Rahul Sharma, the CEO and Co-founder of Micromax Informatics has played a pivotal role in transforming Micromax into India’s leading mobile phone maker. Under his leadership, Micromax has become the 10th largest smartphone vendor globally, showcasing Rahul’s Midas touch in steering the company to impressive growth.
Boasting 13 years of experience, Rahul is hailed as the driving force behind Micromax’s commendable position in the Indian mobile handset market. Despite his instrumental role, Rahul credits his father for instilling values like honesty, humility, strong work ethic, and sincerity, which he believes are the foundation of his success.
Educationally, Rahul holds undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University and Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Rahul is an avid sports enthusiast with a passion for fast cars and Formula 1 racing. He also enjoys playing badminton during his leisure time.
Rahul gained nationwide fame when he got engaged to Bollywood actress Asin in September 2015, earning him a place in the Page 3 section of newspapers.
Past Life and Career
Rahul’s journey from a humble background to living in luxury reflects the classic success story. With a father who was a school teacher, Rahul initially relied on local transport like everyone else. His professional journey began with over 13 years of experience in sales and marketing, demonstrating his expertise in product goods and technology marketing.
Before Micromax, Rahul held management-level roles in Communications, Consumer Marketing, and Brand Management. His stint as Vice President at Shaw Communications Inc involved overseeing Corporate Sales and Marketing, as well as managing On-Demand Television Services.
Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, Rahul founded Micromax Software in 2000. The company underwent several transformations, from IT software to selling Public phones (PCOs) for Nokia and Airtel.
Chronicles of Micromax
The turning point came in 2007 when Rahul, visiting a village in West Bengal, observed an Airtel PCO powered by a truck battery. This experience inspired him to shift Micromax’s focus to mobile phones. Recognizing the gap in the market, Micromax started providing affordable phones addressing common issues faced by the Indian masses.
In 2008, Micromax launched its first phone, ‘The Xtreme,’ featuring an impressive one-month battery backup. Rahul’s innovative strategies, such as introducing dual-SIM phones, propelled Micromax’s success.
The company continued its growth, entering the tablet market in 2010 with the Funbook Series. Rahul strategically countered the “Chinese phones” stereotype by launching the Canvas A100 smartphone in 2012, sparking a revolution in the industry.
The Shining Present
Between 2014 and 2015, Micromax achieved significant milestones, becoming the first Indian mobile company to sell in Russia and launching the slimmest phone globally, the Micromax Canvas Sliver 5. Rahul’s aggressive approach led to Micromax surpassing Samsung in phone shipments, capturing 22% of the Indian market.
In 2014, Micromax initiated the manufacturing of LED TVs and tablets in Uttarakhand. Rahul further expanded Micromax’s reach by establishing YU Televentures, a subsidiary targeting flash online sales.
The year 2015 saw Micromax’s revenues crossing Rs. 10,000 crores, and the company’s growth continues, with plans for new manufacturing plants and international expansion.
Future Plans and Achievements
Rahul envisions adding more countries to Micromax’s reach or entering China to tap into the next billion potential customers. The company is in talks with SoftBank to sell a 20% stake at a valuation of $3-5 billion.
Micromax’s achievements include being named in Fortune Magazine’s Global Power List of 2014, Fortune Magazine’s ’40 under 40′ list of 2014, and Forbes Person of the Year 2010. Rahul’s strategic leadership and Micromax’s solid distribution network position them strongly against competitors.