“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffett’s timeless wisdom on long-term investing resonates strongly with FinEdge Co-Founder and COO Mayank Bhatnagar, who believes that speculation is a “wealth destroyer” rather than a creator.
The Anti-Speculation Stand
Speaking exclusively to Wealth Spark, Bhatnagar emphasised his firm’s contrarian approach to market participation. “We feel that speculation is one of the worst things—it can be a wealth destroyer rather than a wealth creator,” he stated, positioning FinEdge as a steadfast advocate for disciplined, long-term investing strategies.
The COO views recent market corrections as healthy adjustments that will ultimately benefit investors with 5-7 year horizons or longer. “This time correction was due to come in, and fundamentals taking hold is going to be very helpful for long-term wealth creation,” Bhatnagar explained.
From Banking to Entrepreneurship
The genesis of FinEdge traces back to Bhatnagar and co-founder Harsh’s frustration with traditional banking practices. “People were becoming more sales-oriented rather than solution-focused,” he revealed. “Products were being sold that weren’t in sync with clients’ actual requirements.”
This gap in the market led to the creation of FinEdge in 2011, targeting India’s underserved middle class with personalized financial planning advice previously reserved for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
The ‘Bionic Model’ Revolution
FinEdge’s proprietary “bionic model” combines artificial intelligence with human expertise—a concept Bhatnagar claims pioneered in India’s wealth management space. “Technology aids human experts to provide personalized experiences where clients feel they have dedicated advisors,” he explained.
The model proved its resilience during COVID-19’s market meltdown. While markets corrected 40%, FinEdge clients remained invested, having been prepared for volatility as part of their long-term wealth creation journey.
Expanding Footprint
Today, FinEdge operates across 90 countries and 1,800 pin code locations, maintaining its bootstrap approach despite industry trends toward venture capital funding. “We chose not to compromise on our values and vision,” Bhatnagar noted.
Crypto Caution
Addressing the cryptocurrency boom, Bhatnagar remained measured: “Crypto is like playing a video game at this point. It’s exciting, but if you want meaningful wealth creation, you need a financial plan aligned with your goals.”
The AI Challenge Ahead
Looking forward, Bhatnagar acknowledges AI’s growing role but maintains that human expertise remains crucial. “Investing isn’t an off-the-shelf product. Success requires expert guidance through market volatility and behavioral challenges.”
As India’s economy becomes increasingly capitalist and retirement ages drop, Bhatnagar’s message is clear: “Goal-based investing from the earliest career stages will provide immense peace of mind when the time comes to use that corpus for your goals.”
With technology replacing workforce across industries, the FinEdge COO’s philosophy of disciplined, long-term wealth creation appears increasingly relevant for India’s evolving economic landscape.
