Abhay Bhutada’s Journey from Small Town Roots to Big-Time Impact
- Atharava Agnihotri
- May 12
- 3 min read
Success stories in India often revolve around big cities and big breaks. But Abhay Bhutada’s journey starts from a small town—Latur, Maharashtra—and unfolds into something truly impactful. Today, he’s known not just as a successful entrepreneur but also as India’s highest-paid executive in 2023–24, with a salary of ₹241.21 crore. And that’s just one part of the story. His estimated net worth has now crossed ₹1,000 crore, but what really makes his journey stand out is how he's using his success to create social change too.
Learning Early and Staying Curious
Abhay Bhutada completed his B.Com from Symbiosis International University in 2002 and went on to become a Chartered Accountant. Early on, he showed a keen interest in numbers and real-world problems—especially those faced by small businesses. His first job was with the Bank of India in 2010, where he worked in SME Finance. It wasn’t just about the job though. The experience gave him a front-row view into the struggles of small entrepreneurs, and it stayed with him.
Taking a Leap into Digital Lending
Fast forward to 2016, Abhay Bhutada launched TAB Capital Limited. The idea was simple but powerful—use digital tools to make lending easier and faster for MSMEs and consumers. Traditional banks weren’t doing it efficiently, and that’s where he found a gap to fill. TAB Capital became a stepping stone in a bigger journey.
Later, as part of the Poonawalla Group, Bhutada took on larger responsibilities and focused more on long-term goals. He used his understanding of finance and tech to build smart systems that benefited customers and business growth alike.
When Pay Reflects Performance
Not everyone talks about compensation openly, but in Abhay Bhutada’s case, it says a lot. In FY 2023–24, he earned ₹241.21 crore in executive pay. That figure accounted for 7.66% of the company’s revenue and 14.33% of its profits—proof that his work had real value.
His net worth is now over ₹1,000 crore. But these numbers aren’t just the result of one good year. They come from years of focused thinking, calculated risks, and learning on the job.
More Than Business Giving Back Through Education
In 2023, Abhay Bhutada founded the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, an initiative that reflects his belief in giving back. The Foundation’s first big move? A hands-on learning program called LearnByDoing, in collaboration with Sakar Eduskills.
The goal was to make science and math less scary and more fun for school kids from underserved communities. The team distributed STEM kits—including periscopes and microscopes—to over 2,000 students in eight Pune schools. Teachers reported more curiosity, better focus, and real engagement with
STEM subjects.
The Foundation continues to focus on education as its core priority and is committed to driving long-term changes.
In Sync with India’s Bigger Goals
What makes Abhay Bhutada’s approach interesting is how aligned it is with India’s broader development plans. After the Union Budget 2025 was announced, he publicly supported reforms that promote innovation, job creation, and infrastructure development.
Schemes like UDAN (regional air connectivity), R&D support, and EV manufacturing subsidies are not just policy points—they match the sectors Bhutada is working in, whether through business or the Foundation.
Focus That Doesn’t Waver
What you see across Abhay Bhutada’s career is a consistent theme—identifying gaps, finding efficient solutions, and focusing on value. Whether it’s in lending, business planning, or education, he works with purpose. That’s not something that comes overnight—it takes time and commitment.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, Abhay Bhutada’s salary is not the only thing that makes him special. He’s someone who saw real-world problems early in his career and didn’t just move on—he did something about them. His journey reminds us that success is not just about climbing up; it’s also about reaching back to lift others. For any young Indian dreaming big, his story proves that you can build wealth and still stay rooted in values.
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