Meet man who left job in US, began his startup with Rs 40000, now owns empire worth Rs 187651000000, he is...

Dinesh Agarwal, the founder and CEO of IndiaMART, has played a key role in changing the way small businesses operate in India. His journey began in 1995 when he made a life-changing decision to quit his secure job at HCL in the USA and return to India. Instead of pursuing a comfortable career abroad, he chose to invest his time and energy into helping small businesses grow. With just Rs 40,000, he took the first step toward building something impactful.

In 1996, Dinesh, along with his brother Brijesh Agarwal, founded IndiaMART. Their goal was to connect Indian businesses with international markets. At that time, the internet was new in India, and most small businesses had no online presence. IndiaMART helped bridge this gap by providing a digital platform where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) could reach buyers worldwide.

Over the last two decades, IndiaMART has become India’s largest online marketplace, helping millions of small businesses expand their reach. However, the journey was not easy. Dinesh faced major challenges, including the 2001 economic slowdown after the 9/11 attacks, which led to a 40% decline in business, and the 2008 global recession. Despite these setbacks, he remained determined and successfully guided IndiaMART through tough times.

Dinesh is widely recognized for his contributions to India’s business ecosystem. He has actively worked to bring micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) online, making it easier for them to connect with customers and grow their businesses. Many industry associations and media houses have acknowledged his efforts in promoting digital business solutions.

Apart from IndiaMART, Dinesh Agarwal has contributed to India's technological advancements. He played a key role in developing India’s railway reservation system and worked at the Center for Development of Telematics, where he helped build India's digital telephone exchange.

His impact is not limited to India. On an international level, he has represented India’s e-commerce success at global platforms, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s eCommerce week.

Through his vision and leadership, Dinesh Agarwal has transformed the Indian SME landscape, helping businesses go digital and compete in the global market. His story is an inspiration for entrepreneurs who want to take bold steps and create meaningful change.