Born in Delhi, India, Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani grew up in an environment that valued education, resilience, and global thinking. He is the brother of Indian-born American billionaire Romesh Wadhwani, and together they would eventually shape some of the most transformative initiatives in artificial intelligence and healthcare.
In 1974, Sunil earned his bachelor’s degree from Indian Institute of Technology Madras — one of India’s most prestigious institutions. His academic journey then took him to the United States, where he completed his master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon University in 1976.
This cross-continental education gave him more than degrees — it gave him perspective. He understood both the challenges of developing economies and the innovation ecosystems of the West. That dual insight would later define his leadership philosophy.
Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani: Entrepreneurial Beginnings – Building from the Ground Up
Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani began his entrepreneurial journey in 1981 when he founded UroTec Systems Corp, serving as president and CEO until 1986. The experience sharpened his ability to navigate fast-changing technology landscapes and build organizations from scratch.
His defining breakthrough came with the co-founding of Mastech Digital (formerly Mastech Inc.). Under his leadership, the company achieved an extraordinary 56% annualized growth over three years in the late 1990s, earning a place on BusinessWeek’s Hot 100 Growth List.
But Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani was thinking bigger.
He went on to co-found IGATE, which would become a global IT powerhouse. Under his stewardship, IGATE expanded across 34 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company grew to 34,000 employees and generated $1.2 billion in revenue.
IGATE wasn’t just profitable — it was admired. It was recognized among the best companies to work for in India and ranked among the top employers in the United States based on employee satisfaction.
In July 2015, French IT giant Capgemini completed a $4 billion acquisition of IGATE — one of the largest deals in Indian IT history. The acquisition marked a milestone not only for the company but for the Indian-origin global tech community.
In 2016, Mastech repositioned itself as a digital technologies company and continues to be listed on the NYSE as MHH. Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani remains a board member and also serves as Managing Partner of SWAT Capital, continuing to guide innovation-focused investments.
A Shift Toward Impact: Philanthropy with Purpose
For many entrepreneurs, success marks the finish line. For Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani, it marked a new beginning.
In 2000, he and his family established the Wadhwani Impact Trust to leverage innovation for transforming vulnerable communities. Unlike traditional philanthropy, the Trust focuses on scalable, measurable solutions powered by technology.
Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare (WISH)
In 2014, Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani founded the Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare (WISH). Its mission: revolutionize primary healthcare in low-income regions of India and other developing nations.
WISH has supported over 1,000 digital health and wellness centers across states including Assam, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. These centers have provided free healthcare services to more than 30 million patients.
By establishing an Innovation Unit at India’s National Health Authority, WISH has helped mainstream digital health tools such as smart clinics, point-of-care diagnostics, and e-health modules. It demonstrates how strategic philanthropy can modernize public systems.
Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani: Artificial Intelligence for Humanity
In February 2018, Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani and his brother Romesh founded the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (WIAI).
The institute was created with a bold purpose: harness AI, machine learning, and data science to address critical societal challenges in health, agriculture, infrastructure, and education.
Today, WIAI’s team of over 200 experts has developed more than 30 AI solutions. Among them:
-
Smart differential diagnosis enabling over 5 million AI-powered consultations
-
High-risk pregnancy prediction systems benefiting more than 30 million women annually
-
Tuberculosis solutions impacting over 2.6 million individuals
-
AI-driven agricultural pest management tools used by 33,000 farmers across six states
In 2023, Time Magazine recognized Sunil and Romesh Wadhwani among the 100 Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence — a testament to their global impact.
Investing in the Future of Data Science
Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani’s belief in education led to a landmark ₹110 crore endowment to IIT Madras to establish the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI.
The school offers advanced graduate programs and a joint MSc in Data Science and AI with the University of Birmingham, equipping students to become the next generation of AI leaders.
His philanthropy doesn’t merely fund institutions — it builds ecosystems.
Strengthening Communities in the United States
In 2010, Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani co-founded Vibrant Pittsburgh, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing workplace diversity in the Pittsburgh region. The organization trains over 2,000 employees annually and partners with businesses to build inclusive work environments.
Through W Health Ventures, he has invested $30 million in 2070 Health, a platform creating healthcare companies to improve affordability and access in India.
Leadership Beyond Business
Sunil Tekchand Wadhwani’s influence extends across academia, finance, and community development. He has served as trustee or director of Carnegie Mellon University, George Washington University, the US Federal Reserve Bank (Pittsburgh Branch), United Way Worldwide, UPMC Health System, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
In 1991, IIT Madras honored him as a Distinguished Alumnus. In 2017, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association.