IIT Graduate Rishi Das Builds Rs 1,000 Crore Empire with IndiQube and CareerNet
The Inspiring Journey of Rishi Das: From IIT Graduate to Rs 1,000 Crore Business Owner
Rishi Das, an IIT graduate and a visionary entrepreneur, has emerged as the owner of a company worth over Rs 1,000 crore. As the founder of CareerNet and IndiQube, Rishi’s journey from a small town in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, to one of India’s most celebrated entrepreneurs is a compelling tale of ambition, resilience, and the power of risk-taking.
Inspired by his father’s indomitable courage and support, Rishi always felt a strong pull toward carving his path. While his early years were rooted in academic success, earning a coveted spot at IIT introduced him to an environment filled with talented peers. This experience ignited his drive to think big and aim high.
It was during his second year at IIT that Rishi had a transformative moment while helping his uncle establish a floriculture business. Immersing himself in market research and other intricacies, he discovered an undeniable passion for building businesses. That moment planted a seed, revealing to him that a traditional 9-to-5 job wasn’t his destiny.
After graduating from IIT, Rishi secured a corporate job but quickly realized the rigid structure of the corporate world didn’t resonate with his ambitions. He found himself constantly yearning to become an entrepreneur. Finally, he made the bold decision to quit his job without a clear plan and chose not to disclose this to his parents initially. His family believed he was merely home for a break.
When the truth eventually surfaced, Rishi’s father took it in stride, showing neither anger nor disappointment. Instead, he offered encouragement, advising Rishi to take the time needed to pursue his vision and even offered financial support from his provident fund savings. This unwavering support became the foundation upon which Rishi built his dreams.
In 1999, at the young age of 24, Rishi co-founded CareerNet alongside his brother. The company soon rose to prominence, becoming one of India’s largest recruitment firms, offering tailored talent solutions across industries. But Rishi’s story didn’t stop there. His entrepreneurial spark was far from exhausted.
As CareerNet grew, so did its requirements for office spaces. Constantly relocating to accommodate expansion sparked frustration and a new idea. Why not create a workspace solution designed to scale alongside businesses? With this vision, Rishi collaborated with Meghna Agarwal in 2013 to launch IndiQube, a tech-enabled flexible workspace provider.
IndiQube brought a fresh perspective to the idea of workspaces. It wasn’t just about desks and cubicles but creating an ecosystem where enterprises, startups, and solopreneurs could thrive. Offering cutting-edge facilities like high-speed Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, well-equipped cafés, and ample parking, IndiQube addressed the evolving needs of India’s dynamic business landscape.
The market resonated with the concept, propelling IndiQube to become a leader in the flexible workspace industry. By fiscal 2024, the company had achieved remarkable growth, reporting a total income of Rs 867.6 crore.
Rishi’s journey is a shining example of what’s possible with unwavering determination and the courage to take risks. From humble beginnings to building two successful ventures, his story inspires countless dreamers to follow their passion and turn ambitions into reality.
