In the dynamic world of startups and within the prestigious halls of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), IITians are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape. Renowned for their technical prowess and innovative thinking, IIT graduates are spearheading businesses across diverse sectors, including technology, healthcare, education, finance, and travel. One such IIT graduate, Rajnish Kumar, is now at the helm of a company valued at over Rs 6,000 crore.
Kumar, who holds the title of Group Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) at Ixigo, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey after leaving a software engineering position in France. He co-founded the Gurugram-based travel company, Ixigo, in 2007 with Aloke Bajpai. After graduating from IIT Kanpur with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering in 2001, Kumar honed his skills as an intern at ETH Zurich. His expertise lies in seamlessly blending technology and business to create solutions that leverage technology to simplify users’ lives and address real-world challenges.
In 2003, Kumar joined Amadeus SAS in France as a software engineer, eventually rising to the position of technical leader. Under his leadership, Ixigo consistently ranked among the top 10 downloaded travel apps globally, achieving the eighth-fastest growth rate among over-the-air apps in 2022. As a co-founder, Kumar actively participates in various facets of the business, including research and AI initiatives, product and growth marketing, new product development, and attracting top talent from around the world.
The parent company of Ixigo, Le Travenues Technology, witnessed a surge in share prices on June 18, closing at 78% above its issue price of Rs 93. This surge propelled the company’s market value to Rs 6,275.87 crore. While venture capitalists initially harbored reservations, founders Bajpai and Kumar persevered. After returning from Europe, the duo united to establish Ixigo.
Rajnish Kumar’s journey from a modest apartment in Gurugram to co-founding Ixigo exemplifies the power of passion, ingenuity, and determination to build extraordinary things. Ixigo’s resilience and commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies for the tourism sector serve as an inspiration for businesses across India. With an IPO on the horizon, the future looks even brighter for Rajnish Kumar and Ixigo as they continue to shape the future of travel tech in India.
