Baskar Subramanian serves as the CEO and co-founder of Amagi Media Labs, a prominent Indian startup that stands out as one of the rare billion-dollar companies in the country, managing to achieve profitability.
Baskar Subramanian never aimed for a traditional “good job.” Feeling that the atmosphere at IIT Bombay didn’t align with his entrepreneurial aspirations, he made the decision to drop out. His passion for technology, ignited by the accomplishments of software icon Bill Gates, evolved into a talent for establishing companies from a young age. This journey eventually led Baskar to the creation of Amagi Media Labs, one of India’s rare profitable unicorns.
Baskar, based in Bengaluru, teamed up with KA Srinivasan and Srividhya Srinivasan to co-found Amagi Labs. As the CEO, he spearheads the company’s growth and profitability. In November 2022, Amagi successfully secured approximately Rs 800 crore in funding, resulting in a valuation of $1.4 billion (over Rs 11,500 crore). Amagi holds a prominent position as a media technology company and stands as a leader in India’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) sector. The company pioneered targeted advertising for television channels, enabling them to display location-based advertisements to their viewers.
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Subramanian’s story takes root in the 1990s when he was an ambitious middle-class boy with lofty aspirations. Witnessing the remarkable success of tech pioneers like Microsoft, Baskar became deeply passionate about software development during his school years. Despite his parents’ inability to afford a computer, he persevered and utilized the computer lab at his school to create software. Selling software soon became his calling, and even while in the 11th grade, Baskar embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by selling his first software product.
After completing his graduation in Computer Science Engineering from GCT Coimbatore, Baskar pursued an MTech admission at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. However, he made the decision to drop out. He gained professional experience by working for renowned companies such as Texas Instruments. In 2000, Baskar embarked on his second venture, Impulsesoft, where he focused on developing audio headsets. By 2002, his company successfully manufactured cutting-edge Bluetooth watches, establishing itself as a pioneer in the field. In 2005, SiRF Technology Holdings acquired Baskar’s company. Later, in 2008, he co-founded Amagi, marking another significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.
