key figure in scaling the company from its startup
phase to a public listing, guiding its digital payment services and e-commerce
platforms. She also co-founded CCavenue, which provides extensive payment
processing solutions and SaaS products like ResAvenue.com and BillAvenue.com.
Initial Skepticism and Growing Support
Initially, Sharma's decision to pursue an MBA right after
marriage left her mother bemused. But her concerns grew when Sharma chose to
leave her promising job at Amazon in the US to start a new venture from scratch
in India. The turning point came when Infibeam, Sharma's new business, began
receiving its first orders. That’s when her mother started to see the potential
in her daughter’s ambitious project.
A Family’s Encouraging Backbone
Sharma found great support from her family, particularly
from her father-in-law, who understood her entrepreneurial goals due to his own
business background. Living in a joint family turned out to be a significant
advantage as they were all very supportive of her efforts.
Navigating the Publishing World
While Infibeam was based in Ahmedabad, Sharma worked from a
modest office in Daryaganj, New Delhi, a hub known for books and publishing. To
get her business off the ground, she visited numerous vendors and publishers,
using her connections from Amazon and CMU to arrange meetings and explain the
benefits of Infibeam. At that time, Infibeam was new and not widely known, so
these connections were crucial in helping her establish the company.
Overcoming Doubts and Building Trust
Sharma faced the challenge of convincing people throughout
the supply chain about the benefits of her e-commerce platform. Often, she
encountered skepticism and comments like, “You look too young to start a
business.” Despite these early judgments, Sharma addressed these biases by
showcasing her company’s clear strategy and growth plans, which helped to
overcome the doubts.
Expanding Horizons and Gaining Trust
Infibeam, initially focused on books, gradually expanded
into electronics and other categories. As more retailers and brands, who lacked
the technical know-how for setting up their own e-commerce sites, expressed
interest, Sharma and her team recognized an opportunity. They developed a B2B
platform that allowed these brands to establish an online presence. Their first
client, Crossword, remains with Infibeam, and Airtel became their first telecom
partner. The company quickly attracted clients from various sectors, including travel,
ticketing, and theme parks.
Infibeam’s success led to an international expansion with
offices in Dubai and a growing global client base, including notable names like
Amul, GeM, Orient Electric, Daikin, Panasonic, Spykar, Saudi Telecom Company,
and GVK Mumbai Airport. They also introduced Pi, India’s first e-book reader
before Kindle arrived, and were among the first to sell iPhones in India.
A Leader Among Her Team
Sharma prefers to work closely with her team rather than
from her own cabin, where she's seldom seen. As the only woman on her core
team, she feels fortunate not to face the common challenges many women encounter
in the workplace. She attributes her professional inspiration to notable
figures like Jeff Bezos, Sheryl Sandberg, Jack Ma, and Raghuram Rajan. However,
when it comes to her personal life, her biggest inspirations are her mother and
her young children, who provide her with a new outlook on life.
Balancing Work and Family
Sharma’s busy schedule involves extensive travel, but she
makes a point to spend weekends with her family. She personally tutors her
children and ensures that she is with them every day she's not on the road.
Family outings are a regular part of their lives, and a vacation in June, when
school is out, is a tradition she holds dear. “My family rejuvenates me,” she
says, reflecting on the importance of these moments in her life.
Pursuing Passions Beyond Work
In addition to her professional commitments and family time,
Sharma makes space for her personal interests. As a Level 2 Kathak dancer, she
dedicates time to practicing dance, alongside running, sketching, and reading.
These activities help her maintain balance and enrich her life outside of work
and family responsibilities.
Neeru Sharma’s Current Role and Achievements
Neeru Sharma currently serves as the Business Head at SEEK,
where she is responsible for leading the SEEK Recruiter Network. Her role
involves managing and developing this network, showcasing her leadership and
strategic skills in a hybrid work environment. Prior to this, she was Head of
Partner Products and Portfolio at SEEK from January to December 2023,
overseeing various product and portfolio initiatives in an on-site capacity.
Global and Local Impact
Sharma’s experience spans various roles and industries, showcasing
her versatility and leadership. Her tenure at Infibeam Avenues and SEEK
reflects her expertise in digital transformation and business growth, while her
earlier roles at Amazon and Nokia underscore her foundational skills in project
management and corporate development.
Expanding Horizons and Building Partnerships
Infibeam began by focusing on books, but quickly diversified
into electronics and other product categories. They developed a B2B platform
that allowed brands to establish an online presence, with Airtel becoming their
first telecom partner. Their platform also supported online travel and ticket
sales, and they soon formed a significant partnership with Sony.
Global Reach and Diverse Clientele
Infibeam expanded its reach internationally, opening offices
in Dubai and attracting clients from around the globe. Their impressive client
list includes Amul, GeM (Government e-market), Orient Electric, Panasonic,
Spykar, Sony, Daikin, Saudi Telecom Company, and GVK Mumbai Airport.
Additionally, they introduced Pi, India’s first e-book reader. With around
1,000 employees, Infibeam is thriving. Sharma remains dedicated to providing
top-quality service to her customers and is committed to continuing this
excellence.
A timeline of Neeru Sharma's life and career based on the
details provided:
Early Life and Education
1983-1995: Attended St. Joseph Convent School, Faridabad.
1995-1997: Completed Class XII at Modern Vidya Niketan,
Faridabad.
1997: Enrolled in Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, for
a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
2001: Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science
from Maharshi Dayanand University.
Early Career
2001-2003: Worked at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as a
Module Leader.
2003-2005: Worked at Alcatel, gaining experience in business
management and technology.
Higher Education and MBA
2005: Decided to pursue an MBA; studied for GMAT.
2006-2008: Completed MBA in Finance and Strategy at Carnegie
Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.
Corporate Experience
May 2007 - July 2009: Worked in Corporate Development at
Amazon, focusing on strategic and financial due diligence for partnerships and
acquisitions.
2009: Joined Nokia as a Project Manager at Alcatel
Development India.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
2009: Co-founded Infibeam with Vishal Mehta; Infibeam
Avenues, India’s first e-commerce and fintech company to be listed on Indian
stock exchanges.
2010: Launched CCavenue and began offering extensive payment
processing solutions and SaaS products.
2010-2015: Expanded Infibeam’s services to include
electronics and other categories, developed a B2B platform, and secured notable
clients.
Infibeam's Growth and Expansion
2011: Infibeam expanded internationally with offices in
Dubai.
2012: Introduced Pi, India’s first e-book reader.
2013: Became one of the first to sell iPhones in India.
2014: Infibeam's client base included prominent names such
as Amul, GeM, Orient Electric, Daikin, Panasonic, and more.
Leadership and Current Role
January 2023 - December 2023: Head of Partner Products and
Portfolio at SEEK.
2024-Present: Business Head at SEEK, managing and developing
the SEEK Recruiter Network.
Personal Life and Interests
Ongoing: Balances her professional responsibilities with
family time, including regular family outings and vacations.
Ongoing: Pursues personal interests such as Kathak dance
(Level 2), running, sketching, and reading.
This timeline encapsulates Neeru Sharma's journey from her
early education to her current leadership role, highlighting key milestones and
achievements in her career and personal life.
