From IIT Graduate to Billionaire: The Journey of Bharat Desai

TROY, MICHIGAN - Bharat Desai, an IIT Bombay alumnus who once worked under the mentorship of Ratan Tata at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has carved out a remarkable path in the business world, culminating in the sale of his company, Syntel, for a staggering Rs 28,000 crore.

Desai, born in Kenya and raised in India, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in the United States after joining TCS in 1976 as a programmer. His career took a significant turn when he met Neerja Sethi, who would later become his wife and business partner. Together, they founded Syntel in 1980, starting operations from their modest apartment in Troy, Michigan, with an initial investment of approximately Rs 16,000.

The couple's vision and determination saw Syntel evolve from generating a mere USD 30,000 in its first year to becoming a significant force in IT consulting and outsourcing. Their efforts paid off handsomely when in 2018, French IT firm Atos SE acquired Syntel for USD 3.4 billion, which equates to roughly Rs 28,690 crore today.

Desai's educational background is as impressive as his business acumen. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from IIT Bombay and an MBA in finance from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. His achievements have not only earned him a spot on Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2024, where he ranks 1945 with a net worth of $1.6 billion (approximately Rs 13,501 crore), but also serve as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.

The story of Bharat Desai and Neerja Sethi is a testament to the power of vision, partnership, and relentless pursuit of one's dreams. From the humble beginnings in an apartment to the pinnacle of business success, their journey underscores the potential of IIT graduates not just in technology but in innovative entrepreneurship.

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