Raj Sardana was born in 1960 to Punjabi parents who migrated to India during the Partition of 1947. He grew up in government housing in New Delhi, where his family lacked basic modern amenities like heating, air conditioning, or even a refrigerator. Despite financial struggles, his parents prioritized education, shaping his strong work ethic.
Moving to the US with Just $100
In 1981, Sardana moved to the US to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech. With only $100 in his pocket, he took up a job at the college cafeteria to support himself. His determination and perseverance helped him complete his studies and secure an H-1 visa (the earlier version of today’s H-1B visa).
Career and Setback
After graduation, Sardana worked at Howmet Aerospace and later joined Teledyne CAE, a company that manufactured Tomahawk missile engines. However, in 1990, as the Cold War ended, missile production stopped, and he lost his job. At that time, he had just bought a house, had a six-month-old daughter, and was financially responsible for his parents.
The Leap into Entrepreneurship
Rather than searching for another job, Sardana took a bold step into entrepreneurship. With $25,000 in savings, he launched his own business. His risk paid off as his venture gradually expanded into a major IT services company.
Building Innova Solutions
Over the years, Sardana’s company, Innova Solutions, grew into a global IT firm with over 50,000 employees. His journey from an immigrant with just $100 to a billionaire entrepreneur highlights the power of resilience and strategic decision-making. Today, he is one of the few Indian entrepreneurs featured in Forbes’ list of billionaire immigrants in the US.
