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Newsweek
30-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Gen Zers Are Investing Younger Than Their Elders
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Gen Zers are starting to invest far younger than their elder millennials and Gen Xers, according to a new study from Arta Finance. While 54 percent of Gen Z respondents in the survey said they began investing by age 21, only 31 percent of millennials and 27 percent of Gen X had done the same. Why It Matters Gen Z faces economic turbulence as they start their careers, with skyrocketing student loan debt and inflation on everything from housing to groceries. However, the interest in saving and investing for the future could indicate the younger generation, which includes those age 13 to 28, is better prepared for the future than previously believed. Close-up of a person's hand holding a smartphone with the interface of the Robinhood investment app visible, in Lafayette, California, on September 15, 2021. Close-up of a person's hand holding a smartphone with the interface of the Robinhood investment app visible, in Lafayette, California, on September 15, 2021. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images What to Know While 71 percent of millennials surveyed by Arta Finance started investing before age 30, Gen Z is getting an even earlier start, with 54 percent starting their investment portfolios by age 21. Technology has opened many ways of wealth building to a larger audience, and Gen Z isn't waiting for a specific income range or job title to begin the process, according to the report. "This has a direct correlation to technology and the accessibility of trading platforms like Robinhood," Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. "These companies have done a tremendous job leveraging technology to put themselves directly in front of Gen Z." Learning about investing early is a positive for Gen Z over the long run, as they have more time to build wealth, but Thompson cautioned the new investors about potential gamification risks. "My main concern, however, is the gamification of investing. Investment platforms and gaming companies have made the experience engaging to the point where some see it as an alternative to gambling," Thompson said. "This has fueled day trading of meme stocks and increased exposure to volatile assets like cryptocurrency." If Gen Z invests without becoming addicted to that gamification nature, however, they likely could reap major financial benefits in the coming years. "Time is your greatest asset when it comes to investing," Emmy Sakulrompochai, head of investment advisory at Arta Finance, said in the report. "But many people hesitate because they think they need a finance degree or six figures in savings. You don't. What you really need is a bit of guidance, access to quality investment opportunities, and a nudge to get started—even with small amounts. By starting early and staying invested, you can take advantage of long-term market growth and let compounding returns work in your favor." What People Are Saying Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Studies have shown that Gen Z is more financially assertive than their millennial counterparts. That, paired with vastly easier and cheaper ways of investing virtually, have given rise to more young adults taking a dip into investments at an earlier age. Still, it's important they understand the difference between investing, which can lead to long-term wealth, and trading stocks, which can be much riskier and result in significant losses if not properly managed." Drew Powers, founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: "It is wonderful to see Gen Z get an early start on savings. The magic of saving money has always been 'time and compound interest,' so with over half of Gen Z saving and investing by age 21, they will benefit from both. It is amazing what a small amount of money can grow to over 40 or 50 years, versus a large amount of money over 4 or 5 years." Sakulrompochai also told Newsweek: "Gen Z is stepping into investing earlier than any generation before them, and for good reason. They've grown up with user-friendly, tech-enabled platforms and lower investment minimums that make it easy to put even small amounts to work. Continuous conversations about money and markets are woven into their daily digital lives, so investing isn't a distant 'someday' task, it's simply part of how they manage their finances." What Happens Next As wealth building is increasingly democratized, private market opportunities will no longer be off limits to all but the ultra-wealthy, Sakulrompochai said. "By starting young and diversifying broadly, Gen Z gives itself a long runway to harness compounding returns, setting the stage for a generation that is not only more financially literate, but potentially more financially independent and empowered than any that came before it."
Mint
20-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Indian-origin CEO, whose startup is backed by Sundar Pichai, shares ‘superpower' tip for new entrepreneurs
In a startup ecosystem driven by speed, scale, and relentless hustle, Caesar Sengupta, the Indian-origin CEO of Arta Finance, believes his biggest strength isn't another productivity tool or strategic playbook — it's stillness. Sengupta, a former Google Pay executive and co-creator of ChromeOS, co-founded the digital wealth platform Arta Finance in 2021. Backed by marquee investors including Sequoia Capital India and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, the fintech firm has raised $92 million so far. Yet, Sengupta admits the transition from corporate life at Google to the unpredictable world of startups has been anything but smooth. 'There are days where you feel 100%, and there are days where you're like, 'Oh my God, what did I just do?'' Sengupta said in an interview with CNBC Make It, adding that startup life can take a toll on health, relationships, and emotional well-being. What helped Sengupta stay centred? Not a new app or workflow, but five to ten minutes of daily meditation. 'I wish three years back, somebody had sat me down and said: 'Dude… just meditate,'' he told CNBC. He now calls mindfulness his 'superpower' — a habit that gives him mental clarity amid a whirlwind of investor calls, product sprints, and high-stakes decisions. And science appears to back him up. According to a recent study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, even 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation can significantly improve attention span and reduce mental distractions. The study observed improved focus and reaction times across age groups, attributing the effect to changes in the brain's attention-related systems. In addition to meditation, Sengupta also uses solo cycling as a way to disconnect and recharge. 'It's one of the only times where no one can reach me,' he said. His approach signals a shift in how modern entrepreneurs view success. Instead of glorifying burnout, Sengupta is betting on inner calm as a long-term advantage. 'Ultimately,' he says, 'it's about how you confront the ups and downs of life.' As founders face increasing pressure in a volatile funding climate, Sengupta's lesson is clear: clarity, resilience, and a few moments of stillness may be just as critical as capital.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Just Sit Yourself Down And Meditate': This Ex-Google Exec Raised $92 Million With Support From Sundar Pichai And Sequoia Capital India
Caesar Sengupta knows what it feels like to jump from a corporate empire into complete uncertainty. He spent 15 years at Google, where he led major products like Google Pay and helped launch the company's Next Billion Users initiative. Then he walked away to start something of his own: Arta Finance. Since its launch in 2021, Arta has raised over $92 million in funding, with backing from Sequoia Capital India, Ribbit Capital, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, CNBC says. But for Sengupta, the biggest win has been learning how to keep his mind clear in a high-stakes world. Don't Miss: Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. Startup Pressure Made Him Rethink How He Operates Leaving Google meant giving up structure and replacing it with volatility. In a corporate environment, risk feels managed, even distributed across departments and leadership, but startups offer no such safety net, Sengupta told CNBC. At a startup, Sengupta said, "you're just much more fragile." He described the mental rollercoaster that hits when launching a startup later in life. Some days you feel energized, other days you wonder what mistake you made, he explained. Sengupta said the pressure affects not just work, but also personal well-being, touching areas like health, family, and identity. He described how easy it is to get "completely drawn in" to the point where mental clarity disappears and physical health declines. According to CNBC, those challenges ultimately pushed him to reflect on his routines and adopt habits that help him reset, including what he now describes as his greatest edge: meditation. Trending: This AI-Powered Trading Platform Has 5,000+ Users, 27 Pending Patents, and a $43.97M Valuation — Sengupta Uses Meditation As a Survival Skill "There's so much noise in the world," Sengupta told CNBC, pointing out that founders get pulled in every direction unless they learn how to filter. He told CNBC he wishes someone had told him sooner to meditate. "Dude, like everything else [will] be fine. Just sit yourself down and meditate," he recalled thinking after discovering the practice. Now, he tries to sit quietly for five to ten minutes each evening, using that time to reset his mind and energy before another full day. Meditation is not always still, he explained. Sengupta says cycling is one of the only times he truly feels unreachable, free from notifications, meetings, or any demand for his attention. 'So forcing myself to be on that thing for an hour or two just makes me meditate," he told Business Is Built on Wealth, But His Mindset Is Built on Stillness Arta Finance wants to give middle-class professionals access to financial strategies that were once limited to high-net-worth investors. According to its website, users from leading global companies, including Google, Stripe, Meta (NASDAQ:META), and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), use the platform to access curated investment opportunities across private and public markets. Arta Finance says it also integrates advanced AI to deliver personalized insights and automated portfolio guidance. Members can explore structured products, public equities, and private alternatives while receiving support from a global community of vetted investors and experts. As Arta Finance expands its reach, Sengupta continues to emphasize the importance of meditation as a foundational practice that helps him stay grounded amid the unpredictability of startup life. As he told CNBC, filtering out distractions and maintaining mental clarity is critical for navigating the challenges entrepreneurs face daily. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article 'Just Sit Yourself Down And Meditate': This Ex-Google Exec Raised $92 Million With Support From Sundar Pichai And Sequoia Capital India originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Former Google executive who raised $92 million for a startup backed by Sundar Pichai shares one simple strategy every entrepreneur should know
In today's high-octane startup world, where billion-dollar valuations can vanish overnight and hustle culture dominates, surviving the chaos requires more than grit and strategy. According to Caesar Sengupta , co-founder and CEO of the digital wealth platform Arta Finance said entrepreneurs need something surprisingly simple yet profoundly powerful: stillness. Sengupta believes daily meditation, not constant motion, is his ultimate superpower. And as neuroscience begins to validate this approach, the message is clear: in the noisy, demanding world of startups, mental clarity might be the most underutilized competitive edge. Former Google executive Caesar Sengupta finds startup life more chaotic than expected Before launching Arta Finance in 2021,a fintech company now backed by over $92 million in funding, including support from Sequoia Capital India and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Sengupta spent 15 years at Google. He helped build ChromeOS and co-founded Google Pay, which now serves more than 150 million users across 30+ countries. Despite his impressive resume, Sengupta admits the transition from corporate stability to startup chaos was mentally jarring. 'There are days where you feel 100%, and there are days where you're like, 'Oh my God, what did I just do?'' he confessed. Startups, he explained, can consume founders entirely—damaging health, relationships, and emotional well-being. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo How this one simple habit became Sengupta's superpower His solution wasn't found in a productivity hack or another to-do list app. It was far simpler: five to ten minutes of meditation a day. 'I wish three years back, somebody had sat me down and said: 'Dude… just meditate,'' as reported by CNBC. That small window of silence became his daily anchor, offering mental space amidst a storm of decisions, investor meetings, and constant uncertainty. While Sengupta calls mindfulness his "superpower," neuroscience is catching up to the claim. A recent study by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, reported by Neuroscience News, found that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation significantly enhanced focus and reduced distractibility across all age groups. Using eye-tracking technology, researchers observed improved reaction times and sustained attention—especially linked to changes in the locus coeruleus–noradrenaline system, a brain center critical to focus, memory, and cognitive resilience. As postdoctoral researcher Andy Jeesu Kim put it, 'Mindfulness isn't just about feeling more relaxed — it can literally change the way your brain handles attention.' Why founders need mental clarity now more than ever Founders today are under immense pressure navigating product launches, investor meetings, sleepless nights, and the ever-looming threat of failure. In such an environment, the ability to filter signals from noise isn't just helpful, it's essential for survival. Sengupta also turns to cycling as a form of meditative movement. 'It's one of the only times where no one can reach me,' he says. This physical form of stillness helps him mentally recharge and stay grounded amid the chaos of building a high-stakes startup. Inner stillness as the new startup strategy As mindfulness gains ground in scientific and executive circles alike, Sengupta's approach is emerging as more than just a personal quirk—it's a strategic advantage. While others burn out chasing every opportunity, he's choosing calm over chaos. And it's working. 'Ultimately,' he says, 'it's about how you confront the ups and downs of life.' For today's entrepreneurs, Sengupta's journey offers a profound lesson: in a world obsessed with speed, stillness may be your sharpest edge. Also Read | Mark Zuckerberg doubles down after Rs 800 crore salary to Trapit Bansal with Rs 1,600 crore package to ex-Apple techie AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
CNBC
11-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
This CEO's startup has raised $92 million and is backed by Sundar Pichai. He shares his 'superpower' tip for aspiring entrepreneurs
Given the ups and downs of the startup journey, the biggest "superpower" that entrepreneurs can have is the ability to ground themselves, said Caesar Sengupta, co-founder and CEO of fintech startup Arta Finance. "There's so much noise in the world," Sengupta told CNBC Make It. The entrepreneurial path can be highly volatile, and founders will be pulled in many different directions, so being able to filter out what's important from all of the noise is key, he added. His no. 1 strategy for this is simple: "start meditating." "I wish three years back, somebody had sat me down and said: 'Dude, like everything else [will] be fine. Just sit yourself down and meditate ... know when to tune out," he said. Prior to co-founding the fintech startup in 2021, the 49-year-old spent about 15 years at Google where he led major projects such as Google Pay and the company's "Next Billion Users" initiative. It was at that big tech company where Sengupta met his co-founders and some of his first angel investors, including the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai. To date, Arta Finance has raised over $92 million and is backed by prominent investors such as Sequoia Capital India and Ribbit Capital. There is a massive shift you experience going from working in a big company to building a startup, says Sengupta. Not only can you lose all sense of work-life balance, but risk also takes on an entirely new meaning. In a big company, risk is more contained. At a startup, "you're just much more fragile," said Sengupta. "If you ask any entrepreneur who's been in a large company, it's a pretty scary leap late in your life. I would say there are days where you feel ... 100%, and there are days where you're like: 'Oh my God, what did I just do?' But I think that's what I love about it," he added. Additionally, in a startup environment, it is really easy to get completely drawn in, "to the detriment of yourself, your family, your health [and] your mental health," said Sengupta. "But ultimately, it's about how [you] confront the ups and downs of life." That's why it's important to take care of your mental and physical health, he said. On a daily basis, he tries to allocate five to ten minutes a night to sitting alone and meditating. He also uses exercise as a way to meditate. "I realized [that] cycling, for me, is not just physical exercise, but it's one of the only times where no one can reach me … So forcing myself to be on that thing for an hour or two just makes me meditate," he said.
