Early Life
Bharat Desai was born in Kenya in November 1952. His family is of Gujarati Indian origin. He spent his childhood in Mombasa and Ahmedabad. Desai received a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and an MBA in finance from the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
Rise to Success
In 1976, Desai moved to the US as a programmer with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He met Neerja Sethi at TCS, and they co-founded Syntel in 1980 in Troy, Michigan, with an initial investment of $2,000. Syntel, an IT consulting and outsourcing firm, grew into a major player in the IT industry. By 2017, Syntel employed 23,000 people across the United States, India, and Japan, generating $924 million in annual revenue. The company's success led to its acquisition by Atos SE in July 2018 for $3.4 billion. Desai served as the chairman of Syntel.
Key Business Strategies
Desai's strategic vision was key to Syntel's success. Syntel focused on providing IT services, with a strong presence in North America, and developed long-term client relationships. The company expanded globally, leveraging offshore delivery centers in India to enhance cost efficiency and service scalability. Syntel prioritized industry-specific expertise, especially in financial services.
Philanthropy
Desai and his wife, Neerja Sethi, have committed to donating a significant portion of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Their Giving Pledge commitment to donate the majority of their wealth was announced in 2025. They support education, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility through the Desai Sethi Foundation (DSF) and the Ds Foundation.