Sanjeev Bikhchandani: From a small Startup to a Rs 59,000 Crore Empire
Sanjeev Bikhchandani's story is one of determination, resilience, and an unyielding belief in his dreams. Sanjeev's journey from a small garage office to building India's largest online employment marketplace, Naukri.com, is nothing short of extraordinary.
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Who is Sanjeev Bikhchandani?
Sanjeev Bikhchandani is an Indian businessman. He is the founder and executive vice chairman of Info Edge which owns Naukri.com, and the co-founder of Ashoka University. He was honoured with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.
Early Life and Education
Sanjeev was born into a middle-class family, He grew up in a modest household as the son of a doctor. He graduated from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, in 1984 with a degree in Economics. His journey into the corporate world began as an accounts executive at Lintas. After three years, he decided to expand his horizons and pursued an MBA at IIM Ahmedabad, graduating in 1989.
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The Entrepreneurial Leap
Post-MBA, Sanjeev secured a high-paying job as a product executive at GlaxoSmithKline. However, his entrepreneurial instincts soon took over. In 1990, after just a year in the corporate world, he quit his job to start his own business. Sanjeev’s wife, Surabhi, played a pivotal role in this decision. She took charge of household responsibilities and provided financial stability with her well-paying job and allowed Sanjeev to focus on his entrepreneurial aspirations.
Starting out, Sanjeev operated from his father’s garage with a second-hand computer and old furniture. His initial ventures included Indmark, which dealt with pharmaceutical trademarks, and another business focused on salary surveys and reports. Despite facing years of financial struggles, he persevered, often taking side jobs and teaching to make ends meet.
Birth of Info Edge and Naukri.com
In 1993, Sanjeev parted ways with his business partner and began laying the foundation for Info Edge India Ltd. By 1997, Sanjeev launched Naukri.com, India's first online job portal. It was a revolutionary idea at the time when internet adoption in India was still nascent. To get started, he relied on financial support from his brother, who funded the server costs in the US.
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Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
The initial years were tough. Sanjeev worked for nearly six years with little to no income, relying heavily on his wife's earnings. But his patience and hard work paid off. By 2006, Naukri.com became the first internet company to be listed in India. Encouraged by the success of Naukri.com, Sanjeev expanded his horizons. He launched Jeevansathi.com in 2004, 99acres.com for real estate, and Shiksha.com in 2008.
Over time, Info Edge became a conglomerate, investing in successful ventures like PolicyBazaar and Zomato. Today, Info Edge boasts a market capitalization of over Rs 59,000 crore. Sanjeev Bikhchandani's personal net worth is estimated at Rs 19,000 crore. His wife, Surabhi, has also made it to Kotak Private Banking Hurun’s list of leading wealthy women, with a net worth of Rs 920 crore. Beyond business, Sanjeev is passionate about education and was one of the founding members of Ashoka University, a leading liberal arts institution in India.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani Net worth
In 2023, Sanjeev Bikhchandani's Net Worth is Rs 18,856 Crore. According to Forbes, his current net worth is 400 crores USD.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani wife
Sanjeev married his classmate Surabhi at IIM. He often acknowledged his wife, she always helped her in her tough times. She had a stable and well-paying job during the challenging early years of his entrepreneurial journey. Her income provided the financial backbone that helped the family navigate tough times while Sanjeev devoted himself to building his business. For over six years, he earned little to no salary, supplementing his income by taking on side jobs and teaching to make ends meet.
Lessons
Sanjeev's journey teaches us the value of persistence, risk-taking, and the support of loved ones. Despite facing financial hardships and an uncertain future, he stayed committed to his vision. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs to believe in their dreams and work relentlessly to turn them into reality.
From a small garage to a billion-dollar empire, Sanjeev Bikhchandani’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved with determination and hard work. His visionary leadership and dedication have not only revolutionised the job market in India but have also left an indelible mark on the startup ecosystem.
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