Reliance Industries Joins the World’s Top 30 Tech Companies: India’s Digital Titan Rises

By Mohit Singhania | Updated: June 24, 2025

As a proud Indian and lifelong tech watcher, I never imagined I’d see Reliance join the ranks of Apple, Google, and Amazon. But it has — and the moment is worth celebrating.

In a historic achievement, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has become the only Indian company to enter the top 30 list of the world’s largest tech companies, based on market capitalization.

From Textile Roots to Tech Glory

Founded in 1958 by Dhirubhai Ambani, Reliance started as a textile manufacturer. Over the decades, it diversified into petrochemicals, refining, oil & gas exploration, and more. However, the real transformation began in the 21st century, especially under the leadership of Mukesh Ambani.

Jio: The Turning Point in India’s Digital Revolution

In 2016, Reliance launched Jio, offering free voice calls and ultra-cheap data. The rest, as they say, is history.

India went from being one of the lowest-ranked countries in mobile data usage to number one globally — all within a few years. With over 450 million subscribers, Jio not only disrupted the telecom sector but laid the foundation for Reliance’s digital empire.

Jio Platforms: The Backbone of Reliance’s Tech Empire

To understand how Reliance entered the league of tech giants, you have to look at Jio Platforms — a separate digital services entity created to house all of Reliance’s technological initiatives.

Investment Frenzy: Global Tech Giants Back Reliance

In 2020, during the pandemic no less, Reliance raised a record-breaking ₹1.5 lakh crore for Jio Platforms from global tech titans and investors, including:

• Facebook (now Meta) – $5.7 billion
• Google – $4.5 billion
• Silver Lake, KKR, Intel, Qualcomm, and many more

This wasn’t just funding — it was validation that Reliance was now a serious player in global tech.

The Digital Arsenal: How Reliance Built a Tech Stack

Reliance didn’t stop at 4G. It began building a complete tech ecosystem, including:

JioMart – Revolutionizing Retail

Competing with Amazon and Flipkart, JioMart combines online ordering with Reliance’s offline retail reach, serving even Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities.

JioCinema – Taking Over Indian OTT

Offering free IPL streaming in 4K, JioCinema shattered records and signaled the company’s intent to own digital entertainment.

Ajio – Fashion Meets Technology

Ajio became one of the fastest-growing e-commerce fashion portals in India, going head-to-head with Myntra and others.

JioMeet, JioCloud, JioSaavn – Digital Tools for a Digital India

From video conferencing to music streaming and cloud storage, Reliance quietly built alternatives to Zoom, Spotify, and even Google Drive — but tailored for India.

Future-Forward: AI, Cloud, and Satellite Ambitions

Ambani is not just catching up — he’s looking 10 years ahead.

Building India’s Own AI

Reliance is developing Indian-language Large Language Models (LLMs) and partnering with global AI chipmakers like NVIDIA to create scalable generative AI infrastructure.

Cloud Infrastructure at Hyperscale

Through a joint venture with Microsoft Azure, Reliance is building hyperscale data centers in India. This not only challenges AWS and Google Cloud but offers local businesses a powerful alternative.

JioSpaceFiber and 6G Testing

While others are still rolling out 5G, Reliance is already testing 6G technologies and has announced JioSpaceFiber — satellite broadband for rural India.

According to Brand Finance’s 2025 report:

“Jio has been ranked among the Top 5 strongest telecom brands in the world, with a brand strength index of 90.2 out of 100.”

Global Recognition and Billion-Dollar Validation

Reliance has earned its spot on multiple global lists:

• Fortune Global 500: Among the top 100 companies worldwide
• Time’s Most Influential Companies (2024): Cited for pioneering digital infrastructure in emerging markets
• Brand Finance Global 500: Jio ranked among the top 5 strongest telecom brands globally

More impressively, Jio Platforms alone is valued at over $90 billion, putting it in the same league as some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names.

The Strategy Behind the Success

What sets Reliance apart from traditional tech unicorns is clarity of vision and execution:

• It partners with global giants, instead of competing head-on.
• It builds India-specific solutions, which are scalable globally.
• It controls both the infrastructure and the content — from cables in the ground to movies on your phone.

And let’s not forget: this is a company that still owns oil refineries, retail chains, and even the largest private sector bank stake in India. Now add AI, cloud, and e-commerce on top of that — and you’ve got a juggernaut.

What’s Next for the Digital Giant?

With Akash Ambani now leading the digital business, here’s what’s coming:

• Jio Financial Services – poised to disrupt digital lending, insurance, and UPI payments
• Jio OS – Rumors persist about Reliance building a native mobile OS to power JioPhones
• OTT Originals – JioCinema is planning its own original shows, movies, and even international collaborations
• IPO Watch – A possible IPO for Jio Platforms or Reliance Retail could make headlines in the near future

This is no longer just an Indian growth story — it’s a global tech saga in motion.

Masala Meter: How Spicy Is Reliance’s Tech Journey?

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Final Thoughts

This isn’t just about one company. It’s about India proving that it can lead the world in technology — not just follow.
So if you’re excited about India’s tech future, share this article, and let’s celebrate this historic milestone together. 🚀