Meet Dinesh Agarwal, Who Founded His Company With ONLY Rs 40,000 Now Has Net Worth Of Over Rs 5,037 Crore

Indians are known for establishing their empire from scratch. You may have a chance encounter with those who can be a perfect example of the rags-to-riches story. In this success story, we will dive deep into the journey of Dinesh Agarwal, who is the founder and CEO of IndiaMart.

Success Story Of Dinesh Agarwal

In 1995, amidst Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's announcement of the internet's arrival in India, Dinesh Agarwal made a decision that reshaped his corporate career trajectory. Every man's wish is to achieve a height of success in their life, and Dinesh Agarwal has too. But, the risk he taken at that point of life, has paid off in the future.

Resigned When He Was On Top

Working with HCL in the United States at the time, Agarwal resigned from his job, a move not devoid of challenges. Amidst the burgeoning wave of the internet in India, he lacked a concrete plan for his next venture.

Foundation Of IndiaMart

However, leveraging the burgeoning internet revolution, Agarwal founded IndiaMart, which today has a market capitalization of over 17,244.01 billion rupees.

Dinesh Agarwal: Educational Qualification

Born on February 19, 1969, in Kanpur, Agarwal graduated in Computer Science from Harcourt Butler Technical University.

Dinesh Agarwal: Professional Career

His career journey encompassed stints at various companies, enriching him with valuable experiences. Starting from CMCL, Agarwal's stint included significant contributions, including the development of India's first railway reservation system. Later, he joined Tata's TCS after its acquisition of CMCL. During his tenure, Agarwal worked with Sam Pitroda's team at the Center for Development of Telematics, where he contributed to the creation of India's first digital telephone exchange.

Dinesh Agarwal: Career At HCL

In 1992, Agarwal joined HCL, where he witnessed the internet's growth in the United States. Recognizing the potential impact of the internet on the Indian masses, he returned to India in August 1995, accompanied by his wife and children.

IndiaMart: Hybrid Model

Inspired by the online offline hybrid model, IndiaMart flourished rapidly.

How Dinesh Agarwal Founded IndiaMart With Only Rs 40,000?

After returning to India, Agarwal realized the potential for creating a website for Indian exporters. Initially denied permission by the government, he improvised by creating a free listing form, which he distributed to all vendors. Thus, he obtained approval and made vendor information publicly available. This marked the birth of IndiaMart, initially capitalized with a mere investment of Rs 40,000.

New Chapter Of IndiaMart

Amidst the economic crisis of 2007-08, while the U.S. grappled with a severe economic downturn, Agarwal and his cousin, Brijesh, shifted IndiaMart's focus to India's B2B market. This strategic pivot catapulted IndiaMart into a leading position, bridging wholesale and retail vendors on a single platform. The company rapidly expanded, opening 52 offices within 52 weeks in 2010.

Dinesh Agarwal: Stake In Different Companies

As of March 31, 2024, Agarwal's stakes in nine companies exceed Rs 5,000 crores.