Meet Man Who Studied Under Tree And Lived With Intermittent Electricity—Now Worth Rs 96,960 Crore

Jay Chaudhry was born into a farming family in a small village in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh. Growing up, he faced several hardships, including a lack of basic amenities like electricity and drinking water. Despite these challenges, he showed an early dedication to education, often studying under trees due to the lack of proper facilities.

Chaudhry’s dedication to his studies paid off as he excelled academically. He pursued engineering at IIT, Benaras Hindu University (BHU), a prestigious institution in India. His thirst for knowledge led him to the United States, where he completed a master’s program in engineering and management at the University of Cincinnati. These academic accomplishments set the stage for his future career.

Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Chaudhry gained valuable experience working at several top technology companies, including IBM, Unisys, and IQ Software. During his two-decade-long career in the tech industry, he developed expertise in cybersecurity, which would later become the foundation of his entrepreneurial success.

In 1996, Chaudhry made his first foray into the world of entrepreneurship by founding SecureIT, a cybersecurity firm. This bold move marked the beginning of his journey in building innovative companies. Over the years, he went on to establish several other firms, including CoreHarbour, CipherTrust, and AirDefense, each contributing to his growing reputation as a visionary in cybersecurity.

In 2008, Chaudhry founded Zscaler, which would become his most successful venture. Zscaler quickly grew to prominence, serving more than 5,000 clients globally and employing over 2,600 people. The company, listed on Nasdaq, has a valuation of 15 billion dollars and continues to be a leader in the cybersecurity sector.

Jay Chaudhry’s journey from a modest village to the heights of success has led to a remarkable net worth of approximately Rs 96,960 crore (around 5.9 billion dollars). His achievements have been recognized worldwide, with Forbes placing him 85th on the list of the 400 Richest People in America in 2020. In 2021, he became the 9th richest Indian, with Zscaler's valuation crossing Rs 18,54,58 crore.

Chaudhry’s story is one of overcoming obstacles and demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. From studying under trees to becoming one of the world's richest individuals, his life exemplifies the power of hard work, education, and innovation. His journey serves as an inspiration to many, showing that with determination and vision, one can achieve remarkable success.