"No dream is too big,
no detail is too small."
- Ashish

Amrit Mahotsav Pledge

Introduction

Ashish Deora, a first-generation entrepreneur, found Aurum Ventures in 1996 at age 21 and passionately leads Aurum as CEO to date.

Ashish's two decades of experience, ranging from mining to telecom, has shown an exceptional leadership record and an innovative disruption mindset.

As a proud alumnus of Harvard Business School, Ashish always attempts to root the coveted Case Study method from HBS in his company culture and team upskilling.

His proven track record of investments in businesses across APAC, Africa, and South America and successful exits to global capital allocators exhibits his visionary and forward-thinking approach.

Time and time again, Ashish has had a keen eye for futuristic businesses in growth-led and data-centric sectors. He firmly believes that the next decade belongs to the entrepreneurs of India.

What Keeps Me Going

Entrepreneurship

"The relentless pursuit of opportunity without resources currently controlled is the cornerstone of a true entrepreneur."
- HBS, 2011.

Innovation

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
- Steve Jobs

Real Estate and PropTech

"It is something that cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Sustainability

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."
- Native Proverb

Philanthropy

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others."
- Mahatma Gandhi

Our Philanthrophy Initiatives

Entrepreneurship

Innovation

Real Estate and PropTech

Sustainability

Philanthrophy

About Ashish Deora

Ashish Deora is a serial entrepreneur who has built businesses in multiple sectors. Telecom, aviation, mining, real estate, and PropTech are just a couple of many industries where Ashish has created value. He has a rare ability to identify opportunities and alleviate risk.

He has mastered the insight to price the risk and build businesses to an exponential value.

He is a voracious reader and has read it all from Vivekanand to Bezos. His current favourite is 'Principles by Ray Dalio'.

On Sundays, he likes to spend time with his son and daughter.

He is a keen observer and likes to learn from each culture on his travel sojourns.

He lives by the principal in the Bhagwad Gita. In Chapter 2, Verse 47 says, "Focus on your action, not on the results."

The Journey

Telecom: Ashish Deora started his journey through telecom. Early on, he quickly identified the gigabyte's versatility and convenience and was the first to install an optic fiber network in Mumbai. In a time where people were still stuck in the thick and inconvenient copper wires, Ashish rose above the standard and delivered excellence. Additionally, he implemented the very first Metro Area Network in the nation in collaboration with Cisco Systems. This proved to be one of the earliest forms of telecom infrastructure sharing.

Video On Demand: Ashish founded IOL Broadband, an early pioneer of India's video on demand market; in all likelihood, it was too early for its time. IOL Broadband had launched its video on demand and IPTV service at the beginning of 2003.

Aviation: The third stop on Ashish's journey was in aviation. He invested in SpiceJet (formerly ModiLuft), an early proponent of digital transformation in the air. SpiceJet introduced digital pricing and brought a perishable commodity of airline seats, directly and in real-time, to consumers.

Automotive components: Ashish's tactical thought process found him acquiring a manufacturing plant with intentions of producing automobile parts and plans to manufacture electric vehicles for the Indian market.

Renewable Energy: Later, Ashish was a trailblazer in the renewable energy market. He was part of one of the first companies to receive funding from the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Association in the first phase.

Mining and Exploration: Ashish conquered a challenging feat when he entered one of the most brutal and most methodical industries, mining. In a sector that requires patient capital and scientific vigor, Ashish established a robust foothold with operations in East Africa and South America.

Real Estate: Currently, Ashish runs a thriving real estate company in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. As one of the largest new-age real estate companies, Aurum has end-to-end capabilities from acquisition to design development, project management, leasing, sales, world-class hospitality, and the freshest technology engrained in the ecosystem in the form of PropTech.

Evolution

1999
2003
2006
2007
2009
2011
2012
2014
2015
2016
2018
2020
2021

Telecom
1999
In 1999, Ashish found IOL Telecom, the first company to develop and sell optic fiber in Mumbai. Airtel, Reliance Infocomm, and Power Grid Corporation of India were just some of this cutting-edge technology's consumers.
Video on Demand
2003
In 2003, Ashish pioneered a futuristic video on demand and IPTV venture.
Aviation
2006
In 2006, he invested in SpiceJet, a budget airline at the top of the industry today.
Automotive Components
2007
In 2007, Ashish invested in Argentum Motors, the parent company of the then prevalent Daewoo Motors in India.
Residential Real Estate
2009
In the early stages of 2009, the strong real estate leg of Aurum started with 7 Marine Drive (7MD), an ultra-luxurious residential skyscraper in the heart of South Mumbai. Ashish's ability to connect macroeconomic principles of business to the consumer's microeconomic needs resulted in 7MD being a runaway success.
Renewable Energy
2011
Later in 2009, Aurum co-incubated Renew Power, now the largest renewable energy IPP in India.
Mining and Exploration
2012
In 2012, Aurum got into junior mining, exploring the African continent searching for gold and coal.
Real Estate
2014
In 2014, Aurum acquired seven million square feet of a mixed-use project in Navi Mumbai from CapitaLand.
Commercial Real Estate
2015
In 2015, Aurum launched top-tier commercial office spaces in Aurum Q Parc on Thane Belapur Road.
Residential Real Estate
2016
In 2016, in Q Parc, Aurum launched Aurum Q Residences, a premium, luxurious brand of residential skyscrapers. To date, Q Residences hold the highest market share in Navi Mumbai.
Commercial Real Estate
2018
In 2018, Aurum delivered the first pre-certified LEED Platinum office buildings in Navi Mumbai. Ascendas Singbridge, a sovereign wealth fund in Singapore, bought 1.4 million square feet of commercial space in Q Parć for INR 930 Crores.
Residential Real Estate
2020
In 2020, in Q Parc, Aurum launched Aurum Q Islands, residential, urban, and high-tech skyscrapers. Q Islands cuts commute times majorly by allowing a walk-to-work culture for residents who work at offices in and around the campus.
PropTech
2021
Acquired control of Majesco Limited, which is now Aurum PropTech Limited.