Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) co-founder Invoice Gates highlighted how a small group of IIT graduates helped rework Microsoft’s engineering capabilities at a time when U.S. visa insurance policies are sparking international debate.
IIT Engineers Performed Key Position In Constructing Microsoft’s Early Engineering Crew
In a 2024 video from IIT Delhi, Gates mentioned, “In a way, my first reference to India got here due to the IITs.”
He added, “One of many nice individuals who labored for me mentioned that he would go over to India and rent about 15 individuals who’d been college students at IIT. That may strengthen Microsoft’s engineering capabilities.”
Gates additionally addressed criticism on the time: “The Indian press mentioned this was a horrible factor as a result of all these nice individuals have been leaving the nation.”
He continued, “The U.S. press mentioned this was a horrible factor, all these individuals coming from one other nation. However I feel now, over 25 years later, we are able to say that was an outstanding factor—each for India and america, and naturally for Microsoft itself.”
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Price Sparks Debate Over International Tech Expertise
Gates’ remarks come amid renewed debate over U.S. immigration coverage, because the President Donald Trump administration has carried out a $100,000 payment for brand new H-1B visas, supposed to draw prime international expertise, reported Monetary Categorical.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the payment solely applies to new visas, not renewals or present visa holders.
He additionally highlighted the long-term influence of those hires, noting that some returned to India to assist arrange Microsoft places of work, resulting in a 25,000-strong workforce there at this time.
“A really excessive proportion of the great individuals I set to work with joined from India, initially although in that listing must be Satya Nadella, who we have been so fortunate to have as CEO,” Gates mentioned.
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Gates’ Signed $1Bill Turns into Prized Souvenir For Former Microsoft India Chairman
Earlier this month, Gates as soon as gave a signed $1 invoice to concede an argument, a uncommon souvenir that former Microsoft India chairman Ravi Venkatesan later framed. Venkatesan, who led Microsoft India from 2004 to 2011, recalled on “The India Alternative Present” podcast that the trade occurred throughout Gates’ go to to India round 2006–2007.
In accordance with Venkatesan, the incident occurred on a late-night flight from Delhi to Chennai after a “foolish” dispute. Gates, already exhausted, finally admitted, “Nicely, I assume you are proper.” Inspired by his spouse, Melinda French Gates, he wrote on a $1 invoice, “I used to be unsuitable, Invoice Gates,” and handed it to Venkatesan.
Venkatesan mentioned the invoice grew to become a prized souvenir, serving as a uncommon reminder of out-arguing one of many world’s most influential tech figures.
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Disclaimer: This content material was partially produced with the assistance of AI instruments and was reviewed and revealed by Benzinga editors.
Photograph Courtesy: Alexandros Michailidis on Shutterstock

