Srikanth Bolla: From a Visually Impaired Child to a Shark Tank India Judge:
Key Points about Srikanth Bolla:
- Born on July 7, 1991, in Seetharamapuram, Andhra Pradesh, as a visually impaired child.
- Grew up in poverty with uneducated farmer parents who supported his education.
- Walked miles to school, guided by his brother, and scored 98% in Class XII.
- Fought a six-month legal battle to study science, a first for visually impaired students in Andhra Pradesh.
- Became the first international blind student at MIT’s Sloan School, graduating 2009–2014.
- Excelled in blind cricket, chess, swimming, and baseball at national levels.
- Founded Samanvai Center in 2011 to support children with multiple disabilities.
- Launched Bollant Industries in 2012, employing over 500, half visually impaired, with a $150 million turnover.
- Named Forbes 30 under 30 in 2017, one of three Indians recognized.
- Married Veera Swathi in 2022, welcomed daughter Nayana in 2024.
- Inspired a 2024 Bollywood biopic Srikanth starring Rajkummar Rao.
- Became a youth leader in Lead India 2020, training over 800,000 youth.
- Directed Surge Impact Foundation since 2016 for Sustainable Development Goals.
- Joined Shark Tank India Season 4 as a judge in March 2025.
- Continues to inspire with his focus on inclusivity and entrepreneurship.
1. Background and Early Life:
Srikanth Bolla’s story starts in Seetharamapuram, a tiny village in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Born on July 7, 1991, he entered a world of struggle. His parents were poor farmers with no education, and the family had no electricity. Being visually impaired from birth made life harder, and neighbors even suggested they abandon him. But his parents stood by him, giving him the strength to dream big.
From age six, Srikanth walked miles to school, guided by his brother and classmates. He faced isolation, sitting on the last bench for two years as others avoided him. Yet, he turned challenges into opportunities, learning Braille and converting textbooks to audiobooks. This early grit set the stage for an amazing journey ahead.
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2. Educational Journey and Sports:
Srikanth’s education wasn’t easy, but he fought for every step. After scoring 98% in Class XII at Royal Junior College (2007–2009), he wanted to study science. The state rules said no to visually impaired students, so he took them to court. After six months, he won, becoming the first in Andhra Pradesh to study science. Later, rejected by IIT coaching institutes, he applied to top global schools like Stanford and MIT, choosing MIT’s Sloan School. From 2009 to 2014, he was the first international blind student there, even starting a computer training center for others like him.
Sports were his passion too. Srikanth played for the Andhra Pradesh State Blind Cricket Team, using noise-making balls to adapt. He was a top chess player, competing nationally, and also shone in swimming and baseball. His skills earned him spots in state, zonal, and national tournaments, showing his all-around talent and spirit.
3. Career and Entrepreneurship:
After returning to India in 2005, Srikanth became a youth leader in Lead India 2020, a program by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He trained over 800,000 young people in leadership and job skills, fighting poverty and unemployment. In 2011, he co-founded the Samanvai Center in Hyderabad, offering Braille printing and support for kids with disabilities.
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In 2012, Srikanth started Bollant Industries with Ravi Mantha. With funding from Ratan Tata and others, it makes eco-friendly products like recycled Kraft paper and areca leaf items. The company employs over 500 people, half visually impaired, and grew to a $150 million turnover by 2018. Its five plants in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Sri City export 10–15% to the US, Australia, and Germany. Since 2016, he’s also led the Surge Impact Foundation, pushing for Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
4. Recognition and Awards:
Srikanth’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed. In 2017, Forbes named him in its 30 under 30 list for Asia, one of just three Indians honored. This put him on the global stage as a young leader. He also won awards like the Distinguished Youth Service Award and Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2015 NDTV Indian of the Year.
Over the years, more honors came his way. He received the Emerging Leadership Award from ECLIF Malaysia in 2016, the Leadership Energy Award at LESA, and the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year by CII. In 2019, he earned the National Entrepreneurship Award from the Indian government and the Nava Nakshatra Sanmanam by TV9. Other accolades include the Youth Excellence Award (2018), Business Line Young Change Maker (2018), One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year (2019), and the Young Global Leaders Award (2021). Each award celebrates his impact on entrepreneurship and inclusivity.
5. Personal Life of Shrikanth Bolla:
In 2022, Srikanth found love and married Veera Swathi Duggirala on April 23 in Hyderabad after a decade-long courtship. Their wedding was a joyful event, blending tradition with hope. In 2024, they welcomed their daughter, Nayana, a name meaning “eyes,” symbolizing the light she brings to their lives.
His personal story touched Bollywood too. In 2024, the film Srikanth, starring Rajkummar Rao, hit theaters on May 10, telling his inspiring tale. During the trailer launch on April 9, he shared how T-Series cassettes helped him study from Class 5 to 10, adding a personal touch to his journey.
6. Recent Developments: Shark Tank India 2025:
In March 2025, Srikanth Bolla stepped into the spotlight as a judge on Shark Tank India Season 4. He shared the exciting news on Instagram, posting pictures from the set, including one with Jeet Adani, son of billionaire Gautam Adani. Jeet holds key roles in Adani Group divisions like Adani Airports, Adani Petrochemicals, Adani Digital, Kutch Copper, and Adani Defence & Aerospace. Srikanth wrote, “To survive a pool of sharks, you need to become one yourself,” capturing his enthusiasm. He added, “Being on the set made me realize that dreams aren’t just for thinkers, they’re for the doers!” He praised the show for giving Indian entrepreneurship a “heartwarming boost,” noting how pitchers tackle old and modern problems with vision.
Srikanth’s presence on the panel is a game-changer. He thanked fellow judges like Anupam Mittal (Shaadi.com founder), Namita Thapar, and others for their support, saying their encouragement “kindled my fire even more.” He advised aspiring entrepreneurs, “Don’t just think about your idea; act on it, or someone else will!” His post ended with gratitude: “Thank you for having me, Shark Tank India, this is just the beginning!” This role marks a new chapter, blending his business expertise with his inspiring story to mentor the next generation.
Overview of Shark Tank India 2025 with Srikanth Bolla:
7. Overall Life Biography of Shrikanth Bolla:
- Born on July 7, 1991, in Seetharamapuram, Andhra Pradesh.
- Visually impaired from birth in a poor farming family.
- Parents were uneducated farmers with no electricity at home.
- Walked miles to school from age six, guided by his brother.
- Attended Devnar School For The Blind (1998–2007) and Royal Junior College (2007–2009).
- Scored 98% in Class XII, topping his class.
- Fought a six-month legal battle to study science after Class 10.
- Studied Management Science at MIT’s Sloan School (2009–2014) as the first blind international student.
- Interned at General Electric, Infosys, and INSTEP during MIT.
- Height is 175 cm (5’9”) with black hair.
- Played blind cricket, chess, swimming, and baseball nationally.
- Became a youth leader in Lead India 2020, training 800,000+ youth.
- Co-founded Samanvai Center in 2011 for disabled children.
- Founded Bollant Industries in 2012, now worth $150 million.
- Married Veera Swathi Duggirala on April 23, 2022, after 10 years of courtship.
- Welcomed daughter Nayana in 2024, meaning “eyes.”
- Inspired the 2024 Bollywood film Srikanth with Rajkummar Rao.
- Named Forbes 30 under 30 in 2017, one of three Indians.
- Directed Surge Impact Foundation since 2016 for SDGs.
- Joined Shark Tank India Season 4 as a judge in March 2025.
8. Conclusion: New Insights into Srikanth’s Journey:
Srikanth Bolla’s story keeps growing with fresh chapters. One thing we haven’t explored much is his love for music, which helped him through tough school days with those T-Series cassettes. He’s also hinted at wanting to enter public service, even dreaming of becoming India’s first visually impaired President, a goal he considered with the YSR Congress in 2019. His work with the Surge Impact Foundation also ties into global sustainability, a passion he’s quietly championed. These details show a man whose vision goes beyond business, aiming to shape society in new ways.
9. What Can We Learn from His Life?
Srikanth’s life hits you right in the heart. Imagine being a kid who can’t see, walking miles to school, facing rejection, yet fighting back with a smile. His story teaches us that no obstacle, poverty, disability, or doubt, can stop you if you keep going. He turned struggles into strength, building a company that lifts others up and inspiring a movie that moves millions. When life feels tough, think of Srikanth, act on your dreams, help someone along the way, and never give up. You’ve got this, and his journey proves it’s worth the fight!
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"Vision is not just about seeing; it's about dreaming and achieving"
Srikanth Bolla Biography: From Visual Impairment to Shark Tank India Judge 2025