Archive · 1 Oct 2025
IIT Grad Switches Finance for AI Startup, Citing Growth
Varun Goyal, who went to IIT, used to work in finance but has now joined an AI startup.
He chose AI because it felt like a more open and fast-moving field compared to finance.
He was attracted by the learning opportunities, collaborative culture, and broader career options available in AI.
Although he earns less initially, the startup provides chances to learn skills beyond coding, such as leadership and product direction.
The transition involves more hours, but Goyal is satisfied with the personal and professional growth it offers.
Varun Goyal, an IIT graduate, left a quant trading job for an AI startup.
He found the collaborative environment of startups more appealing.
Goyal preferred the open environment of AI startups compared to the competitive nature of quant firms.
He chose AI for its growth opportunities and varied field.
He is learning skills beyond coding like hiring and product direction.
- Who
- Varun Goyal, an IIT graduate.
- What
- Left a finance job to join an AI startup.
- When
- Not specified, but recent.
- Where
- Not specified.
- Why
- To pursue growth and learning opportunities, collaborative environment, and broader exit options.
- Individual
- Varun Goyal
- Age
- 25
- Education
- IIT Kanpur, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Former Role
- Quantitative Trading
- Current Role
- AI Startup
- Reason for Shift
- Growth and learning opportunities