How Anand Deshpande Built a $9 Billion Powerhouse: The Persistent Systems Story #indianstartups

Guest: Dr. Anand Deshpande, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of Persistent Systems

Host: Karthik Reddy, Managing Partner & Co-founder of Blume Ventures

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

Thanks to our annual partner IDFC First Bank and Sponsor Ultrahuman for making this episode possible.

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

[tvm]

I came here assuming this was an interview of Deshpande of Sycamore Networks fame. But it turned out to be of an equally illustrious Deshpande!! And I’m glad I watched it. I’m part of the original Oracle kernel team and it was nice to see a contemporary and a fellow practitioner.

[smeety]

Hidden gems of indian cultural value and great spirit and done the great things toooo

[kedarrahalkar]

Persistent stock price has gone up almost 20 times in the last 4 years, since Covid i.e. Thanks Blume Ventures for such a wonderful discussion with Mr. Deshpande who has built a highly respected, and consistently profitable company.

[ravichandransivaraman]

Thanks for having a persistent Dr. Anand Deshpande roll out his journey in a humble way...nice questions in a humble way, good listening, giving time for the guest to make up his thoughts and deliver as a calm stream of events leading to a wonderful podcast. Great learning in all...Pranams to Blume

[chetankale]

it’s great to see anand deshpande here on blume, he has been an inspiration, so much to learn from this episode, thanks for creating

[ux]

Under-appreciated quip -;Persistent not just by name, but also by value and by reference. 1:16:58

[AllenThomasVarghese]

Great insights and wonderful questions that kept the conversation going without a boring moment!

[sachinjanani]

Can we get the play book how to handle bad times?

[media-rnzc]

Persistent is lesser known high end company. While tcs, wipro, satyam, Infosy etc went after the top line, this man built a pure tech company. He hasn't been given the respect he deserves

[shankerpai]

Anand Deshpande
FOUNDATION

Anand Deshpande
FOUNDATION

Anand Deshpande
FOUNDATION

[FerrariAmalfi]

Both you and your company are misleading many employees both freshers and experienced professionals. During COVID pandemic your company made use of experienced employees and when the pandemic was over your company laid of employees mercilessly who knows as days pass by you might mislead freshers as well once work is over, And not just this you personally get involved in other employees working projects with help of human resource team and others project inmates and make sure that he or she is removed for the benefit of your ego this is totally unacceptable