Anupam Mittal
Anupam Mittal (born 23 December 1971) is an Indian entrepreneur, angel investor, and business leader best known as the founder and CEO of Shaadi.com, one of the world's largest matrimonial platforms. He is also the founder of People Group, a media and technology company that operates several digital businesses including Makaan.com and Mauj Mobile. Mittal has invested in more than 250 startups and gained nationwide popularity as a judge on the business reality television show Shark Tank India.
Early Life and Education
Anupam Mittal was born on 23 December 1971 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, into a Marwari business family. He completed his schooling at Jamnabai Narsee School in Mumbai and later studied at Jai Hind College. After completing his undergraduate studies, Mittal moved to the United States to pursue higher education.
He earned an MBA in Operations and Strategic Management from Boston University in Massachusetts. During his time in the United States, he became fascinated with the rapid growth of the internet industry, which later inspired his entrepreneurial ventures.
Career
Early Career
After completing his MBA, Mittal began working at MicroStrategy, a business intelligence software company based in Washington, D.C. He soon realized he wanted to build his own business and returned to India to pursue entrepreneurship.
Founding Shaadi.com
In the late 1990s, arranged marriages in India were largely facilitated through newspaper advertisements and personal networks. Mittal identified the opportunity to bring this traditional process online. In 1997, he launched a matrimonial website called Sagaai.com, which was later renamed Shaadi.com. The platform aimed to help people find compatible life partners using digital technology.
Initially, many people were skeptical about online matchmaking. To build trust among users, Mittal focused on profile verification, safety features, and customer support. Over time, Shaadi.com became one of the world's leading matrimonial websites, facilitating more than 50 lakh marriages and amassing over 3.5 crore registered users.
People Group
Mittal founded People Group in 1996, a technology and media company that serves as the parent organization for several digital businesses, including Shaadi.com (matrimonial platform), Makaan.com (real estate platform), and Mauj Mobile (mobile media and entertainment). Through these ventures, Mittal played an important role in introducing internet-based services in India during the early years of the digital economy.
Angel Investing
Apart from entrepreneurship, Mittal is one of India's leading angel investors. Since 2007, he has invested in over 200 startups across multiple sectors including technology, fintech, e-commerce, and consumer services. Notable investments include Ola Cabs, BigBasket, Druva, Ketto, Rupeek, and FabHotels. His early bets on high-growth startups have made him a respected figure among Indian entrepreneurs and investors.
Shark Tank India
Anupam Mittal gained mainstream popularity after appearing as a judge (Shark) on the Indian version of the television show Shark Tank India. On the show, he evaluates business ideas and invests in promising startups. His practical advice, honest feedback, and entrepreneurial insights have made him one of the most recognized investors in the country, and he has invested in several innovative Indian startups while mentoring young founders through the platform.
Awards and Recognition
Mittal has received numerous awards for his contributions to entrepreneurship and digital innovation, including Business Week's 50 Most Powerful People in India, the Karamveer Puraskaar, Outstanding Serial Entrepreneur and Angel Investor Award (2020), and inclusion in the IMPACT Digital Power 100.
Personal Life
Anupam Mittal is married to Aanchal Kumar, a model and actress. The couple married in 2013 in Jaipur and have a daughter named Alyssa Mittal. Outside business, Mittal enjoys boxing for fitness and mentoring young entrepreneurs. He is active on social media where he shares business advice and startup insights.