For many startup founders, reaching unicorn status is considered the ultimate milestone. For Ruchi Kalra, however, it marks the beginning of greater responsibility rather than the end of the journey.
The OfBusiness co-founder believes that sustainable businesses are measured not by their valuation alone, but by the opportunities they create, the people they empower and the long-term value they leave behind.
Speaking about her entrepreneurial journey, Kalra shared that wealth should be viewed as a legacy built through leadership and institution-building—not merely as numbers on a balance sheet.
Building Two Dreams at the Same Time
In 2015, Ruchi Kalra and her husband, Asish Mohapatra, founded OfBusiness, a business-to-business (B2B) commerce platform designed to support India’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Interestingly, the company was launched around the same time the couple welcomed their first child.
Reflecting on that period, Kalra has often joked that they “had twins”—their daughter and their startup.
Six years later, OfBusiness joined India’s growing list of unicorn startups. Yet, Kalra says crossing the billion-dollar valuation mark never changed the company’s core mission.
According to her, becoming a unicorn only increases the responsibility to continue delivering meaningful value.
Solving Problems Beyond Procurement
OfBusiness initially focused on simplifying raw material procurement for manufacturing-focused SMEs.
However, as the founders worked closely with customers, they identified another major obstacle—access to working capital.
Many businesses could source materials but struggled to finance their operations.
Recognising this challenge, the founders expanded their vision.
In 2016, they launched Oxyzo, a dedicated financing platform aimed at helping SMEs access the capital needed for growth.
Today, Oxyzo has evolved into a comprehensive financial services company supporting businesses across multiple industries.
Why Profitability Was Always the Goal
Unlike many startups that prioritise rapid expansion over financial sustainability, OfBusiness and Oxyzo adopted a different strategy.
Kalra believes financial discipline is essential, particularly in lending and financial services.
Rather than pursuing growth at any cost, the companies focused on efficient capital allocation and building profitable business models from an early stage.
This disciplined approach has helped both businesses establish themselves as profitable players in India’s startup ecosystem.
Valuation Isn’t the Same as Wealth
One of Kalra’s strongest messages is that valuation and wealth should not be confused.
Market valuations fluctuate based on investor sentiment and business performance, but genuine value creation, she says, comes from building organisations that positively impact society.
For Kalra, success is measured by:
- Creating employment opportunities.
- Supporting entrepreneurs and businesses.
- Delivering long-term value for customers.
- Rewarding employees and investors.
- Building institutions that continue to grow beyond their founders.
She believes these achievements ultimately matter far more than headline valuations.
Building a Leadership Factory
Looking ahead, Kalra’s ambition extends well beyond business expansion.
She wants OfBusiness and Oxyzo to become organisations where people build meaningful careers, develop leadership skills and contribute to lasting institutional success.
Rather than focusing solely on hiring experienced executives, the companies have invested significantly in nurturing talent from within.
Many employees who joined during the early years now hold key leadership positions across the organisation.
For Kalra, creating future leaders is one of the most meaningful measures of success.
Supporting India’s SME Ecosystem
Small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role in India’s economy by generating employment, driving manufacturing and contributing to exports.
Kalra believes empowering these businesses through technology, procurement solutions and accessible financing can unlock long-term economic growth.
Her entrepreneurial journey reflects a broader belief that startups can create lasting national impact when they solve real business problems instead of chasing short-term trends.
A Different Definition of Success
Despite being recognised among India’s successful self-made women entrepreneurs, Kalra views personal wealth differently.
Rather than seeing it as a financial achievement, she considers wealth to be the ability to build institutions that create opportunities for others.
She also believes entrepreneurs have a responsibility to give back once they have the capacity to do so.
For Kalra, success is ultimately defined by the positive legacy an organisation leaves behind.
About Ruchi Kalra
Ruchi Kalra is the co-founder of OfBusiness and Oxyzo, two companies serving India’s SME ecosystem through commerce, technology and financial solutions. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where she advised financial institutions on strategy and operations. She is widely recognised for promoting sustainable entrepreneurship, institution-building and leadership development.
