Famous Indian IT & Software Entrepreneurs

Ratan Naval Tata is an Indian industrialist known for his leadership in the Tata Group, where he served as chairman from 1990 to 2012. He played a key role in expanding Tata's global presence by overseeing acquisitions like Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus. Tata is also a prominent philanthropist, dedicating a significant portion of his income to charitable causes. In addition to his corporate endeavors, Tata is an active investor in startups, having invested in over 30 companies both individually and through his investment firm.

Azim Premji is a prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist known for his leadership at Wipro Limited. He played a key role in guiding Wipro's diversification and growth in the software industry, establishing the company as a global leader. Recognized for his influence and impact, Premji has been listed among the most powerful men in the world and the most influential people by various publications. As the founder chairman of Wipro, he has made significant contributions to education in India through the Azim Premji Foundation. Additionally, he has committed to giving away a substantial portion of his wealth, exemplifying his dedication to philanthropy.

Shiv Nadar is a prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist known for founding and chairing HCL Technologies, establishing it as a leading IT enterprise. Recognized for his contributions to the industry, he received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 2008. Nadar, also known as Magus among friends, shifted his focus to education through the Shiv Nadar Foundation in the mid-1990s. With an estimated net worth of US$36.5 billion as of July 2024, he continues to make significant strides in both business and philanthropy.

Kumar Mangalam Birla is the chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, a prominent Indian conglomerate. He also serves as the chancellor of the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, and previously chaired the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. Birla assumed leadership of the Aditya Birla Group in 1995, significantly expanding its annual turnover during his tenure. Under his guidance, the group has expanded its global presence to 36 countries and achieved substantial revenue growth from overseas operations, solidifying his reputation as a successful industrialist and philanthropist.

Nandan Mohanrao Nilekani is an Indian entrepreneur known for co-founding Infosys and serving as its non-executive chairman. He also held the position of chairman at the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and led the Government of India's technology committee, TAGUP. Nilekani played a key role in the Indian National Congress but remained non-active in politics. His career has been marked by significant contributions to the technology sector and leadership in various government initiatives, showcasing his strong business acumen and strategic vision.

Apoorva Mehta is the founder and CEO of Maplebear Inc., operating as Instacart, an American delivery company based in San Francisco. Under his leadership, Instacart has become a prominent grocery delivery and pick-up service in the United States and Canada through a website and mobile app. Mehta has overseen partnerships with 1,500 retail banners and facilitated over $100 billion in Gross Transaction Value (GTV) and more than 900 million orders. He has successfully positioned Instacart as a leader in the grocery delivery industry.

Priyanka Chaudhary Raina is an accomplished Indian software engineer and former banker with experience at companies like Accenture and Wipro. She transitioned from her senior software tester role at ING in Amsterdam to focus on raising her child and later delved into charity work. Together with her husband, cricketer Suresh Raina, she co-founded the Gracia Raina Foundation, an NGO promoting mother and child wellness. Priyanka is also a TED speaker, radio show host, and prolific blogger, advocating for pregnancy, motherhood, child-rearing, and mental wellness. Prior to her foundation work, she was involved with various NGOs supporting children and families.

Sanjeev Bikhchandani is an accomplished Indian businessman known for founding Info Edge, the company behind Naukri.com, a leading job portal, and co-founding Ashoka University. With a background in economics and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, he ventured into entrepreneurship after working in marketing. He established Info Edge in 1995, later expanding to launch successful websites like 99acres.com, Jeevansathi.com, and Shiksha.com. Bikhchandani is also a notable investor in companies like PolicyBazaar and Zomato, and has received prestigious awards for his entrepreneurial skills.

Rishad Premji is an Indian business executive who previously served as the Chief Strategy Officer at Wipro before becoming the Chairman of the company in July 2019. He also held the position of Chairman at NASSCOM for the year 2018–19. With a background in business strategy, Rishad has played a key role in shaping the direction of Wipro and has been actively involved in the technology industry through his leadership positions. His professional journey reflects a commitment to driving growth and innovation within the organization.