Dr. Ajai Chowdhry is a towering figure and one of the six founder members of HCL, an executive whose vision helped lay the foundation for the entire Indian IT industry. His career, spanning over four decades, is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial ambition, having grown HCL into an over $10 billion global enterprise. He is a passionate advocate for "IT for the masses" and continues to drive the national agenda on technology access and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Chowdhry was a key force in HCL’s growth, leading the foundation of its overseas operations in the 1980s. As Chairman of HCL Infosystems in the late 90s, his leadership propelled the company's turnover from $89 million to a remarkable $2.6 billion, establishing it as the country’s information-enabling powerhouse. This success earned him recognition as one of “India Inc’s Most Powerful CEOs” by The Economic Times. He is a highly decorated leader, conferred with the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.
Beyond his executive roles, Dr. Chowdhry has been relentlessly driving a vision of “IT for the masses,” serving on several government committees to take PC and broadband access to every village in India. He is currently the Chairman of the Electronics Sector Skills Council and the FICCI Start up Committee. His commitment to education and social change is further demonstrated by his role as Chairman for IIT Hyderabad and IIT-Patna and the charitable trust ‘Swayam’, which provides education support to deserving children. As a speaker, Dr. Chowdhry draws on his in-depth experience and gifted sense of entrepreneurship to motivate and mentor the next generation of business leaders. He provides essential insights on innovation, digital transformation, and business strategy for a rapidly evolving market. His presentations are a masterclass in building global enterprises, managing large-scale growth, and giving back to society through social initiatives like providing solar power to villages.
