How does it feel to be listed as the Power
50 Influencers in Financial Services by
the Digital Banking Club, as well as the
Power 100 for Supporting Innovation and
Entrepreneurship by Smith and Williamson?
I am privileged to be able to share my
experience as an entrepreneur with those
who have a dream of building a business
or learning the ropes. I feel that everything
I can give to that community is very worthwhile.
In terms of financial services, I was Head
of Innovation at Virgin Money, and the
banking sector is well-established and, in
some ways, does not move quickly. With the
recent emergence of fintech startups, there’s
been a shakeup in the industry, and I think
the landscape will change, so it’s a space that
I watch very carefully. I’m still active in it as an
investor, so I am very curious how things will
play out.
In terms of supporting innovation and
entrepreneurship, I would say that I am a big
champion of entrepreneurs, particularly those
who are trying to create tech for good—to
create a better society. But I also support
entrepreneurs who might be in trouble,
those going through a rough patch. I try to
be as supportive as possible to those in that
situation, as I know first hand how it feels
to be in that position.
So while the accolades are nice, I am
a lot more interested in being someone
who can be a support and a cheerleader
wherever possible.
How do you think digital businesses
will evolve over the next five years?
I have a narrow view because my
background is digital business and I see
the world through a digital lens. But, most
industries and businesses that I come across
are realizing that they are going digital,
even if they’re not there already.
This is a universal trend starting with the
leading edge of startups through to more
established companies, and then to those
who provide services to the entire
ecosystem. I feel a responsibility to contribute
to this development, specifically where digital
business and digital ways of doing things
can make our lives better, easier, and
more fulfilling.
What are your top recommendations
for other companies thinking of partnering
with Hult?
My first recommendation would be work
with Hult. The second recommendation
would be to keep an open mind, to allow
students the latitude to be creative, to
broaden their horizons. The third would
be to listen. I think young people have
a tremendous amount of insight. The fourth
would be hire the best and brightest that you
come across. Bring young people into your
organization, let them reverse mentor your
senior management. Finally, don’t make it
a one-off. Work with the next cohort because
I think the potential, the creativity, the hard
work, insight, dedication, and passion that
you’ll see from working with students at Hult
will make a huge difference to how you
see the world.
About Dhiraj Mukherjee
Dhiraj Mukherjee is a co-founder of Shazam,
and an experienced digital business
executive. Recognized by the Financial Times
as one of Europe’s Top 50 technology
entrepreneurs in 2015, and elected a
member of The Digital Banking Club’s “Power
50” in 2016, Dhiraj was previously Head of
Banking Innovation at Virgin Money, where
he was responsible for developing new
digital banking services, including one aimed
at serving 2.2 million students in the U.K.
In the course of his career, Dhiraj has held
directorial roles across a range of sectors
including media & entertainment, consulting
and the charity sector. In 2000, he co-
founded Shazam Entertainment, the world’s
first mobile phone-based music recognition
service. He was a Director of Shazam from
2000-2003, and raised GBP £600,000 in
seed funding and over GBP £10 million in
venture capital investment over three rounds.
Shazam was acquired by Apple in 2017 for a
reported USD $400 million.
Dhiraj is now an active angel investor
focused on emerging technologies and “Tech
for Good,” including several startups
leveraging AI to try and create a better
society. He particularly enjoys working with
young people, helping them to develop their
entrepreneurial instincts, and was selected
for Smith & Williamson’s “Power 100” in 2017
for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship
in the U.K.
Dhiraj has a degree in Mathematical
Economics from Dartmouth College in the
U.S. and an MBA from Stanford University’s
Graduate School of Business. He speaks
regularly at conferences on innovation,
entrepreneurship, and emerging technology.
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