Infosys

Infosys represents a pioneer species in the Bangalore ecological succession story. Founded in 1981, Infosys pioneered IT services outsourcing - writing code and managing infrastructure for Western companies. Pioneer species tolerate harsh conditions that others cannot survive.

Infosys built private campuses with reliable power, lobbied for tax breaks, and retained talent when brain drain was endemic. They proved India could deliver quality software at scale, modifying the environment for later entrants. Like ecological pioneers, Infosys created conditions that enabled seral species (MNC R&D centers, specialized startups) that eventually outcompeted them for talent and mindshare.