CEO Yashish Dahiya takes PolicyBazaar to a new high within a decade

PolicyBazaar is expected to make a few acquisitions to bolster its healthcare journey

PolicyBazaar CEO Yashish Dahiya is a happy, albeit restless, man today. His first business venture has just entered the unicorn club with unanimous support from his investors.

Dahiya has come a long way after he completed his Bachelor’s in Engineering from IIT Delhi followed by MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and another MBA from INSEAD. Initially, he worked with Illinois Tool Works as well as Bain & Company in management roles.

During his stints at insurance company First Europa as well as online travel platform ebookers.com, Dahiya handled multiple regions of the globe as CEO and also learned the tricks of the business. Eventually, he carried forward this experience to establish PolicyBazaar in 2008 with Alok Bansal (PolicyBazaar CFO).
 

The startup was driven by a need to provide an easy to use platform that helps insurance customers to compare their options and make the best possible choice.  Within a decade the company has managed to become a market leader in its space despite the entry of other players like Amazon-backed Bankbazaar.
 

Policybazaar’s foray into healthcare, as in case of insurance, was prompted by a passionate need to find solutions to very specific problems. The company is also expected to make a few acquisitions to bolster its healthcare journey.

PolicyBazaar

Dahiya is as enthusiastic about sports and fitness as he is about his business ventures and is known to spend his free time swimming or cycling. He has also participated in the Iron Man Triathlon which is one of the toughest endurance races in the world. Associates describe him as someone who is not only approachable but also someone who views problems and business ideas like sporting events that need to be mastered to end.

This year, PolicyBazaar’s insurance business alone is expected to fetch over Rs 30 billion worth of premiums. Overall revenue is around Rs 6 to 7 billion with a profit of around Rs 1 billion. All existing investors have contributed to the current round of fund raising which helped the company raise up to $236 million and enter the unicorn club. He even convinced his family to pitch in a few millions in the round.
 

The company is not looking at an IPO immediately with its recent entry into the healthcare space.