The Mindful Founder: How Arta Finance CEO Caesar Sengupta Stays Grounded in the Startup Chaos
Building a startup is one of the most rewarding — and exhausting — journeys an entrepreneur can take. For Caesar Sengupta, co-founder and CEO of fintech startup Arta Finance, the greatest “superpower” an entrepreneur can have isn't just vision, grit, or hustle. It's something far simpler: the ability to stay grounded.
“There’s so much noise in the world,” Sengupta said in an interview with CNBC Make It. “You need to filter out what’s important. That’s where meditation comes in.”
And he’s not just speaking in metaphors. His top tip for aspiring founders? “Start meditating.”
From Google to a $92 Million Fintech Venture
Before launching Arta Finance in 2021, Sengupta spent 15 years at Google, where he spearheaded high-impact projects such as Google Pay and the Next Billion Users initiative. It was during his time at Google that he met his co-founders and secured early angel investors — including Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
Today, Arta Finance has raised over $92 million in funding, backed by marquee investors like Sequoia Capital India and Ribbit Capital. But while capital and connections are vital, Sengupta believes that success also hinges on an internal compass.
“I wish three years back, somebody had sat me down and said: ‘Dude, everything else will be fine. Just sit yourself down and meditate.’”
The Risk and Reality of Startup Life
Transitioning from the security of a big tech firm to the unpredictable world of startups is no small feat — especially later in life. Sengupta admits the leap is emotionally and mentally intense.
“There are days where you feel 100%, and days where you think, ‘Oh my God, what did I just do?’”
Unlike in large companies, where risks are often managed and buffered, startup founders face unfiltered uncertainty, often working long hours with blurred boundaries between professional and personal life.
“A startup is one of those places where it’s very easy to get completely drawn in — to the detriment of yourself, your family, your health, and your mental health,” Sengupta said.
That’s why mental wellness isn’t optional for entrepreneurs — it’s essential.
Meditation as a Daily Ritual
To protect his well-being, Sengupta commits five to ten minutes each evening to quiet meditation. While the duration is short, the impact is powerful.
But meditation doesn’t always mean sitting still.
For Sengupta, cycling serves as both a physical outlet and a mental reset.
“I realized cycling, for me, is not just physical exercise. It’s one of the only times where no one can reach me. Forcing myself to be on that thing for an hour or two just makes me meditate.”
In an era when startup culture glorifies nonstop hustle, Sengupta’s approach is refreshingly grounded. He reminds fellow founders that clarity, balance, and inner peace aren’t luxuries — they’re tools for building something truly sustainable.
Final Thoughts
While funding, networking, and market strategy are all part of startup success, Caesar Sengupta believes the real edge lies in mastering the mind. In a chaotic world full of distractions and pressures, the power to pause, reflect, and stay centered is what keeps him — and his vision — alive.
So if you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking for your edge, his advice is clear:
Start meditating. Everything else will follow.
