BrowserStack Co-Founders Donate Rs 100 Crore to IIT Bombay: A Game-Changer for Startups

BrowserStack co-founders donated Rs 100 crore to IIT Bombay, a monumental gesture aimed at transforming student living experiences through modernized hostel infrastructure. This article dives into the significance of this donation, exploring how Ritesh Arora and Nakul Aggarwal, IIT Bombay alumni and founders of the $4B SaaS unicorn BrowserStack, are giving back to their alma mater. We’ll cover the details of the donation, its impact on IIT Bombay’s Project Evergreen, the founders’ journey, and the broader trend of alumni contributions fueling India’s startup and education ecosystem. Expect insights into why this move matters for Startup India and the future of tech innovation

A Landmark Donation for IIT Bombay

BrowserStack co-founders donated Rs 100 crore to IIT Bombay, marking one of the largest alumni contributions to the institute. Announced on April 29, 2025, this donation is set to revolutionize student living facilities, focusing on reconstructing Hostel 6 where founders Ritesh Arora and Nakul Aggarwal once resided and modernizing Hostels 7, 8, and 21 under IIT Bombay’s ambitious Project Evergreen. This move isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about fostering an environment where future tech leaders can thrive, aligning with the ethos of Startup India.

The donation, partly funded through BrowserStack’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, underscores the company’s commitment to education and innovation. IIT Bombay, ranked 28th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 for Engineering & Technology, stands to benefit immensely, enhancing its reputation as a breeding ground for India’s tech talent.

Who Are the BrowserStack Co-Founders?

Ritesh Arora and Nakul Aggarwal, both IIT Bombay alumni from the Class of 2006, are the brains behind BrowserStack, a cloud-based software testing platform valued at $4 billion. Graduating with B.Tech degrees in Computer Science, the duo started their entrepreneurial journey with two earlier ventures—Quarkbase and Downcase—before launching BrowserStack in 2011.

BrowserStack quickly became a global leader, serving over 50,000 customers, including tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. The platform enables developers to test websites and apps across thousands of devices and browsers, streamlining software development. Profitable within six months of its commercial launch, BrowserStack’s success story is a testament to the founders’ vision and IIT Bombay’s rigorous training. In 2021, both founders were listed among India’s richest self-made entrepreneurs, each with a net worth of Rs 12,400 crore.

Ritesh, the CEO, and Nakul, the CTO, have consistently credited their alma mater for shaping their mindset. “IIT Bombay gave us the foundation to build BrowserStack into a global tech leader,” Ritesh said in a statement. Their Rs 100 crore donation reflects gratitude and a desire to pay it forward.

Why IIT Bombay? A Personal Connection

For Arora and Aggarwal, this donation is deeply personal. Both lived in Hostel 6 during their undergraduate years, a place they say sparked lifelong friendships and ideas. “My journey from Hostel 6 to building a global tech company showed me how powerful the right environment is for nurturing innovation,” Nakul Aggarwal shared.

IIT Bombay has long been a cornerstone of India’s tech ecosystem, producing luminaries like Nandan Nilekani and Parag Agrawal. The institute’s emphasis on problem-solving and collaboration resonates with the BrowserStack co-founders’ ethos. By donating Rs 100 crore, they aim to recreate the transformative experience they had for future students, ensuring modern facilities foster creativity and academic excellence.

This gesture also aligns with Startup India’s mission to nurture entrepreneurship. By improving campus infrastructure, the donation creates a ripple effect, encouraging students to dream big and launch ventures that could redefine India’s startup landscape.

Project Evergreen: Modernizing Student Life

The Rs 100 crore donation will primarily fund Project Evergreen, IIT Bombay’s initiative to upgrade hostel infrastructure for its 14,000-strong student body. The reconstruction of Hostel 6 will introduce modern architecture, enhanced amenities, and spaces designed to support student well-being. Hostels 7, 8, and 21 will also undergo significant upgrades, ensuring a vibrant, inclusive campus environment.

“Quality infrastructure plays a crucial role in nurturing well-rounded engineers who can solve tomorrow’s complex challenges,” Ritesh Arora emphasized. The revamped hostels will include collaborative spaces, high-speed internet, and eco-friendly designs, aligning with global standards. These improvements are expected to enhance the living and learning experience, making IIT Bombay a more attractive destination for top talent.

Professor Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, hailed the donation as a “generous gesture” that exemplifies alumni commitment. The institute plans to leverage this funding to maintain its edge in engineering education, further solidifying its global ranking.

BrowserStack’s Rise in Startup India

BrowserStack’s journey is a shining example of Startup India’s success. Founded without external funding for its first six years, the company bootstrapped its way to profitability, a rare feat in the startup world. In 2021, it became India’s highest-valued SaaS unicorn, surpassing Freshworks with a $4 billion valuation. Today, BrowserStack powers over 2 million tests daily across 19 global data centers, serving clients like Sainsbury’s and OLX.

The company’s focus on solving real-world problems—streamlining cross-platform testing—has made it indispensable for developers worldwide. Its recent forays into AI-powered testing and acquisitions like Percy for visual testing show its commitment to innovation. The Rs 100 crore donation to IIT Bombay is an extension of this ethos, reinforcing BrowserStack’s role as a leader in India’s startup ecosystem.

By investing in education, BrowserStack is nurturing the next generation of innovators who could launch the next big startup. This aligns with Startup India’s goal of creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurship, where talent and infrastructure go hand in hand.

The Ripple Effect of Alumni Giving

The BrowserStack co-founders’ donation is part of a growing trend of IIT alumni giving back. In 2023, Nandan Nilekani donated Rs 315 crore to IIT Bombay, bringing his total contributions to Rs 400 crore. An anonymous alumnus gifted Rs 160 crore for a Green Energy and Sustainability Research Hub, while Rakesh Gangwal donated Rs 100 crore to IIT Kanpur for a medical sciences school.

These contributions highlight the symbiotic relationship between India’s premier institutes and its startup ecosystem. Alumni who’ve built successful ventures recognize the role their education played and are eager to invest in future talent. This cycle of giving strengthens institutions like IIT Bombay, enabling them to compete globally and produce graduates who drive Startup India forward.

The BrowserStack donation also sets a precedent for other startups. As India’s startup ecosystem matures, more founders are likely to follow suit, creating a virtuous cycle of investment in education and innovation. This could transform India into a global hub for tech talent, rivaling Silicon Valley.

What’s Next for IIT Bombay and BrowserStack?

For IIT Bombay, the Rs 100 crore donation is a stepping stone toward its vision of becoming a global leader in engineering and technology. The institute plans to establish centers of excellence in AI, green energy, and quantum computing, areas critical to the future of tech. Enhanced hostel facilities will attract top students, ensuring IIT Bombay remains a talent magnet.

BrowserStack, meanwhile, is doubling down on innovation. With plans to integrate AI into its testing platform and expand globally, the company is poised for further growth. Its CSR initiatives, like the IIT Bombay donation, signal a commitment to social impact, setting it apart in the competitive SaaS landscape.

As Startup India continues to thrive, the collaboration between institutes like IIT Bombay and companies like BrowserStack will be pivotal. Together, they’re building a future where India leads in technology and entrepreneurship.

Conclusion: A Win for Education and Startups

BrowserStack co-founders donated Rs 100 crore to IIT Bombay, a move that’s both a heartfelt thank-you and a bold investment in India’s future. By modernizing hostel facilities and supporting Project Evergreen, Ritesh Arora and Nakul Aggarwal are ensuring that IIT Bombay remains a launchpad for the next generation of tech pioneers. This donation is more than a financial boost—it’s a symbol of how Startup India and education can work together to create lasting impact.

As alumni giving gains momentum, we can expect more such stories, where successful entrepreneurs uplift the institutions that shaped them. For now, IIT Bombay and BrowserStack are setting the gold standard, proving that giving back is the ultimate startup success story.