Famous Quote
“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong.”
Why #90
Murthy co-founded Infosys with $250 and created the Indian IT services industry — now a $250B+ sector employing millions. He proved Indian companies could build world-class technology businesses and set governance standards for an entire nation's corporate sector.
The Story
N.R. Narayana Murthy co-founded Infosys in 1981 with $250 borrowed from his wife and built it into one of the largest IT services companies in the world. Infosys pioneered the Global Delivery Model — using Indian software engineers to serve Western clients at a fraction of the cost — and in doing so created the Indian IT outsourcing industry that employs millions of people and generates $250B+ in annual revenue for India.
Murthy's significance extends beyond Infosys. He proved that Indian entrepreneurs could build world-class technology companies, paving the way for every Indian IT company that followed — TCS, Wipro, HCL, and Tech Mahindra. Infosys was one of the first Indian companies listed on NASDAQ, and its success inspired a generation of Indian engineers to believe they could build global technology businesses.
Known as the 'father of the Indian IT industry,' Murthy is also admired for his corporate governance standards. He insisted on transparency, ethical business practices, and sharing wealth with employees (Infosys' stock options created thousands of millionaires in India) at a time when Indian corporate governance was notoriously opaque.
Key Achievements
Co-founded Infosys (1981) with $250 — now worth $80B+
Pioneered the Global Delivery Model — created the IT outsourcing industry
Infosys was one of the first Indian companies listed on NASDAQ
Created thousands of millionaires through employee stock options
Called 'the father of the Indian IT industry'
Set new standards for corporate governance in India
By the Numbers
$18B+/yr
Infosys Revenue
$80B+
Infosys Market Cap
300,000+
Employees
$250 (borrowed)
Starting Capital
Fun Facts
He borrowed $250 from his wife Sudha Murthy to start Infosys — she was the family's primary earner.
He was a self-described socialist in his youth before a trip to Communist Eastern Europe convinced him that capitalism was better for reducing poverty.
His son-in-law is Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
He insisted that Infosys' campus in Bangalore look like a Western tech campus to attract global clients.
He still takes economy flights and drives a modest car despite his billions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the greatest entrepreneurs of all time?
The greatest entrepreneurs include Steve Jobs (Apple), Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Bill Gates (Microsoft), and Mark Zuckerberg (Meta). Each built companies that fundamentally changed how the world works — from personal computing and smartphones to e-commerce, cloud computing, and social media.
What makes someone a successful entrepreneur?
Successful entrepreneurs share several traits: the ability to identify unmet needs, willingness to take calculated risks, relentless execution, and resilience in the face of failure. They combine vision with practical problem-solving and are willing to persist long after most people would quit. Capital and credentials matter far less than most people think — resourcefulness beats resources.
Can you become an entrepreneur without a business degree?
Absolutely. Many of the greatest entrepreneurs had no business education. Steve Jobs dropped out of college. Richard Branson left school at 16. Sara Blakely was selling fax machines. Henry Ford had no formal engineering training. Jack Ma was an English teacher. What matters is not the degree — it is the ability to see an opportunity, build something people want, and persist through failure.
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