LDC Top 50 2026
Capt. Arun Kar (Retd.)
Founder and Executive Director
Xpertnest
Indian-born Arun Kar spent seven years in the Army before a knee injury put an end to his combat career. After retraining in software, he moved to the UK in 2009 to oversee BT’s software migration before launching Xpertnest in 2016 “to solve problems with technology”.
Today the London-based specialist works on major public sector contracts, such as StreetWise, which helps women feel safe walking home at night. His £17 million-turnover company has just 15 full-time staff, relying on more than 100 local contractors to build projects. “My vision is to build a unicorn that creates technology for the good of people and planet.”
My vision is to build a unicorn that creates technology for the good of people and planet.”
Q&A
Tell me about the toughest time when building your company
During the first nine months, we had no projects. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon so there was no money. My boy was one, and my wife was pregnant with our second. Somehow, I never lost heart, I kept going. In the ninth month, I won a contract worth £500. That project ultimately became Nigeria’s prison management software.
What technology are you proudest of building?
During lockdown when people were flocking to the beaches, councils needed a way to enforce social distancing. We made an app in two weeks which showed people whether it was safe. Recently, we developed a British AI tool, called APTO, which can design, develop, test and implement a programme with a single click. It superseded Copilot in a hackathon and we are working to industrialise it now.
What drives you?
I work with people who are smarter than me. That’s what drives me. Everyone here is on the entrepreneurial journey with me. We want to be a Blackstone. We have just taken office next to theirs in Berkeley Square. I already have £38 million-worth of contracts signed for the next four years. In five, we will be a unicorn.
