Abhishek Poddar

Abhishek Poddar
Born	India
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	IIT Kanpur Stanford Graduate School of Business
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
Known for	Co-founder of Plum, Founder of MAP Bengaluru

Abhishek Poddar is a distinguished Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder and CEO of Plum—a health benefits platform—and the founder of the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) in Bengaluru. His dynamic career spans technology, business strategy, and cultural philanthropy, reflecting a rare blend of analytical rigor and artistic vision.

Early Life and Education

Abhishek graduated with a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in 2007. He earned accolades including the Academic Excellence Award in 2005 and 2006, and the Excellence in Sports Award in 2006.

He went on to earn an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2013, participating in the Stanford Ignite program, which deepened his entrepreneurial mindset and honed his leadership skills.

Professional Career

Abhishek’s early career included high-impact roles across industries:

• McKinsey & Company (2007–2009): Worked as a Business Analyst, contributing to strategic business transformations.
• 9.9 Media (2009–2011): Led product development as Head of Digit, India’s leading technology publication.
• Google (Post-2013): Instrumental in launching Google My Business and Android Pay, working closely with small merchants and enhancing digital platforms for user engagement.

Entrepreneurial Venture: Plum

In 2019, Abhishek co-founded Plum, a digital platform focused on modernizing employee health insurance in India. With a mission to make health benefits more accessible and transparent, Plum now partners with over 5,000 companies, reaching more than 1 million employees.

Under his leadership, Plum has:

• Simplified health insurance with a tech-driven approach
• Offered inclusive coverage to SMEs and startups
• Advocated for proactive employee well-being

His vision is to transform the healthcare landscape by aligning technology with human-centric design.

Passion for Art and Philanthropy

Abhishek Poddar is also an avid art collector and cultural visionary. His dedication to democratizing access to art led to the creation of the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) in Bengaluru.

• MAP aims to promote art appreciation across communities
• Hosts a collection spanning modern, contemporary, and folk art
• Emphasizes digital engagement and educational outreach

He has emerged as a key figure in shaping India’s modern museum ecosystem, bringing global standards of curation and inclusivity to Indian audiences.

Leadership and Vision

Abhishek champions radical transparency, inclusive hiring, and team empowerment. He believes in building organizations where people outperform their individual capabilities through collaboration and shared vision.

His leadership approach is characterized by:

• Data-backed decision making
• Continuous learning
• Emphasis on long-term value creation

Conclusion

Abhishek Poddar exemplifies a new generation of Indian leaders who merge entrepreneurship with cultural impact. Whether transforming health benefits through Plum or making art accessible through MAP, his contributions have left an enduring mark on India’s innovation and cultural landscapes. His story is a powerful narrative of purpose, leadership, and legacy.