Co-founder of an IT behemoth, creator of the Unique Identity (UID) Aadhar in India, an author and an investor — there are many hats that Nandan Nilekani wears with panache! How does he still manage to be so active and enthusiastic? “Well, I continue to be excited by seeing what’s happening in the world, in technology. I’m a big believer that India’s challenges can be met by technological leapfrogging,” he says.
Being a serial investor — he has invested in 12 start-ups so far — he says the one thing he looks for in a prospective company is the people. “I always look for a great team. For me, people are the most important. Then, of course, the idea and business plan, and the desire to build a company. I look for those who want to change an industry and a sector.”
One interesting factoid about him is that he owns a house in Coonoor that once belonged to the grandparents of the father of computing, Alan Turing!
Listen to the podcast, where he talks about all this and more.