Siddhartha Saxena
| Personal Details | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alwar, Rajasthan, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Career & Education | |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Machine Learning Engineer |
| Education | Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering |
| Alma Mater | Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur |
| Institution | Merlin, Thine |
| Known For | Co-founding Merlin, an artificial intelligence productivity platform |
| Years Active | 2010s–present |
| Recognition & Links | |
Siddhartha Saxena is an Indian technology entrepreneur and machine learning engineer known for co-founding Merlin, an artificial intelligence productivity platform, with his Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur classmates. His career combines academic research, machine learning engineering, and startup development in the artificial intelligence industry.
Saxena attracted widespread attention in 2026 after discussing his entrepreneurial journey in an interview and stating that he had earned approximately US$8 million in a single day. The statement generated significant media coverage and brought additional public attention to his work with Merlin and his broader career as an AI entrepreneur.
Early life and education
Siddhartha Saxena was born in Alwar, Rajasthan, India. He later pursued engineering and developed an interest in computer science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
He attended the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and completed a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering in 2019.
During his time at IIT Kanpur, Saxena participated in research activities related to machine learning and artificial intelligence. His academic work provided an early foundation for his later career in machine learning engineering and AI entrepreneurship.
Research experience
While studying at IIT Kanpur, Saxena gained research experience through work connected with machine learning and computer science.
He also worked as a researcher at Aalto University in Finland. His research experience included work involving machine learning and generative models.
In India, he completed research internships with Envestnet | Yodlee and Wadhwani AI. These experiences exposed him to practical applications of machine learning and large-scale technology systems.
His combination of academic research and industry experience later influenced his approach to building artificial intelligence products.
Engineering career
After graduating from IIT Kanpur in 2019, Saxena worked as a Machine Learning Engineer at Jumio Corporation in Montreal, Canada.
His work involved applying machine learning techniques to practical technology problems. The experience gave him exposure to commercial AI development before he moved into entrepreneurship.
Saxena's professional background therefore included academic research, technology research organizations, and commercial machine learning engineering before he became a startup founder.
Merlin
In 2022, Saxena co-founded Merlin with his IIT Kanpur classmates Pratyush Rai and Sirsendu Sarkar.
Merlin was initially developed as an artificial intelligence-powered Chrome extension designed to bring AI capabilities directly into a user's web browser.
The platform allows users to use artificial intelligence for tasks such as summarizing online content, generating written material, answering questions, analyzing information, and improving productivity.
Merlin's browser-based approach was designed to make AI assistance available across different websites and online workflows rather than limiting users to a separate AI application.
Merlin's growth
Merlin expanded from its original browser-extension concept into a broader AI productivity platform.
The company developed additional AI-powered features and integrations aimed at individuals, professionals, developers, and businesses. Its products have been designed around the use of large language models for writing, research, summarization, analysis, and other productivity tasks.
The startup has attracted users internationally and has become part of the growing ecosystem of AI productivity applications that emerged alongside the rapid adoption of generative AI.
Merlin has also raised venture funding as it expanded its technology and product offerings.
Thine
In addition to Merlin, Saxena has been associated with Thine, another technology venture.
His involvement with multiple technology ventures reflects his broader interest in developing AI-based products rather than focusing exclusively on a single software application.
The ventures have contributed to his profile as a young entrepreneur working at the intersection of machine learning, software development, and artificial intelligence.
2026 viral attention
Saxena received a significant increase in public attention in July 2026 after appearing in an interview with content creator Viraj Ala.
During the interview, Saxena was asked about the highest amount of money he had earned. He stated that he had made approximately US$8 million in a single day, equivalent to roughly ₹77 crore at the exchange rate used in media reports.
The statement was subsequently reported by multiple Indian news organizations and led to widespread discussion about his career, Merlin, and the economics of startup ownership.
The reported amount should be understood as a claim made by Saxena during the interview. Public reports did not provide a detailed breakdown of the specific transaction or financial event behind the figure.
Entrepreneurship
Saxena has spoken publicly about the difference between traditional employment and entrepreneurship. He has described entrepreneurship as involving significant uncertainty and a willingness to take risks.
He has also discussed what he calls an "abundance mindset", which he associates with looking for opportunities and being willing to experiment rather than allowing limited resources to prevent people from pursuing ambitious ideas.
His own career followed a path from academic research to machine learning engineering and eventually startup entrepreneurship.
Technology focus
Saxena's professional work has primarily centered on machine learning, artificial intelligence, generative AI, and software products.
Through Merlin, his work has focused on making AI useful within everyday digital workflows. Rather than developing a general-purpose research system alone, Merlin applies existing and emerging AI models to practical tasks such as writing, research, summarization, browsing, and productivity.
His background in machine learning research has also influenced his approach to developing AI-powered consumer and business software.
Career profile
Siddhartha Saxena represents a generation of Indian technology entrepreneurs building AI products for international markets.
His career combines an IIT Kanpur computer science education with research experience in India and Europe, professional machine learning engineering in Canada, and startup development in the United States.
The rapid growth of generative AI has provided an environment in which products such as Merlin can reach global users without requiring traditional software distribution models.