Page 38 - DAIS - DAISPORA ISSUE04

Alumni Trivia
Pranav graduated from DAIS in 2007 and
is currently a Co-Founder & Promoter at
PRANAV FYNDNA, a company setup to build the
next-generation of Core Banking
RAM solutions. The platform, which he proudly
claims is the “most amazing thing ever
created,” offers financial institutions
Class of 2007 unparalleled agility, flexibility, scalability,
and configurability—he may have run out
of “-ilities,” but you get the idea.
CURRENTLY HIDDEN
READING : TALENT :
Coherence by Alan Falling asleep within 15 A safari in Botswana
Watkins seconds flat, no matter and a Gorilla Walk in
the stress levels
Educational Experiences
Pranav’s journey began with a natural curiosity for
computers, games, and sports—anything that
allowed him to avoid the classroom and, if possible,
school altogether. While his passion for learning
wasn’t immediate, it eventually became the driving
force behind his career. Looking back, he holds his
time at DAIS in high regard—not just for the
academic experiences, but for the invaluable
network and lifelong friendships it provided.
The true turning point came midway through his
engineering degree at the University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). What initially felt like a
dreaded challenge—solving complex
problems—soon turned into a profound love for the
process itself. This shift led him to pursue a
Master’s in Computer Science at Georgia Tech,
where he worked in two university labs, and even
received an offer to pursue a PhD in Visual
Analytics. For Pranav, the mantra is simple: in the
world of tech, learning never stops, and to remain
relevant, you must embrace the constant pursuit of
knowledge. This mindset also explains his wide
range of roles across various domains throughout
his career.
Professional Experiences
Like many of his peers, Pranav initially viewed
studying abroad as a gateway to a career and life in
the US. After nearly a decade in the States, working
in core engineering roles including in the Bay Area,
he began to notice a shift in how cutting-edge tech
products were being made in India for the global
market. That resonated with him, a nice bonus
would be getting to have his mother’s South Indian
food – because his newfound passion for learning
unfortunately didn’t extend to the kitchen.
BUCKET
LIST :
Rwanda.
In 2017, he made the decision to return to India and
has since embraced several key roles:
- Data Science Lead at PaySense: Pranav helped
scale the startup by guiding customer
acquisition strategies and assessing credit
risks, a journey that culminated in PaySense’s
acquisition by PayU.
- Solutions Manager at Wadhwani AI: Pranav
oversaw a couple of key initiatives at WAI under
the aegis of two billionaire founders, Sunil and
Romesh Wadhwani. The organization focused
on AI projects with significant societal impact,
from healthcare to agriculture in India.
Fast forward to four years ago, Pranav co-founded
FYNDNA. Together with his team, he’s been
building cutting-edge retail core banking solutions
from the ground up. By integrating a highly
configurable modular architecture with security
and performance baked in, FYNDNA not only
streamlines banking operations but also enhances
financial inclusion, enabling institutions of all sizes
to better serve their communities. The work they’re
doing doesn’t just redefine banking technology; it
creates opportunities for countless people to
access better financial services.
A message to fellow alumni and current students
Learn to adapt when things don’t go as planned.
It’s a skill rarely taught but immensely valuable in
navigating life’s ups and downs. While ambition
and competitiveness drive progress, expecting
perfection can lead to disillusionment. Embrace
failure, pick yourself up, and chart a new course.
And, for those looking for more guidance—Pranav
suggests you follow Instagram reels made by
twenty-somethings, since, apparently, that’s where
everyone seems to be getting their advice these
days.