A Legacy Built on Vision and Value Creation

Atul Nishar, one of India’s most influential technology entrepreneurs, has built a legacy spanning over three decades. Known for founding industry-defining companies like Aptech, Hexaware Technologies, and Azent Overseas Education, Nishar’s career reflects deep-rooted leadership in the fields of IT services and education.

More than a serial entrepreneur, Nishar has emerged as a key contributor to India’s transformation into a digital economy, impacting hundreds of thousands of lives through employment, education, and mentorship.

From Chartered Accountant to Tech Entrepreneur

A graduate in Commerce and Law from Mumbai University and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Atul Nishar began his professional journey in finance. However, it was his foresight into India’s growing demand for computer literacy that led him into the education sector in the 1980s.

In 1985, he launched Aptech Limited, a computer education firm that became synonymous with IT training in India. With more than 2,400 centers across 52 countries at its peak, Aptech helped usher in a new era of computer literacy in India. Nishar led Aptech until 2003, when the promoter group divested their stake.

Hexaware Technologies: Building a Global IT Powerhouse

In 1990, Nishar pivoted to IT services, founding Hexaware Technologies, which rapidly scaled into one of India’s major IT and BPO service providers. With a sharp focus on customer-centric delivery, Hexaware grew to employ more than 8,000 professionals and served over 200 global clients under his leadership.

In 2013, Nishar sold his majority stake to Baring Private Equity Asia, marking one of the significant exits in India’s IT sector. He continued as Chairman Emeritus, solidifying his legacy within the organization.

Azent Overseas Education: Revolutionizing Study Abroad Counseling

After taking a brief entrepreneurial hiatus, Atul Nishar re-entered the startup space in 2018 with Azent Overseas Education, co-founded with his daughter Priyanka Nishar. The platform aims to modernize international education guidance through a hybrid model combining AI-powered platforms and in-person counseling.

With a mission to simplify overseas education and make global universities more accessible to Indian students, Azent is quickly becoming a leader in India’s ed-tech sector focused on study abroad opportunities.

Philanthropy and Nation Building Through Education

Nishar’s contributions go beyond business. He is a co-founder of Ashoka University, one of India’s most respected private liberal arts universities. His involvement has significantly contributed to shaping an institution that stands for academic excellence, leadership, and innovation.

He also serves as President of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), where he mentors early-stage founders and promotes startup culture in India. In addition, his presidency at Namaste America, a platform fostering Indo-American relations, reflects his commitment to diplomacy, cultural exchange, and bilateral partnerships.

Mentoring India’s Next Wave of Startups

An active angel investor, Atul Nishar has invested in over a dozen startups across health-tech, design, and education sectors. His portfolio includes rising startups like Creative Galileo and Acko, reflecting his belief in technology-led problem-solving and sustainable innovation.

More than capital, Nishar brings decades of operational experience and business wisdom to the companies he backs. He is known for nurturing founders with a balanced approach to growth and governance.

Impact and Enduring Legacy

Across Aptech, Hexaware, and now Azent, Atul Nishar has built institutions that define how India learns, works, and competes globally. His ventures have created employment, enabled skill-building, and advanced India’s position in global technology and education sectors.

His leadership, grounded in ethics and long-term thinking, sets a high benchmark for future generations of entrepreneurs. With continued involvement in education, diplomacy, and mentorship, Nishar’s legacy is one of nation-building, not just business success.

Conclusion

Atul Nishar exemplifies the spirit of Indian entrepreneurship—rooted in innovation, service, and long-term impact. From transforming how India learned computers in the 90s to supporting global career aspirations of Indian students today, he continues to shape the nation’s progress through tech and education.

As a leader who builds with purpose and leads with humility, Nishar stands as a beacon of what visionary entrepreneurship looks like in India’s evolving economic narrative.