London, UK – In a world where technology, capital, and geopolitics are increasingly intertwined, Arun Kar, an entrepreneur and former Army officer from Odisha, represents a new breed of global business leaders. His journey, which spans international policy forums, technology ventures, and sustainability initiatives, showcases how entrepreneurship is evolving beyond just commercial success to driving institutional and societal change.
During the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, Kar participated in a CNBC-led session on responsible innovation and the role of technology in solving real-world problems. Speaking to a diverse audience of policymakers, investors, and industry leaders, he emphasized a “problem-first, trust-first” approach to innovation, highlighting the importance of technology serving society before valuation.
This message resonated with the global concerns around ethical AI, digital trust, and inclusive growth, which have become key themes shaping the future of entrepreneurship worldwide.
Kar’s journey began in the Indian Army, where he learned the values of discipline, resilience, and responsibility. However, his military career was cut short due to a service-related injury that resulted in a lifelong disability. He then transitioned into entrepreneurship and built ventures in technology, sustainability, and infrastructure, which have grown into internationally recognized enterprises operating across multiple geographies.
In December 2025, Kar received the UN Global Excellence Award 2025 at the University of Oxford, conferred by the United Nations Global Peace Council. His cross-sector leadership and global impact were recognized at this prestigious event, where he addressed a distinguished gathering of academicians, scientists, doctors, policymakers, and business leaders. He spoke about leadership transitions, from military service to global enterprise, and the responsibilities that come with scale, capital, and influence in an interconnected world.
Kar is the Founder of Xpertnest, a technology company that has grown independently without external equity funding over the past decade. In July 2025, the company was ranked among the UK’s 500 fastest-growing firms, recording a 220% growth rate in an index curated by analysts led by Robert Watts, known for their work on the Sunday Times Rich List. Xpertnest crossed an independent valuation exceeding USD 100 million in April 2025, conducted by a SEBI-registered Category-I Merchant Banker and corroborated by UK-based valuation firm Plimsoll, using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology under Indian Valuation Standards. This assessment was subsequently published across financial and market platforms, including the London Stock Exchange (RNS), Reuters, and Financial Express. In November 2025, Xpertnest was further recognized among the UK’s 200 fastest-growing companies by the UK Fast Growth Index, founded by Professor Dylan Jones-Evans.
Kar also leads Earthnest, a sustainability initiative focused on biodegradable materials and circular-economy solutions to reduce plastic pollution. The venture aligns with global ESG priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on scalable, commercially viable environmental innovation. This reflects the increasing convergence of sustainability and enterprise strategy.
Beyond business, Kar remains actively involved in social initiatives. He supported the development of a sanitation facility for 46 tribal girls at a government-run ashram in Nabarangpur, Odisha, in collaboration with members of the UK Odia diaspora. This initiative addresses long-standing challenges related to health, safety, and dignity. Kar is also a Guinness World Record holder, having participated in the Vitality Marathon in 2021 to support UNICEF’s polio vaccination efforts, demonstrating his commitment to child health and global public-good initiatives.
Industry assessments estimate Kar’s net worth at approximately USD 145 million, derived from a diversified portfolio spanning technology enterprises, sustainability initiatives, and revenue-generating real estate assets. From Davos to Oxford, and from grassroots initiatives in Odisha to global business platforms, Arun Kar’s journey exemplifies the changing face of modern entrepreneurship, where growth, responsibility, and societal relevance go hand in hand.
