Caesar Sengupta, CEO and co-founder of Arta Finance, emphasized the importance of mental clarity in entrepreneurship. Backed by Sundar Pichai and having raised over USD 92 million, Sengupta believes meditation is a superpower in navigating the chaotic startup world.
Arta Finance, a fintech startup based in California, has quickly become a name to watch in the financial tech space. Founded in 2021 by Caesar Sengupta, a former Google executive, the company has raised over USD 92 million from major investors including Sequoia Capital India, Ribbit Capital, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai himself.
Sengupta, 49, who spent 15 years at Google leading initiatives like Google Pay and the “Next Billion Users” program, co-founded Arta Finance with a mission to democratize wealth creation. The company uses artificial intelligence and financial expertise to offer investment solutions that were once reserved for the ultra-rich.
In a recent interview with CNBC, Sengupta shared that the most vital “superpower” for entrepreneurs is the ability to remain grounded, especially amid the noise and volatility of the startup journey. His personal tool for maintaining this grounding? Meditation.
“I wish three years back, somebody had sat me down and said: ‘Dude, like everything else [will] be fine. Just sit yourself down and meditate … know when to tune out,’” said Sengupta.
He noted that the shift from working at a large corporation to running a startup involves a dramatic increase in risk and stress. Without proper mental and emotional care, it’s easy to burn out — something many founders learn the hard way.
Sengupta now allocates at least 5 to 10 minutes daily for solo meditation. He also considers cycling a form of meditation, where the disconnect from calls and distractions gives him clarity.
Even as Elon Musk-style leadership draws criticism globally, Sengupta’s humble and human-first approach resonates. He emphasized that success isn’t just about grit — it’s also about prioritizing well-being.
With Arta Finance’s growing popularity and major financial backing, Sengupta’s message is clear: entrepreneurs need more than funding — they need focus and inner calm.
