Pankaj Solanki is a BITS Pilani (Dubai, ’19), graduate in BE Mechanical Engineering. Pankaj co-founded the fintech start-up Xponent. His entrepreneurial journey began during his mechanical engineering studies, where he combined his passion for technology with business acumen. Xponent revolutionized micro-investments in the UAE by allowing users to round up digital payments and invest globally. After achieving significant success with Xponent, Pankaj transitioned to a wealth management analyst role at Klay. His experiences in entrepreneurship and finance demonstrate his resilience, creativity, and commitment to excellence.

Give us a brief on your FinTech Start-up, Xponent:

We introduced the concept of micro-investment in the UAE in 2021, with a simple idea: round up every digital payment from any client segment (of any bank) in the UAE and invest it in global markets on the go, with no minimum required for investment. As simple as it sounds, it was an extremely difficult regulatory and operational challenge to navigate. Xponent was co-founded by me and is regulated by the DFSA with Category 3 and Category 4 licenses as part of the ITL (Innovation Testing License). Moreover, we raised $1.2 million in seed funding.

How did BITS Pilani inspire you to diversify into financial services from mechanical engineering after graduation?

BITS Pilani was an ideal platform for innovation. Students in my year had already launched various start-ups. Most of us had a knack for thinking differently, as BITS fostered that kind of environment. This created the perfect opportunity for me to start something of my own!

Tell us about what you do at Klay. What have you learned from your previous experiences that have allowed you to evolve and excel as a professional at Klay?

I currently work at Klay, a boutique financial firm based in DIFC, which aims to make a lasting impact for individuals, families, institutions, and corporations across the world through unbiased expertise, tailored financial solutions, and best-in-breed technology. My role is that of an analyst, where I create more products in the wealth management vertical, as I did back at Xponent.

My hunger for innovation and creating a lasting impact during my start-up years fuels me, and it always will. Therefore Klay was the perfect environment for me to step into after Xponent, as their mindset aligns with mine—pure grit and hustle towards success.

Could you share a memorable project or research experience you have undertaken at BITS? What values have you learned through this experience, and how have these qualities shaped you?

One of the most memorable projects I undertook was a research paper I published on the efficiency of vortex tubes in spot cooling, with the valuable support of Dr. Udaykumar. This experience taught me to be detail-oriented and thorough with any project I take on, whether it is a start-up or a 9-to-5 job, as being good at something requires a knack for knowing the ins and outs.

Can you discuss any extracurricular activities or organizations you have participated in at the university? How did the experience enhance your values and skills, and how have they helped your career path?

Back in university, I was part of the Groove dance team for a couple of years. We participated in events at BITS and other universities, and this was probably the most fun I had honing my dance skills. Alongside dancing, I also participated in BAJA events as part of the BlackHawks team in my first year, where we built an ATV. After that, I participated in public speaking competitions to sharpen my soft skills. To be honest, every individual needs to pick at least one activity they enjoy doing in university—this is the time to discover yourself and build on it!

Can you share a challenging moment or obstacle you faced at the university, and how did you overcome it?

Loads of instances become challenging the moment you overthink—maybe it's your first viva, an extracurricular activity, or finding your footing amidst the crowd. My number one suggestion for university and life would be to find comfort in being uncomfortable!

There is no better way to overcome an obstacle than to face it head-on; trust me.

Handling multiple responsibilities tends to take a toll on a person. What do you do apart from taxing work to de-stress? Mention any volunteering work undertaken in your leisure time.

The stress of facing multiple responsibilities never reduces; the title just changes with every phase in life. Find a getaway hobby—mine was photography back then, and now it is building a car (literally!). Moreover, take a day out each week to treat your mind and body; you will find joy in being in your own company.

How has BITS Pilani supported your professional development since graduating, through alumni networks, career services, or continuing education opportunities?

Post-graduation, especially considering it was during the COVID pandemic, BITS Pilani’s placement division did its very best to help me find a place in the corporate world. Once I kickstarted my start-up, I would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Trupti Gokhale, who assisted me with event participation, networking opportunities, and providing a platform to promote and grow.

What advice would you give current engineering students at BITS Pilani to make the most of their time there?

My university days at BITS Pilani are the most memorable ones due to the faculty, friends, and experiences I went through—the good and the bad. It is undeniably one of the best universities with great professors, but you must create your own story and mould it into a unique one. Participate in events, show initiative, face challenges, and rise from them—experiment with everything because BITS is where you can!