Introduction
In the world of Indian entrepreneurship, few names command as much respect and admiration as Sanjeev Bikhchandani, the founder of Naukri.com, India’s first and most popular job portal. From humble beginnings to building a multi-billion rupee empire, Bikhchandani’s story is a masterclass in vision, resilience, and innovation.
At a time when the internet was still new in India, Sanjeev saw an opportunity—he believed job seekers and recruiters could connect more efficiently online. This belief laid the foundation of Naukri.com in 1997, which would go on to revolutionize how Indians found employment and how companies hired talent.
Early Life and Education
Sanjeev Bikhchandani was born in 1964 in Delhi, India. He studied at St. Columba’s School and then graduated in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. After working for a few years, he pursued an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A)—one of the top business schools in India.
But unlike many of his peers who pursued corporate jobs and foreign placements, Sanjeev had entrepreneurship in his blood. He believed in creating something of his own, even if it meant taking risks and facing uncertainty.
Early Career and First Steps Toward Entrepreneurship
After his MBA, Sanjeev worked at HMM (now GlaxoSmithKline), selling Horlicks, but he left the job in 1990 to start his own venture. His first startup was a company that made pharmaceutical reports, followed by a business that provided training and education.
However, things didn’t scale the way he wanted. He and his business partner struggled for years, living off a modest income. Yet, Bikhchandani never gave up on his dream. The turning point came in 1996, when the internet was starting to enter India.
The Birth of Naukri.com
In 1997, with just ₹2,000 and from a small servant quarter in Delhi, Sanjeev Bikhchandani launched Naukri.com. At the time, India barely had any active internet users, and most people didn’t understand what a “job website” was.
The idea was simple but powerful: list jobs online and allow job seekers to search and apply.
Initially, he listed jobs from newspapers for free and monetized the site by charging recruiters and companies to post vacancies. Naukri.com soon began attracting traffic from all over India, especially among young professionals, students, and IT companies.
Info Edge – Building a Digital Empire
As Naukri.com gained popularity, Sanjeev formed Info Edge India Ltd., a holding company that would manage the portal. Over time, Info Edge diversified into other ventures:
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99acres.com – A real estate portal
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Jeevansathi.com – A matrimonial website
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Shiksha.com – An education portal
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Early investor in Zomato and Policybazaar
Info Edge was listed on the Indian stock exchange in 2006, making it one of the first internet companies in India to go public. Today, Info Edge is worth billions, and Bikhchandani is one of India’s most successful and respected entrepreneurs.
Key Achievements
✅ Founder of India’s first internet unicorn
✅ Padma Shri awardee (2020) for his contribution to trade and industry
✅ Ranked among India’s top entrepreneurs and thought leaders
✅ Early investor in Zomato (which went public in 2021)
✅ Built a legacy through ethical business practices and long-term thinking
Challenges and Failures
Sanjeev’s path wasn’t always smooth. In the early days:
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He lived frugally, with almost no salary for years
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He had no big funding or VC backup initially
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Many mocked the idea of online job portals
But his belief in the power of the internet, combined with relentless effort and patience, helped him push through. He once said, “Entrepreneurship is about delayed gratification.”
Values and Vision
What sets Sanjeev apart is his ethical approach to business. He believes in:
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Building long-term trust with users
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Fair hiring practices
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Employee-friendly policies
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Investing in ventures that solve real-world problems
He often speaks at IIMs, IITs, startup events, and TEDx conferences, inspiring young entrepreneurs to focus on sustainable, purpose-driven growth rather than chasing quick profits.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani in 2025: What’s He Up To Now?
In 2025, Sanjeev Bikhchandani continues to be a mentor, investor, and thought leader. His work is focused on:
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Mentoring new startups in education, healthtech, and job creation
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Backing purpose-driven founders through Info Edge Ventures
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Promoting digital India and job opportunities for youth
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Advocating for ethical AI, privacy, and data protection in tech platforms
Despite being a billionaire, he lives a modest life, and his interviews often reflect humility and wisdom.
Lessons from Sanjeev Bikhchandani's Journey
🔥 Start small, think big – Even ₹2000 can launch a billion-dollar idea
🔥 Focus on value creation, not valuation
🔥 Success takes time – It took 10+ years for Naukri to become big
🔥 Be ethical – Do business the right way
🔥 Invest back in society – Support education, jobs, and innovation
Quotes That Define Sanjeev Bikhchandani
“If you do the right thing for long enough, the money will come.”
“Great companies are not built on money, but on vision and people.”
“Being an entrepreneur is about solving real problems, not just making money.”
Conclusion
Sanjeev Bikhchandani is not just an entrepreneur—he’s a symbol of India’s digital transformation, a champion of ethical business, and a mentor to the next generation of dreamers.
In a world of startup hype and overnight success, his story reminds us that real impact takes time, courage, and values. For anyone aspiring to build something meaningful, Sanjeev’s journey is the perfect blueprint
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