Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, often known for his films, has made headlines for an entirely different reason that is his thriving business empire. Vivek recently revealed that his venture is now valued at an astounding Rs 3,400 crore, driven by a strategic focus on student-centric services.
At a recent event in Mumbai, Vivek shared how his entrepreneurial journey began as a response to feeling sidelined in the film industry. He emphasized that business was always his “Plan B”, allowing him to pursue cinema as a passion without compromising his values.
“I decided that my livelihood should come from business, enabling me to sustain myself without having to compromise on my soul. Cinema is my passion, but business supports my lifestyle,” Vivek said in an interview with The Indian Express.
Vivek launched a startup focusing on education loans, which soon grew into a massive enterprise. “We reached over 12,000 schools, colleges, and universities through our B2B network,” he explained. Eventually, the company pivoted to a direct-to-customer model, accumulating a vast database of over 4.5 million students.
This direct access to customer data proved to be a goldmine, propelling the company’s valuation to approximately $400 million (₹3,400 crore).
Vivek highlighted how leveraging his brand brought credibility to his ventures. “One of our key successes was creating a money-lending business that provided loans to students. It felt fulfilling to create something that had a positive societal impact while also being commercially viable.”
When it comes to running his company, Vivek practices frugality and leads by example. “If my team travels for work, we don’t opt for luxury. Even though I fly business class for personal trips, I choose economical options when flying for my company, alongside my team,” he shared.
Reflecting on his transition from acting to entrepreneurship, Vivek revealed the challenges he faced in Bollywood and how they shaped his journey. “There were times when I felt small in the film industry. That’s when I turned to business, which gave me the freedom to live life on my terms,” he said.
His student-focused business model and emphasis on positive societal impact have made him a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.
