Various entrepreneurs recall the extent to which Late Shri Ratan Tata posed as an special ingredient to their successful life

Late Shri Ratan Tata, the legendary industrialist and former Chairman of Tata Sons, passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that extends far beyond the traditional realms of business.

Late Shri Ratan Tata, the legendary industrialist and former Chairman of Tata Sons, passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that extends far beyond the traditional realms of business. Tata’s transformative role in the Indian industry and his support for the startup ecosystem have had a prominent impact on entrepreneurs, founders, and investors across decades. Known for his humility and wisdom, he has been highly regarded for mentoring some of India’s most successful companies, from titans like Infosys’ NR Narayana Murthy to new-age entrepreneurs like Bhavish Aggarwal of Ola. Tata’s investments in startups not only yielded substantial financial returns but also helped change the trajectory of many companies, offering hope and optimism. For instance, Kaushal Dugar, founder of Teabox, fondly remembers how his company gained credibility after Ratan Tata invested in them in 2016. Before Tata’s involvement, the tea industry viewed Teabox as an outsider. Afterwards, the company earned respect, and it marked a turning point in its growth.

Dugar recalls Tata’s grace and encouragement, even when their business model did not align with traditional expectations. Tata’s investment track record is extraordinary. He earned over a 23,000% return from Upstox, a 28X return from Lenskart, and substantial returns from companies like Ola Electric and Firstcry. Beyond financial investments, Tata’s role as a mentor and advisor to numerous startups was invaluable. Sudhir Sethi, founder of Chiratae Ventures, recalls how Tata regularly offered guidance on governance, integrity, and strategy, meeting founders and offering advice, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tributes have poured in from across the entrepreneurial landscape, with figures like Urban Company co-founder Abhiraj Singh Bhal praising Tata for his vision and guidance. For many founders, Tata embodied values such as humility, integrity, and service before self. His legacy as a mentor, investor, and icon will continue to inspire future generations of Indian entrepreneurs.