Summary

Sanjeev Bikhchandani, born in Delhi, India, is the founder of Info Edge (India), the company that owns portals for job search (Naukri.com), matrimony (Jeevansathi.com), real estate (99acres.com) and education (Shiksha.com). He is one of India's pioneering internet entrepreneurs and a key figure in the country's digital transformation story.

After graduating in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi and earning an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, Bikhchandani started his career in marketing at HMM (now GlaxoSmithKline). He left his job in 1990 to pursue entrepreneurship. In 1997, he founded Naukri.com, India's first online job portal, revolutionising the country's job search and recruitment landscape.

Over the years, Info Edge has diversified into other verticals and become one of India's most successful publicly listed internet companies. Sanjeev Bikhchandani has also been an early-stage investor in several successful startups, including Zomato and Policybazaar, further cementing his reputation as a visionary in India's startup ecosystem.

Personal Information

Major Events Timeline

• In 1990, Bikhchandi quit his corporate job to start a company that focused on salary surveys and job listings.
• In 1997, He launched Naukri.com, India's first online job portal.
• In 2006, Info Edge’s IPo was listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
• In 2008-2010s, Bikhchandani invested in Zomato, Policybazaar and other startups.
• In 2020, The Padma Shri was conferred on him for his outstanding contributions to trade and industry.
• In 2021, Info Edge's investment arm crossed ₹10,000cr in portfolio value.

Challenges & Controversies

Sanjeev Bikhchandani has maintained a relatively controversy-free public image throughout his career. However, as a prominent investor, some of Info Edge's portfolio companies, including Zomato and Policybazaar, have occasionally been subjected to media scrutiny for governance-related issues and valuation concerns. In 2023, Info Edge faced investor questions over its write-off of investments in a few startups, including 4B Networks. The company responded by enhancing its due diligence processes and reaffirming its commitment to long-term, value-based investing.