Ratan Tata: Pioneering leader who transformed Indian business landscape

He joined Tata in 1961, where he worked on the shop floor of Tata Steel. He later succeeded J R D Tata as chairman of Tata Sons upon the latter’s retirement in 1991. Under his tenure the Tata Group acquired Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus, in an attempt to turn Tata from a largely India-centric group into a global business.

Tata was one of the most successful and sought-after investors in India’s emerging start-up ecosystem. His investments have helped nurture a number of innovative start-ups across diverse sectors.

Here are some of the start-ups backed by Ratan Tata:

1. Paytm – A fintech platform offering digital payments and a range of financial services.

2. Ola – A ride-hailing service that also includes Ola Electric for electric vehicles.

3. Lenskart – An eyewear brand offering products for men, women, and children.

4. Urban Company – An app-based platform providing local services like cleaning, repairs, and beauty treatments.

5. FirstCry – An online retailer specializing in baby products and gear

6. Moglix – A B2B marketplace for industrial goods and supplies

7. Snapdeal – An online marketplace for consumer products

8. Curefit – A fitness and wellness platform offering a range of health-related services

9. Upstox – An app-based platform for stock trading and investments

10. NestAway – An online marketplace for rental properties

11.CashKaro – A platform offering cashback and coupons for eCommerce shoppers

12. Tracxn – A market intelligence platform providing data on the private market

13. ybrate – A telemedicine platform for multispecialty consultations

14. Zivame – A women’s apparel and lingerie brand

15. Goodfellows – A companionship service for senior citizens

(Source: Tracxn)