IMAGINE Leader|Cohort IX

Deepankar Rustagi

OmniRetail, Founder and CEO

Deepankar Rustagi

I’m a builder at heart, energized by messy, complex problems and driven by the challenge of turning them into elegant, scalable systems. In 2019, I started OmniRetail to tackle a frustration I had seen for years: hardworking manufacturers, distributors, and retailers operating in fragmented, inefficient supply chains with limited access to capital. I wanted to help modernize informal trade across Africa; not just with software, but with infrastructure that combines commerce, payments, and embedded finance in a way that works on the ground. Before that, I founded VConnect, helping small businesses in Nigeria get discovered and grow digitally. That experience shaped my conviction that technology should meet people where they are, especially in emerging markets, and unlock real economic opportunity. I am Stanford GSB alumnus and an Endeavor Entrepreneur, but what really defines me is curiosity, resilience, and a deep belief in Africa’s potential. I care about building profitable, durable platforms that outlast trends and cycles. Ultimately, I see myself as someone building the rails for growth so everyday businesses can move faster, access liquidity, and thrive with confidence.