Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth2 February 1983
Age35 (as in 2018)
BirthplaceNew Jersey
ProfessionEntrepreneur, Dancer
NationalityAmerican
Marital statusMarried
SpouseNick Pujji (Lawyer)
FamilyFather - Harshad Kadakia; Mother - Geeta Kadakia
Net worth$50 Million (approx.)
Payal Kadakia Biography
Payal Kadakia is an American entrepreneur and dancer best known as the founder and former CEO of ClassPass and as the artistic director of Sa Dance Company
Early life and backgroundPayal Kadakia was born on February 2, 1983, in New Jersey. Raised in an Indian-American household, she began dancing at age three and maintained that passion through her youth. Kadakia attended Randolph High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She identifies as Hindu and lists writing and yoga among her personal interests.
Career
After graduating from MIT, Kadakia began her professional career as a consultant, working at Bain & Company as a senior associate consultant until 2008. She then moved into the music industry with a role as an associate director at Warner Music Group.
In 2009 Kadakia opened Sa Dance Company, where she served as artistic director. The studio offered a broad curriculum that included Indian classical and Bollywood styles alongside jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance. Kadakia has been credited with much of the studio’s growth and the success of the companies that grew from it.
Her entrepreneurial profile expanded with the launch of ClassPass in 2011. The service grew out of an earlier project called Classivity, which Kadakia retired after encountering problems such as promotion-code misuse and low subscriber numbers. ClassPass redesigned the model as a monthly membership that lets users take classes at partner studios; benefits include flexible class allowances depending on membership level and the option to stream classes on a phone or computer. The company also organized community events such as group runs and yoga sessions.
Under Kadakia’s leadership, ClassPass scaled rapidly: by 2015 the platform offered access to thousands of classes across multiple cities and had secured significant venture funding. She later transitioned from the CEO role to executive chairman, saying the change allowed her to focus on innovation and the company’s next stage of growth. Kadakia has continued to prioritize dance in her life, making time to practice several times a week and using access to ClassPass studios in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Public profile
Kadakia has received recognition from major business publications: Forbes included her among women entrepreneurs on the rise, and Fortune added her to its 40 Under 40 list. Her personal life has also been part of her public profile. She married Nick Pujji, a lawyer, on May 30, 2016. The couple’s engagement took place in Paris, and Kadakia has spoken about drawing inspiration from her mother for her perseverance and determination.
Latest updates
As of the most recent information in this profile, Kadakia serves as executive chairman of ClassPass and continues to be involved in both entrepreneurship and dance. ClassPass operates with a broad studio network across numerous cities, and Kadakia remains personally engaged with dance through regular practice and her ongoing association with Sa Dance Company.
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Recent Work
Founded the fitness-class subscription platform and later transitioned from CEO to executive chairman as the company grew to serve thousands of studio classes across many cities.
2011Career Highlights
- Founder and former CEO of ClassPass
- Artistic Director and founder of Sa Dance Company
- Named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and listed by Forbes among women entrepreneurs on the rise
- Worked at Bain & Company and Warner Music Group early in her career
Net Worth
Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Payal Kadakia born?
Payal Kadakia was born on 2 February 1983.
What is Payal Kadakia known for?
Payal Kadakia is known for entrepreneur, Dancer.
What is Payal Kadakia’s marital status?
Payal Kadakia's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Payal Kadakia married to?
Payal Kadakia is publicly listed as married to Nick Pujji (Lawyer).
What is Payal Kadakia’s net worth?
Payal Kadakia's net worth is commonly listed as $50 Million (approx.), based on available public profile information.

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