This Sanjeev Bikhchandani biography delves into his early life, education, career milestones, achievements, and personal life, highlighting the success story of a man who redefined the Indian tech industry.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani Biography
Sanjeev Bikhchandani is a renowned Indian entrepreneur best known as the founder and executive vice chairman of Info Edge, the parent company of several successful platforms, including Naukri.com, Jeevansathi.com, 99acres.com, and Shiksha.com. Born and raised in New Delhi, he completed his education at St. Columba’s School, followed by a BA in Economics from St. Stephen’s College and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. After brief stints in advertising and marketing, he left a stable job at Hindustan Milkfood Manufacturers (now GlaxoSmithKline) to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams.
In 1997, Bikhchandani launched Naukri.com, India’s first online job portal, from a small office space with minimal capital. Over the years, Info Edge expanded its portfolio to include real estate, matrimony, and education platforms while also investing in startups like Zomato and Policybazaar. Today, Info Edge is a conglomerate with a market capitalization exceeding ₹59,000 crore.
Bikhchandani’s contributions to entrepreneurship have earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2020 and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2008. Beyond business, he is deeply involved in philanthropy and education as a co-founder of Ashoka University and a supporter of various non-profit initiatives. His journey from bootstrapping to building one of India’s most prominent internet companies continues to inspire budding entrepreneurs nationwide.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani awarded The Padma Shri by the President of India
Early Life and Education
Born and brought up in New Delhi, Sanjeev Bikhchandani was destined for greatness. He attended St. Columba’s School, where he laid the foundation for his academic excellence. Later, he pursued a BA in Economics at the prestigious St. Stephen’s College, part of Delhi University, graduating in 1981. His thirst for knowledge and passion for business led him to enroll at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) in 1987, where he earned his MBA in 1989.
Sanjeev’s alma maters—St. Stephen’s College and IIM Ahmedabad—later honored him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship and society. These institutions played a pivotal role in shaping his vision and leadership skills, which would later drive his success.
Career Beginnings
After completing his MBA, Sanjeev began his professional journey as an account executive at Lintas India (now MullenLowe Lintas Group). He later joined Hindustan Milkfood Manufacturers (HMM), now known as GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare India, where he worked as a product executive marketing Horlicks. Despite having a stable corporate career, Sanjeev felt unfulfilled and longed to create something impactful on his own.
In 1990, driven by entrepreneurial ambition, he quit his job to start his own ventures. His first venture was Indmark, which specialized in pharmaceutical trademarks. Soon after, he co-founded Info Edge with a focus on salary surveys and reports for companies. By 1993, Sanjeev took full ownership of Info Edge, laying the groundwork for what would become one of India’s most successful internet companies.
Founding Info Edge and Naukri.com
The turning point in Sanjeev’s career came in 1995 when he officially launched Info Edge India Ltd. Two years later, in 1997, he introduced Naukri.com, India’s first online job portal. At the time, internet penetration in India was minimal, but Sanjeev saw immense potential in leveraging technology to simplify recruitment processes.
Naukri.com quickly gained traction due to its innovative approach to connecting job seekers with employers. The platform became synonymous with online recruitment in India, revolutionizing how people searched for jobs. Today, Naukri.com is not only the flagship product of Info Edge but also one of the largest job portals in India.
Under Sanjeev’s leadership as the executive vice chairman, Info Edge expanded its portfolio to include other classified sites such as:
99acres.com: A real estate platform connecting buyers and sellers.
Jeevansathi.com: A matrimony site helping individuals find life partners.
Shiksha.com: An education platform guiding students on academic choices.
Info Edge also made strategic investments in startups like:
Policybazaar: A leading insurance aggregator.
Zomato: A global food delivery and restaurant discovery platform founded by Deepinder Goyal.
These investments showcased Sanjeev’s foresight in identifying high-growth opportunities within India’s startup ecosystem.
India Award, Lifetime Achievement and Recognition
Sanjeev Bikhchandani has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to entrepreneurship and business innovation:
Padma Shri Award (2020): One of India’s highest civilian honors for his impact on Indian entrepreneurship.
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2008): Recognized for Business Transformation.
Dataquest Pathbreaker Award: Celebrating his pioneering efforts in the Indian tech industry.
Lifetime Achievement Award from Financial Express (2019) and other organizations.
Featured by leading publications like India Today, Business Today, and Forbes India, which ranked him among India’s richest entrepreneurs.
Sanjeev has also been honored by various institutions for his contributions to education and philanthropy. His work continues to inspire countless young entrepreneur across India.
Philanthropy and Contributions to Education
Beyond business success, Sanjeev Bikhchandani is deeply committed to philanthropy and education reform. He co-founded and serves as a trustee at Ashoka University, a liberal arts university that aims to transform higher education in India through interdisciplinary learning.
Sanjeev is also actively involved with industry organizations such as:
TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) Delhi-NCR chapter, where he served as President.
The Global Board of Trustees at TiE.
The Council of Management at the All India Management Association (India Management Association).
Through these roles, he mentors budding entrepreneurs and supports initiatives that drive innovation across industries.
Personal Life
Sanjeev is married to Surabhi Bikhchandani, who has been a constant source of support throughout his entrepreneurial journey. Together, they champion causes related to education and social development.
In interviews with publications like Outlook Magazine and Forbes India, Sanjeev often credits his family for their unwavering encouragement during challenging times.
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Legacy: Sanjeev Bikhchandani Biography
From being an ambitious young graduate from IIM Ahmedabad to becoming one of India’s most influential entrepreneurs, Sanjeev Bikhchandani’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. His ability to identify opportunities ahead of their time—whether it was launching Naukri.com during the early days of the internet or investing in startups like Zomato—has solidified his reputation as a visionary leader.
Today, Info Edge stands as a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, boasting a market capitalization exceeding ₹59,000 crore. As the driving force behind India’s largest classified sites empire, Sanjeev continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs with his success story.
Through strategic investments like those backed by ICICI Venture or SIDBI Fund for startups—and contributions to platforms like Ashoka University—Sanjeev has proven that entrepreneurship is not just about building businesses but also about creating lasting impact.
Conclusion: Sanjeev Bikhchandani Biography
Sanjeev Bikhchandani’s biography is more than just a story; it is an embodiment of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. From his early days at St. Stephen’s College and IIM Ahmedabad to receiving accolades like the Padma Shri Award and Lifetime Achievement Awards from organizations such as Financial Express, his journey has inspired countless individuals across industries.
As a consulting editor for various forums or a mentor through TiE Delhi-NCR chapter initiatives, Sanjeev remains committed to business growth and empowering others through education reform at Ashoka University or strategic investments like Policy bazaar.
Whether featured by Forbes India or celebrated by Business Today, his legacy continues shaping India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem while inspiring young entrepreneurs globally!
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