Success Stories: Startups Born in Indian Universities that Became Global Brands
with many successful startups originating from its prestigious universities. These startups have not only revolutionized their respective industries but have also gone on to become globally recognized brands. Here are some inspiring success stories of startups born in Indian universities that have achieved global recognition:
1. Zoho – Founded at IIT Madras
Zoho, a global leader in cloud-based software for businesses, was founded by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas while they were at IIT Madras. What began as a small project to provide software solutions for businesses has now grown into an enterprise software giant with a presence in over 180 countries. With a wide range of products from CRM solutions to productivity tools, Zoho has become a formidable player in the SaaS industry. The company continues to be privately held, which has allowed it to maintain its independence and focus on long-term goals.
2. Ola – Founded at IIT Bombay
Ola, one of India’s most popular ride-hailing platforms, was co-founded by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, both of whom were alumni of IIT Bombay. Founded in 2010, Ola revolutionized urban transportation in India and quickly expanded to other markets, including Australia and the United Kingdom. The company’s success has been driven by its technology-first approach and innovative business model, which includes services such as electric vehicles (Ola Electric) and autonomous vehicles in the future.
3. Flipkart – Founded at IIM Ahmedabad
Flipkart, now a household name in e-commerce, was founded by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, two former employees of Amazon who studied at IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, respectively, before pursuing their MBA at IIM Ahmedabad. Launched in 2007, Flipkart became India’s largest online marketplace before being acquired by Walmart in 2018 for $16 billion. The company transformed the e-commerce landscape in India, providing a platform for millions of products and services.
4. Freshworks – Founded at Loyola College (Chennai)
Freshworks, a cloud-based customer support and engagement platform, was co-founded by Girish Mathrubootham and Shan Krishnasamy. Although the founders did not attend the same university, they started the company while working in Chennai and had strong ties to the city’s tech ecosystem, including its university networks. The company, which initially focused on providing simple, user-friendly CRM tools, expanded its portfolio to include solutions for customer service, sales, marketing, and IT management. Freshworks went public in 2021 and is now listed on the NASDAQ.
5. InMobi – Founded at IIT Delhi
InMobi, a mobile advertising and discovery platform, was founded by Naveen Tewari, Amit Gupta, and Abhay Singhal, all of whom are alumni of IIT Delhi. Founded in 2007, InMobi revolutionized mobile advertising and became one of India’s first unicorn startups. With its global reach, the company operates in more than 160 countries and has secured major clients like Samsung, Coca-Cola, and Unilever. InMobi’s journey from a small startup to a global leader in mobile advertising showcases the power of tech innovation in Indian universities.
6. BYJU’S – Founded at IIM Bangalore
BYJU’S, one of the world’s most valuable edtech startups, was founded by Byju Raveendran, a graduate of IIM Bangalore. Initially, the company began by offering offline coaching classes but quickly shifted to an online learning model, making education more accessible for students globally. With personalized learning modules, interactive content, and a focus on technology, BYJU’S has raised billions of dollars and acquired other edtech companies like Osmo and WhiteHat Jr., making it a leader in the global edtech market.
7. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) – Founded at the University of Pune
TCS, a global IT services and consulting giant, was founded by Dr. Faqir Chand Kohli, who had strong academic ties to the University of Pune. Founded in 1968, TCS has grown into one of the largest IT companies in the world, employing over 500,000 professionals and serving clients across 50+ countries. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality has made it a key player in the global IT services industry, and its success is a testament to the engineering and technology-focused mindset cultivated in Indian universities.
8. Razorpay – Founded at NIT Trichy
Razorpay, a leading fintech startup that provides payment gateway solutions to businesses, was founded by Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar, both alumni of NIT Trichy. The company, which started in 2014, has transformed the way businesses handle online payments in India. Razorpay now offers a range of services, including payroll solutions, lending, and more, and has expanded to international markets like the Middle East. It has raised significant venture capital, with investors including Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital.
9. Airbus India (formerly known as "Airbus Group") – Founded at IIT Bombay
While not a traditional "startup," Airbus India was initiated by IIT Bombay alumnus and aerospace engineer Subodh Gupta. Gupta played an instrumental role in setting up the India arm of Airbus Group, which eventually led to the establishment of an R&D center in Bengaluru. This has helped drive the growth of India’s aerospace and aviation industries, strengthening India’s position on the global aviation map.
10. Qwikcilver – Founded at IIM Bangalore
Qwikcilver, a pioneer in digital gift cards and vouchers, was co-founded by Suresh Subramanian and Srinivasan Venkataraman while they were at IIM Bangalore. The company has played a key role in India’s digital payment ecosystem by enabling businesses to create and distribute gift cards and vouchers to their customers. It went on to partner with leading brands like Amazon, Flipkart, and Big Bazaar. Qwikcilver's success in the fintech and gifting industry has made it a leading player in the global digital gifting market.
Conclusion
These success stories highlight the power of Indian universities in shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem. From IITs to IIMs, institutions across the country have provided the necessary support—whether in the form of education, mentorship, or networks—that have enabled students to scale their ideas and launch world-changing companies. As India continues to be a hub for innovation, it’s exciting to imagine what the next generation of university-born startups will accomplish on the global stage.