Reliance Industries: From Textiles to Tech Giant Reliance Commercial Corporation, a small trading firm established in 1958, laid the foundation for Reliance Industries' expansive journey. Initially focusing on spices and polyester yarn, the company, under Dhirubhai Ambani's leadership, incorporated Reliance Textiles Industries Pvt. Ltd. in 1966. The company's initial public offering in 1977 was oversubscribed seven times, signaling early success. Subsequent decades saw strategic diversification into textiles, with the "Vimal" brand gaining prominence, and a significant expansion into polyester production, fueled by collaborations with international firms like DuPont. The 1980s and 90s witnessed Reliance's foray into petrochemicals, with the commissioning of the Hazira plant and subsequent overseas investment. The company achieved a landmark moment in 1996, becoming the first private Indian entity rated by international credit agencies. Reliance's expansion continued with forays into telecommunications, acquiring Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited and building the world's largest refinery in Jamnagar. A major gas discovery in the Krishna Godavari basin in 2002 solidified Reliance's position as a key player in the energy sector. Further diversification into retail with "Reliance Fresh" in 2006 and broadband services in 2010, through the acquisition of Infotel, broadened its portfolio. Strategic partnerships with global giants like BP and more recent collaborations with Nvidia and Disney illustrate Reliance's continued growth and adaptation to evolving markets. As of December 2022, its market cap reached US$223.78 billion, highlighting its transformation from a modest trading firm to a multinational conglomerate with a significant presence in energy, technology, and retail. The recent announcement of an AI initiative with BharatGPT further emphasizes its commitment to technological innovation.