How IIT Kanpur alumnus Siddharth Saxena earned Rs 77 crore in a single day? The success story of AI startup Merlin and becoming a millionaire surprised everyone.
Siddharth Saxena Merlin AI: Can someone at just 26 years old earn ₹77 crore (8 million USD) in just one day? It sounds like a fantasy script from a Hollywood movie, but it has become a reality in India’s budding AI startup ecosystem. This is the astonishing story of Siddharth Saxena, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and co-founder of ‘Merlin’, who wrote a new history of success overnight with his sharp intelligence and courageous decisions.
’20 times tougher’ than Harvard
As bright as this journey of Siddharth Saxena is, its beginning was equally difficult and challenging. He graduated in Computer Science from IIT Kanpur, the country’s most prestigious institute. According to Siddharth, getting admission in the computer science department of IIT Kanpur is “20 times more difficult” than getting admission in the world’s most famous Harvard University. After graduating with his degree in 2019, he didn’t immediately pursue his own path, instead learning the nuances of machine learning by working at global organizations like Envestnet, Yodlee, Wadhwani AI, and Finland’s Aalto University. This experience was to become the basis of his future.
That one day, which changed my whole life
In a recent informal conversation with content creator Viraj Ala, Siddharth revealed the biggest financial bombshell of his life which has taken the internet by storm. When asked about the biggest financial milestone of his life, he smiled and said: “Let me tell you something even better. I made 8 million USD (about Rs 77 crore) in a single day.” When the host surprisingly asked if this one day made him a millionaire overnight, Siddharth replied, “Yes, something like that.” This mysterious and exciting revelation proves how unimaginable value can be created today with the power of generative AI and the right technology.
How did Merlin start?
There was no coincidence behind this incredible success, but a masterstroke named ‘Merlin’. In the year 2022, Siddharth launched ‘Merlin’ along with his IIT Kanpur batchmates Pratyush Rai and Sirsendu Sarkar. This is an AI-powered Chrome extension that increases user productivity manifold. Today the value of this startup is estimated to be around 50 million USD (approximately ₹ 415 crore). Along with this, Siddharth has further strengthened his foot in the tech world by laying the foundation of another venture named ‘Thine’.
The real mantra of success: Magical transformation of thinking from ‘scarcity’ to ‘abundance’
Siddhartha believes that most people growing up in India have always lived with a “scarcity mindset” due to lack of resources, which prevents them from thinking big. According to him:
- Take risks: Forget the limitations and focus on the opportunities.
- Think Big: Adopt an “abundance mindset,” where every challenge holds a huge opportunity.
When Siddhartha was asked whether at the age of 16 he had ever imagined such a big empire, he clearly said – “Absolutely not.” His journey from the blackboard of the classroom to the Millionaire Club proves that even the heights of the sky become small if there is dedication and the right vision.
Had you seen such a dream in your childhood?
When Siddharth was asked if at the age of 16 he ever thought that he would become a millionaire through an AI startup, his answer was very simple – “Absolutely not.” He says that he had never imagined such a huge success, but this position was achieved through continuous learning, hard work and taking right decisions at the right time.
New inspiration in the world of AI
Siddharth Saxena’s journey from an IIT classroom to founding a fast-growing AI startup shows that technical expertise, willingness to continuously learn and the courage to take risks can make any young person recognized globally. His experience is becoming a source of inspiration for new entrepreneurs in India’s emerging startup ecosystem and AI sector.