Quick Info
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Producer, Author |
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| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 08/09/1956 |
| Age | 69 years |
| Birthplace | Bombay, Maharashtra (now Mumbai) |
Latest News about Ronnie Screwvala
Ronnie Screwvala, co-founder of upGrad, confirmed that upGrad held exploratory discussions with Unacademy's leadership and investors regarding a potential acquisition, though he stated no formal deal is currently being negotiated. In an exclusive interview with The Economic Times, he clarified that while meetings took place with Unacademy's backers, the talks have not progressed into a materialized transaction despite media speculation about a deal signing in the coming weeks[4].
During a discussion on Startup Central regarding Budget 2026, Ronnie Screwvala highlighted that easier access to credit, simpler regulations, and long-term policy clarity are the top priorities for India's startup ecosystem. Speaking on ET Now, he emphasized that these measures are essential to support growth in the sector[3].
Ronnie Screwvala, co-founder of upGrad and The Swades Foundation, stated that India's demographic dividend must be earned through improved education systems rather than assumed as an automatic national strength. He emphasized that young people need to build capability, adaptability, and accountability to truly leverage the country's demographic advantage[2].
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Bio/Wiki
| Full name | Rohinton Soli Screwvala |
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| Nickname(s) | Ronnie Screwvala |
| Famous for | Pioneering Cable TV in India, Founder of UTV Software Communications, Co-founder of upGrad |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 180 cm |
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| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| School | Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai |
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| College/University | Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai |
| Educational Qualification | B.Comm |
Personal Life
| Address | Breach Candy, South Mumbai, Maharashtra |
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| Religion/Religious Views | Zoroastrianism |
| Caste | Parsee |
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| Controversy | Controversial Tweet on Multiplexes |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
| Awards & Achievements |
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| Major Ventures |
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Social Media
| https://www.instagram.com/ronnie.screwvala/ | |
| https://twitter.com/RonnieScrewvala | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronniescrewvala |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. An Indian businessman and TV & film producer, he is the founder of UTV. | |
| 2. After graduating, he initiated a theatre company. | |
| 3. He introduced home shopping in India through Tele-Shopping Network (TSN). | |
| 4. He is the founder of United Studios, UTV group, and Unilazer Ventures. | |
| 5. He established the NGO Swades Foundation to create livelihood opportunities in India. | |
| 6. He founded the Indian film production company RSVP Movies. | |
| 7. Known for authoring several books and articles. | |
| 8. He co-founded the e-sports company 'U Sports' and online education platform upGrad. | |
| 9. An enthusiastic animal lover, he has pet dogs named Sprite and Skye. | |
| 10. Founded a toothbrush manufacturing company called Laser in the late 1980s. | |
| 11. Divested UTV to Disney in 2012 for an enterprise value of US$1.4 billion. | |
| 12. Launched a personal $50 million fund to invest in early-stage AI, deeptech, and space-tech startups. | |
| 13. Served as Managing Director of Disney in India after divesting UTV. | |
| 14. Pioneered cable television in India in 1981 when the country had only one terrestrial channel (Doordarshan). | |
| 15. UTV went public and listed on stock exchanges in 2005. | |
| 16. The Swades Foundation aims to empower one million people in rural India every 5-7 years through a 360-degree model spanning water, sanitation, health, education, and livelihood. |