From One Room to Billions: How a ₹10,000 Piggy Bank Sparked a Business Empire
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Narayana Murthy ’s 79th birthday on August 20, 2025, celebrates a legacy that transformed a ₹10,000 investment into Infosys , a ₹981.66 billion IT giant. His Global Delivery Model, compassionate capitalism, and philanthropy have left an indelible mark on India’s IT sector. Despite controversies, Murthy’s vision continues to inspire, with Infosys driving innovation and growth.
Born on August 20, 1946, in Shidlaghatta, Karnataka, Narayana Murthy’s journey began with humble roots. After earning a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Mysore and a master’s from IIT Kanpur, he worked as a chief systems programmer at IIM Ahmedabad and later at Patni Computer Systems in Pune. A pivotal moment in 1974—being arrested and expelled from a Yugoslav-Bulgarian border town during the communist era—transformed his worldview, turning him from a “confused leftist” into a “compassionate capitalist.”
In 1981, Murthy, along with six co-founders—Nandan Nilekani, Kris Gopalakrishnan, S.D. Shibulal, K. Dinesh, N.S. Raghavan and Ashok Arora—founded Infosys with an initial capital of ₹10,000, provided by his wife, Sudha Murty . Murthy’s vision was to create a globally competitive IT services firm, leveraging India’s talent pool. He pioneered the Global Delivery Model, enabling cost-effective offshore software development, which became a cornerstone of India’s IT outsourcing industry.
From its incorporation as Infosys Consultants Private Limited in Pune on July 2, 1981, to its relocation to Bengaluru in 1983, Infosys grew rapidly post-India’s 1991 economic liberalization. The company’s initial public offering (IPO) in February 1993, priced at ₹95 per share, was undersubscribed but rescued by Morgan Stanley’s 13% equity stake, with shares opening at ₹145. By August 2025, Infosys’ market capitalization reached ₹981.66 billion, reflecting a staggering growth trajectory.
Key Milestones:
Today, Infosys is a global leader in IT consulting and outsourcing, serving clients across banking, healthcare, and retail, with a workforce of over 300,000 and a presence in 46 countries. Its Q1 FY26 revenue reached ₹43,147 crore, driven by digital transformation deals and AI-driven services.
Murthy’s contributions extend beyond Infosys. He has served on boards like HSBC, DBS Bank, Unilever, and ICICI, and advised institutions like Cornell University, INSEAD, and the Public Health Foundation of India. His philanthropy, alongside Sudha Murty’s leadership of the Infosys Foundation, has supported education and healthcare initiatives. In 2011, he was named among Fortune’s “12 greatest entrepreneurs,” and his net worth, estimated at $5 billion in January 2025, reflects his enduring success.
However, Murthy has faced criticism:
Murthy’s wife, Sudha Murty, an author, educator, and philanthropist, played a pivotal role by providing the initial ₹10,000 for Infosys. Their children, Rohan and Akshata, have carved their paths. Rohan, who briefly served as an executive assistant at Infosys in 2013–14, founded Soroco, an enterprise software firm. Akshata, married to former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, holds a 0.93% stake in Infosys, valued at over ₹3,000 crore. In March 2024, Murthy gifted 1.5 million Infosys shares worth ₹240 crore to his grandson, Ekagrah Rohan Murty, making him India’s youngest millionaire.
Murthy’s Catamaran Ventures, managing $1 billion in assets, plans to double investments by 2030, focusing on deep tech, manufacturing, and renewables, signaling his continued influence in India’s business ecosystem.
Infosys’ growth has been instrumental in positioning India as a global IT hub, competing with TCS, Wipro, and HCL Technologies. Its market cap, second only to TCS’s $12.85 trillion, underscores its dominance. Posts on X reflect admiration for Murthy’s vision but also highlight employee concerns, such as stagnant salaries and excessive workloads, as noted in a viral post by a former employee in January 2025. The missed opportunity for IISc and IIT Kanpur to accept Infosys shares in the 1990s, potentially worth ₹6,000 crore today, has also sparked discussions.
Infosys’ stock performance remains robust, with a 7.5% slide in 2024 quickly recovering after strong Q1 FY26 results. Analysts view Infosys as a stable long-term investment, with its focus on AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation. Investors should monitor:
Disclaimer: Stock investments carry risks. This article is for informational purposes only.
Narayana Murthy: The Architect of Infosys
Born on August 20, 1946, in Shidlaghatta, Karnataka, Narayana Murthy’s journey began with humble roots. After earning a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Mysore and a master’s from IIT Kanpur, he worked as a chief systems programmer at IIM Ahmedabad and later at Patni Computer Systems in Pune. A pivotal moment in 1974—being arrested and expelled from a Yugoslav-Bulgarian border town during the communist era—transformed his worldview, turning him from a “confused leftist” into a “compassionate capitalist.”
In 1981, Murthy, along with six co-founders—Nandan Nilekani, Kris Gopalakrishnan, S.D. Shibulal, K. Dinesh, N.S. Raghavan and Ashok Arora—founded Infosys with an initial capital of ₹10,000, provided by his wife, Sudha Murty . Murthy’s vision was to create a globally competitive IT services firm, leveraging India’s talent pool. He pioneered the Global Delivery Model, enabling cost-effective offshore software development, which became a cornerstone of India’s IT outsourcing industry.
Infosys’ Meteoric Rise
From its incorporation as Infosys Consultants Private Limited in Pune on July 2, 1981, to its relocation to Bengaluru in 1983, Infosys grew rapidly post-India’s 1991 economic liberalization. The company’s initial public offering (IPO) in February 1993, priced at ₹95 per share, was undersubscribed but rescued by Morgan Stanley’s 13% equity stake, with shares opening at ₹145. By August 2025, Infosys’ market capitalization reached ₹981.66 billion, reflecting a staggering growth trajectory.
Key Milestones:
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- 1980s: Brief foray into hardware (e.g., electronic telex machines) before focusing on software services.
- 1999: Became the first Indian company listed on NASDAQ, elevating India’s global IT profile.
- 2002–2011: Murthy served as chairman after 21 years as CEO, with Nandan Nilekani succeeding him.
- 2013–2014: Murthy returned as executive chairman, stabilizing the company during a leadership transition.
- 2025: Infosys reported an 8.7% rise in Q1 FY26 net profit to ₹6,506 crore, with an interim dividend of ₹21 per share, reinforcing its financial strength.
Today, Infosys is a global leader in IT consulting and outsourcing, serving clients across banking, healthcare, and retail, with a workforce of over 300,000 and a presence in 46 countries. Its Q1 FY26 revenue reached ₹43,147 crore, driven by digital transformation deals and AI-driven services.
Murthy’s Legacy and Controversies
Murthy’s contributions extend beyond Infosys. He has served on boards like HSBC, DBS Bank, Unilever, and ICICI, and advised institutions like Cornell University, INSEAD, and the Public Health Foundation of India. His philanthropy, alongside Sudha Murty’s leadership of the Infosys Foundation, has supported education and healthcare initiatives. In 2011, he was named among Fortune’s “12 greatest entrepreneurs,” and his net worth, estimated at $5 billion in January 2025, reflects his enduring success.
However, Murthy has faced criticism:
- 70-Hour Workweek Advocacy: In 2023 and 2025, his call for young Indians to work 70 hours a week to boost productivity sparked debate, with supporters like Ola’s Bhavish Aggarwal backing him, while others criticized it as unrealistic.
- Corporate Governance Concerns: In 2017, Murthy raised issues about alleged governance lapses at Infosys, leading to CEO Vishal Sikka’s resignation and Nandan Nilekani’s return as non-executive chairman. The company denied the claims, but the episode highlighted Murthy’s influence.
- Shareholder Criticism: Some X posts have accused Murthy of undervaluing co-founders’ stakes during Infosys’ early years, though these claims lack substantiation.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Murthy’s wife, Sudha Murty, an author, educator, and philanthropist, played a pivotal role by providing the initial ₹10,000 for Infosys. Their children, Rohan and Akshata, have carved their paths. Rohan, who briefly served as an executive assistant at Infosys in 2013–14, founded Soroco, an enterprise software firm. Akshata, married to former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, holds a 0.93% stake in Infosys, valued at over ₹3,000 crore. In March 2024, Murthy gifted 1.5 million Infosys shares worth ₹240 crore to his grandson, Ekagrah Rohan Murty, making him India’s youngest millionaire.
Murthy’s Catamaran Ventures, managing $1 billion in assets, plans to double investments by 2030, focusing on deep tech, manufacturing, and renewables, signaling his continued influence in India’s business ecosystem.
Industry Impact and Sentiment
Infosys’ growth has been instrumental in positioning India as a global IT hub, competing with TCS, Wipro, and HCL Technologies. Its market cap, second only to TCS’s $12.85 trillion, underscores its dominance. Posts on X reflect admiration for Murthy’s vision but also highlight employee concerns, such as stagnant salaries and excessive workloads, as noted in a viral post by a former employee in January 2025. The missed opportunity for IISc and IIT Kanpur to accept Infosys shares in the 1990s, potentially worth ₹6,000 crore today, has also sparked discussions.
Investment and Future Outlook
Infosys’ stock performance remains robust, with a 7.5% slide in 2024 quickly recovering after strong Q1 FY26 results. Analysts view Infosys as a stable long-term investment, with its focus on AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation. Investors should monitor:
- Growth Drivers: Large deal wins ($4.56 billion in Q4 FY24) and AI-driven services.
- Risks: Global economic slowdown, US visa scrutiny (e.g., 2011 allegations), and high valuations (P/E of 25.6 in March 2025).
- Strategy: Hold for long-term gains, with a stop-loss at ₹1,550–₹1,600. New investors may enter on dips around ₹1,500, consulting advisors.
Disclaimer: Stock investments carry risks. This article is for informational purposes only.
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