Sanjay Modi Biography Early Life and Inspirational Beginnings
Sanjay Modi Biography Born in Sanchore, Rajasthan, Sanjay Modi’s journey from a small-town dreamer to a recognized entrepreneur is a story of persistence and passion. Coming from a modest household, he watched his father toil in Chennai and return home only twice a year, while his mother managed the family. Though his father’s past business struggles made him skeptical of entrepreneurship, young Sanjay nurtured a different dream—creating something meaningful through business innovation.
During his 12th-grade summer break, Sanjay took the bold step of telling his father that he wanted to start a business instead of continuing conventional studies. His father objected, believing stability lay in farming or medicine, but Sanjay remained firm. His idea of “business” was not a small shop but a startup solving real-world problems.
A defining incident came when he went to buy books for his little sister Harshita and was stunned by their high prices. That moment sparked the thought: Why are books so expensive? Couldn’t there be a marketplace to make them affordable and reusable? The idea of NearBook took root.
To test his commitment, Sanjay’s father placed him in a clothing showroom job. For weeks, Sanjay swept floors and folded clothes for twelve hours a day, yet he viewed it as training. When a digital-marketing role opened, Sanjay—self-taught through YouTube—volunteered, earned the spot, and learned marketing, tech management, and operations.
Working by day and brainstorming by night in a small studio above the store, he spent months refining his idea, sleeping beside photo-shoot equipment. This phase built his resilience and technical foundation. Eventually, he quit to pursue NearBook full-time—without funds or family backing, but rich in conviction.
By age 21, Sanjay had turned early hardships into lessons. His father’s skepticism evolved into pride as NearBook reached over 1.6 million downloads and Sanjay appeared on Josh Talks and Shark Tank India Season 4. His story reminds youth that success can begin with a broom in hand and a dream in mind
Sanjay Modi Building NearBook and Overcoming Challenges
Sanjay Modi After identifying the gap in affordable reading, Sanjay Modi launched NearBook in 2020, a digital marketplace enabling users to buy, sell, rent, or donate used books nearby. With no external investors, he bootstrapped the startup using roughly ₹6 lakhs of savings. The app allowed users to list books via photos, chat securely, and arrange local pickups—reviving the joy of physical reading while promoting sustainability.
However, the early path was steep. At 17, he faced rejection after rejection—investors dismissed the idea as outdated. Undaunted, Sanjay built a network on LinkedIn and found a co-founder skilled in app development. Together, they released an MVP (minimum viable product), with Sanjay managing marketing himself.
The “Nearby Books” feature, powered by geolocation, became a hit, driving lakhs of downloads within months. Yet growth came with soaring AWS server bills touching ₹80 k monthly. With no external capital, Sanjay juggled freelance gigs to keep servers running. At times he thought of quitting, but user feedback—stories of students accessing books affordably—rekindled his resolve.
In 2025, he applied for Shark Tank India Season 4, seeking ₹40 lakhs for 20% equity (₹2 crore valuation). His heartfelt pitch impressed the Sharks, though concerns over scalability made them hesitant. In a dramatic turn, Anupam Mittal offered the full ask, admiring Sanjay’s grit and vision. Later, due-diligence issues meant the deal didn’t close, but the TV exposure was priceless.
Downloads tripled, reaching 1 million+ users, and NearBook’s catalog expanded to 2 million books. Despite online controversies questioning ownership, Sanjay stayed focused, growing NearBook into India’s fastest-rising used-book community, headquartered in Jaipur with a small core team.
His journey through setbacks, sleepless nights, and self-funding showcases the essence of bootstrap innovation—turning visibility into velocity and adversity into advantage.
Shark Tank Success, Achievements & Future Vision
Sanjay Modi’s appearance on Shark Tank India 4 in early 2025 became the launchpad for NearBook’s national fame. Even though the ₹40 lakh deal didn’t finalize, media coverage and audience admiration multiplied downloads from 6 lakhs to 1.6 million within months. NearBook achieved break-even status and was on track for profitability by late 2025—without a single rupee of external funding.
Recognized as one of India’s youngest entrepreneurs, Sanjay appeared on Josh Talks, where his session “12वीं पास ने 17 की उम्र में ऐसे बनाया अपना Startup” went viral. By October 2025, NearBook had facilitated 40,000+ book exchanges and listed 20 lakh+ titles across genres. AI-driven recommendations and rental-donation modules distinguished the app from larger e-commerce players.
Sanjay’s influence extends beyond NearBook. With over 2,000 followers on Instagram (@sanjaymodi.me) and his personal site sanjaymodi.me, he mentors aspiring founders through ShikshaSathi and startup events such as Spark to Startup 2K25. Despite online rumors about ownership or valuation, he continues focusing on global growth.
NearBook’s upcoming roadmap includes:
AI-personalized book discovery
Nationwide logistics tie-ups for seamless delivery
Global expansion to connect book lovers worldwide
Environmental impact through re-use and paper-waste reduction
Sanjay’s father, once skeptical, now celebrates his son’s achievements as the family’s proudest moment. For Sanjay, NearBook is more than a business—it’s a movement for affordable education and sustainable reading. His mantra encapsulates his journey:
“Turn struggles into opportunities, believe in your vision, and keep moving forward.”
At 21, Sanjay Modi stands as a beacon of Gen Z entrepreneurship—proof that with purpose and persistence, even a small-town dream can rewrite India’s startup story
Sanjay Modi – Complete Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sanjay Modi |
| Known As / Stage Name | Sanjay Modi |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly available |
| Age (2025) | 21 years |
| Hometown | Sanchore, Rajasthan, India |
| Current Residence | Jaipur, Rajasthan, India |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Body/Complexion | White |
| Education | B.A. (Bachelor of Arts), 53 K Ozone Education |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of NearBook |
| Company / Startup | NearBook – India’s largest used-book marketplace |
| Years Active | 2020 – Present |
| Known For | Appearing on Shark Tank India Season 4, Building NearBook |
| Notable Achievements | Over 1.6 million app downloads, Facilitated 40,000+ book trades, Featured on Josh Talks, Shark Tank India Pitch |
| Monthly Income (Estimated 2025) | Not publicly confirmed; NearBook bootstrapped, revenue-based estimates ~₹1.5 – 2 lakh per month |
| Family Members | Father: Name not public (Entrepreneur, previously faced business failures)Mother: Name not public (Household management)Sister: Harshita Modi (Studying)Other siblings: Not publicly available |
| Father’s Influence | Father was skeptical of entrepreneurship due to past failures, later proud after Sanjay’s success |
| Career Milestones | Launched NearBook in 2020, Shark Tank India 2025 pitch, Josh Talks appearance, NearBook’s rapid growth in downloads and book listings |
| Social Media / Website | Instagram: @sanjaymodi.meLinkedIn: in.linkedin.com/in/sanjaymodiWebsite: sanjaymodi.me |
| Vision / Goals | Expand NearBook nationally and globally, AI-personalized recommendations, promote eco-friendly reading, build the largest used-book community |
| Additional Notes | Bootstrapped startup, faced investor rejections, learned digital marketing via YouTube, focuses on affordable reading and sustainability |
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