Sharan Hegde’s 1% Club has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first finfluencer-led company to secure the SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (RIA) license. This prestigious RIA licence represents excellence and credibility in India’s wealth management sector, confirming that 1% Club’s Personal CFO division is now fully compliant with SEBI’s stringent regulatory framework.
The journey to obtaining the licence took six months, involving collaboration with leading compliance and law firms in the country. The registration now allows the company to offer personalised 1-on-1 financial planning services to its members, based on transparency, trust, and full regulatory compliance.
The Personal CFO division has already grown to a team of 40 professionals and is currently managing ?750 Crores in Assets under Advisory (AUA). The company’s broader vision is to expand across major Indian cities to meet the rising demand for financial advisory services in the country. According to the SEBI Chairman, India needs one million financial advisors, yet there are only about 1,300 certified planners. 1% Club aims to capture at least 5-10% of this gap over the next decade, ensuring that middle-class Indians can access affordable financial planning.
Sharan Hegde, Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of 1% Club and Internet Personality, commented, “This marks the first time a fintech company, associated with a finfluencer, has registered with SEBI for an RIA licence, setting a precedent in the wealth management industry. At 1% Club, we want to build trust, credibility, and a lasting legacy for India’s rising middle class. While the journey ahead will be tough, we are prepared to lead with integrity, scale nationally, and meet the evolving financial needs of millions. This is just the beginning; our vision includes acquiring more SEBI licences to offer robust investment products like stock recommendations, small cases, and high-yielding debt solutions.”
Raghav Gupta, Co-Founder of 1% Club, added, “Getting the SEBI RIA licence is a big step forward for the 1% Club. It strengthens our commitment to acting in the best interest of investors and making financial planning accessible and impactful for India’s middle class, with trust and transparency at the core.”
Despite operating in an industry characterised by low margins and high regulatory demands, the decision to secure the SEBI licence was driven by 1% Club’s dedication to its customers.
This move marks the first phase of 1% Club's long-term strategy, which also includes acquiring licences to offer investment products such as stock recommendations, curated small cases, and high-yielding debt instruments. Moreover, the RIA registration will enable 1% Club to form strategic partnerships with top players in the wealth management industry, offering differentiated and innovative financial products that promise better risk-adjusted returns for their members.
