Nikhil Rathi: MD and CEO, Web Werks India Private Limited
Nikhil Rathi’s 22 years of professional experience have gi-ven him a strong technical grounding, a keen business sense and, most importantly, a clear vision of the information and communication technology (ICT) industry’s future. He is currently managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Web Werks India Private Limited. He is also the founder of DE-CIX India, Neosoft Technologies, and Next Star Venture Capital LLP.
Rathi founded Web Werks during the early days of the Indian internet. “Acting as a business catalyst, I have been pitching Web Werks on the global map, with our data centres located in strategic cities, with many marquee clients,” he says. Under his mentorship, Web Werks has evolved from a web hosting company to the owner and operator of Mumbai’s most densely connected data centre with two additional Tier III facilities in Pune and Noida.
Rathi is excited about Web Werks’ recent agreement with Iron Mountain, which plans to invest $150 million over the next two years in a joint venture (JV) to capitalise on India’s imminent data centre boom. “By leveraging Iron Mountain’s trusted brand, design expertise and capital, Web Werks is using its extensive knowledge and experience of the Indian market to propel the JV’s rapid expansion throughout the country,” says Rathi.
Rathi believes that increasing data volumes, higher compute and network speeds, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) and new superfast networks such as 5G will be the key focus areas in the current times. “The humongous infrastructure requirements for Indian data centres and connectivity sectors offer unmatched investment potential,” he says.
According to Rathi, an entrepreneurial tone informs the company. “I have a goal-oriented mindset, which is focused on leading my team to produce the best results,” Rathi remarks. Going forward, he plans to expand Web Werks’ footprint to every major metro in India, including existing markets in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Pune, along with upcoming data centres in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
A graduate in finance and business, Rathi also has a master’s in computer science and an MBA in marketing from Nichols College Massachusetts, USA. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling with his children and indulging in adventure sports. “My family is the pillar that I rely on to drive me forward in all my endeavours,” he says. Rathi also likes reading books on science, technology and philosophy, along with the latest business bestsellers.
