Vijay Shekhar Sharma is the founder and CEO of Paytm, India’s largest digital payments company. From being a small-town boy who struggled with English to becoming a billionaire entrepreneur who changed India’s financial landscape, his journey is one of the most inspiring rags-to-riches stories of the modern era.
Who Is Vijay Shekhar Sharma?
Vijay Shekhar Sharma is an Indian businessman, technology visionary, and founder of Paytm and One97 Communications. He is known for driving the digital payments revolution in India and building one of the country’s most influential fintech ecosystems.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma – Early Life
Vijay was born on 7 June 1978 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
His father was a schoolteacher and his mother a homemaker.
Coming from a humble background, Vijay’s life was shaped by hard work, perseverance, and a strong desire to build something big.
Education – From Hindi Medium to Academic Excellence
Vijay studied in a Hindi-medium school, which made English a major barrier for him.
However, he excelled academically and got admission to Delhi College of Engineering (DCE) at the age of just 15.
While most students struggled to catch up, Vijay faced the challenge of learning English and engineering at the same time.
He learned English by reading magazines like Time and Forbes with a dictionary in hand.
College Days – Beginning of Entrepreneurship
During college, Vijay became passionate about computers and the internet.
He built a website called indiasite.net, which he later sold for a significant profit.
This early success fueled his dream of building a tech company.
One97 Communications – The Foundation of Paytm
In 2000, Vijay founded One97 Communications with limited resources.
He rented a small office and often struggled to pay salaries.
The company initially provided:
Ringtones
SMS-based services
VAS (Value Added Services)
Mobile content
Despite financial challenges, Vijay never stopped innovating.
Birth of Paytm – India’s Digital Wallet Revolution
In 2010, Vijay launched Paytm (Pay Through Mobile) with a vision to make digital payments simple and accessible.
Starting as a mobile wallet, Paytm soon became a household name.
The 2016 demonetization event made Paytm explode in popularity.
Suddenly millions used Paytm for:
Bill payments
Mobile recharges
Money transfers
Online shopping
QR-code payments
Within a few years, Paytm became one of India’s largest fintech platforms.
Why Paytm Became So Successful?
Easy-to-use mobile wallet
Massive adoption by small shops
Cashback strategy
QR-code revolution
Trust + convenience
Strong merchant network
Innovation in payments
Paytm changed how India handles money.
Paytm Expansion – Beyond Wallets
Paytm expanded into multiple business verticals:
Paytm Mall
Paytm Payments Bank
Paytm Money (Investment platform)
FASTag
UPI services
Insurance
Ticket bookings
Loan services
This expansion created a complete fintech ecosystem.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma Net Worth
Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s estimated net worth is ₹8,000–9,000 Crore.
His wealth comes from:
Paytm shareholding
Paytm Payments Bank
Investments
Technology ventures
He became one of India’s youngest billionaires.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma Family
Father: Sulom Prakash Sharma
Mother: Asha Sharma
Wife: Mridula Sharma
Children: One son
He often says his family is the biggest support in his entrepreneurial journey.
Struggles & Challenges
Vijay faced several challenges:
Language difficulty
No business background
Early failures
Financial struggles
Paytm’s ups and downs
Competition in fintech space
His perseverance turned every setback into a comeback.
Major Awards & Achievements
Forbes 40 Under 40
Businessman of the Year (2016)
Time 100 Most Influential People
India’s Youngest Billionaire (2017)
Entrepreneur of the Year awards
He is considered one of India’s most impactful tech entrepreneurs.
Leadership Style
Vijay believes in:
High risk-taking
Long-term thinking
Building for Bharat
Customer-first approach
Innovation and disruption
His fearless vision helped Paytm grow in a competitive space.
Why Vijay Shekhar Sharma Inspires Millions?
Because he represents the Indian dream.
He rose from a small town, faced language barriers, struggled financially, and still built a billion-dollar company that changed millions of lives.
Conclusion
Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s biography is a powerful story of resilience, innovation, and ambition. From a Hindi-medium student to the founder of India’s biggest digital payments platform, his journey reflects courage and unwavering belief in technology. His success continues to inspire millions across India.
