In the heart of modern India’s social entrepreneurship movement stands a remarkable visionary—Anoj Viswanathan, a man whose life’s mission has been to bridge the gap between privilege and need. As the co-founder and President of Milaap, India’s leading crowdfunding platform for personal and social causes, Anoj is not just an entrepreneur; he is an enabler of dreams, a facilitator of hope, and a catalyst for transformation.
Born and raised in the culturally rich city of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Anoj’s journey began like many others—with ambition, intelligence, and a strong academic foundation. But what sets him apart is what he chose to do with those gifts. Today, the name Anoj Viswanathan Milaap echoes across India as a symbol of what compassion and technology can achieve when combined with purpose.
Anoj Viswanathan: A Global Foundation with Local Impact
After receiving a prestigious scholarship from Singapore Airlines, Anoj pursued his higher education at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he studied Engineering with a minor in Economics and Management of Technology. Initially charting a path toward investment banking, his future seemed set in the world of finance. But destiny, as it often does with change-makers, had other plans.
The global financial crisis of 2008 served as a wake-up call. Instead of entering a world consumed by numbers and profits, Anoj took a daring detour—choosing heart over hustle. He embarked on a sabbatical, volunteering with SKS Microfinance in rural India. This experience in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, meeting communities that were marginalized and underserved, would prove to be the spark that ignited a lifelong mission.
The Birth of a Bold Idea: Milaap
In 2010, alongside co-founders Sourabh Sharma and Mayukh Choudary, Anoj brought Milaap to life. Their vision was simple yet revolutionary: to connect individual donors to real, authentic stories of need—enabling them to make interest-free loans or donations to verified individuals and organizations. It was a platform rooted in transparency, compassion, and empowerment.
What began as a microlending platform to support rural artisans, women entrepreneurs, and marginalized communities has now evolved into India’s largest crowdfunding platform, supporting a broad range of causes—from medical emergencies and education to disaster relief and community development.
Anoj Viswanathan: ‘Lend a Little. Change a Lot’ – A Mantra That Moves Millions
Under Anoj’s leadership, Milaap has facilitated over ₹2500 crores (approx. $300 million USD) in fundraising. It has touched millions of lives across 12 states, including regions historically ignored by mainstream finance.
The platform has helped Devadasis in South India become entrepreneurs, brought clean drinking water to tribal homes, supported thousands through COVID-19 relief campaigns, and empowered countless students to pursue education without financial burden.
Anoj’s unwavering commitment to zero platform fees for most causes, strong verification protocols, and community-driven engagement have made Milaap not just a tool, but a movement.
Entrepreneur with a Conscience
The success of Anoj Viswanathan Milaap is not just measured in rupees raised or campaigns launched. It’s measured in restored hope, saved lives, and transformed communities. His work has earned him international recognition, including a place in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2016, but accolades have never defined his path—impact does.
Before founding Milaap, Anoj honed his skills at global firms like Frost & Sullivan, ReEx Capital Asia, and D.light Design—where he worked on clean energy solutions for off-grid rural India. His engineering mind and empathetic heart collided when he saw a $10 solar system bring light to a tribal home, purchased on credit. It was a moment of revelation—proof that even the smallest financial help can have a monumental impact.
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