Latest news with #CaesarSengupta
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
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Former Google executive turned startup co-founder shares life-changing tip for aspiring entrepreneurs
In a world where venture-backed dreams crash as quickly as they rise, Caesar Sengupta , the co-founder and CEO of digital wealth platform Arta Finance, believes entrepreneurs need more than hustle and strategy to survive the chaos. His answer? Stillness. 'There's so much noise in the world,' Sengupta told CNBC Make It. 'Just sit yourself down and meditate.' This may not sound like a boardroom battle cry, but Sengupta calls it his superpower. And science seems to agree. From Google to Grounding Before founding Arta in 2021—a fintech firm now backed by over $92 million in funding from investors including Sequoia Capital India and Google CEO Sundar Pichai—Sengupta spent 15 years at Google. He helped launch ChromeOS and Google Pay , which now has more than 150 million users across 30 countries. His professional history reads like a tech investor's dream, but even he admits the leap from a stable tech giant to the fragile world of startups was jarring. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Lifetime Office 365 Download Undo 'There are days where you feel 100%, and there are days where you're like, 'Oh my God, what did I just do?'' he said. 'A startup is one of those places where it's very easy for you to get completely drawn in—to the detriment of yourself, your family, your health, and your mental health.' His antidote? Five to ten minutes of quiet. Every day. 'I wish three years back, somebody had sat me down and said: 'Dude… just meditate.'' You Might Also Like: He once gave jobs to many. Now he is struggling to find a job for himself, even begging for interview chances Backed by Brain Science It turns out Sengupta's seemingly simple advice has serious scientific merit. A new study from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, as reported by Neuroscience News, found that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation significantly boosted people's ability to focus, regardless of age. Using cutting-edge eye-tracking technology, researchers observed faster reaction times, improved focus, and reduced distractibility in participants—benefits that held steady across young, middle-aged, and older adults. According to postdoctoral researcher Andy Jeesu Kim, 'Mindfulness isn't just about feeling more relaxed — it can literally change the way your brain handles attention.' The findings reinforce what many leaders are now discovering: mental clarity is not just a personal luxury but a professional asset. With better attentional control linked to the brain's locus coeruleus–noradrenaline system — a part critical to arousal, memory, and avoiding cognitive decline — the impact of mindfulness reaches far beyond the present. iStock A study from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology found that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation significantly boosted people's ability to focus, regardless of age. (Image: iStock) Why Founders Need Focus More Than Ever For founders navigating product launches, investor pitches, and existential dread, the capacity to filter signal from noise might be the difference between resilience and burnout. Sengupta uses cycling as a physical and meditative escape, 'one of the only times where no one can reach me,' he said. You Might Also Like: Fancy degrees, qualifications don't matter. Shark Tank's Anupam Mittal says you need just 2 skills to be a successful entrepreneur In an era where the startup hustle is often romanticized, Sengupta's honesty and the emerging science around mindfulness offer a timely reminder: inner stillness can be a founder's sharpest edge. 'Ultimately,' he says, 'it's about how you confront the ups and downs of life.'
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.
