Cofounder of Syntel and One of America’s Wealthiest Women in Tech
Building Syntel from the Ground Up
Neerja Sethi is a technology entrepreneur who co-founded Syntel, a pioneering IT consulting and outsourcing firm, alongside her husband Bharat Desai in 1980.
The couple started the business with just $2,000 from their apartment in Troy, Michigan, aiming to replicate the success of Tata Consultancy Services, where they had both worked.
The Billion-Dollar Acquisition
Sethi played a critical role in growing Syntel into a global IT powerhouse, providing technology solutions to Fortune 500 companies.
After nearly four decades of success, the company was acquired by French IT giant Atos SE for $3.4 billion in 2018. Sethi personally received an estimated $510 million for her stake in the company.
Stepping Away from the Industry
After the acquisition, Sethi chose not to join Atos, marking the end of her executive journey at Syntel.
However, her contributions to the IT services industry, particularly in outsourcing and business process automation, remain a significant part of her legacy.
Conclusion
As one of America’s most successful female entrepreneurs in tech, Neerja Sethi’s story is an inspiration—from humble beginnings to a multi-billion-dollar exit.
Her vision, leadership, and strategic foresight helped shape the global IT services industry, paving the way for future innovators in technology and outsourcing.