New Delhi: A failed attempt to submit a college assignment online became the starting point for a conversation that eventually led to the creation of Jio, Isha Ambani said, recalling how the telecom and digital platform business of Reliance Industries took shape.
Speaking at a briefing on Jio Platforms' upcoming initial public offering, Isha stated that the idea emerged around 2009-2010, when she and her brother Akash Ambani were studying in the United States and had returned to Mumbai for a break. She explained that she tried to submit an assignment, but the internet did not work, preventing the submission.
The experience prompted a broader discussion about India's digital infrastructure and why the country lacked the kind of connectivity they had experienced in the West. Following this frustration, conversations centered on why India should be left behind in technological advancement.
She noted that Akash believed the solution lay in building a digital technology platform company that could address the connectivity gap and help India participate more fully in the digital economy. Jio officially launched in 2016, several years after those early discussions, and has since grown into a central component of Reliance Industries' digital and telecom operations.
Describing Reliance's approach to building businesses, Isha emphasized that their ideas are backed by a long-term perspective. She remarked that the company does not just plan for today or tomorrow, but seriously considers what will arrive decades from now, placing focus on India's future connectivity requirements.
This origin story comes to light as Jio Platforms prepares for its anticipated initial public offering, which is expected to be India's biggest public offering. The company has set a price band of Rs 1,065 to 1,119 per share for the Rs 30,213-crore issue.
The IPO is scheduled to open for subscription on October 21 and close on October 23, 2026. The proposed listing has also brought renewed attention to Jio's business operations, its place within Reliance Industries, and the overall value of its digital and telecom services.