In an exclusive conversation with Startup Wired, Subhankar Chakraborty — Managing Partner at Perfect Finserv — reflects on his unconventional journey from engineering to financial advisory, the evolution of his firm, and his mission to make wealth management accessible across India. What began as a simple attempt to build a stable career gradually transformed into a decade-long entrepreneurial story marked by resilience, learning, and a deep commitment to helping Indian families achieve financial freedom. With Perfect Finserv now expanding across eastern and northeastern India, Subhankar shares his insights on growth, technology, and the changing aspirations of a new India.
A Journey Inspired by India’s Growth Story
Subhankar’s shift from engineering to finance began during his MBA at the University of Gloucestershire. While studying finance and working with a local insurance broking firm, he came across powerful data underscoring India’s long-term growth potential. The recurring idea that India was entering a transformative decade and gearing up for a multi-decadal bull run strongly influenced his career direction. Motivated to build a future in his own country—independent of migration policies—he decided to pursue financial services in India. Entrepreneurship wasn’t initially part of the plan, but circumstances eventually led him to create Perfect Finserv.
Perfect Finserv’s Early Vision and Its Evolution
In the beginning, the vision was simple: survive, pay bills, and save modestly. As the business gained stability, a broader purpose emerged. Subhankar envisioned making financial planning and wealth advisory accessible to all segments of society. While Perfect Finserv continues to work with HNIs, the firm is increasingly expanding into the middle-income segment with the goal of democratising professional financial guidance.
Milestones That Defined the Growth Journey
Two achievements stand out in Perfect Finserv’s journey. The first was gaining access to the Family Office space, which enabled the firm to work with prominent business houses in their region. The second was successfully expanding beyond their home city and building a presence across multiple Tier-II cities through trusted partners and associates. These milestones reinforced the firm’s belief in its scalable model and long-term potential.
Overcoming the Core Challenge: Acceptance
The toughest challenge in the early years was gaining acceptance in a market dominated by banks, NBFCs, and large investment firms. Establishing trust was not easy. Subhankar and his team focused on identifying both their strengths and weaknesses, upgrading their domain expertise, and leveraging technology to provide smoother transactions and holistic financial plans. This strategy helped position Perfect Finserv as a credible, reliable advisory partner.
How Continuous Learning Strengthened Leadership
Subhankar’s certifications—CFP®, CWM®, and FinTech/Blockchain from IIM Kolkata—played a transformative role. Each program sharpened his understanding of markets, refined the firm’s offerings, and helped carve out a distinct identity in a crowded industry. These learning experiences also strengthened his leadership approach by emphasizing precision, ethics, and long-term thinking.
Success as a Collective Journey
For Subhankar, success is never individual. As a leader, he believes that a firm either succeeds together or fails together. True success is measured by the satisfaction and growth—both professional and financial—of everyone involved: clients, employees, partners, and technology providers. This collective philosophy forms the backbone of Perfect Finserv’s culture.
Making Wealth Management Accessible to the Middle Class
Perfect Finserv works through a strong network of associates to serve families across diverse income levels. Their approach begins with understanding each family’s aspirations and converting them into well-defined financial goals. By combining technology with human insight, the firm delivers cost-effective advisory solutions that maintain personal connection while ensuring efficiency.
A Simple, Client-Centric Advisory Model
Instead of trying to stand out with unique or flashy offerings, Perfect Finserv chooses to remain grounded. The firm focuses on sincerity, consistency, and client-centricity. In an industry vast enough for many players, their philosophy is simple: deliver honest guidance that helps families achieve their financial goals.
AI as an Enabler of Better Advisory
Subhankar sees AI not as a threat but as a powerful enabler. It streamlines backend processes, reduces manual effort, and allows wealth managers to dedicate more time to research and product understanding. Blockchain, too, holds promise for greater transparency and security in the industry. Technology, in his view, is a tool that enhances—not replaces—the human element.
India’s Investment Shift Has Only Begun
India’s investment ecosystem is undergoing a dramatic shift. Traditional preferences for real estate and physical gold are giving way to capital-market instruments. Even gold ownership is transitioning toward ETFs and digital formats. Retail participation in mutual funds and market-linked investments is expected to grow manifold in the coming years, creating unprecedented opportunities for investors.
The Road Ahead for Perfect Finserv
Over the next five years, Perfect Finserv aims to expand into at least ten additional cities across eastern and northeastern India. While innovation may not be their primary differentiator, their focus remains steadfast: creating meaningful financial impact in the lives of the families they work with. Subhankar strongly believes that today’s aspirational India needs the right guidance to fulfil its dreams—and Perfect Finserv intends to be part of that journey.
A Message to the Next Generation of Financial Planners
Subhankar’s advice to young professionals is simple yet profound: stay true to yourself and your clients. Empathy is crucial in personal finance, and keeping clients’ best interests at heart naturally leads to growth. He also emphasizes the importance of continuous upskilling in an industry that evolves rapidly. Knowledge, integrity, and empathy, he believes, are the true differentiators in wealth management.
Also Read – Why Fintech Startups Bet Big on India’s Tier-2 Cities