Jagdeep Singh, co-founder and chairman of QuantumScape, has recently captured global attention after details of his extraordinary pay package were revealed. With an annual income of a staggering ₹17,500 crore, Singh has earned the title of the world’s highest-paid executive. His daily earnings amount to an eye-popping ₹48 crore—more than many executives make in a year.
Revolutionising EV technology
Singh is the driving force behind QuantumScape, a company leading the way in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology. QuantumScape specialises in solid-state batteries, a breakthrough innovation expected to transform the EV industry by enhancing performance and sustainability.
From Delhi to Silicon Valley
Born in New Delhi to a diplomat’s family, Singh moved to the United States at the age of 15 and enrolled at the University of Maryland. By the age of 20, he was already working at Hewlett-Packard, where he was introduced to telecommunications networking.
In 1993, Singh founded his first startup, AirSoft, which developed software to optimise wireless networks. He sold the company for $65 million and went on to establish Lightera Networks in 1998, which was later acquired for an impressive $500 million.
Trailblazer in tech
Singh’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop there. He co-founded and led several successful companies, including:
- Infinera Corporation, which developed large-scale photonic integrated circuits.
- OnFiber, an optical telecommunications carrier acquired by Qwest Communications.
- AirSoft, his first foray into startups.
Academic and professional legacy
Singh holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, an M.B.A. from UC Berkeley, and an M.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University. He has served on various advisory boards, including Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and Energy Sciences Network.
Awards and recognition
Singh’s accolades include being named Light Reading Person of the Year (2007) and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2008).
At 56, Singh has announced his succession plan for QuantumScape, retiring from the board in 2024 after nearly 15 years of service. His visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on the technology and EV industries.
