In a thought-provoking discussion, Kalpesh Mehta, Co-Founder and COO of NGenious Solutions, shares his leadership journey spanning over two decades across finance and IT. His career has been a tapestry of risk management, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth strategies. “Empathy and meticulous cost management can coexist to build a financially robust and resilient organization,” he asserts, emphasizing the core values shaping his leadership approach.
Q1. Could you share key milestones from your 20-year career in finance and IT that have shaped your approach to leadership?
Kalpesh Mehta: Risk management, operational excellence, product development, and sustainable growth aren’t just buzzwords; they’ve been the cornerstone of my professional journey. I began my career in risk and compliance management within the finance industry. Later, overseeing a Loan Against Shares (LAS) portfolio and developing an in-house product to monitor loan risks and margins became one of my most significant learning experiences. That system proved pivotal during the May 2004 market crash, where it helped safeguard a book size of around INR 500 Cr—an experience that underscored the power of data-driven decision-making and proactive risk mitigation.
Upon transitioning into the IT sector, I was eager from day one to apply all that I had learned to build a resilient, client-centric organization capable of withstanding market cycles. I focused on sustainable growth supported by operational efficiency and disciplined cost management, maintaining a zero-debt structure throughout. Over the years, I’ve navigated two major economic downturns—first in 2009 and then during the COVID-19 crisis—by practicing careful resource allocation that aligned with our people-first philosophy. This balanced approach enabled us to preserve employee well-being, sustain productivity, and foster a culture of loyalty and resilience.
Ultimately, these experiences reaffirmed my belief that empathy and meticulous cost management can coexist to build a financially robust and resilient organization. Whether in finance or IT, success demands adaptability, responsible risk management, and data-backed decision-making—qualities that have shaped my leadership style and continue to guide every strategic move I make. The synergy between sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and a people-first mindset has been integral to both my professional development and the long-term viability of the organizations I’ve led.
Q2. What motivated your move to NGenious Solutions in 2009, and how did your prior experiences prepare you for the role of Co-Founder and COO?
Kalpesh Mehta: I come from a family with a long-standing business background, so founding and growing my own venture was always on my horizon. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2001, I spent several years in the stock market to gain real-world experience in finance, witnessing both bullish expansions and dramatic downturns. That immersion provided invaluable lessons in Risk Management, regulatory compliance, market psychology, Business Development and prudent capital management.
When the opportunity arose to join NGenious Solutions, it felt like the ideal next step—an avenue to merge my finance acumen with the rapidly evolving IT sector. Being able to play a strategic role in shaping the company’s trajectory as Co-Founder and COO aligned perfectly with my long-term aspirations and expertise.
Q3. How have you leveraged your expertise in finance, HR, and product development to enhance operational efficiency at NGenious Solutions?
Kalpesh Mehta: My finance background provides a robust foundation for budgeting, taxation, and regulatory compliance. As a Chartered Accountant, I take a systematic approach to financial management, ensuring accurate forecasting and timely reporting. This rigor fosters a transparent environment where every team understands both financial constraints and growth opportunities.
My combined risk management and business growth acumen also ensure that each new initiative—from launching a service line to onboarding clients—receives thorough scrutiny and planning. By identifying potential hurdles early, we mitigate risks and allocate resources more effectively.
Equally significant is my product development experience, gained from creating a Loan Against Shares (LAS) product entirely from scratch. That end-to-end exposure—defining requirements, executing meticulous testing, and conducting comprehensive user training—underscored the importance of structure in every project. At NGenious Solutions, I translated these lessons into building specialized in-house tools that streamlined internal processes and bolstered operational efficiency.
When it comes to HR, I’ve seen both sides of the equation—first as an employee and now in an employer role—which has shown me how thoughtful recruitment, regular training, and a supportive culture can transform a team from stagnant to thriving. By focusing as intently on people as we do on products and finances, we maintain a work environment that drives both productivity and innovation.
Q4. Can you discuss a significant process improvement you’ve implemented that positively impacted the company’s performance?
Kalpesh Mehta: One of our most notable achievements involved creating a dedicated system to manage timesheets and invoicing. We operate across multiple countries, handle various currencies, and cater to different time zones—a complexity that can lead to tedious manual processes. The system we built automates the invoicing function and consolidates everything into a single platform, drastically reducing errors and administrative overhead.
Another critical process improvement involved our seamless transition to remote work during COVID-19. We were quick to equip employees with the necessary tools and secure infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted client service. Throughout that challenging period, our commitment to maintaining full salaries demonstrated that strategic preparedness and empathy go hand in hand. These initiatives not only improved our operational efficiency but also bolstered employee morale and client satisfaction.
Q5. In your role, how do you ensure compliance and robust corporate governance within the organization?
Kalpesh Mehta: Corporate governance is the backbone of any sustainable enterprise, and for us, compliance is a continuous obligation rather than an annual ritual. We maintain a structured calendar for all statutory filings—tax returns, audit reports, and other legal obligations—so we never miss critical deadlines. Internally, we enforce transparent approval processes for expenses, project funding, and financial commitments, backed by regular internal audits.
Equally significant is the role of ongoing training. By keeping our teams informed about changing regulations and industry best practices, we transform compliance into a shared responsibility. This proactive mindset allows us to identify and address issues before they escalate, ensuring both accountability and ethical conduct at every level of the organization.
Q6. What strategic initiatives are you planning to drive growth and innovation at NGenious Solutions in the coming years?
Kalpesh Mehta: NGenious Solutions is entering a period of accelerated growth, and we aim to sustain that momentum by concentrating on several key areas. Firstly, we’re investing in talent acquisition and development—recruiting skilled professionals who bring fresh perspectives while continually upskilling our existing teams. Sales and marketing are also prime targets; we’re bolstering our outreach to establish a more global footprint and deepen relationships with our current client base.
On the innovation front, although we are primarily a service-driven company, we constantly explore ways to deliver custom-built, high-impact solutions tailored to each client’s unique business landscape. We’ll be channeling more resources into advanced tools and platforms that enable us to remain agile. Ultimately, our strategy revolves around sustainable scaling: we want to grow without sacrificing quality, culture, or financial stability.
Q7. Based on your journey, what advice would you offer to professionals aspiring to leadership roles in finance and operations?
Kalpesh Mehta: Leaders should embrace technology wholeheartedly to remain competitive, staying attuned to emerging platforms such as automation, analytics, and AI. Mastering a core discipline—whether in finance, project management, or operations—while also developing cross-functional knowledge, fuels creative problem-solving and enhances adaptability in a rapidly evolving environment.
Gaining global exposure through international projects, travel, or networking is invaluable, as it broadens one’s understanding of diverse regulatory frameworks and cultural nuances. Building strong relationships is equally crucial; fostering internal collaboration and cultivating external partnerships can significantly accelerate both career growth and business success.
Investing in personal development is essential, encompassing continuous learning and the refinement of communication skills. A leader’s influence extends beyond technical expertise to include emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to inspire trust in others. By prioritizing these areas, aspiring leaders can cultivate a well-rounded skill set that drives both their personal growth and the success of their organizations.