“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
This quote captures the essence of true leadership—one that inspires, nurtures, and transforms. Leaders’ job is not just to excel by steering their organizations through challenges, but by instilling a vision that resonates deeply with their teams. They embody resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to their values, making a profound impact in every sphere they touch.
Dr. Manish Jha exemplifies such dynamic leadership through his roles as the serial entrepreneur for 3 tech enabled companies in the field of software, financial services and skill development named as Briisk, Finkai and Myra’s Academy. With a keen focus on technology and customer-centric innovation, he has steered these ventures to new heights, blending visionary strategies with practical solutions. Manish’s approach to leadership is marked by his ability to integrate cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of customer needs, ensuring that each company not only thrives but also sets new standards in its field.
A Dynamic Professional Journey
Manish Jha quotes his 20 years of professional journey in 2 parts. First 15 years as an employee and last five years as an entrepreneur. On the employment front, on the one hand, he worked in larger group organizations like HDFC, Mahindra and Shiram, on the other hand, he was also the founding members of Startups like Bank bazaar.com and Max Bupa.
His role in HDFC was across retail banking, corporate banking, investment banking, treasury management, and supply chain finance. This foundational experience equipped him with a broad understanding of the financial industry that enabled him to start FINKAI IN 2021.
At Mahindra, he expanded his expertise by working on government projects and collaborating closely with prominent institutions like NSDC, NSDA, Sector Skill Council, CII, FICCI, and NASSCOM. His role at Mahindra Partners, a private equity firm, provided him with exposure to large-scale initiatives and the intricacies of working with cross-functional and cross-cultural teams. Experiencing the importance of skill development & after being inspired with skill India he started Myra’s Academy in 2022.
His role at Bank bazaar and Shriram group gave him exposure in digital transformation, Fintech, Insurtech that lead him to start Briisk India in 2020 which is a subsidiary of Briisk Ltd., UK.
Furthering his career, Manish Jha took on leadership roles at other major organizations like Shriram Group, where he navigated the challenges of digital disruption. His experiences in large corporations such as HDFC, Mahindra, and Shriram taught him the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and the balance between individual and organizational goals. In addition to his work with established firms, Manish also gained valuable insights from working in startups like Max Bupa and BankBazaar. The fast-paced environment of startups allowed him to unlearn and relearn, honing his ability to adapt to the constant changes and challenges in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This blend of experience from both large corporations and startups prepared Manish Jha for his own entrepreneurial journey. In the last three years, he has successfully launched three companies—FinKai Insurance Brokers, Myra’s Academy, and Briisk Limited. Each company has entered a pro-growth phase, with plans for further expansion by 2026- 2027.
A Multi-Venture Visionary
Manish Jha is a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder and executive director of three dynamic companies. His primary venture, Briisk Limited, is a leading InsureTech firm that provides SaaS paas, API integration, white labeling, underwriting, and product management systems for insurance companies worldwide. With offices in London, Cape Town, and Hyderabad, Briisk Limited operates in 22 countries and serves clients such as Hollord, Swiss Re, SCBF, Care and Kotak.
Manish’s second venture, FinKai, a unique insurance distribution model that allows everyone to access insurance through freemium way, an android app in India, aims to promote financial inclusion by offering free insurance and supporting government initiatives of Atmanirbhar Bharath. This initiative has been praised all across the globe and also got the recognition by Swiss Capacity Building Facility, Switzerland in 2023.
His third venture, Myra’s Academy, is a digitally enabled skill development company, offering skill development training from KG to PG. Myra’s Academy bridges the gap between education and employment, aligning with national education policies by delivering futuristic skills in areas such as Robotics, IoT, Coding, Analytics, soft skills & interview preparation. It truly empowers the students with 21st century skills & focuses on learning experience & learner’s outcome.
Manish Jha brings over 17 years of experience in business strategy and development, having previously worked with reputed corporations. A doctorate (PhD) in Digital Marketing, an IIM Calcutta Alumnus, with a degree in electronics and communication engineering, Manish has played pivotal roles in both established companies and startups, including BankBazaar and Max Bupa. His innovative approach and passion for breaking new ground continue to drive him in these ventures.
Journey of Resilience and Adaptability
Manish reflects on his nearly two-decade-long journey in the financial and insurance industries. He believes that while two decades might seem short, they represent a significant period of continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning. With around 7,000 days of challenges, opportunities, and growth, Manish Jha emphasizes the importance of adaptability and the ability to acquire new skills.
His career began in 2006 with HDFC, where he worked across various facets of banking, including retail, corporate, investment banking, supply chain management, and treasury. This comprehensive understanding of the financial services value chain led to his rapid career progression, and within 7-8 years, he became a renowned professional in the banking and financial sectors, not only in India but also in the Middle East and Africa.
Manish highlights that the key to overcoming challenges lies in embracing change and being open to adopting new skills. Over the years, he witnessed significant shifts at the policy, government, and strategic levels, from changes in commission structures for ULIP policies in 2009 to the launch of the Ministry of Skill Development in 2014 and the introduction of the National Education Policy in 2020. He attributes his success to his willingness to adapt, grow, and hone his skills, allowing him to navigate these external factors while thriving in a constantly evolving environment.
Despite not coming from a privileged background, Manish Jha’s leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and financial stability gave him the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship in 2020. He strongly believes that his accumulated skills and risk-taking ability empowered him to venture into this new phase of his career, driven by the passion to do what he loves. This entrepreneurial mindset, along with his solid foundation in both professional and personal spheres, has been the driving force behind his success in building three impactful companies.
Customer-Centric Innovation
Manish Jha sees insurance as something people don’t actively seek out but need. He believes that to stand out, companies must make insurance essential rather than just an option. The recent rise in health insurance demand shows how crucial it is to view insurance as necessary protection against financial risk.
Manish emphasizes that while competitors can copy products, they can’t match his company’s unique approach. In all his ventures—InsureTech, broking, and skill development—technology and customer focus are key. Technology drives efficiency and innovation, while a strong emphasis on customer needs ensures a standout experience. Manish’s belief in putting the customer first sets his businesses apart.
Post-COVID Business Insights
Manish Jha reflects on how the COVID pandemic reshaped global business. The crisis forced companies to adapt rapidly, leading to three key insights:
- Technology’s Role: Technology is crucial for success but should not overshadow core business principles. Despite the rise of tech giants, traditional businesses like local stores remain resilient, showing the need to integrate rather than replace conventional models with technology.
- Core Team: Building a strong team is essential. The pandemic has shifted priorities, and successful small businesses and startups rely on a cohesive team of leaders to drive growth and navigate challenges.
- Leadership Lessons: These insights are vital for entrepreneurs and leaders, emphasizing the importance of technology, strong teams, and leadership in the post-COVID business landscape.
Skill Development Landscape: An Indian Perspective
Manish emphasizes that his company does not identify as a traditional educational institution but as a skill development company. The focus is on skills that go beyond academic subjects, the bridge between education & employment. Manish Jha highlights that while students in India are obtaining degrees in large numbers, a vast majority struggle to secure employment due to a lack of essential skills.
Myra’s Academy targets this gap by collaborating with schools and colleges to implement skill-based learning. Manish stresses the difference between subjects and skills, using examples such as coding, communication, and robotics. Unlike subjects that focus on theoretical knowledge, skills are practical and industry-relevant. He notes that skills like coding and communication should be introduced at an early stage, rather than waiting for higher education.
Manish also stresses the importance of incorporating futuristic skills in the curriculum, in line with evolving technology and industries. His vision for Myra’s Academy is to bring these skills to students through innovative teaching methods, such as Center of Excellence labs equipped with robotics and electric design training. The company partners with schools to enhance teaching quality, results, and admissions, addressing the core challenges educational institutions face today.
Myra’s Academy also extends its skill development programs to colleges, offering structured training throughout the academic journey—from certification in the second year to internships in the third, and job placements in the final year. Manish Jha emphasizes that this holistic approach ensures students are equipped not just for their final exams but for long-term success in the workforce.
Collaborative Success in Product Launches
Manish has spearheaded several successful product launches, with two notable examples being Mycom, a communication app developed by Myra’s Academy, and the FinKai app, both of which highlight the power of teamwork and leadership. When developing Mycom, the team originally estimated the project would take 8-10 months. However, with the academic year starting in June, they accelerated their efforts. Beginning in mid-December, Manish led a coordinated push across product, sales, and marketing teams, ensuring the app was in ABC testing by mid-May, just in time for the school year. This swift execution ensured that customers’ needs were met without delays.
Similarly, with the FinKai app, Manish Jha oversaw a complex project involving negotiations with Google’s AdMob and advertisers while ensuring compliance with regulators. Multiple teams, including product, UI/UX, tech, and development, worked harmoniously under strong project management, allowing the app’s launch to proceed smoothly and on time. Manish attributes the success of these projects to the cohesive teamwork driven by strong leadership. He believes that a team’s collective strengths should complement each other, allowing departments like sales, tech, marketing, and product to collaborate effectively. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a shared purpose and ensuring that the company’s vision aligns with individual aspirations.
Strategic Goals for Growth
Manish believes that when a company starts, it’s merely an idea on paper. To achieve growth, a business must develop a strong product and a unique selling proposition (USP). For Manish Jha, true disruption happens at the bottom of the pyramid, where reaching a mass audience is the milestone. To achieve this, he stresses the importance of building a solid prototype and aligning the company’s ethos with its product.
When Briisk Limited was founded in 2020, the concept of InsureTech was still in its infancy. Manish’s company often faced skepticism—people questioned whether Briisk was an insurance provider or a software company. However, as the pandemic accelerated the shift to tech-driven industries, including InsureTech, Briisk gained recognition for its role in this transformation. Today, the shift from traditional models to tech-driven sectors is evident in industries such as finance, education, agriculture, and more.
Manish underscores that companies with strong core values, coupled with tech enablement, will remain relevant in the future. However, those that fail to adapt to technological advancements risk becoming obsolete. He cites historical examples, such as the fall of companies like Hindustan Motors and HMT Watches, to emphasize the importance of embracing change.
Mantra for Success
When asked about his favorite quote that helped him navigate through challenging times, Manish shares his guiding principle: “Do what you love and love what you do.” For Manish Jha, the balance between journey and destination is vital, but what matters most is the company you keep.
He emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and appreciating the journey, as life is not a sprint but a series of experiences. Manish warns against turning business into a rat race in pursuit of profit, as winning such a race still leaves you as a “rat.” His mantra is to remain passionate about the work, which ensures that the business remains a journey of purpose rather than a chase for numbers.
Notable Achievements and Core Mission
At last, Manish highlights some of his achievements, including the youngest shadow board member of Mahindra partners in 2014, prestigious Drivers of Digital Award in 2019, the Asia One 40 under 40 in 2020, and recognition as a global business Icon 2023. As a serial entrepreneur, Manish’s ventures—FinKai, Myra’s Academy, and Briisk—are driven by a common purpose of service. FinKai focuses on financial inclusion, Myra’s Academy on enhancing employability, and Briisk on technical inclusion. Manish’s mission is rooted in reducing the gap between the rich and the poor, believing that education and financial literacy are the keys to achieving this goal. Each of his businesses is dedicated to empowering the masses and promoting equality.
“Life and business are about savoring the journey, not racing for profit. Winning a rat race still makes you a rat; true success lies in valuing the experience itself.”
