'Govern yourself like HDFC or SBI, build like Google or Amazon': PhonePe's Sameer Nigam
At TechSparks 2026, the PhonePe CEO said the company's IPO is "hopefully not too far away", outlined its international expansion plans, and explained why governance must keep pace with innovation.
PhonePe's founder and CEO Sameer Nigam urged aspiring fintech leaders to emulate the governance structure of established banks such as HDFC and State Bank of India (SBI), while adopting the innovative approach of tech giants like Google and Amazon. Speaking at the YourStory TechSparks conference in Bengaluru, Nigam revealed that PhonePe is working towards reviving its IPO plans once global market conditions improve.
The company has already completed much of the groundwork for the public listing, including obtaining board approvals and conducting roadshows. Nigam emphasized that the payments industry carries a unique responsibility due to the trust placed in it, and that PhonePe adheres to strict regulatory oversight from bodies like the RBI and SEBI.
The company has implemented a rigorous compliance culture, with around 130 to 140 external audits annually and a strong leadership team that has remained intact for over a decade. Nigam highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with governance, drawing a direct comparison to the practices of large financial institutions.
He also discussed PhonePe's strategy for expanding its services to feature phones through UPI, which has seen a surge in adoption following its launch. In the international arena, PhonePe has been granted licenses in the UAE and Singapore to offer retail payment services and card schemes, signaling its intent to expand beyond India's borders.
Nigam stressed that purpose and building sustainable jobs are paramount, rather than personal wealth, in the entrepreneurial journey.
Written by urgent.news from YourStory's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
