Jio was Reliance’s boldest bet yet, says Mukesh Ambani

As Reliance nears its 50th anniversary in 2027, Ambani envisions a future focused on deep technology and advanced manufacturing, emphasizing innovation that transforms markets through disruptive business models and addresses societal challenges with impactful solutions

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has described the creation of Jio as the most significant risk the conglomerate has ever undertaken—a move that ultimately reshaped India’s digital landscape.

In a recent interview with McKinsey & Company’s Gautam Kumra, Ambani reflected on the bold decision to invest heavily in Jio at a time when many analysts questioned the viability of high-end digital infrastructure in India. “It was our own capital at stake,” he said, adding that some believed the market was not ready for such advanced technology. “I told my board, in the worst-case scenario, we won’t make a great return—but we would have digitised India. That, in itself, would be the best philanthropic contribution Reliance could make.”

Today, Jio stands as a $100 billion company, underscoring the impact of that calculated risk. Ambani credits the group’s long-standing vision of scale and purpose-led growth for this transformation.

Positioning for green energy leadership

Looking ahead, Reliance is positioning itself to lead in emerging sectors such as green and clean energy. “Our latest focus is on building one of the world’s largest ecosystems for new energy,” Ambani revealed. The initiative spans solar technology, battery storage, green hydrogen, and bioenergy—marking a strategic shift in response to global sustainability needs.

He also emphasized the company’s culture of continual reinvention, noting that Reliance reassesses its direction every three to five years. “We’ve never hesitated to venture into uncharted territory—be it polyester, telecommunications, or now, energy,” he said.

As Reliance approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, Ambani envisions a future anchored in deep technology and advanced manufacturing. Innovation, he said, must go beyond products to include disruptive business models and socially impactful solutions. “True innovation means reshaping markets and addressing core societal challenges in completely new ways.”

Reliance’s trajectory, from petrochemicals to digital infrastructure and now sustainable technology, highlights its evolving identity as not just an industrial giant, but a future-ready tech powerhouse.