Who Are the Indian Billionaires Dominating America’s Wealth?
Nidhi | Jul 18, 2025, 12:59 IST
( Image credit : ANI )
Twelve Indian-born billionaires now hold a staggering share of America’s wealth — part of a growing trend where Indian immigrants are not just thriving, but dominating the highest levels of U.S. business and tech. From Silicon Valley giants to biotech innovators, these entrepreneurs are reshaping what the American Dream looks like. This article uncovers who they are, how they built their empires, and why Indian-origin billionaires now control nearly 1 in every 5 dollars among U.S. foreign-born tycoons. It’s not just success — it’s a quiet takeover.
According to the Forbes 2025 List of America’s Richest Immigrants, Indian-origin billionaires have officially taken the lead among immigrant wealth creators in the United States. Of the 125 foreign-born billionaires currently residing in the US, 12 are of Indian origin, overtaking Israel and Taiwan, which each have 11.
Collectively, these immigrant billionaires hold $1.3 trillion, or 18 percent of America’s total billionaire wealth, even though they make up just 14 percent of the billionaire population. At the top of this elite group is Jay Chaudhry, a self-made tech mogul born in a small Himachali village, now worth $17.9 billion.
But this isn't just a story about rich Indians. It’s about a deeper shift — one that reveals the growing intellectual, financial, and strategic power of the Indian diaspora in shaping America’s future.
The journey begins with education. Over 70 percent of Indian-origin adults in the US hold at least a bachelor’s degree, the highest of any immigrant group, according to Pew Research Center. Many billionaire Indians — including Jay Chaudhry (Zscaler) and Vinod Khosla (Sun Microsystems) — came to America on student visas. Their elite educational backgrounds from institutions like IIT, BITS Pilani, and top US universities positioned them for leadership in the tech boom.
They didn’t just take jobs. They created industries — from cybersecurity to cloud computing.
According to the 2025 Forbes data, 53 of the 125 immigrant billionaires in the US made their wealth in technology. Indian-origin founders are particularly dominant in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise software, and search. Notably:
Early billionaires like Vinod Khosla didn’t stop at founding companies. They began funding them. Khosla Ventures has invested in hundreds of startups, many of which are now unicorns. Likewise, Kavitark Ram Shriram, one of Google’s first backers, became a billionaire not just through equity but through strategic investment.
Indian immigrants are no longer just employees or even CEOs — they are becoming the capital allocators shaping the next generation of American innovation. 
Here’s the stat that matters: 93 percent of immigrant billionaires in the US are self-made, according to Forbes. In contrast, only about 72 percent of US-born billionaires are self-made, the rest inherited their fortunes.
Indian-origin billionaires overwhelmingly fall into the self-made category. Most arrived in America with little wealth or connections and built their fortunes from scratch, through startups, stock options, or IPOs.
This proves that American systems of opportunity, when combined with Indian discipline and risk-taking, create unmatched upward mobility. While tech remains dominant, Indian-origin billionaires are also emerging in aviation, healthcare, finance, and consulting:
Indians make up only 1.3 percent of the US population, yet they lead in median household income ($146,000) and now dominate the immigrant billionaire index.
Their overrepresentation is driven by a unique mix of factors:
For decades, Indian-Americans were seen as model minorities — now, they’re becoming model leaders. The rise of Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai to CEO status at major American corporations created massive symbolic legitimacy for Indian leadership. It’s now more common to see Indian-origin executives running multinationals — from IBM to Adobe to Mastercard.
Trust in Indian leadership has turned into billion-dollar outcomes. Boards are betting on Indian CEOs, and investors are betting on Indian founders. This rise is more than just an economic milestone. It signals a global shift where India’s influence is being felt not just through diplomacy or development, but through wealth creation and intellectual leadership.
Indians in the US are no longer just contributing to the economy; they are helping define it.
They are the builders of platforms, funders of innovation, and shapers of digital empires. They may not have been born in America; but today, they help build the version of America that will lead the world.
Collectively, these immigrant billionaires hold $1.3 trillion, or 18 percent of America’s total billionaire wealth, even though they make up just 14 percent of the billionaire population. At the top of this elite group is Jay Chaudhry, a self-made tech mogul born in a small Himachali village, now worth $17.9 billion.
But this isn't just a story about rich Indians. It’s about a deeper shift — one that reveals the growing intellectual, financial, and strategic power of the Indian diaspora in shaping America’s future.
1. From IIT to IPO: Education Was the First Investment
IIT Madras breaks into global top 200 in QS world rankings 2026.
( Image credit : IANS )
They didn’t just take jobs. They created industries — from cybersecurity to cloud computing.
2. America’s Tech Economy Runs on Indian Code
Billionaires gather in Sun Valley in US for Allen & Co.'s annual conference.
( Image credit : IANS )
- Jay Chaudhry founded Zscaler, a global cybersecurity leader.
- Nikesh Arora is the CEO of Palo Alto Networks, another top cybersecurity firm.
- Sundar Pichai (Alphabet) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft) now control two of the five biggest tech firms in the world.
3. From Founders to Funders: The Rise of Indian Venture Capitalists
Google's unleashes ‘AI Mode’ in the next phase of its journey to change search.
( Image credit : IANS )
Indian immigrants are no longer just employees or even CEOs — they are becoming the capital allocators shaping the next generation of American innovation.
4. Billionaires Who Built From Zero: Not Inherited Wealth
US acts against facilitators of illegal immigration.
( Image credit : IANS )
Indian-origin billionaires overwhelmingly fall into the self-made category. Most arrived in America with little wealth or connections and built their fortunes from scratch, through startups, stock options, or IPOs.
This proves that American systems of opportunity, when combined with Indian discipline and risk-taking, create unmatched upward mobility.
5. Not Just Tech: Indians Are Dominating Diverse Sectors
- Rakesh Gangwal (IndiGo Airlines, aviation)
- David Paul (Medical devices, founder of Globus Medical)
- Rajiv Jain (Finance, GQG Partners)
- Neerja Sethi (Co-founder, Syntel – IT services)
6. A Demographic That Overperforms by Design
India should draw lessons from the US-UK lopsided trade deal and be cautious on deal with America, warns GTRI.
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Their overrepresentation is driven by a unique mix of factors:
- Strong math and science foundation
- English fluency
- Family and cultural values emphasizing academic excellence
- Risk-taking mindset, often encouraged by immigrant struggle
7. Cultural Credibility Is Converting to Economic Power
Trust in Indian leadership has turned into billion-dollar outcomes. Boards are betting on Indian CEOs, and investors are betting on Indian founders.
Not Just Billionaires — Nation-Builders Abroad
Indians in the US are no longer just contributing to the economy; they are helping define it.
They are the builders of platforms, funders of innovation, and shapers of digital empires. They may not have been born in America; but today, they help build the version of America that will lead the world.