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.
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.