In recent years, India’s presence in global trade has grown stronger than ever. According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India’s exports soared to a record-breaking USD 778.21 billion in 2023-24—a staggering 67% jump from USD 466.22 billion in 2013-14.
This surge reflects the country’s increasing influence in international markets, with both merchandise and services exports driving the momentum.
Yet, behind these impressive numbers lies a different reality. Exporting remains a tough game—filled with unpredictable delays, unexpected costs, and endless compliance hurdles.
Many exporters struggle with slow payments, lack of visibility, and outdated processes that make global trade feel more like an uphill battle than an opportunity for growth.
Seeing these challenges firsthand, Nikhil Agrawal founded Pazago—a platform designed to make exports faster, smoother, and more reliable, helping businesses trade with confidence and scale without the usual roadblocks.
Shaped by Early Experiences
Born into a business-driven family, where conversations over dinner often revolved around navigating market fluctuations and managing risks, Nikhil grew up with an entrepreneurial mindset.
His father, an entrepreneur himself, didn’t just teach him about numbers and profits but instilled in him the importance of resilience, execution, and trust in business.
“I saw firsthand how relationships and execution matter more than just ideas,” Nikhil recalls.
“My father always emphasized that trust is the foundation of business, and that clarity, consistency, and accountability drive long-term success.”
He pursued a Bachelor’s in Business Administration to build a strong foundation in strategy and finance.
But it was his Master’s in Computer Science that truly helped him bridge the gap between business challenges and technology-driven solutions.
Mastering Startups
Before founding Pazago, Nikhil’s journey took him to Silicon Valley, where he witnessed firsthand how technology could revolutionize industries.
He began his career as a software engineer at Credit Karma, where he experienced the power of data-driven decision-making. This exposure reinforced his belief that technology, when leveraged effectively, could drive efficiency and innovation at scale.
Eager to push boundaries, Nikhil then co-founded Alinea, an investing app designed for Gen Z. But he wasn’t just building an app—he was racing against time.
In just 31 days, he led product development, creating a platform that quickly gained traction, achieving an impressive 30% month-over-month growth.
Securing a Y Combinator spot on the first attempt was a milestone, but the real lesson came from the journey itself.
Learning from his mentors, he realized that success isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about execution, moving fast, and solving real problems better than anyone else.
The Birth of Pazago
The idea for Pazago took shape through Nikhil’s conversations with exporters, where he repeatedly heard the same frustrations—lack of real-time shipment visibility, quality issues without structured resolution processes, and a trade environment full of inefficiencies and intermediaries.
These recurring challenges made it clear that the industry needed a smarter, more transparent solution—one that Pazago was built to provide.
“Global trade was unnecessarily complex, unpredictable, and filled with friction. Exporters were constantly playing defense,” he says. “That’s when I realized the industry needed a fundamental shift—from reliance on relationships and manual processes to operating with data, automation, and process discipline.”
Building Pazago wasn’t easy. The fragmented export-import industry had varied workflows, so Nikhil and his team spent months studying exporters’ processes to ensure the platform was flexible.
They developed API integrations to automate data flows, enabling seamless, real-time supply chain visibility.
“Adapting to industry nuances while maintaining a scalable tech framework was key to overcoming our early hurdles,” he shares.
Traveling across the world gave him a unique lens on business. In Silicon Valley, he saw how technology could drive efficiency at scale.
London’s structured financial systems highlighted the power of process-driven economies.
Back in India, he witnessed the unmatched resilience and adaptability of businesses navigating complex trade environments.
These experiences shaped Pazago’s core vision—bringing structure to exports without compromising the agility that businesses need to thrive.
Today, Pazago integrates real-time updates, AI-driven alerts, and seamless API connections, ensuring a smarter, more efficient global trade ecosystem.
“We’re turning exports from a reactive process into a proactive, data-driven operation,” he says.
Looking ahead, he sees AI and blockchain transforming global trade. “AI will predict disruptions, optimize supply chains, and automate decisions. Blockchain will enhance trust with secure, immutable transactions.
Together, they’ll make trade faster, more efficient, and reliable.”
His leadership philosophy revolves around ownership, speed, and bold thinking. “Every team member should feel like a stakeholder. We move fast, iterate, and take calculated risks. True innovation comes from challenging the status quo.”
Changing the Playbook
Under his leadership, Pazago has grown rapidly, with a strong revenue model and increasing transactions.
While financials remain undisclosed, Nikhil is clear: “We are on track to scale Pazago into a billion-dollar trade infrastructure within five years, supporting thousands of exporters.”
But for him, success isn’t just about money. “True success is when Pazago helps exporters operate with certainty, scale efficiently, and unlock growth. Wealth is a byproduct of creating something meaningful.”
In the next decade, he envisions Pazago as the go-to operating system for global trade.
“Our mission is to eliminate friction in exports, making global trade as seamless as e-commerce.”
Harmony Between Work, Life, and Growth
Despite his intense focus on work, Nikhil values balance. “I prioritize what truly matters, delegate effectively, and create mental space for clear thinking.” He enjoys deep conversations with founders and exploring new business models.
Books have shaped his mindset—The Hard Thing About Hard Things for startup leadership, Zero to One for innovation, and The Almanack of Naval Ravikant for leverage and long-term thinking.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, his advice is clear: “Execution beats ideas. You win by moving fast, staying adaptable, and solving real problems better than anyone else.”
As he builds Pazago into a global leader, he remains driven by purpose. “Problems will always exist, but they should be different ones, and we should be solving them differently. That’s what keeps me going.”
