Infosys

The consulting and IT services company crossed the US$100 million mark for the first time in 1999, and in March 2005, it boasted a revenue of nearly US$1.6 billion.

Infosys has grown rapidly over the years under the leadership of co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, who stepped down as CEO in 2002 after being at the helm for 20 years. He is still very much involved in the company as its chairman and chief mentor. Infosys' head is now Nandan Nilekani, who also co-founded the company.

The Bangalore-based firm is now eyeing opportunities in China. In August, Infosys announced plans to invest US$65 million over five years in software development centers in Hangzhou and Shanghai. The plans come at a time when Infosys' global customers are moving into the fast-developing China, the world's No. 2 offshore outsourcing location after India.

Besides IT services, Infosys' Finacle software has won over several banks in the Philippines and in India. The company has also been quick to boost its capabilities to provide software and services in new technologies such as RFID (radio frequency identification).

In September, Infosys was one of five companies—three of which were Indian--that clinched parts of a mega outsourcing deal worth US$2.2 billion from Dutch bank ABN AMRO.