Wipro is a name that many 80s and 90s kids will recognise. The man behind Wipro played a huge role in turning the company into the global business empire it is today. As of January 2025, Wipro Limited holds the fourth position among the top companies in the Nifty IT Index. Wipro history shows how far hard work and vision can take a company.
But what’s the exact history of Wipro?
In this article, we’ll take a look at Wipro’s journey, starting in 1945, and how it has grown to reach a market cap of ₹3,10,675 Cr today.
Let’s begin!
History of Wipro Ltd: How It All Began in 1945
When you look at Wipro history, you see a story of growth, innovation, and adapting to the changing tech world.
It all started in 1945, two years before India gained independence. The Wipro owner/founder- MH Hasham Premji, set up a small business in the town of Amalner, Maharashtra. The company was called Western India Vegetable Products Limited.
It’s hard to believe that the company, now known for providing IT solutions worldwide, started with a simple idea: making cooking oils. And today? It has grown into a global technology giant.
But life, indeed, had a different plan. In 1966, tragedy struck when Hasham Premji passed away.
At just 21 years old, his son, Azim Premji, had to take the lead. Azim was studying at Stanford University in the US at the time, but he left it all behind to lead the company, carrying the weight of the future on his young shoulders.
With Azim Premji’s leadership, In 1977, the company changed its name to Wipro Products Limited.
By 1982, it became simply Wipro Limited, a name that would soon be recognised across the world.
Wipro’s Bold Leap Into Technology
The 1980s were a time of great change. Azim Premji saw the rise of computers and technology as the future. And thus, Wipro expanded into this new field by setting up Wipro Infotech and Wipro Systems.
In 1981, Wipro made a groundbreaking achievement—it developed India’s first minicomputer based on the Intel 8086 chip in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
This was one of the greatest times when the 80s generation was introduced to computers.
By 1990, the company made a crucial shift. Wipro moved from building computer hardware to focusing on software development. It was one of the major decisions in the history of Wipro that would change its destiny.
The company’s software division, which started with basic programs like spreadsheets and word processing, quickly evolved into a setup of offshore software development.
By the mid-1990s, Wipro Technologies Limited was leading the charge in personal computers, medical equipment, and software services. In 1998, Wipro was already the second-largest software exporter from India, and its focus on high-margin software services became the company’s main profit driver.
Wipro’s Rise to Global Leadership
The 2000s were a golden era for Wipro. During the dot-com boom, the Wipro market cap was worth three times that of Infosys. Azim Premji’s success story made him the richest Indian for five years straight.
In 2004, Wipro revenue crossed the $1 billion revenue mark. By 2006, nearly a third of its total revenue came from product engineering and R&D services.
In 2007, the company introduced its Wipro Supernova, a series of supercomputers. And just a few years later, in 2011, Wipro joined forces with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop India’s fastest supercomputer, SAGA-220. This was used for space research at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
A New Era: Demerger and Expansion
In 2012, Wipro took a strategic step by demerging its non-IT businesses into a separate company, Wipro Enterprises. This allowed Wipro to focus even more on its IT services while still holding a strong presence in industries like consumer care, lighting, and water treatment.
Over the years, the company made a series of strategic acquisitions to grow and expand its reach. In 2016, Wipro bought Appirio, a leading cloud services company, for $500 million.
In 2023, Wipro launched ai360, a new initiative aimed at growing its AI, data, and analytics solutions.
Today, Wipro operates in over 60 countries, offering a wide range of services, from IT solutions to cloud services, engineering services, and consulting. It serves clients across industries like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, telecom, and retail.
About Wipro Technologies Limited
Wipro Limited provides IT services and consulting. Since the time It was started in 1945, Wipro has become a major player in the IT industry.
Today, Wipro company offers services like cloud computing, digital solutions, and cybersecurity to help other businesses improve. It is headquartered in Bangalore and operates in more than 50 countries.
Wipro Products and Services
| Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Business Process, Cloud, Consulting, Cybersecurity, Data & Analytics, Digital Experiences, Engineering, Sustainability |
Wipro Industries
| Banking & Financial Services, Comms, Media & Information Services, Consumer, Energy, Manufacturing and Resources, Hi-Tech, Technology Products and Services, Healthcare, Life Sciences & Pharma, Medical Devices, Platforms, Software Products and Gaming |
Wipro Ltd. Key Financials 2025
- Wipro Share Price: ₹297
- Wipro Revenue Q2 FY 25 Earnings– ₹22300cr
- Wipro Market Cap: ₹3,10,675 Cr.
- Wipro Stock P/E: 26.5
- Wipro Net Worth– ₹7,51,753 (2023-2024)
Here are some lesser-known facts about Wipro company that may surprise you:
- While today Wipro is known as a global IT leader, it started out in 1945 as a manufacturer of vegetable oils under the name Western India Vegetable Products.
- Azim Premji, the driving force behind Wipro’s transformation, dropped out of Stanford University at just 21 to take over the company after his father’s passing.
- Wipro developed India’s first minicomputer in 1981 based on the Intel 8086 chip, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
- Wipro partnered with ISRO to create India’s fastest supercomputer at the time, SAGA-220, in 2011. This supercomputer was used for space research.
- Wipro operates in over 60 countries.
Wipro’s financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2024:
- Wipro’s net income grew by 6.8% from the previous quarter.
- Wipro Limited secured deals worth $1.5 billion, the highest in 10 quarters.
The company expects IT Services- Wipro revenue to be between $2,607 million and $2,660 million.
Wipro Limited- CSR Efforts
Wipro’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts are widely recognised. Over the years, Wipro has dedicated significant resources to supporting disadvantaged communities, with over 47,000 employees actively participating across 17 countries. Through the Wipro Foundation, they focus on education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives. Their commitment to sustainability has also been reflected in their environmental programs. Some of their initiatives include- Transform to Net Zero and the Terra Carta. Their continuous efforts aim to improve lives and contribute to a better, more sustainable world
Wipro Limited- FAQs
Wipro started in 1945 as a small vegetable oil company in India. Over time, it shifted to IT services, becoming one of the leading global tech companies.
Wipro was founded by Mohamed Premji, a businessman who initially ran a vegetable oil company. His son, Azim Premji, later took the lead after his demise.
Wipro was originally called Western India Palm Refined Oils Limited (WIPRO). The name was later shortened to Wipro when it expanded into other industries.
Wipro is famous for being a major IT services and consulting company. It is known for its innovation, global reach, and leadership in the tech industry.
The full form of Wipro is “Western India Palm Refined Oils.” It was originally a vegetable oil company before transitioning to technology services.
If someone invested ₹1000 in Wipro in 1976, their investment would have grown significantly. As of Jan 9th, 2025, the Wipro share price is ₹297.
The new CEO and MD of Wipro is Srini Pallia.
Yes, Wipro Ltd is a multinational corporation (MNC). It operates in over 50 countries, providing IT and consulting services to clients worldwide.
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