(September 2, 2025) From answering calls as a customer service representative in 2003 to building a garage startup into a global enterprise with its headquarters at New York’s iconic Times Square, Gagan Arora’s journey epitomizes success. In 2016, he founded Vertex Group from a small garage in Florida, and within just five years, expanded its footprint across the Philippines, India, Nepal, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East.
In 2022, his leadership was further recognized when he took on the role of Trade Commissioner for the India-Africa Trade Council (Nigeria Division), deepening his engagement with international markets. Today, Vertex Group is one of the fastest-growing players in intelligent enterprise solutions, spanning performance intelligence, staff augmentation, IT-managed services, and artificial intelligence.
Arora’s achievements have been widely recognized. He has been named Best CEO of the Year for seven consecutive years and featured among India’s Top 100 Influencers by GMI and Forbes. Asia One, in collaboration with CNBC and ET Now, recognized him as one of Asia’s Youngest Entrepreneurs and also included him in the 40 UNDER 40 list.
Starting right
Arora completed his master’s degree at Boston University and began his professional journey as a customer service representative in 2003. This early role gave him insight into the intricacies of business from the ground up. “While my education provided a solid foundation, I wouldn’t say it played a huge role in shaping my personality. Instead, it was my practical experiences that truly influenced me,” he tells Global Indian.
Working alongside first-generation entrepreneurs across diverse organizations—mid-sized, small, bootstrap, and investor-funded helped him absorb lessons in entrepreneurship and business management. “I started collaborating directly with founders, which taught me invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship and business management,” he says.
Career cues
By 2017, Vertex Group had already begun to thrive by offering advanced IT and IT-enabled services, boosting customer satisfaction and strengthening its reputation. Expansion soon followed: the Philippines in 2018, India in 2019, the UK in 2020, and Nepal and the Middle East in 2021.
Recollecting this journey, he says: “After my business expansions, I took the role of Trade Commissioner for the India-Africa Trade Council, focusing on the Nigeria Division in 2022. This enabled me to foster trade relations between the two regions, enriching my understanding of international business dynamics.”
In addition to his corporate role, Arora serves as Senator for the World Business Angel Investment Forum, Delegate for the Global Chamber of Business Leaders in India, and Chair of the Delhi Chapter of the Foreign Investors Council. He is also Director-Global Education at the Asia Arab Chamber of Commerce, extending his cross-cultural engagement across 52 countries.
A global approach
Having worked across multiple continents, Arora recognizes that every market has its own cultural nuance. “For instance, the way you interact with a client in the US may not be effective for a client in the UK, and similarly, strategies used with UK clients may not apply to those in the Middle East,” he explains.
This shaped the first-generation entrepreneur’s philosophy that business is not just about B2B or B2C—it is business-to-human (B2H). “Every individual is different, influenced by the geography they come from. This understanding has greatly shaped how I engage with clients,” he adds.
Love for entrepreneurship
Quiz him about what drew him to entrepreneurship, and Arora is quick to say it was his self-driven nature and love for problem-solving. “I realised that the industry was witnessing certain problems that lacked effective solutions. This observation made me think, why not step into the shoes of a problem solver? I wanted to not only help others by addressing these challenges but also create something for myself in the process.”
With business interests in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Philippines, Nepal, Middle East, and Nigeria, he proudly calls himself a global citizen. “For me, being a global citizen means the ability to innovate and operate on an international level while remaining true to my identity. It also involves appreciating and understanding diverse cultures, as well as navigating different cultural environments with ease and seeing the world through the perspectives of others,” he shares.
Recognitions fuel ambition
Gagan Arora’s company was named “Best Place to Work in India” by the Best Place to Work ® Institute, boasting an ESAT score of 94 percent and a global score of 92 percent. Vertex was also ranked 19th among the 50 Most Innovative Companies globally. “Awards hold great significance for me, as they represent the hard work and dedication of my entire team. I see myself more as an orchestrator, guiding and supporting them, while it’s their relentless efforts that have truly made these achievements possible,” he notes.
Life lessons
The entrepreneurial journey, Arora admits, has been both challenging and rewarding. “First and foremost, entrepreneurship requires commitment and resilience. When you think everything is slipping out of your hands, you need to stay committed and resilient; this will guide your path toward success.”
He stresses the importance of vision, innovation, adaptability, and networking. He believes one must remain open to new ideas and suggestions, as the landscape can shift rapidly. “Moreover, one of the key lessons is identifying gaps and finding innovative solutions to address them. Building relationships within the industry can provide insights and opportunities crucial for growth,” he advises.
Looking ahead
Arora’s vision for Vertex is ambitious. He aims to take the company’s revenue from ₹250 crore to ₹1,000 crore in three years. Expansion plans include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia, alongside strategic acquisitions and the launch of two new business verticals.
He also remains committed to his team. “Our continuous goal is to create the best place to work, something we strive for year after year, even as we grow both organically and inorganically,” he signs off.
- Follow Gagan Arora on LinkedIn
