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India's meteoric rise in the global technology landscape is no accident. It is the outcome of a few brilliant minds who dared to dream beyond limits. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder of Infosys and one of the stalwarts of India’s IT revolution, continues to push boundaries. While his work with Infosys changed the face of Indian outsourcing, it is his post-Infosys journey that truly reflects his commitment to India's technological future.

At a time when the Indian government struggled to adequately fund science and innovation, Gopalakrishnan took it upon himself to become a bridge between policy inertia and private innovation. His strategic investments, philanthropic initiatives, and vision for a science-driven economy are shaping the India of tomorrow.

In this blog, we explore how Kris Gopalakrishnan is enabling what India always aspired to be — a global innovation leader — through patient capital, visionary leadership, and unwavering belief in Indian science.

From Corporate Success to Scientific Patronage

Kris Gopalakrishnan built one of the most successful IT companies in Indian history — Infosys — serving as its CEO and later Vice Chairman. But post-retirement, he didn’t choose a quiet life. Instead, he launched a second career — as a funder and facilitator of science, technology, and innovation.

He turned his attention to solving the very gap India has long faced: underinvestment in cutting-edge research, especially in frontier technologies such as AI, neuroscience, brain research, and computing infrastructure. His belief is simple — if India wants to be a global tech power, it cannot rely solely on coding and services. It must invest in science.

The Gopalakrishnan Brain Research Centre and India's Neuroscience Leap

One of Kris Gopalakrishnan's most impactful contributions is the Gopalakrishnan – Deshpande Centre for Brain Research at IISc Bengaluru. Backed by a ₹450 crore personal donation — one of the largest individual philanthropic contributions to Indian science — this center aims to unravel the mysteries of the brain.

While the Indian government funds basic health and education, it often falls short in supporting deep scientific research. That’s where private initiatives like Gopalakrishnan’s step in. The brain research center focuses on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological diseases that are not only health issues but also future economic challenges for an ageing population.

This is more than philanthropy — it’s nation-building through science.

Building India’s Innovation Ecosystem

Kris Gopalakrishnan’s work goes beyond funding research — he is building a full-stack innovation ecosystem:

1. Axilor Ventures

As a founding partner of Axilor Ventures, Gopalakrishnan is nurturing India’s next generation of startups. Axilor focuses on early-stage companies in deep tech, healthcare, fintech, and SaaS — sectors where innovation can solve large-scale problems.

2. itihaasa Research and Digital

With itihaasa, he documents and disseminates the history of India’s IT industry, making it accessible to students, researchers, and entrepreneurs. It’s part of his vision to preserve institutional memory and inspire future tech leaders.

3. National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)

As a member of India’s key science advisory bodies, Gopalakrishnan contributes to national policies around AI, IoT, quantum computing, and cyber-physical systems. He is not just a donor — he is a strategic thinker shaping India’s tech policy.

Why Private Innovation Matters More Than Ever

Public funding in India — though growing — still trails far behind global benchmarks. Countries like the US and China invest heavily in R&D, but in India, private individuals like Gopalakrishnan are bridging the funding gap.

He believes that:

• Public systems move slowly due to bureaucracy.
• Private capital is agile, can take risks, and can focus on long-term returns.
• India's demographic dividend can only be leveraged with future-ready skills and research.

By channeling personal wealth into tech and science, he is creating what India’s policy environment could not — a culture of innovation funding that rivals the West.

Real-World Impact: Seeding Generational Change

Kris Gopalakrishnan’s initiatives have already begun showing tangible outcomes:

• IISc’s brain research center is attracting global collaborations.
• Startups supported by Axilor have raised follow-on funding and created jobs.
• His advocacy for AI policy is influencing how India regulates and supports emerging technologies.

He is investing in institutions, not just ventures. The compounding effect of this approach will likely be visible for decades.

FAQs: Understanding the Depth of His Work

Q1. Why focus on neuroscience?

Neuroscience is the next frontier in human health. India’s burden of mental and neurological disorders is rising. Investing early positions India as a global hub in brain science.

Q2. Isn’t the government responsible for funding science?

Yes, but public funding is limited and often bureaucratic. Gopalakrishnan complements government efforts with flexible, mission-driven investments.

Q3. How does this help India’s future?

By supporting AI, neuroscience, and startups, he is helping India become self-reliant in strategic technologies, which are essential for national growth and security.

Conclusion: The Leader India Didn’t Know It Needed

Kris Gopalakrishnan is doing what many governments couldn’t — building India’s future with scalable, visionary, and science-led innovation. While others focus on incremental growth, he is laying the foundation for India’s next leap in global relevance.

Whether it’s building a brain research center, seeding startups, or shaping policy, Gopalakrishnan’s second innings is as impactful — if not more — than his first. In an era of unicorns and quick exits, he is playing the long game.

And perhaps that is the most powerful thing about his leadership — he’s building not just companies, but institutions and ideas that will define India for generations.