Early Life and Education
Rajan Bharti Mittal was born in 1960. He graduated from Punjab University with a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree and later pursued a master's degree at Harvard Business School.
Rise to Success
In 1980, Rajan, along with his brothers Sunil and Rakesh, co-founded Bharti Enterprises, which initially began as an import business. The company later ventured into the telecom sector, a pivotal move that significantly contributed to Rajan's wealth. Bharti Airtel, a flagship company of Bharti Enterprises, became one of the largest mobile network operators globally, operating in numerous countries across Asia and Africa. Rajan has served as the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Enterprises, playing a key role in the company's strategic decisions and expansion.
Key Business Strategies
A significant strategy employed by Bharti Airtel was the 'minutes factory' model, outsourcing all business operations except marketing, sales, and finance. This allowed the company to provide low call rates. Bharti Airtel's expansion included strategic acquisitions, such as acquiring Zain's Africa assets in 2010 for $10.7 billion, which expanded its footprint significantly.
Philanthropy
Rajan Mittal and his siblings have pledged $1.1 billion to their charitable foundation, primarily to establish a new university providing free education for the underprivileged.