How Mukesh Ambani Bet Big on Jio: ‘The Risk That Changed India’

June 26, 2025: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, opened up about his long-term leadership vision, the bold bets that shaped India’s digital future, and how the legacy of his father, Dhirubhai Ambani, continues to guide him. In an exclusive interview for McKinsey’s Leading Asia series, Ambani shared insights into Reliance’s evolution from a textile company into one of the world’s most innovative and diversified conglomerates.

During the conversation, Ambani identified the launch of Reliance Jio as the company’s most daring venture. “We’ve always taken big risks because, for us, scale is important,” Ambani said. “The biggest risk we have taken so far was Jio.” Despite widespread skepticism about India’s digital readiness, Ambani forged ahead, using personal capital to fund the project. “In the worst case, we will not earn much return. But this will be the best philanthropy we’ve ever done because we will have digitized India.”

This move not only disrupted India’s telecom landscape but also positioned Reliance as a technology and data powerhouse. Ambani credited this achievement to having a “clear vision and the right talent,” which he considers foundational to any lasting enterprise.

Ambani also spoke about how Reliance constantly reinvents itself. “The Reliance of the 1960s and ’70s is completely different from the Reliance of the 2000s and 2020s,” he said. He pointed to the group’s ability to defy conventional wisdom—like its vertically integrated approach—and transform emerging technologies into engines of scale and national development.

Reflecting on his leadership values, Ambani recalled his father’s belief that building institutions that outlive individuals is the ultimate legacy. “You come without anything into this world, and you leave without taking anything with you. What you leave behind is an institution,” he said.

With Reliance nearing its 50th anniversary in 2027, Ambani’s goal is clear: to make Reliance a century-serving institution that continues to empower India and contribute to humanity.