ArisUnitern: Revolutionizing the Real Estate Ecosystem with Money, Material, and Management

January 3, 2026 12 min read

Srinivasan Gopalan - Chairman of ArisUnitern

"Real estate is like an intoxication. Once you're in, you can't see any other industry. But it’s also an industry where chaos is the norm—and I thrive in chaos." This sentiment from Srinivasan Gopalan, Chairman of ArisUnitern, captures the essence of a man who has dedicated nearly two decades to professionalizing one of India’s most unorganized sectors. By introducing his "3M" philosophy—Money, Material, and Management—Gopalan is helping developers finish stalled projects and bridge the massive credibility gap in Indian real estate.

Founded in 2020 as Unitern and later merged with Aris Infra in 2022, ArisUnitern acts as a "Deloitte for real estate developers." A Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant by training, Gopalan transitioned from agrochemicals and dot-com startups to real estate during the 2008 Lehman crisis. Today, his firm provides end-to-end operational solutions for developers, financial institutions, and landowners, ensuring that projects are delivered on time without the developer losing their identity.

The Real Estate Paradox: While almost every Indian has an investment in real estate, the industry was historically plagued by misleading ads, binami transactions, and endless project delays. Gopalan’s mission is to bring "Method to the Madness" by introducing corporate-level transparency and accountability.

The "3M" Philosophy: Solving the Developer’s Dilemma

Most mid-sized real estate developers in India face three primary hurdles: they lack easy access to capital, they struggle with high material costs, and they cannot afford top-tier leadership talent (CEOs, COOs, or CFOs). ArisUnitern solves this through its integrated "3M" approach.

"We do everything for a developer other than land acquisition and approvals," Gopalan explains. "We bring in the Money (financing), provide the Material (supply chain), and offer the Management (talent). A mid-sized developer can't afford a full C-suite, so we become their 'actor employees,' implementing the project professionally under the developer's own brand."

The ArisUnitern Turnaround Model

Insource Expertise: Infusing a leadership team with 200+ collective years of experience into the project.
Capital Infusion: Partnering with financial institutions to rescue NPAs or fund stalled constructions.
Proprietary Procurement: Leveraging a technology platform to identify, rate, and aggregate material buying for better rates.
Brand Preservation: Executing everything in the developer’s name, ensuring they build their own long-term credibility.

Turning Stalled Projects into Success Stories

The true test of Gopalan’s model lies in the "stalled project" crisis. ArisUnitern has managed to turn around several high-risk investments that had become non-performing assets (NPAs). In one notable case, they infused ₹30-40 crore into a project that was 80% ready but had been stuck for 10 years. By completing the project and marketing it as a "ready-to-move" product, they sold ₹250 crore of stock in a single year and repaid the bank.

"We didn't just save the project; we saved the customers who were suffering and the institution that was losing money," says Gopalan. Another success involved a Berlin-based fund whose project had gone into liquidation. ArisUnitern took over the 2.5 lakh square foot project in Chennai, secured approvals, and is currently on track to return the institution’s money within 18 months.

ArisUnitern Impact by the Numbers

200+ Years: Collective real estate experience within the leadership team.
150+: Dedicated professionals acting as "Partners" in the business.
10+: Large-scale projects currently under management at various stages.
₹250 Cr: Stock sold in a single year for a previously stalled project.
2022: Year of the operational merger with Aris Infra to scale material supply.

The Era of Corporatization and RERA

Gopalan believes Indian real estate is currently in its most significant transformative phase. Post-demonetization, GST, and the implementation of RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency), the industry is moving away from "cash and chaos" toward professional consolidation. Big brands like Mahindra and Godrej are now dominating because they can complete projects on time—a trend Gopalan saw earlier in the Pharma and Agrochemical sectors.

"RERA ensures that insurance is in place and ads are not misleading," he notes. "GST has taken the cash out of material purchases. Within the next five to seven years, real estate will be managed exactly like any other professional corporate industry."

"I am a follower of the Bhagavad Gita. I don't call anything a failure—I call it a lesson to be learned. Every lesson learned is only going to take you to the next level. In entrepreneurship, you are riding a tiger and you don't want to get down."
— Srinivasan Gopalan, Chairman, ArisUnitern

Technology as the Silent Partner

While talent is indispensable, Gopalan sees technology as the future of real estate decision-making. ArisUnitern is developing proprietary tools for both marketing and procurement. By using AI to identify target segments, marketing costs can be slashed. On the procurement side, they are replacing the "mundane phone call" model with a digital platform that aggregates buying power across multiple developers, ensuring transparency and cost-efficiency.

Advice for the Next Generation of Real Estate Leaders

Start Early: Don't wait until 47 to become an entrepreneur. Start at 27. The energy and ability to grasp things quickly are your biggest assets.
Pair Experience with Youth: Have a co-founder who brings the "gray hair" experience while you bring the "ferocious" energy.
Look for 5-7 Year Horizons: Quick money doesn't exist in real estate. It is a long-term asset class—the only one you can touch and feel besides gold.
Discipline is Non-Negotiable: A structured routine in your personal life translates into a structured thought process in your professional life.

The Future: Ferocious Growth

Looking ahead, Gopalan envisions a future where every real estate project is professionally managed by expert teams rather than individual developers. He views his 150 employees not as staff, but as "Partners" who will eventually become entrepreneurs themselves. By generating sustainable employment and resolving the nation's stalled project crisis, ArisUnitern is building a new foundation for the Indian housing market.

"Buy a house to live in, and you run no risk," Gopalan concludes. "If you have patience and look at a long-term horizon, real estate is the only asset class that will never let you down."

The Buck Stops Here: The primary reason Gopalan moved from being a high-level executive to a founder in 2020 was "veto power." He wanted the ultimate responsibility where the buck stops with him, allowing him to solve industry-wide problems rather than being restricted to one company's firefighting.

Key Takeaways

For Developers: Focus on land and approvals—outsource the "3M" (Money, Material, Management) to professional agencies to ensure project completion.

For Investors: Avoid quick-flip mindsets. A five-to-seven-year horizon in a RERA-regulated market is the safest way to build generational wealth.

For Entrepreneurs: Don't fear the "chaotic" industries. Chaos is where the biggest problems remain unsolved, and solving them is where the biggest value is created.

About the Guest

Srinivasan Gopalan is the Chairman and Founder of ArisUnitern. A Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant, he is a 25-year industry veteran who has held senior leadership roles at the Wadhwa Group and several other major real estate firms. Known for his "chaotic thriving" and deep expertise in stalled project turnarounds, he is a leading voice in the professionalization and corporatization of the Indian real estate sector.