Sunil Bharti Mittal is the founder and chairman of the Bharti Group. This family-run conglomerate has invested in multiple sectors ranging from telecom to real estate to malls to agri/food production, with Airtel serving as its flagship company.
Mittal began his entrepreneurial venture at 18 with a loan of Rs 20,000 from his father and the formation of an import enterprise to import portable electric generators from Japan via Suzuki Motors dealership.
How he started?
Sunil Bharti Mittal began an import enterprise with his brothers Rakesh and Rajan in 1980. Together they sold bicycle parts and yarn factories while importing thousands of Suzuki Motors portable electric-power generators from Japan – until Indian authorities forbade importation of such devices.
Mittal recognized the immense potential of mobile telephony and decided to take an aggressive step in 1992 by winning one of four network licenses auctioned off by the government. He formed a strategic partnership with French telecom group Vivendi and gained invaluable experience before launching services in Delhi in 1995 – his company would soon surpass two-million subscriber mark!
Over time, Bharti Airtel’s conglomerate has expanded into other sectors as Mittal showcased his forward-thinking and ability to see opportunities that were previously overlooked. Mittal made several key acquisitions and investments which have allowed it to establish itself firmly on the international marketplace.
He believes that any responsible corporate entity has an obligation to give back to the community in which it operates, leading him to establish the Bharti Foundation and offer free education in rural areas through their Satya Bharti Schools Program, while offering uniforms and books to children from low-income households.
Mittal is well known for his charitable works, as well as being an active investor in technology and business startups through Bharti Capital. Through this investment firm, Mittal has provided funds to several leading technology firms. Due to his entrepreneurial and business acumen he has received multiple accolades; one such honor being receiving India’s highest civilian honor award: Padma Bhushan in 2007.
Bharti Enterprises is an international conglomerate, with interests in Telecom Services, Digital Infrastructure & Devices, Space Communications, Financial Services, Processed Foods and Real Estate. Bharti Airtel, its flagship brand and one of the world’s largest mobile phone operators with over 399 Million Customers across 18 Countries is committed to offering quality yet cost-effective telecommunications services for all segments of society.
New Ventures
As Bharti Group expanded, Mittal pursued new strategies. He established insurance in India through a joint venture with French insurer AXA and invested in infrastructure. He oversaw the purchase of airports in Delhi and Mumbai from their former owners as well as partnerships with foreign operators; furthermore he sought big-money investors such as Warburg Pincus, Temasek, KKR and Qatar Foundation Endowment among others.
In 1992, Bharti won one of four mobile phone network licenses auctioned off by the government and established Bharti Telecom Limited with partner Vivendi of France. They launched services in Delhi in 1995 as the first Indian company ever to surpass 2 Million subscribers and work on reducing STD/ISD cell rates; Bharti Cellular Limited later changed to Airtel.
Airtel currently serves over 500 million customers in South Asia and Africa, competing against Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Kumar Birla’s Vodafone Idea networks. Airtel Payments Bank also competes against Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Bharti Foundation is another notable aspect of their business that stands out, supporting numerous educational and other projects that help the poorest members of society. Their Satya Bharti School Program alone offers free quality education as well as books, uniforms, midday meals and other essentials to children in rural India.
Mittal’s drive for success is unyielding, and he never gives up on his goals. He firmly believes that “the thrill of accomplishing something transformational is greater than any dollar amount”. Despite facing numerous obstacles along his journey, Mittal remains determined to build Bharti Enterprises into an empire worth over $60 billion today – with operations in telecom services, space communications, financial services, processed foods and real estate all coming under its purview. Among its joint ventures are those with Singtel and Del Monte among many more; many joint ventures already established are still seeking opportunities – this conglomerate currently worths over $60 billion!
Telecom Sector
Sunil Mittal began his entrepreneurial journey at 18 when he opened his first business making crankshafts for bicycle manufacturers in Ludhiana, Punjab. By 1984 he had made yet another groundbreaking move by assembling push-button phones under his brand Beetel in India – embarking on an extraordinary global entrepreneurial adventure that would lead him all across the globe.
Mittal’s determination and ability to recognize groundbreaking opportunities aided his rapid rise to become one of India’s premier telecom executives. For his contributions, in 2007 he received India’s highest civilian honor – Padma Bhushan; furthermore Voice & Data magazine honored him as Telecom Person of the Year that same year.
Bharti Airtel, led by Mittal’s company Bharti Global Telemedia Ltd (BTGL), has rapidly grown over time into one of India’s premier mobile operators with over 300 million customers and the third-largest telecommunications provider by customer base worldwide. Bharti also offers broadband services and maintains a satellite TV network in partnership with BBC Worldwide.
Mittal also owns interests in real estate, financial services, agri-products and power. He believes strongly in giving back to society that has supported him throughout his career by setting up several charitable foundations like Bharti Foundation as well as being part of International Chamber of Commerce’s Board and Harvard Business School Global Advisory Councils.
Bharti Enterprises has much to be proud of and their future looks even brighter than before. Mittal’s drive and vision have been essential elements in his success, and he remains determined in seeking new opportunities for expansion. Mittal is widely respected as a role model among entrepreneurs everywhere – his leadership abilities make him successful as well. A global perspective leader who inspires his team while giving them power, Mittal stands as an inspiring figure who is never afraid of engaging in debate–an ability not many Indian promoters possess.
Retail Sector
Sunil Bharti Mittal has quickly made his mark as one of India’s foremost business leaders and philanthropists since he started out. Through hard work and commitment, his companies have flourished to great success – becoming a self-made billionaire while spanning multiple sectors such as telecom, finance, real estate and hospitality.
Bharti Enterprises was established by Sunil Mittal in 1976 with an initial capital investment of Rs 20,000, but since has expanded from there into an organization operating across 17 countries worldwide. Bharti Airtel is its flagship company; as the leading mobile phone operator in India and Sub-Saharan Africa with partnerships with global operators like British Telecom, Vodafone, Singapore Telecommunications as well as having secured billions from investors such as Warburg Pincus, Temasek KKR and Qatar Foundation Endowment as investors.
Mittal’s passion for innovation and business expansion can be seen through his investments. His decision to purchase shares in U.K. satellite provider OneWeb illustrates his dedication to the space industry while opening new avenues of expansion. Furthermore, his efforts to increase broadband availability in India reflect his dedication to expanding access to technology across the globe.
Mittal has long been dedicated to giving back through philanthropy. Through the Bharti Foundation, an arm of his company that works towards educating underprivileged children in India, Mittal gives back.
Mittal was born into a Punjabi family and struggled through childhood due to financial and educational hardship. But thanks to his parents’ strong instillation of values, he overcame these obstacles and found success in life. After attending schools in Mussoorie and Gwalior – where he would gain valuable life lessons that would later assist his entrepreneurial venture – Mittal found happiness as husband and father of Eiesha Bharti Pasricha, Kavin Bharti Mittal, and Shravin Bharti Mittal who have all embarked upon successful careers themselves!
