Key Takeaways
- Sandeep Nailwal is Polygon Labs’ Chief Business Officer, helping scale blockchain and improve Ethereum’s speed and costs.
- Nailwal started as a software developer and later worked at Deloitte and Welspun before launching his ventures.
- His first startup, ScopeWeaver, introduced him to blockchain, leading him to co-found Polygon (Matic Network) in 2017.
Who Is Sandeep Nailwal?
Sandeep Nailwal is an Indian entrepreneur and software developer who co-founded Polygon Labs, where he serves as the Chief Business Officer (CBO). He is also the founder of India’s Crypto Covid Relief Fund and Scopeweaver, the country’s largest platform for professional services.
Nailwal graduated in 2014 from the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), one of India’s top institutions, with a degree in computer science and an MBA specializing in information technology. His career includes roles as the Director of Technology at Welspun, Asia’s largest textile company, and as a consultant for Deloitte.
Early Career
In 2010, Sandeep started working as a software developer at Computer Sciences Corporation, where he built his tech skills. In 2014, he joined Deloitte as a consultant, helping with business and project management. At Deloitte, he learned about big companies and new technologies. From 2015 to 2016, he was the Head of Technology and Supply Chain at Welspun Group, where he improved supply chain systems using technology.
Starting His Own Business
In 2015, Sandeep started ScopeWeaver, India’s biggest marketplace for professional services. This was where he built his first decentralized application using blockchain. This experience introduced him to Web3 and started his interest in decentralized systems. As he learned more about blockchain, he saw how powerful it could be. He spent a lot of time researching and reading about blockchain, artificial intelligence, and new technologies.
From Job to Full-Time Business Owner
Sandeep’s path to starting his own business wasn’t simple. He first wanted to study at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) but didn’t get in. He considered joining the merchant navy for a steady income but chose a tech career. Using bank loans, he finished his engineering and MBA degrees, focusing on paying off debts and buying a home. Still, he always wanted to create something of his own. In early 2016, he left his job, took two weeks to think, and then started ScopeWeaver, officially beginning his journey as a business owner.
Starting Polygon (Matic Network)
In 2017, Sandeep co-founded Matic Network, later known as Polygon, with Jaynti Kanani, Anurag Arjun, and Mihailo Bjelic. The team worked from a house in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, with few resources but a clear goal: to build scalable blockchain solutions. Jaynti focused on the technical side, while Sandeep and Anurag managed operations and strategy. Many investors and industry experts doubted them, but they stayed committed to their vision.
Expanding Polygon and Scaling the Ecosystem
With Sandeep’s leadership, Polygon quickly became a top blockchain project. It offered a simple way to improve Ethereum with lower fees and quicker transactions. The team stayed focused on their goals despite pushback from investors and the industry. As more people started using it, Polygon earned recognition as one of the leading blockchain platforms, drawing developers, businesses, and big partners.
Chief Business Officer at Polygon Labs
On May 28, 2024, Polygon Labs announced that Sandeep would take on a bigger role as Chief Business Officer (CBO). He is now focused on improving zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, a technology that boosts privacy and security in blockchain transactions. He is also working on Polygon CDK, a ZK-based toolkit that helps developers build and connect layer-2 (L2) chains on Ethereum. With this new role, Sandeep continues to make blockchain more straightforward to use while keeping Polygon a leader in Web3.
Role in India’s Crypto Ecosystem
Sandeep has helped shape India’s blockchain scene. In 2021, he started the Crypto Covid Relief Fund, raising over $400 million in crypto to support India during the COVID-19 crisis. This effort showed how crypto could be used for real-world problems and made him a well-known figure in the global crypto community.
He also supports Web3 startups in India by mentoring entrepreneurs and investing in blockchain projects, helping the country grow as a key player in the blockchain world.
Future Vision and Long-Term Goals
Sandeep wants to make blockchain easy to use for billions of people. He aims to grow Polygon’s ZK technology to make blockchain transactions smoother and support the wider use of Web3 apps, especially in finance, gaming, and digital identity.
He is also committed to strengthening India’s blockchain scene by funding startups and research. He believes Web3 should be open to everyone, easy to scale, and free from restrictions. With this vision in mind, he remains focused on building the tools needed to make it a reality.
Final Thoughts
Sandeep Nailwal’s journey from a software developer to a blockchain leader shows his hard work and dedication. With Polygon, he has helped make blockchain faster and easier to use. His efforts, like the Crypto Covid Relief Fund and support for Web3 startups, have also helped India’s crypto community grow.
Now, as Chief Business Officer at Polygon Labs, he is working on new technology to improve security and speed in blockchain. He aims to make blockchain simple, secure, and useful for everyone.
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