Hello Rodinhooders! One common misconception in India is that only people from elite institutions, such as IITs and/or IIMs make it big in starting up. Even Alok had raised a point related to this and spoken about IIEs via his blog. A general perception is that most top entrepreneurs in India are from these institutes only. What’s more, a trend that has been observed these days is that VCs who invest in India companies (most, not all) fund entrepreneurs that have degrees from IIT, IIM, etc.
But have a look at these companies… What is common between these companies?
Games2Win (No wonder Alok tops the list)
Hungama
Ideacts Innovations
Indiagames
Bookmyshow
CarTrade
Directi
Freecharge.in
Freecultr
Freshdesk
Twist Mobile
Via
Innoz
Nazara
Pinstorm
ScaleArc
Vserv.Mobi
These are some of the best technology/web companies in India who have done great work even though their founder did their graduation (if they actually did :P) from non “elite” universities.
All these companies (all of them hugely successful) were founded by entrepreneurs in India who made it big without going to IIT’s or IIM’s. I just thought to share this list of India’s top Entrepreneur’s and their educational background.
Amazingly, majority of them are from Bombay, and 5 of them were from Sydenham College and nearly 60% of them were not Engineers.
Please do go through it and share your thoughts about the same 🙂
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Most teenagers in India dream of getting into an IIT and/or IIM. Of lakhs of young Indians, who sit for the entrance exams, only a few hundred make it to these institutions. In addition to IIT, IIMs, the likes of BITS-Pilani and NIFT are popular too. While a plush job after graduation is one reason for this immense popularity, another reason is an ideal atmosphere that encourages entrepreneurship in India. A general perception is that most top entrepreneurs in India are from these top institutes.
What’s more, a trend that has been observed these days is that it is easier for someone from an IIT or an IIM to get funding for their entrepreneurial dreams. The current startup ecosystem is dotted with success stories of top entrepreneurs who graduated from either an IIM, IIT, BITS and the likes. Nevertheless, as we said, there is a general perception unless you are an IIT/IIM alumni, it is tough to be a successful entrepreneur. We have now drawn up a list of top entrepreneurs in India who have not been to any of these top institutes yet have gone on to create some wonderful companies.
Here is a list of top entrepreneurs in India who were successful without attending an IIT or an IIM:
* In alphabetical order
ALOK KEJRIWAL
Sydenham College, Campion School
Alok Kejriwal is a top serial entrepreneur from India who made his name with the Contests2Win companies, especially Games2Win, which comScore rates as one of the top 20 online gaming businesses in the world. The site has hundreds of games and gets over 15 million unique users each month. A typical Mumbai boy, Kejriwal’s alma mater consists of the Campion School in Colaba and the Sydenham College. While The Walt Disney Company has acquired Mobile2win China, he now acts as a mentor for many startups and has launched a community for budding entrepreneurs – Rodin Hoods.
For the rest of the article, visit their site : https://www.sumhr.com/top-entrepreneurs-india/
We are sure you enjoyed reading this list about the top entrepreneurs in India. There are hundreds of budding entrepreneurs in India (a majority of them wannabepreneurs) who haven’t been to a top institute like an IIT or an IIM or XLRI or the ISB. This list also tries to serve as an inspiration for these promising entrepreneurs who can take a cue from the top Indian entrepreneurs above.
Being a startup that serves other startups and small businesses, sumHR closely interacts with various important stakeholders of the Indian startup ecosystem including VCs, most of whom are positive about mentoring startups and entrepreneurs from non-IIT or non-IIM backgrounds. The perception of startups in India as a whole is changing and various platforms are emerging for just about anyone who has a good business idea, regardless of the educational institute he/she has studied (or dropped out).
Please, feel free to use the comment section to add any top Indian entrepreneur that you feel has scaled up and succeeded without going to a top education institute such as IIT, IIM, ISB, etc.
PS: Like these guys, the sumHR team too is composed of non-IIT and non-IIM guys. And yes, they aim to get into this list someday. 
asha chaudhry
hi murtaza,
would like to bring to your notice, alok tops the list because the entrepreneurs have been featured in alphabetical order (it’s mentioned there)
🙂
Murtaza Amin
thats just a mere co incidence.
Chinmay Shankar
Hi Murtaza,
I think there are two reasons,
1)Our traditional Indian middle class family setup, where getting good marks >>getting good college>>getting good job is all that matters.(and yes in that order only;)). And there are very few institution(s) in India which can light and maintain that spark of entrepreneurial energy.If someone gets into these elite institutions, at least it becomes easier for him/her to approach people.(told ya!the revered tag!)
2)Our mindset.As a nation of fragmented society of different class, creed and religion, we are always with this feeling that sedentary work(like a sahib) is what matters in one’s life.Entrepreneurship defies this notion.So opting for entrepreneurship simply invites scoffing views that you are no special from the crowd and you are simply opting for it for you have not proven yourself as per the point 1.
But when a person who is from elite college takes the decision to set up his/her own venture, he/she is revered for the similar decision…why??
Again the tag works…;)
Murtaza Amin
those days are gone long back, times have changed, I know /have worked under people who have nothing but brians. no fancy degree’s.
its all about what you are, and what you can do.