Kathmandu- Dipesh Karki, co-founder of LenDenClub, one of India’s leading peer-to-peer lending platforms, has shared how the COMPEX Scholarship and his educational experience in India played a crucial role in shaping his entrepreneurial success. In an interaction with the Embassy of India in Nepal, Karki reflected on his journey from a small village in Khotang, Nepal, to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the fintech industry.
Born into a family of school teachers, Karki grew up with values of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. He credited the COMPEX Scholarship, which enabled him to study Electronics and Communication Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, as a turning point in his life. The scholarship provided him access to quality education and opportunities that eventually led him into entrepreneurship.
After completing his studies, Karki co-founded engineering software startup PipeISO and later launched LenDenClub in Mumbai with his business partner. Today, the platform serves more than 30 million customers and is recognized as one of the world’s largest peer-to-peer lending ecosystems.
Karki said his inspiration for LenDenClub came from observing trust-based lending practices in his native village, where people often relied on neighbors and community members for financial support. By combining those traditional principles with modern technology, he sought to create a scalable financial platform that expands access to credit and opportunities.
He also praised India’s rapidly growing startup and fintech ecosystem, noting that the country’s digital transformation, supportive regulatory environment, and access to talent and investment played a significant role in the growth of LenDenClub.
Encouraging current and future COMPEX scholars, Karki urged students to view education as more than just earning a degree. He emphasized the importance of exploring new ideas, building meaningful networks, and using acquired knowledge to create positive change in society. According to him, education remains one of the most powerful tools for innovation, entrepreneurship, and nation-building.
Karki’s story stands as an example of how educational opportunities and determination can transform lives, turning a student from rural Nepal into a leader in the global fintech sector.
