Rajan Bajaj Biography: Slice’s Fintech Trailblazer in 2025
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- August 18, 2025
Rajan Bajaj, an Indian entrepreneur, revolutionized fintech by founding Slice, a credit platform for young Indians. Born in 1990 in Alwar, Rajasthan, he transformed the credit landscape with his innovative vision. This biography explores his early life, career highlights, struggles, controversies, personal life, social media presence, philanthropy, and lesser-known facts, showcasing his 2025 impact.
About Rajan Bajaj
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rajan Bajaj |
| Born | 1990, Alwar, Rajasthan, India |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, CEO of Slice |
| Notable Work | Slice, Mesh Internet |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | $115 million (Rs 950 crore, 2025, estimated) |
| Education | B.Tech in Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur (2010–2014) |
Rajan Bajaj’s Early Life
Rajasthan Roots
Born in Alwar, Rajasthan, Rajan Bajaj grew up in a middle-class family with entrepreneurial roots. His parents encouraged academic excellence, but his passion for basketball and technology shaped his early ambitions.
Academic Journey
Rajan excelled at Alwar Public School (Class X, 2008) and St. John’s Sr. Sec. School (Class XII, 2010). He earned a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kharagpur (2010–2014), where his interest in startups took root during a Gurgaon internship.
Struggles or Down Phases
Mesh’s Failure
In 2015, Rajan founded Mesh Internet, a sharing-economy platform for renting goods like cameras and consoles. Despite early traction, it struggled with scalability and insurance issues, shutting down in 2016, teaching him resilience.
Funding Rejections
When launching Slice in 2016, Rajan Bajaj faced numerous investor rejections. Many doubted the viability of a credit platform for young users, but his persistence secured $20 million from Blume Ventures and others.
Rajan Bajaj’s Career Highlights
Founding Slice
In 2016, Rajan launched Slice, targeting millennials and Gen Z with pre-approved credit cards. By 2023, Slice served 12 million users, processing $200 million in annual transactions, becoming a unicorn valued at $1.5 billion.
Strategic Pivots
Slice pivoted from Buy Now, Pay Later to a card-first model in 2019, boosting growth. Rajan’s user-focused design, emphasizing simplicity and transparency, outshone rivals like Cred and OneCard, earning a loyal user base.
2025 Achievements
In 2025, Rajan Bajaj leads Slice’s merger with North East Small Finance Bank, creating a full-fledged digital bank. Slice’s revenue hits Rs 847 crore, and partnerships with Visa and Amazon expand its reach, solidifying its fintech dominance.
Personal Life
Rajan remains unmarried, living in Bengaluru. He enjoys basketball, reading books on design thinking, and investing in startups. His low-key lifestyle contrasts with his high-profile success, owning properties in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Controversies
Profitability Criticism
In 2023, critics questioned Slice’s profitability despite its $1.5 billion valuation. Rajan defended his focus on user growth, but debates on X persisted about long-term sustainability.
Privacy Policy Backlash
In 2022, Slice faced scrutiny over unclear data-sharing practices. Rajan revised policies for transparency, but the issue sparked brief user distrust, fueling online discussions.
Low Salary Narrative
Rajan’s reported Rs 12 annual salary in 2023 drew skepticism, with some calling it a PR stunt. He clarified it reflected his commitment to Slice’s growth, but opinions remained divided.
Chinese Investment Scrutiny
Slice’s funding from China’s Finup in 2018 raised concerns amid India-China tensions in 2020. Rajan minimized foreign stakes, but the controversy stirred debates about national security.
Social Media Presence
Rajan has a modest online presence with 30K X followers (@rajanbajaj) and 25K on Instagram (@rajanbajaj). His posts, like a 2025 Slice bank merger announcement, focus on fintech trends and gain thousands of engagements.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Basketball Star: Excelled at state-level basketball in Rajasthan.
- IIT Innovator: Conceived Mesh during a Gurgaon internship.
- Self-Delivery: Delivered Mesh rentals on his bike in 2015.
- Design Advocate: Inspired by Apple’s user-centric design philosophy.
- Unicorn Pioneer: Made Slice a unicorn in under five years.
- Forbes Recognition: Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2021).
- Real Estate Investor: Owns properties in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
- Mentorship Role: Advises startups via Blume Ventures’ network.
Philanthropy
Rajan supports financial literacy through Slice’s in-app educational resources, empowering young users. He funds scholarships for underprivileged students in Rajasthan and backs environmental initiatives, promoting sustainable practices in Bengaluru.
Current Status and Influence
In 2025, Rajan Bajaj drives Slice’s evolution into a digital bank, serving millions with innovative credit solutions. His Hurun India 35 & Under listing and investments in startups like BeepKart highlight his influence as a fintech leader.
Conclusion
This Rajan Bajaj biography traces his rise from Alwar to founding Slice, a fintech unicorn. Overcoming Mesh’s failure and investor skepticism, Rajan Bajaj redefined credit access for young Indians. His philanthropy and vision inspire millions. In 2025, Rajan’s leadership continues to shape India’s fintech future, empowering a new generation.
