In our latest interview, I sat down with Ajit Prabhu, CEO and Co-Founder of Quest Global, to talk about his journey from arriving in the U.S. to leading a global engineering powerhouse.
Ajit’s story is full of hard-earned wisdom, deep purpose, and the kind of quiet determination that builds companies to last. From his early days solving problems at GE to building a billion-dollar business rooted in learning and resilience, his perspective is both inspiring and refreshingly grounded.
In this first blog from our conversation, we explore where it all began—and the purpose that’s still driving him today.
Some stories don’t start with big dreams—they start with simple needs.
Ajit Prabhu came to the U.S. with just $60 and a determination to learn. After earning his degrees through scholarships and teaching assistantships, he wanted to fly his parents over for a visit—but couldn’t afford the plane tickets. So, he applied for a summer internship at GE, hoping to earn enough to cover the cost.
That internship would change everything.
Once inside GE’s R&D lab, Ajit found himself surrounded by world-class engineers solving incredibly complex problems. He was instantly hooked.
“It was like being a kid in a candy store. I wanted to solve every problem I could find.”
Watch the clip: Ajit talks about his early days, GE, and the desire to solve diverse engineering challenges.
Rooted in Problem-Solving
Ajit didn’t set out to build a billion-dollar company. He set out to solve interesting problems—and build a life around learning. That became the DNA of Quest Global.
“Problem-solving became the core of the business. That’s never changed.”
Today, Quest operates in aerospace, medical, automotive, and more, with over 21,000 employees, 84 global delivery centers and 18 countries. But Ajit’s focus is still the same: work with clients to solve the hardest engineering challenges in the world.
Long Game Thinking
That initial struggle to buy a plane ticket for his parents planted a seed—one that grew slowly, and intentionally. Ajit didn’t follow the fast-track model. He focused on doing great work, learning deeply, and building systems that last.
“If I had earned enough to pay my bills at the end of the month, I was happy.”
Watch the clip: Ajit shares how necessity shaped his mindset and approach to business.
A Quiet Lesson
Ajit’s journey is a reminder that resilience, curiosity, and purpose go a long way. Especially when you’re not chasing a quick win—but building something that will last.
Watch the full interview below:
Challenge
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- What’s one real, practical need in your life or work right now—something that could push you to take action, learn fast, and build long-term value?
Resources
- Leading Through Challenging Times
- The Two Conflicting Roles of a CEO
- “Think Time” is the Only Way to Become More Strategic
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