Radha Basu
Bengaluru today is packed to the grills with technology companies and is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India. But unlike the real deal that grew organically over half a century, the desi version had to be birthed by some strong personalities. Coincidentally, one of the big corporations that helped with the growth of both the Valleys is the tech giant Hewlett Packard. Led in the mid 1930s’ sunny California by the founders Mr. Hewlett and Mr. Packard, it found its base in Bangalore in 1980s by Radha Basu. Radha has a B.E degree in electrical, electronic and communications engineering from the Guindy College of Engineering and is a master’s in computer science and biomedical engineering from the University of South California. She joined HP in 1978 as an R&D engineer and grew up in the ranks to be chosen to lead HP’s foray into India in 1985. Then as the Managing Director, in-charge of the company’s sales and R&D operations in the country, Radha made a strong impression both on the budding Indian software industry and on women in technology. In her 20 years at HP, Basu was the General Manager before leaving in 1999 to become the CEO of SupportSoft. Now, she is the CEO of iMerit Technology services, and is a Dean’s Professor at the Santa Clara University.