Vikram Akula

Overview

Vikram Akula has been at the forefront of creating market based solutions for financial inclusion. Born in Hyderabad India Vikram Akula began working in rural development more than two decades ago initially as a community organizer with the Deccan Development Society. In late 1997 he founded SKS Microfinance as a non profit. He led the organization until 2004 when he joined McKinsey & Company in Chicago as a management consultant. In 2005 he returned to SKS Microfinance to lead its conversion to a for profit finance company. He then led the company to a successful IPO in 2010 which was oversubscribed 14 times. Under his leadership SKS scaled to a peak of 7.3 million active borrowers in 2010 11 by which time it had disbursed more than $5 billion in loans as well as provided a range of micro insurance products. Vikram resigned in November 2011 after 14 years with SKS.