SparX by Mukesh Bansal

How Ajai Chowdhry Co-Founded HCL and Shaped India’s Tech Industry

Mar 10, 2025

Ajai Chowdhry, co-founder of HCL Technologies and author of "Just Aspire," shares his inspiring journey through India's tech landscape. He reflects on HCL's pioneering achievements and recruitment innovations that set the company apart. Ajai details the company's strategic shift from hardware to software and impactful acquisitions, including a tense outbid during the Beijing Olympics. He emphasizes the importance of aspiration for success and advocates for India’s need for an indigenous semiconductor industry to achieve technological autonomy.

01:21:59

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Episode guests

Ajai Chowdhry

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

HCL's founding story illustrates the power of perseverance and innovative sales strategies in overcoming regulatory challenges and skepticism.

The partnership with Nokia exemplified HCL's ability to understand market needs, resulting in a significant reduction in mobile phone prices and increased sales.

Ajai Chowdhry emphasizes the importance of cultivating ambition and a risk-taking culture to foster innovation and inspire future entrepreneurs in India.

Deep dives

Founding HCL and the Early Days

The founding of HCL in 1976 marked a pivotal moment in India's tech landscape, arising during a time when the country had a mere 100 computers for its vast population. The initial group behind HCL sought to create their own computing solutions after experiencing challenges with the DCM data products company. They faced regulatory hurdles in acquiring a manufacturing license but innovatively pivoted to a marketing strategy that involved selling calculators before gradually moving towards their core vision of computer manufacturing. This tenacity laid the groundwork for HCL to emerge as one of India's first computer companies amidst a backdrop of skepticism and limited resources.

Intro

2min

An Unusual Childhood Companion: The Story of a Tiger Cub

2min

From Dinner Table to Startup Table

9min

Innovative Recruitment and Strategic Evolution at HCL

22min

Tech Acquisitions and Sales Innovations

8min

A Bold Acquisition at the Beijing Olympics

2min

Aspiration and Technological Autonomy

23min

We are back with Ajai Chowdhry as he launches his latest book, 'Just Aspire', a thought-provoking account of his entrepreneurial journey and insights on technology, innovation, and the future. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of HCL's rise to success, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a global IT leader. Join us as we explore HCL's pioneering achievements, its impact on Indian computing, and Ajai Chowdhry's vision for the future of technology in India.

Resource list -

Just Aspire by Ajai Chowdry - https://amzn.in/d/2c7uXE7

The HCL story - https://hcl.com/hcl-story/

HCL’s first computer - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/story-hcl-8c-first-personal-computer-india-rama-ayyar?utm_source=share&utm_medium=guest_desktop&utm_campaign=copy

What is Unix? - https://www.hpc.iastate.edu/guides/unix-introduction

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix

HCL’s collaboration with Nokia - https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2018/06/21/nokia-signs-five-year-global-it-infrastructure-and-application-services-deal-with-hcl-technologies/#:~:text=%22This%20expansion%20of%20the%20HCL,of%20key%20IT%20systems%20&%20processes.&text=We%20create%20the%20technology%20to,of%20products%2C%20services%20and%20licensing.

https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/how-hcl-nokia-partnership-made-mobile-phones-affordable-for-indians-in-the-1990s/1517817/