Nikesh Arora (born 9 February 1968, Age: 55 years old) is one of the most influential and successful executives in the global tech industry. He is the CEO and chairman of SoftBank Group Corp.’s Vision Fund, the world’s largest technology-focused investment fund, with over $100 billion in assets. He is also a board member of SoftBank Group Corp., T-Mobile US, Inc., and Yahoo Japan Corporation.
Arora has a remarkable career spanning more than three decades, working for some of the most prominent companies in the tech sector, such as Google, T-Mobile, and Sprint. He has also been recognized as one of the most influential Indians in the world, receiving the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Global Indian award in 2014.
In this article, we will explore the life and achievements of Nikesh Arora, from his humble beginnings in India to his meteoric rise in the tech world.
Family and Education
Nikesh Arora was born on February 9, 1968, in Ghaziabad, a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India. His father, Jagdish Kumar Arora, was an officer in the Indian Air Force, and his mother was a homemaker. Arora grew up in a middle-class family, with two younger sisters.
Arora was a bright and curious student, who excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. He attended the Air Force Bal Bharati School in New Delhi, where he developed an interest in computers and technology. He also participated in debates, quizzes, and sports, winning several awards and trophies.
After completing his schooling, Arora enrolled in the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1989. He then moved to the United States, where he pursued a master’s degree in finance from Northeastern University in Boston, graduating in 1992. He also obtained a master’s degree in business administration from Boston College in 1995.
Nikesh Arora Wiki/Bio
| Name | Nikesh Arora |
| Born | February 9, 1968 (age 55) |
| Birthplace | Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Education | IIT (BHU) Varanasi (BTech), Boston College, Northeastern University (MBA), CFA |
| Occupation | CEO and chairman of Palo Alto Networks |
| Previous positions | Senior executive at Google, president and COO of SoftBank Group |
| Spouse | Ayesha Thapar |
| Children | Two |
| Net worth | $1.5 billion |
| Social Media Links | Wikipedia: Nikesh_Arora Twitter: nikesharora LinkedIn: nikesh-arora-02894670 Instagram: nikesharora Facebook: nikesh.arora |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Net Worth
As of January 4, 2024, Arora’s net worth is estimated at $1.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This is mainly derived from his equity stake in Palo Alto Networks, which is worth about $1.3 billion. He also owns shares in other companies, such as SoftBank, Oyo, and Paytm. He has also received generous compensation packages throughout his career, totaling over $300 million.
Arora is one of the most successful and influential Indian-origin executives in the global business world. He has been recognized and awarded for his achievements and contributions by various organizations and publication
Career Highlights
Arora began his professional career in 1992, as an analyst at Fidelity Investments, a multinational financial services company. He worked there for six years, rising to the position of vice president of finance and business development.
In 1999, Arora joined T-Mobile International, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, as its chief marketing officer and a member of its executive committee. He was responsible for the company’s marketing, sales, and customer service operations across Europe. He also played a key role in launching the first mobile internet service in Europe, and expanding the company’s presence in new markets.
In 2004, Arora joined Google, the world’s leading internet company, as its vice president of European operations. He was instrumental in growing Google’s business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, overseeing its sales, marketing, and partnerships. He also helped launch several innovative products and services, such as Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps.
In 2009, Arora was promoted to president of global sales operations and business development, becoming one of the top executives at Google. He was in charge of Google’s revenue generation and strategic partnerships worldwide, managing a team of over 20,000 people. He also led Google’s investments and acquisitions, such as Motorola Mobility, Waze, and Nest.
In 2014, Arora was appointed as the chief business officer and a senior vice president at Google, reporting directly to the co-founder and CEO, Larry Page. He was responsible for all of Google’s business functions, including advertising, commerce, media, and cloud. He also oversaw Google’s regional operations in Asia Pacific, Latin America, and emerging markets.
Joining SoftBank Group Corp
In July 2014, Arora surprised the tech world by announcing his departure from Google, after a decade of service. He joined SoftBank Group Corp., a Japanese conglomerate and one of the largest investors in the tech industry, as its vice chairman and CEO of its internet and media division. He was also named as the successor of the founder and chairman of SoftBank, Masayoshi Son, who described Arora as “a strong candidate for carrying on the SoftBank Group’s vision.”
At SoftBank, Arora led the company’s global expansion and diversification, investing in some of the most promising and disruptive tech startups, such as Alibaba, Snapdeal, Ola, Flipkart, and Paytm. He also spearheaded the merger of SoftBank’s US subsidiary, Sprint, with T-Mobile US, creating the second-largest wireless carrier in the US.
In June 2016, Arora stepped down from his role at SoftBank, after facing criticism from some shareholders over his performance and compensation. He said that he decided to resign after Son indicated that he wanted to remain as the chairman of SoftBank for another five to ten years, delaying Arora’s succession plan.
Becoming CEO at SoftBank Group Corp
In May 2018, Arora made a comeback to the tech scene, as he was appointed as the CEO and chairman of SoftBank Group Corp.’s Vision Fund, the world’s largest technology-focused investment fund, with over $100 billion in assets. The Vision Fund, backed by investors such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Apple, and Qualcomm, aims to support the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and innovators, who are transforming various industries and sectors, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, e-commerce, and transportation.
As the leader of the Vision Fund, Arora oversees the fund’s strategy, portfolio, and operations, as well as its relationships with its investors and partners. He is also responsible for identifying and evaluating potential investment opportunities, and providing guidance and support to the fund’s portfolio companies. Some of the notable companies that the Vision Fund has invested in include Uber, WeWork, Slack, ByteDance, Didi Chuxing, Grab, and Coupang.
Under Arora’s leadership, the Vision Fund has achieved remarkable results, generating significant returns for its investors and shareholders, as well as creating value and impact for its portfolio companies and their customers. The Vision Fund has also established itself as a global leader and a pioneer in the tech investment space, setting new standards and benchmarks for the industry.
Marriage with Ayesha Thapar
Arora is married to Ayesha Thapar, a prominent Indian businesswoman and socialite, who is the heiress of the Thapar Group, one of India’s largest industrial conglomerates. The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Italy in 2014, attended by celebrities and dignitaries from around the world.
They have a son, born in 2015, and a daughter, born in 2017. They live in Tokyo, Japan, where SoftBank Group Corp. and the Vision Fund are headquartered.
Physical Stats
| Weight | In Kilograms: 75 kg In Pounds: 165.43 lbs |
| Height | In Feet Inches: 5′ 7″ In Meters: 1.7 m In Centimetres: 170 cm |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Black. |
| Shoe Size | 7 US. |
Personal Life & Interest
Arora is an avid reader, traveler, and sports enthusiast. He enjoys playing golf, tennis, and cricket, and supports the Indian national cricket team. He is also a fan of Bollywood movies and music, and has a collection of rare and vintage cars.
Achievements
Arora is one of the most influential and successful Indians in the world, who has made a mark in the global tech industry. He has been featured in several prestigious lists and rankings, such as:
- Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World (2012)
- Fortune Magazine’s 40 Under 40 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- Forbes Magazine’s World’s Most Powerful People (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- Bloomberg Markets Magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in Global Finance (2014, 2015, 2016)
- CNBC’s Disruptor 50 (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- Recode’s 100 Most Influential People in Tech, Business, and Media (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
As a Social Worker & Philanthropist
Arora is also a philanthropist and a social activist, who supports various causes and initiatives, such as education, health, environment, and women empowerment. He has donated millions of dollars to various charities and organizations, such as:
- The Nikesh Arora Foundation provides scholarships and grants to students and researchers in the fields of engineering, finance, and business.
- The Arora Family Trust, supports various social and cultural projects in India, such as the restoration of historical monuments, the promotion of arts and literature, and the empowerment of rural communities.
- The Giving Pledge is a campaign initiated by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, in which wealthy individuals pledge to donate more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes.
- The United Nations Foundation, is a global organization that supports the work and goals of the United Nations, such as peace, security, human rights, and development.
- The Malala Fund, is a non-profit organization founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, which advocates for girls’ education and empowerment around the world.
Nikesh Arora is a tech titan who leads SoftBank Group Corp.’s Vision Fund, the world’s largest technology-focused investment fund. He has a remarkable career spanning more than three decades, working for some of the most prominent companies in the tech sector, such as Google, T-Mobile, and Sprint. He has also been recognized as one of the most influential Indians in the world, receiving the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Global Indian award in 2014.
