Vinod “Vin” Gupta, is an American businessman, investor and philanthropist. He is the embodiment of the American dream materialized into reality. Born into modest beginnings in a village in Saharanpur UP, India, Gupta's journey to becoming a poster figure for success is marked by his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, particularly in women’s education and empowerment in the villages of India.

An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, Gupta's decades-long philanthropic efforts have been extensive and impactful. His establishment of the Vinod Gupta Charitable Foundation (VGCF) underlines his dedication to fostering education and supporting marginalized communities. The foundation’s mission is clear: to provide quality education to all, with a special focus on rural and underprivileged areas.  In addition to a bachelor’s degree from IIT Kharagpur and two graduate degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Vin is the recipient of five honorary doctorate degrees including from IIT Jodhpur, IIT Kharagpur, Singhania University Udaipur, Monterey Institute of International Studies, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In India, Gupta's philanthropy has led to significant educational advancements. The Ramrati Education Complex in Uttar Pradesh, initiated by VGCF, is a beacon of hope for underprivileged youth, especially girls. This complex provides a host of facilities, including free meals and bicycles, alongside discounted fees, ensuring accessible quality education for the economically disadvantaged. The Hillary Clinton Nursing School, another VGCF initiative, empowers rural women through vocational training equipping them with skills for self-reliance.  Vin’s commitment to wildlife conservation is another facet of his philanthropy, specifically in India. His foundation actively contributes to the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, providing resources like vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure to aid in the conservation efforts, thereby showing his dedication to maintaining ecological balance and protecting wildlife.  In 2001, shortly after leaving the White House President Bill Clinton visited the village and laid the foundation stone for the Hillary Clinton Nursing School and Bill Clinton High School.

Beyond India, Gupta's philanthropic reach extends to the United States.  He has donated over $3 million to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, establishing a school of entrepreneurship and he has given an additional $1 million for the Nebraska at Oxford program.  In 2013 he created the Benjamin Kane Gupta Fellows program, to honor his late son, in partnership with the United States Department of State’s Office of the Global Partnership Initiative and The George Washington University Law School. In 2014, Gupta made a $1 million donation to The George Washington University Law School, establishing the Ben Gupta Endowed Fund for International Legal Education, which supports students from developing countries.

Over the past two decades, Vin Gupta has donated over $100 million to benefit philanthropic causes, with plans to contribute even more of his net worth to charity in the future. His philanthropic endeavors, especially through VGCF, have not only transformed educational landscapes but also highlighted the critical importance of wildlife conservation and ecological balance.

Vin Gupta’s life story is one of remarkable transitions from humble beginnings to global philanthropy, driven by a desire to give back to society. His contributions have ranged from education, to women’s empowerment, to environmental conservation.  He was the first IIT alumni to donate money to his IIT college, creating the Vinod Gupta School of Management as well as the law school at IIT Kharagpur.  He was a trailblazer in donating money to his school in India and since then thousands of alumni have followed his example and have given over a billion dollars to the IIT system.  Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, an IIT Kharagpur alumni, has also contributed based on the precedent Gupta set. There are few business leaders in history who have positively affected the lives of more people than Vin Gupta.