Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT), one of Mumbai’s premier engineering institutes, organized its Annual Alumni Reunion on 21st December, 2024, at SP Jain Auditorium, Bhawan’s Campus, Andheri West. This special event marked the 25th anniversary of the graduating cohort of 1999, celebrating their professional milestones and welcoming nearly 300 alumni, including leaders in the technology and business sectors.
1999 batch alumni, PhonePe CEO & Founder Sameer Nigam and PhonePe CTO & Founder Rahul Chari announced the $1M grant at the event. This grant will build infrastructure, foster innovation, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset among students, empowering them to develop cutting-edge solutions and run effective enterprises.
Both of them were honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for their outstanding contribution to business and society. PhonePe has revolutionized India’s digital payments ecosystem with its seamless, user-centric platform. Their visionary leadership has made PhonePe a trusted name, advancing financial inclusion for millions across the country.
Speaking at the reunion, Co-Founder and CTO PhonePe Rahul Chari said, “As I reflect on my time at SPIT, being part of the first graduating batch of Computer Engineering holds a special place in my heart. Here was my co-founder. Founder Sameer and I truly had our first venture. We started our entrepreneurial journey with the office for a strong foundation that I built at SPIT and the invaluable lessons from the exceptional faculty I studied with were instrumental in shaping my ability to build PhonePe. I hope other alumni will also help make SPIT a truly great institute and empower the next generation of innovators and leaders.”
The event honored alumni for outstanding achievements with the SP-Changemakers Award. These include:
● Outstanding Alumnus – Saurabh Netrawalkar
A cricketer-turned-software engineer, he excelled in India’s U-19 team before moving to the US in 2015, where he earned ODI recognition for the US and a historic win against Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Balancing cricket with his role at Oracle, he became a key figure in the rise of American cricket.
● Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Vikrant Potanis
Vikrant Potanis, founder of FundEnable, has trained over 2,000 startup founders and 500 angel investors, transforming India’s fundraising ecosystem through innovative programs like VC Bootcamp and Angel School. Honored with the Times Business Award.
● Leadership and influence – welcome stewardship
The IAS officer with 14 years of experience, including MD of Kerala Water Authority and District Collector Kasaragod, led transformational projects worth ₹ 50,000+ crore and major COVID-19 initiatives. A 2023 Chevening Gurukul Fellow at Oxford, she has driven impactful reforms in water management, indigenous welfare, and industrial policy.
This historic reunion highlighted the achievements of SPIT’s vibrant alumni community, enhanced opportunities for collaboration and networking, and honored the Institute’s pioneering legacy in shaping leaders across industries.
Sardar Patel Institute of Technology Principal Dr BN Chaudhary concluded the program by saying:
“Sardar Patel Institute of Technology stands by the mantra ‘Students First, Alumni Always’, as we strive to become Maharashtra’s premier engineering institute by 2030. While one in ten achieves success and one in a hundred achieves greatness, only one in a million. A donor We are deeply grateful to Rahul Chari and Sameer Nigam for their $1M donation, which will be a transformative step to catalyze the growth of our college and students.”
About Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT).
Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT), located in Mumbai, is a premier engineering college recognized for excellence in engineering education. As a part of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, SPIT operates as an autonomous institute, blending entrepreneurial agility with value-based education. Known for its innovative teaching and pioneering programs, it is consistently ranked among the top engineering institutes in India.
SPIT Alumni Association
Founded in 2015 by alumni of the 2008-2014 batch, the association promotes connectivity, mentorship and collaboration through initiatives such as annual reunions. Distinguished alumni Sameer Nigam, CEO and Founder of PhonePe and Rahul Chari, CTO and Founder of PhonePe announced a $1M grant at EventS.PIT continues to drive excellence in education, research, and institutional development.