Neeraj Gupta

Neeraj Gupta

Why did you come to KTH?
I was doing my B.Tech. (1998-2002) at the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT in India. In 2001, my professor and final year project guide Professor Vijaya Agarwala, told me about the course. She was the visiting faculty at KTH. After doing further research, I came to know that the International Master of Science (M.S.) programme in Scientific Computing & Mathematics at KTH is one of the best programmes in the world. I applied for the same and based on my credentials, recommendations and admission application, I got the admission along with a STINT Scholarship for Academic Excellence for 18 months.
 
How have you ended up with your company?
After completion of my M.S. degree in Mathematics from KTH, I had a few PhD offers as well as a few job offers. I also had interacted with several entrepreneurs who were KTH Alumni during my studies there, and I was very impressed with them. My classmate introduced me to patents and innovation management when I came back to India I decided to start a company in patent consulting and innovation management. To make it as an entrepreneur, what you need is determination and a true passion for what you’re doing.
 
Did KTH influence your current position as founder and CEO?
Most certainly! Studying at KTH was the best thing that could have happened to me. Interaction with professors, approach to teaching, quality of education and great classmates at KTH helped me grow in confidence. I was surrounded with hundreds of like-minded people at KTH. I made incredible connections during my KTH days, which helped me during my entrepreneurial venture in other ways. Having a degree at KTH offered a level of credibility while dealing with bankers, investors and prospective clients.
 
Why is KTH a good university when you are looking for an international career?
Strong research and funding have helped make KTH among the world’s most prestigious universities, making it particularly attractive to international students, as well as professors and researchers, in the pursuit of academic excellence. KTH stresses educational principles, while emphasizing practical, employment-related skills. Consequently, students have a vast array of career options and opportunities lying before them once they complete their degree programme.
 
How is it evident that KTH has close cooperation and good relations with your home region? How can you benefit from this?
Many professors from KTH are visiting faculty at top technical universities in India. A lot of collaborative research is going on between KTH and Indian technical universities. KTH, with the help of the Swedish Trade Council in India, is arranging many activities in India. The KTH alumni office is very active in India; this is helping me grow my business network.  
 
Your future plans?
I plan to expand my business base in Europe.
 
Recommendations to students in your home country that are considering KTH
KTH is Sweden’s number one technical university with high capacity in research and education; Stockholm is a really beautiful international city, having many people from different countries with different backgrounds and cultures. Swedish people are friendly, calm, helpful, nice, nature-lovers. The combination of quality education, excellent faculty, great approach to teaching, diversity and a social campus environment all combine to make for a great 2-4 years of college. It's an awesome college that focuses on community, academics and the social life of students.