Meet man who quit IIT, moved to US for higher studies, earned Rs 286 crore in just 150 days by..; he is…

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are among the most prestigious institutions in India, renowned for their excellence in engineering, technology, and research. For many students, gaining admission to an IIT represents the pinnacle of academic achievement, offering high-quality education, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and unparalleled career opportunities. However, some individuals have made the bold decision to leave IITs and pursue alternative paths, proving that success can be found through unconventional routes. One such story is that of Rahul Rai, who left IIT Bombay in 2015 to follow his passion for economics and finance.

Rai's decision to abandon his engineering degree marked a significant turning point in his life. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, making a dramatic shift from engineering to economics. As described in Forbes, his career began at Morgan Stanley, where he worked on the Foreign Exchange (FX) Macro Hedge Funds team.

Rai later founded Gamma Point Capital, which quickly gained traction, and within just five months of its inception, the firm was acquired by BlockTower Capital for Rs 286 crore (USD 35 million) in May 2021. Although selling the firm was a tough decision, it was a strategic move that generated significant wealth for the co-founders in a short period. After the acquisition, Rai assumed the role of Co-Head of Market-Neutral at BlockTower Capital, where he now manages investments in crypto assets and blockchain technology as part of a multi-strategy crypto hedge fund. His accomplishments earned him a spot on Forbes India's 30 Under 30 list in 2023, cementing his place as a rising star in the world of finance and technology.