This episode provides a deep dive into the journey of Persistent Systems, from its humble beginnings to becoming a global technology powerhouse.

Anand Deshpande shares insights on company growth, leadership transitions, and the importance of adapting to market changes. His perspectives on entrepreneurship, technology trends, and social impact offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike.

Key Topics:

Persistent’s growth journey and evolution through multiple business orbits
Entrepreneurship challenges, scaling strategies, and leadership transitions
Technology trends, including the impact of AI on the IT industry
Social impact initiatives and philanthropic efforts
Global expansion and understanding international markets

Timestamps

00:03:18 - Early life

00:06:55 - IIT Kharagpur experience

00:09:59 - US education and work

00:19:34 - Founding Persistent Systems

00:26:29 - Indian IT challenges in 1990

00:32:00 - Business model evolution

00:35:25 - Persistent’s S orbits

00:39:46 - Transition from ‘My’ to ‘Our’ company

00:56:18 - VC funding and IPO

01:01:42 - Philanthropic initiatives

01:08:16 - Research projects

01:14:12 - AI impact on IT

01:16:36 - Rapid-fire questions

S3 E05 | How Anand Deshpande Built a $9 Billion Powerhouse: The Persistent Systems Story