Naveen Tewari is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of InMobi, a global mobile advertising and technology company.
InMobi was the first startup in India to reach unicorn status, with its value now at $15 billion.
Learn more about Naveen Tewari and how he created India’s first unicorn startup.
Early Life and Education
Naveen was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, into a family deeply involved in education.
His father was a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, and his grandmother was the first female professor at the same institution.
Growing up in this academic environment, Naveen was encouraged to pursue excellence.
He studied mechanical engineering at IIT Kanpur and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. His education laid a strong foundation for his future career.
The Birth of InMobi
In 2007, Naveen Tewari co-founded InMobi, a mobile advertising platform.
He and three friends, Abhay Singhal, Amit Gupta, and Shubham Jain, started their first venture, mKhoj, an SMS-based search engine.
They operated from a residential apartment in Bangalore but faced difficulties.
They changed their focus and rebranded the company to InMobi, shifting from mobile search to mobile advertising.
The new name was easier to pronounce and remember.
At that time, the term “unicorn” was just another word in the dictionary. Under Naveen’s leadership, InMobi quickly became a major player in mobile advertising.
By 2011, InMobi became India’s first startup to be valued at over $1 billion, reaching unicorn status.
Its innovative solutions connected with over 1.5 billion devices in 190 countries, changing the mobile advertising industry.
A New Venture: Glance
Naveen Tewari’s entrepreneurial journey did not end with InMobi.
In 2019, he launched Glance, an AI-powered smart lock screen platform.
Glance gained traction, captivating 230 million users globally and establishing itself as another unicorn under Tewari’s leadership.
This innovative platform showcases Tewari’s continued commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to create impactful solutions.
Naveen Tewari net worth
Naveen Tewari’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹1,668 crores.
Also Read: InMobi Secures $100 Million from MARS Growth for AI-Focused Expansion
Tewari’s investments and contributions
Naveen Tewari’s influence goes beyond his unicorn successes. He has invested in over 30 startups, showing his dedication to supporting new businesses.
He also co-founded iSPIRT, a group that helps grow the Indian software industry.
His work has been recognized with the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman, celebrating his role in supporting India’s startup community.
Conclusion
Naveen Tewari’s story is a powerful example of how determination and creativity can lead to great success.
From his early struggles with mKhoj to building India’s first unicorn and beyond, Naveen’s journey continues to inspire many.
