Sabeer Bhatia: An Indian Who Built and Sold his Startup to Microsoft for $400 Million in Just 18 Months
In 1996, Sabeer Bhatia co-founded Hotmail, the first free webmail service, alongside Jack Smith.
Bhatia faced about 18 rejections before securing a $300,000 investment that launched Hotmail into the digital world.
Just 18 months after its launch, Hotmail was acquired by Microsoft for $400 million after initial negotiations started with a $140 million offer.
The acquisition marked a significant shift in the IT industry and solidified Bhatia's status as a tech industry legend.
After selling Hotmail, Bhatia launched several other companies, including Arzoo Inc. and JaxtrSMS, though none replicated Hotmail's success.
Bhatia's latest project, ShowReel, aims to empower startups and innovators, combining education with a platform to showcase new ventures.
In June, Bhatia joined CyberDive, a company that produces a smartphone for kids, as an official advisor, furthering his influence in the tech sector.
Bhatia’s journey from Hotmail co-founder to a tech consultant demonstrates his enduring passion for innovation and his lasting impact on the digital world.