Biography of Bhavin Turakhia: Indian Entrepreneur, Angel Investor & Startup Founder
Founder of Titan, Flock, Radix, CodeChef and Zeta
Bhavin Turakhia: A Trailblazer in Tech Entrepreneurship
Early Life and Education
Born on December 21, 1979, in Mumbai, Bhavin Turakhia grew
up in a middle-class Jain family with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He
attended Arya Vidya Mandir in Bandra for his schooling and later pursued
science at D.G. Ruparel College. Despite initially studying science, his
passion for entrepreneurship led him to drop out and subsequently earn his
bachelor's degree in commerce from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics.
Founding Ventures: Pioneering Innovation
Bhavin Turakhia is renowned for his founding roles in
several successful ventures, including Titan, Flock, Radix, CodeChef, and Zeta.
These ventures span a diverse range of industries from technology and
communication to finance and software development, showcasing his versatile
entrepreneurial prowess.
Early Passion for Technology
Bhavin Turakhia's journey as an entrepreneur began in
Mumbai, where his fascination with computers sparked at a young age. Introduced
to the world of coding in his school's computer room in 1989, he seized every
opportunity to learn, often staying after hours to hone his skills with
borrowed keys and a thirst for knowledge.
Inspirations and Early Ventures
Fuelled by a love for reading biographies of successful
entrepreneurs and armed with over thirty programming books gifted by his
father, Bhavin embarked on his entrepreneurial path. At just 17, he co-founded
his first company, Directi, with his younger brother, starting with a modest
$375 loan from their father. They ventured into web hosting and domain sales,
laying the foundation for their future endeavors.
Bhavin Turakhia: A Journey of Tech Entrepreneurship
Early Ventures and Foundation of Direction
Bhavin Turakhia embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at
the young age of 18 in 1998, starting his first tech venture, Directi, with a
modest capital of ₹25,000 (approximately US$675 in 1998). Alongside his
brother, Divyank Turakhia, they laid the foundation for what would become a
pioneering force in the tech industry.
Strategic Growth and Major Acquisitions
By 2014, Bhavin and Divyank Turakhia had significantly
expanded their portfolio, culminating in the sale of four of their web
companies – BigRock, LogicBoxes, Reseller Club, and Webhosting.info – to
Endurance International Group for a substantial $160 million. This transaction
underscored their prowess in building and scaling successful tech enterprises.
Ventures and Investments in Banking Tech
In July 2019, Bhavin Turakhia's banking tech venture, Zeta,
attracted investment from Sodexo, valuing the company at $300 million. This was
followed by a significant Series C investment of $250 million from SoftBank
Vision Fund 2 in 2021, elevating Zeta's valuation to $1.45 billion. The success
of Zeta highlighted Bhavin's strategic focus on innovating within the financial
technology sector.
Expanding Horizons: Titan and Beyond
In August 2021, Bhavin Turakhia's professional email
service, Titan, received a $30 million investment from Automattic, valuing
Titan at $300 million. Alongside Titan, Bhavin operates other notable ventures
including Flock, Radix, and continues to lead Zeta, further solidifying his
presence as a tech entrepreneur with a diverse and dynamic portfolio.
Current Ventures and Innovations
Today, Bhavin is actively involved with three B2B SaaS
companies that continue to redefine industry standards. Radix operates popular
domain extensions like .online and .tech, while Nova offers a suite of
productivity and communication apps, including Flock and Titan. Additionally,
Zeta is revolutionizing banking technology with innovative solutions.
Philosophy and Work Ethic
At the core of Bhavin's success lies a deep-rooted belief in
making a meaningful impact commensurate with one's potential. His relentless
pursuit of knowledge and willingness to tackle challenges head-on underscore
his unwavering work ethic and commitment to excellence.
Recognition and Success
In 2016, Bhavin and his brother Divyank Turakhia were listed
as billionaires and ranked the 95th richest individuals in India by Forbes.
This recognition underscored their significant impact and success in the
business world, particularly within the tech sector.
In 2016, Bhavin Turakhia was recognized as one of India's
wealthiest individuals, ranked #95 on Forbes' list with a net worth of US$1.3
billion. This acknowledgment highlighted his success and influence in the
entrepreneurial world, particularly in technology and innovation.
Global Influence and Leadership
Bhavin Turakhia's achievements extend beyond business. In
2011, he was honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum,
highlighting his visionary leadership and contributions to global entrepreneurship
and innovation.
Current Endeavors and Residence
As of 2017, Bhavin is based in London, where he continues to
drive innovation and spearhead new ventures in the global technology landscape.
His ventures not only reflect his entrepreneurial acumen but also his
commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and business excellence.
Biography of Bhavin Turakhia:Indian Entrepreneur, Angel Investor & Startup Founder/Founder of Titan, Flock, Radix, CodeChef and Zeta/Journey of Bhavin
Revolutionizing Banking: The Story of Zeta
Identifying the Need for Change
Bhavin Turakhia and his co-founder, Ramki Gaddipati,
recognized a critical issue in the banking and payments industry: outdated
technology. Traditional banking systems relied on legacy software that hindered
innovation and provided subpar user experiences in today's digital age. This
realization sparked their vision to create Zeta, a modern banking platform
designed to revolutionize how financial institutions operate.
Building a Modern Solution
Zeta was conceived to address the shortcomings of
traditional banking software. Unlike the antiquated systems built on Mainframes
and Cobol, Zeta developed a completely cloud-native banking stack with full API
coverage. This innovative approach allows banks to be more agile in launching
new products and participating in the evolving open banking and
Banking-as-a-Service movements.
Looking Ahead
As Zeta continues to innovate and expand its capabilities,
Bhavin Turakhia remains committed to reshaping the future of banking. With a
focus on scalability, agility, and customer experience, Zeta is poised to lead
the charge in transforming how banks worldwide leverage technology to thrive in
the digital era.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Bhavin has been honored with numerous
awards for his entrepreneurial spirit and technological innovations. In 2016,
he was named Serial Entrepreneur of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year in
Innovation and Technology by Entrepreneur magazine. Additionally, he received
the ETPanache Trendsetter Award from The Economic Times, cementing his
reputation as a trendsetter in the business world.
Global Recognition
Bhavin Turakhia's impact extends beyond India. In 2011, he
was honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Geneva,
recognizing his leadership and contributions to global business and technology.
Leadership and Advocacy
Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Bhavin has played a
crucial role in shaping internet governance. He served as the Chairperson of
the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)'s Registrar
Constituency for multiple terms, influencing policies that govern domain names
worldwide.
Conclusion:
Bhavin Turakhia's journey is a testament to
entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. His ability to consistently
create and lead successful ventures has not only earned him wealth and
recognition but also positioned him as a pivotal figure in the global tech
community.
Bhavin Turakhia's journey from Mumbai's middle-class
upbringing to international entrepreneurial success is a testament to his
relentless drive, innovative spirit, and ability to seize opportunities in
emerging markets. As he continues to innovate and lead in the tech industry,
his impact on global business and entrepreneurship remains profound and inspiring.
A timeline summarizing Bhavin Turakhia's journey in tech
entrepreneurship:
1979: Bhavin Turakhia is born on December 21 in Mumbai,
India.
Early 1980s: Develops fascination with computers and begins
learning coding.
1998: Co-founds Directi with his brother Divyank Turakhia at
the age of 18, starting with a capital of ₹25,000.
2004: Directi expands into various web businesses including
BigRock, LogicBoxes, Reseller Club, and Webhosting.info.
2014: Sells four web companies to Endurance International
Group for $160 million, showcasing entrepreneurial success.
2016: Listed as a billionaire by Forbes, ranked 95th richest
in India with a net worth of $1.3 billion.
2019: Zeta attracts investment from Sodexo, valuing the
company at $300 million, marking a significant milestone in banking tech.
2021: Zeta receives $250 million in Series C funding from
SoftBank Vision Fund 2, valuing the company at $1.45 billion.
2021: Titan, Bhavin's professional email service, secures
$30 million investment from Automattic, valuing Titan at $300 million.
Global Recognition: Bhavin Turakhia honored as a Young
Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2011, recognizing his leadership
and contributions to global entrepreneurship.
Current: Continues to lead Zeta and other ventures, focusing
on innovation in banking technology and B2B SaaS.
This timeline highlights key milestones in Bhavin Turakhia's
entrepreneurial career, demonstrating his evolution from a young coder
fascinated by computers to a billionaire tech entrepreneur with a diverse
portfolio of successful ventures.
