Entrepreneurial Brilliance
In the vast global landscape of technological innovation and entrepreneurial acumen, Indian expatriates stand out as a testament to the power of vision, determination, courage and the limitless possibilities for startups. Although many expatriates find jobs or go on deputation overseas through multinationals, a distinctive phenomenon has been the increasing number of expatriates becoming entrepreneurs in their host countries. Research indicates that in many countries, immigrants are as entrepreneurial as natives. While self-employment is higher among the foreign-born in many developed economies, the majority of the countries surveyed showed a higher entrepreneurial activity among first-generation immigrants than among natives.
From a humble beginning to the pinnacle of success, Bharat Desai's journey showed his innate entrepreneurial acumen. After his education at the IIT-Bombay, he joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT firm. However, his ambition and entrepreneurial spirit made him seek a different path. In 1976, he moved to the US, where he joined TCS as a programmer. The career at TCS would later lay the foundation for his groundbreaking entrepreneurial venture.
During his early days in the US, he met Neerja Sethi, whom he married later and together began their entrepreneurial journey. Neerja, born in India in 1955, graduated in Mathematics from Delhi University. She pursued an MBA in Operation Research. She later pursued a Master’s in Computer Science from Oakland University, US, setting the stage for her future success in the IT industry. In 1980, equipped with determination and a modest investment, Neerja and Bharat co-founded Syntel, Inc. in Michigan, US. But little did they know at the time that the humble beginning would pave the way for a huge IT company that would pioneer the IT consulting and outsourcing industry. They pooled their resources and invested a small amount of money to set up a business in their own apartment, marking the inception of Syntel in 1980. Within a short span of time the startup achieved extraordinary success in the world of information technology and consulting.
Syntel, Inc. garnered only modest profit in its first year of operations. Undeterred by the slow growth, Bharat propelled his company to greater profitability through strategic planning, dedication and business acumen. Over the years, serving as Syntel's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder, he steered the company successfully towards innovation and client satisfaction. Recounting his early days of his company, he attributed the success of Syntel to both Neerja and his dedication, hardwork and the company's ability to adapt to changing market dynamics, adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and timely delivery of exceptional services.
Syntel, Inc. hit a high growth trajectory within years after inception, carving out a niche as a global leader in the IT sector. Bharat and Neerja Sethi’s business acumen and commitment to excellence forged Syntel forward. Despite the huge success, the couple remained steadfast in their pursuit of innovation and growth, fueling their desire to create an enduring impact on the business landscape. Eventually, the couple's efforts culminated in a historic achievement when Syntel was acquired by Atos in 2018 for $3.4 billion, thus solidifying its status as a major player in the global IT industry. The acquisition helped Atos expand its presence in North America and improve its profitability. The couple held a 57% stake in the company and reportedly received nearly $2 billion from the sale.
Syntel, Inc.
Syntel, Inc., under the Atos management, provides IT and outsourcing consulting services for management, development and maintenance of business applications. It operates its business under four segments: Application Outsourcing, Knowledge Process Outsourcing, e-Business, and TeamSourcing. The Application Outsourcing segment is engaged in offering outsourcing services for ongoing management, development and maintenance of customer's business applications. The Knowledge Process Outsourcing segment operates as a outsourced solutions provider for a customer's business processes, providing it with the process enhancement through state-of-the-art technology. The e-Business segment is engaged in development and implementation services for a large number of emerging and growing technology applications, including Web Development, Data Warehousing, e-Commerce, CRM, Oracle, and SAP. Also, it offers services in the area of partnership agreements with software providers. And the TeamSourcing segment offers professional information technology consulting services to customers on a staff-augmentation basis. Its services include systems specification, design, development, implementation, and maintenance of complex information technology applications involving diverse computer hardware, software, data and networking technologies and practices.
Philanthropy
Bharat and Neerja have been focused on philanthropy through The Desai Sethi Foundation (DSF). It aims to improve the well-being of marginalized individuals by promoting education, entrepreneurship and wellness.
The couple has financially supported Princeton, Harvard, and Michigan Universities. Through the DSF they have been assisting young children in the Miami and Florida City area, particularly those from underprivileged families, or orphanages suffering from developmental disorders. The couple also has extended the DSF's operations to India by offering support to various organizations. They have been funding the American India Foundation, a US-based non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing social and economic transformation in India. Moreover, they have provided support to organizations, such as the IIT-Bombay Heritage Foundation, South Asian Youth Action, Friends of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, and Indiaspora, with the aim to foster community engagement and assist underprivileged Indian Americans.
(Photo: Courtesy Company Site)
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