Who is Jyoti Bansal? The Inspiring Story of an IITian Turned Billionaire

The inspiring stories in life don’t always emerge from big cities; many of them come from small towns. Jyoti Bansal’s story is one such example. Born and brought up in a modest family in a small town in Rajasthan, this young man not only made a mark for himself in America but has now joined the ranks of the world’s elite billionaires. This journey was not easy. It was filled with waiting, disappointment, and clashes with the system.

Who is Jyoti Bansal: From IIT Delhi to Silicon Valley

During his days at IIT Delhi, Jyoti Bansal developed a deep passion for technology and startups. Bill Gates’ visit to the IIT campus and the success of Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia gave his dreams a new direction. This inspiration drew him thousands of kilometres away from India to Silicon Valley.

ALSO READ | Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2025: ‘Architects of AI’ — The Faces Who Changed the Future

The H1-B Visa: An Opportunity and a Constraint

At the age of 21, Jyoti Bansal arrived in the US with only a few hundred dollars. He worked as an engineer for several years, but during that time, he was on an H1-B visa. While the visa provided him with a job, it did not grant him the freedom to start his own company.

For Bansal, this period was mentally challenging. He believes that this system often acts as a barrier to job creation and innovation. He had to keep his dreams on hold until he received his Green Card. In 2016, he officially became a U.S. citizen.

The First Big Leap: The Success of AppDynamics

Jyoti Bansal founded a company called AppDynamics, soon after securing a Green Card. Identifying and fixing technical issues and software outages were the focus area of the company. With a sharp vision and hard work, he achieved monumental success and in 2017, the tech giant Cisco acquired AppDynamics for $3.7 billion. This deal changed Jyoti Bansal’s life forever.

Thoughts of Retirement and the Birth of Harness

After selling AppDynamics, he attempted to retire. He travelled the world and relaxed, but his heart found no peace. He realised that his true happiness lay in building something new.

This led to the birth of Harness, an AI-driven software delivery platform that solves the real-world challenges occurring after code is written. Bansal believes that writing code is only 30% of the job; the remaining 70% is spent ensuring it runs correctly.

Reaching Billionaire Status

Recently, Harness raised $240 million in funding. With the company’s rapid growth, Jyoti Bansal’s net worth is estimated at approximately $2.3 billion. He holds about a 30% stake in Harness, cementing his place on the list of global billionaires.

Hope and Reality

Jyoti Bansal’s story is a source of inspiration for many. At the same time, it also highlights how systems and policies can often make the path difficult for the common man. However, with the right timing, patience, and self-confidence, those very obstacles can become stepping stones to success.

Conclusion

Jyoti Bansal is not just a name; it represents the hope of millions of young people struggling against boundaries but refusing to give up on their dreams. His journey teaches us that no matter the circumstances, if your intentions are strong, you will eventually reach your destination.

Disclaimer:

This article is based on publicly available information, official statements and credible news sources. The content has been written for informational and awareness purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to verify details independently if required. Neither the author nor the platform is responsible for any decisions taken based on this article.