AI Revolutionizes Wealth Management in India: A New Era of Financial Inclusion
5 min read
The financial services landscape in India is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into wealth management and advisory services. As the mutual fund industry surpasses ₹60 trillion in assets under management (AUM) and digital adoption accelerates, innovative platforms are leveraging AI to make financial planning more accessible, efficient, and inclusive. Among the pioneers leading this transformation is Investigen.ai, a Navi Mumbai-based WealthTech firm that is redefining how financial advisors serve clients, particularly in underserved regions.
The rise of AI in wealth management comes at a pivotal moment. According to a 2024 report by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), mutual fund penetration in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities remains below 20%, despite growing awareness of investment opportunities. Meanwhile, global AI investment in financial services has surged from $2 billion in 2010 to over $20 billion in 2024, signaling a robust ecosystem for AI-driven tools. These advancements are not just about numbers, they’re about empowering advisors and investors with data-driven insights to navigate complex markets.
Meeting the Innovator Behind Investigen.ai
The India Prime Times team recently had the opportunity to meet Dr. Vikash Raj, the Founder and CEO of Investigen.ai, at their Navi Mumbai office. With over 25 years of experience in financial services, Dr. Raj is a recognized leader in data analytics and AI, having previously spearheaded transformative initiatives at Bandhan Asset Management, Standard Chartered AMC, and IDFC Pension Fund. His vision for Investigen.ai is clear: to democratize financial advisory services through cutting-edge AI solutions.
During our conversation, Dr. Raj emphasized the importance of blending technology with human-centric advisory. “AI isn’t here to replace advisors—it’s here to amplify their impact,” he said. “By automating time-consuming tasks like research and portfolio analysis, we free advisors to focus on building trust and understanding their clients’ needs.” His passion for financial inclusion was evident as he discussed bridging the gap in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where access to quality financial advice remains limited.
Our team observed firsthand the sophistication of Investigen.ai’s tools, which combine machine learning, predictive modeling, and generative AI to deliver actionable insights. From portfolio optimization to client education, the platform is designed to simplify complexity while maintaining a human touch, a balance Dr. Raj has mastered through decades of industry experience.
The AI-Powered WealthTech Revolution
India’s wealth management sector is at a crossroads. With rising disposable incomes and a growing middle class, the demand for personalized financial planning is skyrocketing. However, traditional advisory models often struggle to scale, especially in smaller cities where advisor availability is low. This is where AI-driven platforms like Investigen.ai are making a difference.
Founded in 2024, Investigen.ai has quickly gained traction by offering a suite of AI-powered tools tailored for mutual funds, banks, and wealth management firms. These tools address critical pain points, from portfolio construction to compliance automation. For instance, their Scheme Shortlist & Whitelist tool uses machine learning to filter mutual funds based on risk profiles, macroeconomic trends, and fund manager performance, enabling advisors to make informed recommendations swiftly. Similarly, the Portfolio Constructor & Rebalancer employs goal programming to optimize client portfolios, balancing returns and risk within predefined constraints.
These innovations are not just theoretical. In its first year, Investigen.ai onboarded multiple clients, including regional financial institutions seeking to enhance their advisory capabilities. The platform’s SaaS model makes it affordable for advisors in smaller cities, where household financial advisory penetration hovers around 15%, according to 2024 industry data. By reducing the workload for advisors by up to 30%, Investigen.ai is enabling them to serve more clients effectively.
A Broader Impact on Financial Inclusion
One of the most compelling aspects of Investigen.ai’s mission is its focus on financial inclusion. In India, where over 60% of the population resides in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, access to quality financial advice remains a challenge. Dr. Raj’s vision is to empower advisors in these regions with tools that make sophisticated investment strategies accessible to all. “Our goal is to ensure that every Indian, regardless of where they live, has access to data-driven financial planning,” he told India Prime Times.
A standout feature of Investigen.ai’s offerings is its AI-powered chatbot, such as the Retirement Planning Bot, which guides clients through complex decisions like building a retirement corpus. These conversational tools, available on platforms like WhatsApp, make financial education engaging and approachable, particularly for first-time investors. By leveraging generative AI, Investigen.ai ensures that clients receive personalized insights in a language they understand, breaking down barriers to financial literacy.
The Bigger Picture: AI’s Role in Finance
The adoption of AI in wealth management is part of a global trend. A 2024 report by McKinsey estimates that AI could add $200 billion in value to the global wealth management industry by 2030, driven by improved efficiency and client outcomes. In India, where the mutual fund industry is projected to reach ₹100 trillion in AUM by 2030, AI’s potential is even more significant. Tools like those developed by Investigen.ai are helping advisors navigate volatile markets, optimize asset allocation, and enhance client trust through transparency.
Dr. Raj’s contributions extend beyond his company. Recognized as one of India’s Top 100 AI Leaders by Analytics India Magazine in 2022 and a recipient of the IDC “Best in Future of Intelligence” award in 2023, he is a thought leader shaping the industry’s future. His proprietary engines, such as FM IQ for fund manager insights and FundFlare for digital campaign creation, demonstrate how AI can drive both innovation and scalability.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While the promise of AI in wealth management is immense, challenges remain. Data privacy, regulatory compliance, and the need for continuous upskilling are critical considerations. Dr. Raj acknowledges these hurdles but remains optimistic. “The key is to build trust through robust data governance and transparent AI models,” he said during our discussion. Investigen.ai’s commitment to ethical AI practices, combined with its partnerships with global tech leaders, positions it to address these challenges effectively.
As India’s financial services sector continues to evolve, platforms like Investigen.ai are paving the way for a more inclusive and efficient future. By empowering advisors with AI-driven tools, the company is not only transforming wealth management but also ensuring that financial planning becomes a reality for millions of Indians. For Dr. Vikash Raj and his team, this is just the beginning of a journey to redefine the intersection of technology and finance.
