Sandeep Aggarwal
Sandeep Aggarwal is a prominent Indian entrepreneur, angel investor, and philanthropist, widely recognized for founding two of India’s unicorn startups—ShopClues and Droom. His journey from Wall Street analyst to e-commerce disruptor reflects bold risk-taking, perseverance, and innovation.[1]
| Sandeep Aggarwal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis (MBA) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Angel Investor, Author |
| Known for | Founder of ShopClues and Droom |
Early Life and Education
Sandeep Aggarwal holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and is a US patent holder. Before entering the entrepreneurial domain, he spent over 14 years as a Wall Street analyst at global firms including Citigroup, Oppenheimer, and Collins Stewart. His expert opinions were frequently featured by media outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal.
He also held strategic planning roles at Microsoft in Redmond and Schwab.com in San Francisco, gaining exposure to global tech ecosystems.[2]
Entrepreneurial Ventures
ShopClues
In October 2010, Sandeep Aggarwal founded ShopClues from his home in California. He envisioned India’s first managed online marketplace focused on empowering millions of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with digital commerce tools.
In August 2011, he moved to India to operationalize the company. Despite entering the market as the 35th e-commerce player, ShopClues quickly rose to prominence and became the fifth consumer internet unicorn in India.[3]
Droom
In April 2014, Aggarwal founded Droom, a pioneering auto-tech platform aimed at simplifying the buying and selling of vehicles online. It offered a fully digital ecosystem for vehicles, including:
- AI-driven pricing tools
- Vehicle inspection and certification
- Roadside assistance and warranty services
- Insurance and auto loans
By July 2021, Droom achieved unicorn status after raising $200 million at a valuation of $1.2 billion in a pre-IPO round.[4]
Challenges and Resilience
In 2013, Aggarwal faced insider trading charges related to his time as a Wall Street analyst. As a result, he stepped down from ShopClues' operations. Undeterred, he shifted focus and launched Droom in 2014. In February 2020, all charges were dropped following a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), allowing him to fully re-engage with entrepreneurship.
His comeback is widely cited as a story of grit and professional redemption.
Contributions and Recognition
- Active angel investor supporting early-stage startups
- Involved with Digital India policy initiatives
- Featured among Top 100 Tech Leaders by Exhibit
- Recipient of Best Brand Awards by The Economic Times
In 2020, he released his autobiography, Fall Again, Rise Again, chronicling his entrepreneurial highs and personal trials, offering insights into resilience and startup life in India.[5]
Personal Philosophy and Legacy
Sandeep Aggarwal champions the belief that failures are stepping stones to success. Through ShopClues and Droom, he has contributed significantly to the digitization of commerce and mobility in India.
He remains a vocal advocate for:
- Startup innovation
- Entrepreneurial mental health
- Digital transformation for small businesses
His legacy lies in proving that with courage and vision, second chances can create lasting impact.
See also
References
- ↑ https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/radhika-ghai-sandeep-aggarwal-ex-couple-founded-shopclues-fbi-alleged-adultery-dirty-divorce-59132
- ↑ https://www.bwdisrupt.com/article/finvolve-and-india-accelerator-invest-in-ipo-bound-droom-551642
- ↑ https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/startup/used-car-unicorn-droom-looks-to-refile-ipo-papers-turn-profitable-in-2025-12904711.html
- ↑ https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-meet-sandeep-aggarwal-who-lost-almost-everything-went-through-messy-divorce-then-built-2-unicorns-worth-3096548
- ↑ new page of Sandeep Aggarwal