Kris Gopalakrishnan

Kris Gopalakrishnan
Name	Kris Gopalakrishnan
Birth date	5 October 1955
Birth place	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Alma mater	University of Kerala (BSc), Indian Institute of Technology Madras (MTech)
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist
Known for	Co-founder of Infosys
Spouse	Sudha Gopalakrishnan

Kris Gopalakrishnan is an Indian entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, best known as a co-founder of the global technology giant Infosys. A key figure in the rise of the Indian IT industry, he served as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Infosys from 2007 to 2011 and as its Executive Vice Chairman until 2014. His post-Infosys career is marked by significant venture capital investments through Axilor Ventures and substantial philanthropic initiatives in scientific research and education, particularly in neuroscience and data science.

Early life and education

Kris Gopalakrishnan was born on October 5, 1955, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He completed his schooling in his hometown before pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Kerala. Demonstrating an early aptitude for technology, he then earned a Master of Technology in Computer Science from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras in 1979. His academic foundation at these leading Indian institutions positioned him for a career at the forefront of the emerging software services sector.

Career at Infosys

In 1981, Kris Gopalakrishnan, along with six other engineers including N. R. Narayana Murthy and Nandan Nilekani, co-founded Infosys in Pune with a modest capital. He played a pivotal role in establishing the company's global delivery model and was instrumental in its expansion into key markets like the United States and Europe. He held several leadership positions, including heading worldwide customer delivery and technology. Gopalakrishnan served as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director from 2007 to 2011, steering the company through the global Financial crisis of 2007–2008. He later served as the Executive Vice Chairman until his retirement from executive roles in 2014, having helped build Infosys into a symbol of India's economic prowess on the NASDAQ.

Post-Infosys ventures and investments

Following his tenure at Infosys, Gopalakrishnan actively engaged in the startup ecosystem as an investor and mentor. He is a co-founder and Chairman of Axilor Ventures, a prominent early-stage venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in Bengaluru that supports technology entrepreneurs. His personal investment portfolio spans diverse sectors including deep technology, fintech, and healthtech. He also serves as the Chairman of the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Kerala and holds board positions in various academic and corporate organizations, contributing to the next generation of Indian innovation.

Philanthropy and public service

Kris Gopalakrishnan is a noted philanthropist, focusing significantly on advancing scientific research. Through the Pratiksha Trust, which he established with his wife, he has made landmark donations, including a $30 million grant to the Indian Institute of Science to establish a research center for brain science. He also funded the Centre for Computational Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. He serves as the Chairman of the Vision Group on Information Technology for the Government of Karnataka and has been involved with prestigious bodies like the World Economic Forum, advocating for technology and education policy.

Awards and recognition

His contributions have been recognized with numerous national and international honors. Gopalakrishnan was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, by the Government of India in 2011. He has received honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Mysore and the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar. Other accolades include the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and being named a Distinguished Alumnus by both the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode.

Personal life

Kris Gopalakrishnan is married to Sudha Gopalakrishnan, and the couple has one daughter. He maintains a relatively private life but is known to be an avid reader and a proponent of yoga and meditation. Alongside his wife, he actively oversees their philanthropic endeavors through the Pratiksha Trust. He continues to reside in Bengaluru, a city central to India's technology narrative he helped shape.

Category:Indian businesspeople Category:Infosys Category:Indian philanthropists Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan