Leaders

The Data Analytics and BI Services sector has transformed into a critical enabler of modern business strategy. The field now empowers organizations to forecast trends, personalize customer experiences, and streamline processes. As digital transformation accelerates across industries, the scope of analytics is broadening, from traditional KPIs to real-time insights and predictive algorithms, positioning BI as a core driver of growth and innovation.

As co-founder of business analytics and consulting firm, ILLUIT, Alisha Surabhi drives innovation in analytics, helping companies unlock growth through strategic data use. Her core competencies include analytics advisory, data storytelling, and dashboard development using tools like Power BI. A dedicated educator, she has also developed practical learning programs in data tools for aspiring professionals. Alisha’s mission is to simplify complex data concepts and make analytics a core function in every business.

How did your alma mater, IIM Calcutta influence your growth as an individual and as a professional?

My academic journey spans Computer Science Engineering and MBA from IIM Calcutta. At IIM, I built subject matter proficiency across key business functions and gained hands-on experience by winning case competitions for global firms. Student leadership roles further refined my collaborative and executional skills. Handling diverse campus initiatives at IIM Calcutta offered me daily exposure to real-time problem-solving and stakeholder management. IIM Calcutta helped me grow into a more independent, bold, and socially confident individual. Real-time projects and numerous student ventures gave me hands-on experience in starting from scratch, which are skills that translated directly into my entrepreneurial journey.

Take us through your professional journey before turning into an entrepreneur. How did your professional experiences empower you to navigate the world of entrepreneurship?

I hail from a business family so entrepreneurship felt like a natural path. My professional path began in academics with a background in computer science, leading to an early career in a technology firm. A growing interest in financial systems led me to transition into banking. To complement this shift, I completed an MBA and continued to expand my exposure within finance through roles in multiple sectors, including core banking, insurance and credit cards.

With a multi-sector background, I have developed a strong analytical foundation. My experience includes core banking with Union Bank of India, operational analytics with Max Life Insurance and credit risk analytics with American Express. These experiences gave me a comprehensive understanding of how financial systems functions across sectors. Recognizing the critical gap and opportunity inspired me to transition into entrepreneurship, with a mission to bring advanced analytics solutions to the forefront of the Indian market.

What inspired you to find ILLUIT? Tell us about the venture and the impact you wish to create through ILLUIT’s service offerings.

My work at American Express laid the foundation, inspiring me to explore entrepreneurship. My motivation stemmed from witnessing critical gaps in data access and analytics maturity across organizations. I wanted to build solutions that enable data-driven decisions, something top companies already leverage to save millions.

ILLUIT symbolizes the shift from data darkness to clarity. We help organizations unlock the true value of their data-transforming overlooked information into strategic insights that drive impact and innovation. By leveraging existing digital channels and data sources, I aim to influence every business initiative with analytics, ensuring decisions are driven by what the data truly reveals. My vision is to empower businesses to build advanced data models that drive smarter decisions, reducing revenue loss, optimizing costs, and maximizing ROI through data-driven strategies.

What challenges do you encounter while leading a business analytics and consulting firm? How do you successfully navigate through these challenges?

Several companies either do not collect data systematically or lack proper infrastructure to store an manage it. Poor tagging and disorganized systems often lead to data loss, while unstructured formats like images and media add further complexity. Transitioning to a data-driven culture requires a significant mindset shift. We begin by diagnosing how data is captured and correcting tagging issues. Delivering simplified analytics to clients requires tacking complex back-end challenges such as data inconsistencies, server issues, and model readiness. We ensure that while the client interface remains intuitive, the backend data is well optimized and tuned. A lot of hard work goes behind the scenes into structuring and refining raw data.

To make data more comprehensive and accessible, we rely on storytelling, framing challenges, detailing the analytical journey and ending with clear, data-backed recommendations. This approach helps clients connect with the insights and act on them confidently.

What core values did IIM Calcutta instill in you which continue to empower your professional journey?

Throughout my leadership journey, certain core values have consistently guided me. Effectively handling pressure has helped me stay solution-focused and deliver results, while open communications, whether with colleagues or mentors, have always brought clarity and alignment. IIM Calcutta experience has imbibed integrity, accountability and empathy in me. More than anything, I hold on to the values of thinking ambitiously and following through on my commitments.

Working with sensitive data requires continuous commit­ment to ethical practices. We take data protection seriously, implementing dedicated systems to ensure client confidenti­ality and trust.

As an entrepreneur, how do you foresee the Indian startup ecosystem evolving in terms of gender-balance?

India’s evolving startups landscape is steadily evolving with a surge in women founders driving high-value ventures. Many have led cultural change and now head multi-million-dollar companies. As this momentum builds, ensuring gender balance will require sustained efforts and a supportive environment for women to launch and scale their businesses. To sustain this momentum and improve gender parity, creating a supportive framework for women-led businesses is essential.

Women in startups often face higher scrutiny and must work harder to be heard. While visibility and confidence are essential, the fear of mistakes being disproportionately judged adds pressure. A more supportive culture can help shift focus back to innovation over gendered expectations. Early-stage, women-focused investments can play a vital role in helping women entrepreneurs overcome initial barriers and scale successfully.

Alisha Surabhi, Co-Founder & Ceo, Illui

Alisha Surbhi is an accomplished entrepreneur and analytics expert, serving as the Co-Found­er and CEO of ILLUIT. She specializes in blending business strategy with advanced data practic­es to guide organizations toward measurable success. Her vision is to make analytics accessi­ble, actionable, and impactful for all.