Infosys is one of India’s most successful IT outsourcing organizations, with a presence in over 50 countries. But the company’s remarkable growth story began in 1981 with the founding of seven software professionals from Karnataka, India.

The seven founders were Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, Ashok Arora, N.S. Raghavan, S.D. Shibulal, K.D. Shibulal, and Srinath Batni. All seven had experience in the IT industry and sought to launch a software services business in India. They established Infosys on July 2, 1981, with Narayana Murthy as its CEO and Nandan Nilekani as its CFO. Initially, they planned to focus on software development and consulting services, but soon they realized the potential of technology to revolutionize the way businesses are run. 

Their journey began with a modest initial capital of US$250, which they pooled together from their personal savings and borrowed from friends and relatives. With this, they set up their first office in Pune, India, and began operations as Infosys Consultants Private Limited.

The founders sought to build a business model that leveraged the power of technology to create value for customers. The company’s first project was a software development project for a Canadian company. This was followed by more projects from companies in the US and Europe.

The company grew rapidly, expanding to three cities in India in just three years. By 1996, Infosys had become a publicly-listed company and had a presence in over 20 countries.

Today, Infosys is a global leader in technology services and consulting. It is one of the largest employers in India, with over 220,000 employees worldwide. The company has become a symbol of success for the Indian IT industry and is credited with transforming India’s economy.

The success of Infosys is largely due to the visionary leadership of its founders. Narayana Murthy was the company’s first Chairman and CEO, and he is credited with creating a culture of excellence and ethics. Nandan Nilekani, the second Chairman and CEO, was instrumental in taking Infosys to the public markets and expanding its international footprint.

The company’s success is also attributed to the innovative and customer-centric approach of its founders. They believed that technology should be used to enable customers to achieve their business objectives. This mantra continues to drive the company’s success today.

The story of Infosys is a remarkable one, and it is a testament to the vision of its seven founders. The company has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and it is an inspiration to all entrepreneurs.