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{{Short description|Indian business women}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Autobiography|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Peacock|date=March 2021}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Devita Saraf
| name = Devita Saraf
| native_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
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| image =Devita Saraf 01.jpg
| image = Devita Saraf 01.jpg
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| birth_name = Devita Saraf
| birth_name = Devita Saraf
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
| nationality =[[India]]n
| nationality = [[India]]n
| other_names =
| other_names =
| ethnicity = <!-- Ethnicity should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| citizenship =
| citizenship =
| education =
| education =
| alma_mater = {{plainlist|
| alma_mater = {{plainlist|
*[[H.R. College of Commerce and Economics]], [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
* [[H.R. College of Commerce and Economics]], [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
*[[University of Southern California]]}}
* [[University of Southern California]]}}
| occupation = Chairman and CEO, Vu Televisions
| occupation = Chairman and CEO, Vu Televisions
| years_active =
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| employer =
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| known_for =
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| website = {{URL|http://www.devitasaraf.com}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.devitasaraf.com}}
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}}
⚫
'''Devita Saraf''' is the founder, chairman and CEO of [[Vu Televisions]], a $150 million (revenue) luxury television brand. She founded the company at the age of 24 after completing her Bachelors in Business Administration from the [[University of Southern California]]. She has also studied management of technology at the [[University of California, Berkeley]] and game theory and strategic thinking at the [[London School of Economics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Devita Saraf |url=https://www.entrepreneurindia.com/shepreneur/devita.php |website=Entrepreneur India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ann Thomas |first1=Preethi |title=A go-getter |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2013/sep/30/A-go-getter-519753.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=30 September 2013}}</ref> She is also pursuing the OPM program at [[Harvard Business School]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Devita Saraf Official Site |url=https://www.devitasaraf.com/}}</ref>


'''Devita Saraf''' is an Indian [[Female entrepreneurs|business woman]], born in [[Mumbai]], [[India]]. She is the founder, chairman and [[CEO]] of [[Vu Televisions]].
Saraf co-developed products with [[Intel]] and [[Microsoft]] until she founded her own company. With 1.5 million Vu televisions sold worldwide, it is the fastest growing TV brand.{{CN|date=April 2021}} Vu has 300 employees in 11 offices. Saraf spends her time between Mumbai and California.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Saraf was born in [[Mumbai|Mumbai, India]]. Her father, Rajkumar Saraf, was chairman of Zenith Computers.<ref>{{Cite journal|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-25663523.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202183338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-25663523.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 February 2016|title = Power Steering: Born Into a Business Family Devita Saraf, Executive Director, Zenith Computers, Knows That the Only Way to Expand Her Legacy is to Forge Her Own Distinct Identity|last = Sra|first = Gunjeet|date = 18 October 2010|journal = India Today|access-date = 12 January 2016|via = HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref> She attended [[Queen Mary School, Mumbai]]<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url = http://thesaturnherald.com/devita-saraf-gadget-woman-from-india/|title = Devita Saraf: Gadget woman from India|date = 7 April 2015|website = The Saturn Herald|access-date = 12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Business Czarinas|last = Chary|first = S.N.|publisher = Bloomsbury India|year = 2015|isbn = 9789382951179|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ncpKCAAAQBAJ&q=%22devita+saraf%22&pg=PT90}}</ref> She later attended the [[H.R. College of Commerce and Economics]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hrcollege.edu/web/images/Newsletter_October_HR_2014.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-09-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031515/http://www.hrcollege.edu/web/images/Newsletter_October_HR_2014.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-24 }}</ref> and the [[University of Southern California]], where she received a BA in business administration.<ref name="Luxury" />
Saraf was born in [[Mumbai|Mumbai, India]]. Her father, Rajkumar Saraf, was chairman of Zenith Computers. She attended [[Queen Mary School, Mumbai]].<ref>{{Cite book|title = Business Czarinas|last = Chary|first = S.N.|publisher = Bloomsbury India|year = 2015|isbn = 9789382951179|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ncpKCAAAQBAJ&q=%22devita+saraf%22&pg=PT90}}</ref> She later attended the [[H.R. College of Commerce and Economics]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hrcollege.edu/web/images/Newsletter_October_HR_2014.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-09-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031515/http://www.hrcollege.edu/web/images/Newsletter_October_HR_2014.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-24 }}</ref> and the [[University of Southern California]], where she received a BA in business administration.<ref name="Luxury" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
⚫
She founded the company at the age of 24 after completing her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. She has also studied management of technology at the [[University of California, Berkeley]], and game theory and strategic thinking at the [[London School of Economics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Devita Saraf |url=https://www.entrepreneurindia.com/shepreneur/devita.php |website=Entrepreneur India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ann Thomas |first1=Preethi |title=A go-getter |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2013/sep/30/a-go-getter-519753.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=30 September 2013}}</ref> She is also pursuing the OPM program at [[Harvard Business School]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Devita Saraf Official Site |url=https://www.devitasaraf.com/}}</ref>


=== Zenith ===
=== Zenith ===
Saraf started her career at age 16,<ref name=":0" /> under the guidance of her father at Zenith Computers and was named as director of marketing when she was 21.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://exhibitmag.com/devita-saraf-ceo-vu-technologies/ |title=Devita Saraf, CEO Vu Technologies|work=Exhibit Magazine |access-date=2012-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721085237/http://exhibitmag.com/devita-saraf-ceo-vu-technologies/ |archive-date=21 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/On+the+radar/1/25344.html |title=On the radar: Simply Mumbai|work=India Today|date=2009-01-16 |access-date=2012-07-28}}</ref> In 2006 Saraf went from being the head of marketing to CEO.<ref>{{cite news|title = Devita Saraf moves from head of marketing to CEO|url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-03-10/news/27599636_1_brand-equity-vu-technologies-marketing|work= The Times of India|access-date = 2015-11-23}}</ref>
Saraf started her career at age 16,<ref name=":0" /> under the guidance of her father at Zenith Computers, and was named director of marketing when she was 21.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://exhibitmag.com/devita-saraf-ceo-vu-technologies/ |title=Devita Saraf, CEO Vu Technologies|work=Exhibit Magazine |access-date=2012-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721085237/http://exhibitmag.com/devita-saraf-ceo-vu-technologies/ |archive-date=21 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/On+the+radar/1/25344.html |title=On the radar: Simply Mumbai|work=India Today|date=2009-01-16 |access-date=2012-07-28}}</ref> In 2006 Saraf went from being the head of marketing to CEO.<ref>{{cite news|title = Devita Saraf moves from head of marketing to CEO|url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-03-10/news/27599636_1_brand-equity-vu-technologies-marketing|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120531080446/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-03-10/news/27599636_1_brand-equity-vu-technologies-marketing|url-status = dead|archive-date = 31 May 2012|work= The Times of India|access-date = 2015-11-23}}</ref>

⚫
The high court of [[Bombay]] (now Mumbai), in a case brought by [[BNY Mellon|The Bank of New York Mellon]], convicted Saraf, her father, and the promoters of Zenith Infotech of siphoning company funds to personnel accounts and has directed the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction Government of India (BIFR) to act in accordance with its regulations.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=The Bank of New York Mellon, London vs Zenith Infotech Limited |pinpoint= Para 34 |court= THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY |date=2015-07-30 |url=http://indiankanoon.org/doc/160521604/ |accessdate=2015-12-16 |quote=In view thereof, though I have expressed my view viz. that the Promoters of the Company are absolutely dishonest and have siphoned away the funds of the Company in the manner set out in detail hereinabove and are responsible for the state of affairs of the Company prevalent as of date, I leave it to the BIFR to decide whether the Reference filed by the Company should be registered and/or further entertained.}}</ref>

⚫
The [[Securities and Exchange Board of India]] (SEBI) accused Zenith Infotech Limited and its six promoters of fraudulent removal of funds to personnel accounts without notice to shareholders, and as of 25 March 2013, SEBI prevented the promoters from accessing the securities market or trading in securities in any manner. The named six promoters included by SEBI are Saraf; her father Rajkumar Saraf; Akash Kumar Saraf; Vijayrani Saraf; VU Technologies; and Zenith Technologies.<ref>{{cite news |first= Mahesh |last= Sharma |title= How $33M was siphoned from India's Zenith Infotech |url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-33m-was-siphoned-from-indias-zenith-infotech/ |work=ZD net|location= Mumbai |date=2013-04-10 |access-date=2015-12-16 }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news |first= Samie |last= Modak |title= Sebi bars Zenith Infotech promoters |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/sebi-bars-zenith-infotech-promoters-113032500466_1.html |work=Business Standard|location= Mumbai |date=2013-03-25 |access-date=2015-12-16 }}</ref>


===Vu Technologies===
===Vu Technologies===
At age 24, Saraf started Vu Technologies, which sells high-end LED TVs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1196495321.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202183338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1196495321.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 February 2016|title = She Likes to Hone Her Skills on the Cutting Edge|date = 17 January 2007|work = Hindustan Times|access-date = 12 January 2016|via = HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref> While Zenith was mass technology focused, Vu sells innovative luxury items.<ref name="InterviewVideo">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-32174402|title='Keep company lean' says electronics CEO Devita Saraf|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37929092.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202183338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37929092.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 February 2016|title = Off the Old Block, off Course ; Had Enough of Business Family Scions Who Follow in Their Parents' Footsteps? Business Today Finds Some Who Blaze Their Own Trails|last1 = Sen|first1 = Sunny|date = 24 May 2015|work = Business Today|access-date = 12 January 2016|via = HighBeam Research|last2 = Sinha|first2 = Suveen|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Vu came out with a 4K HD Iconium Series televisions in October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconindia.com/gadget/news/VU-Unveils-the-New-Iconium-Series-with-4K-UHD-SMART-LED-nid-188338.html|title=VU Unveils the New Iconium Series with 4K UHD SMART LED|author=SiliconIndia|work=siliconindia}}</ref> In October 2014, the [[Bombay High Court]] sealed the premises of the [[Andheri]]-based office of Vu Technologies after it fraudulently showed 200 employees in their affidavit but only 32 were found on premises in a visit and in the [[muster roll]] for September–October 2014.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bombay-hc-raps-vu-technologies-for-false-statements-in-affidavit-114101400347_1.html | title=Bombay HC raps Vu Technologies for false statements in affidavit | work=[[Business Standard]] | date=15 October 2014 | access-date=24 December 2015 | author=N Sundaresha Subramanian}}</ref>
At age 24, Saraf started Vu Technologies, which sells high-end{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} LED TVs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1196495321.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202183338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1196495321.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 February 2016|title = She Likes to Hone Her Skills on the Cutting Edge|date = 17 January 2007|work = Hindustan Times|access-date = 12 January 2016 }}</ref> While Zenith was mass technology focused, Vu sells innovative luxury items.<ref name="InterviewVideo">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-32174402|title='Keep company lean' says electronics CEO Devita Saraf|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37929092.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202183338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37929092.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 February 2016|title = Off the Old Block, off Course ; Had Enough of Business Family Scions Who Follow in Their Parents' Footsteps? Business Today Finds Some Who Blaze Their Own Trails|last1 = Sen|first1 = Sunny|date = 24 May 2015|work = Business Today|access-date = 12 January 2016|last2 = Sinha|first2 = Suveen }}</ref> In October 2014, the [[Bombay High Court]] sealed the premises of the [[Andheri]]-based office of Vu Technologies after it fraudulently showed 200 employees in their affidavit but only 32 were found on premises in a visit and in the [[muster roll]] for September–October 2014.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bombay-hc-raps-vu-technologies-for-false-statements-in-affidavit-114101400347_1.html | title=Bombay HC raps Vu Technologies for false statements in affidavit | work=[[Business Standard]] | date=15 October 2014 | access-date=24 December 2015 | author=N Sundaresha Subramanian}}</ref>


===Others===
===Others===
Saraf has been a National Co-Chair and Executive Committee Member in the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ([[FICCI]]) Young Leaders Forum.<ref name="Luxury">{{cite web|url=http://www.afternoondc.in/womens-world/business-of-luxury/article_25749 |title=Business of Luxury |publisher=Afternoondc.in |date=2011-05-26 |access-date=2012-07-28}}</ref> She was also the founder and Chair of the Young Bombay Forum which was part of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/leading-ladies/1/86594.html |title=Leading ladies : Woman - India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2010-03-04 |access-date=2012-07-28}}</ref> She is the member of Mensa, an international society for people with high IQ.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Saumit |title=Meet the fashionable Mensan! |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-meet-the-fashionable-mensan-1147156 |publisher=dnaindia.com |date=23 January 2008}}</ref>
Saraf has been a National Co-chair and Executive Committee Member in the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ([[FICCI]]) Young Leaders Forum.<ref name="Luxury">{{cite web |url=http://www.afternoondc.in/womens-world/business-of-luxury/article_25749 |title=Business of Luxury |publisher=Afternoondc.in |date=2011-05-26 |access-date=2012-07-28 |archive-date=28 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528201207/http://www.afternoondc.in/womens-world/business-of-luxury/article_25749 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She was also the founder and Chair of the Young Bombay Forum which was part of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/leading-ladies/1/86594.html |title=Leading ladies : Woman - India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2010-03-04 |access-date=2012-07-28}}</ref> She is the member of Mensa, an international society for people with high IQ.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Saumit |title=Meet the fashionable Mensan! |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-meet-the-fashionable-mensan-1147156 |publisher=dnaindia.com |date=23 January 2008}}</ref>


She was also a columnist for ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url = http://thesaturnherald.com/devita-saraf-gadget-woman-from-india/|title = Devita Saraf: Gadget woman from India|date = 7 April 2015|website = The Saturn Herald|access-date = 12 January 2016}}{{failed verification}}</ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2176561311.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202183338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2176561311.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 February 2016|title = Lights, Camera, Ideas at TEDx Mumbai|last = Chaudhuri|first = Arcopol|date = 31 October 2010|work = DNA, Sunday|access-date = 12 January 2016|via = HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}{{DL}}</ref> In 2017, Saraf bought a full page ad in the ''Times of India'' newspaper, where she congratulated [[Donald Trump]] on becoming President of the United States. The ad attracted mixed reviews on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/who-is-devita-saraf-why-is-she-trending-on-twitter-heres-what-you-need-to-know-donald-trump-4484139/|title=Who is Devita Saraf? Why is she trending on Twitter? Here's what you need to know|date=2017-01-20|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-06-29|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Vu Televisions' CEO welcomes 'President' Donald Trump with full-page ad, gets trolled|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vu-televisions-ceo-welcomes-president-donald-trump-with-full-page-ad-gets-trolled/story-drovTcwFAvvZqZlSpqMjuO.html|access-date=30 June 2017|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 January 2017|language=en}}</ref>
She was also a columnist for ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://thesaturnherald.com/devita-saraf-gadget-woman-from-india/|title = Devita Saraf: Gadget woman from India|date = 7 April 2015|website = The Saturn Herald|access-date = 12 January 2016}}{{failed verification|date=April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2176561311.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202183338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2176561311.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 February 2016|title = Lights, Camera, Ideas at TEDx Mumbai|last = Chaudhuri|first = Arcopol|date = 31 October 2010|work = DNA, Sunday|access-date = 12 January 2016 }}</ref> In 2017, Saraf bought a full-page ad in the ''Times of India'' newspaper, where she congratulated [[Donald Trump]] on becoming President of the United States. The ad attracted mixed reviews on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/who-is-devita-saraf-why-is-she-trending-on-twitter-heres-what-you-need-to-know-donald-trump-4484139/|title=Who is Devita Saraf? Why is she trending on Twitter? Here's what you need to know|date=2017-01-20|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-06-29|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Vu Televisions' CEO welcomes 'President' Donald Trump with full-page ad, gets trolled|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vu-televisions-ceo-welcomes-president-donald-trump-with-full-page-ad-gets-trolled/story-drovTcwFAvvZqZlSpqMjuO.html|access-date=30 June 2017|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 January 2017|language=en}}</ref>


==Controversy==
==Awards and Recognition==
⚫
The High Court of [[Bombay]] in a case filed by [[BNY Mellon|The Bank of New York Mellon]], convicted her father, and the promoters of Zenith Infotech of siphoning company funds to personnel accounts and has directed the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction Government of India (BIFR) to act in accordance with its regulations.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=The Bank of New York Mellon, London vs Zenith Infotech Limited |pinpoint= Para 34 |court= THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY |date=2015-07-30 |url=http://indiankanoon.org/doc/160521604/ |accessdate=2015-12-16 |quote=In view thereof, though I have expressed my view viz. that the Promoters of the Company are absolutely dishonest and have siphoned away the funds of the Company in the manner set out in detail hereinabove and are responsible for the state of affairs of the Company prevalent as of date, I leave it to the BIFR to decide whether the Reference filed by the Company should be registered and/or further entertained.}}</ref>


⚫
The [[Securities and Exchange Board of India]] (SEBI) accused Zenith Infotech Limited and its six promoters of fraudulent removal of funds to personnel accounts without notice to shareholders, and as of 25 March 2013, SEBI prevented the promoters from accessing the securities market or trading in securities in any manner. The named six promoters included by SEBI are Saraf; her father Rajkumar Saraf; Akash Kumar Saraf; Vijayrani Saraf; VU Technologies; and Zenith Technologies.<ref>{{cite news |first= Mahesh |last= Sharma |title= How $33M was siphoned from India's Zenith Infotech |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-33m-was-siphoned-from-indias-zenith-infotech/ |work=ZD net|location= Mumbai |date=2013-04-10 |access-date=2015-12-16 }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news |first= Samie |last= Modak |title= Sebi bars Zenith Infotech promoters |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/sebi-bars-zenith-infotech-promoters-113032500466_1.html |work=Business Standard|location= Mumbai |date=2013-03-25 |access-date=2015-12-16 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Award
|-
| 2008 || Zee TV’s Young Woman Achiever Award <ref>{{cite news |last1=India |first1=Silicon |title=Devita Saraf |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxgateway/5532615818/ |publisher=tedxgateway |date=16 March 2011}}</ref>
|-
| 2008 || IT People Women Leadership Award <ref name="Business Czarinas">{{cite book |last1=Chary |first1=S. N. |title=Business Czarinas |date=30 April 2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing India Pvt. Ltd. |location=London |isbn=9789382951179 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Business_Czarinas/ncpKCAAAQBAJ}}</ref>
|-
| 2010 || Indo-American Society's Most Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur <ref>{{cite web |title=Charter Member Dinner with Ms. Devita Saraf, Founder & CEO - Vu TV |url=https://hub.tie.org/e/charter-member-dinner-with-ms-devita-saraf-founder--ceo-vu-technologies |website=hub.tie.org}}</ref><ref name="Business Czarinas"/>
|-
| 2012 || India Today’s list of 25 Most Powerful Women in India <ref>{{cite news |last1=G. |first1=Seetharaman |title=Business Today honours the most powerful women in Indian business |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/business/india/story/business-today-honours-the-most-powerful-women-in-indian-business-117374-2012-09-29 |publisher=indiatoday.in |date=29 September 2012}}</ref>
|-
| 2016 || Business Woman of the Year – India Leadership Conclave <ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://indialeadershipconclave.in/history/ |website=indialeadershipconclave.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianaffairs.tv/indian-business-woman-of-the-year-2016/|title=Indian Business Woman of the year 2016 – Indian Affairs|website=indianaffairs.tv|access-date=2016-05-03}}</ref>
|-
| 2018 || India Today – 8 most powerful changemakers in the business world <ref>{{cite news |last1=Women |first1=India Today |title=8 most powerful changemakers of business world |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20181105-8-most-powerful-changemakers-of-business-world-1376171-2018-10-26 |publisher=indiatoday.in |date=26 October 2018}}</ref>
|-
| 2019 || Fortune India – Top 50 Most Powerful Women in India <ref>{{cite news |title=Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/mpw?year=2019 |publisher=fortuneindia.com}}</ref>
|-
| 2019 || GQ 50 Most Influential Indians <ref>{{cite news |last1=Sethi |first1=Shikha |title=Here's the full list of GQ's 50 most influential young Indians of 2019 |url=https://www.gqindia.com/influence-list/content/the-gq-50-most-influential-young-indians-of-2019 |publisher=gqindia.com |date=12 December 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 2020 || IIFL Wealth Hurun India 40 & Under Self-Made Rich List <ref>{{cite news |last1=Sil |first1=Debarghya |title=From Devita Saraf, The Only Woman, To Ritesh Agarwal,The Youngest; Here's India's Wealthiest Self-made Entrepreneurs Under 40 |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/357773 |publisher=entrepreneur.com |date=14 October 2020}}</ref>
|}


==Books==
==Books==
Line 100: Line 65:
! Year !! Title
! Year !! Title
|-
|-
| 2012 || Business Czarinas – S. N. Chary <ref>{{cite news |last1=Narayanan |first1=K S |title=Business Czarinas |url=http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/business-czarinas/114/48603/ |publisher=thesundayindian.com |date=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="Business Czarinas"/>
| 2012 || Business Czarinas – S. N. Chary<ref>{{cite news |last1=Narayanan |first1=K S |title=Business Czarinas |url=http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/business-czarinas/114/48603/ |publisher=thesundayindian.com |date=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="Business Czarinas">{{cite book |last1=Chary |first1=S. N. |title=Business Czarinas |date=30 April 2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing India Pvt. Ltd. |location=London |isbn=9789382951179 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ncpKCAAAQBAJ}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2016 || Most Powerful Women in India – Prem Ahluwalia <ref>{{cite book |last1=Ahluwalia |first1=Prem |title=India's Most Powerful Women |publisher=Indian Books and Periodicals |edition=2016 |url=https://www.ibpbooks.com/indias-most-powerful-women/p/19214}}</ref>
| 2016 || Most Powerful Women in India – Prem Ahluwalia<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ahluwalia |first1=Prem |title=India's Most Powerful Women |publisher=Indian Books and Periodicals |edition=2016 |url=https://www.ibpbooks.com/indias-most-powerful-women/p/19214}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2018 || Daughters of Legacy – Rinku Paul <ref>{{cite news |last1=Narayanan |first1=Chitra |title=Daughters to the fore |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/books/daughters-to-the-fore/article24961893.ece |publisher=thehindubusinessline.com |date=16 September 2018}}</ref>
| 2018 || Daughters of Legacy – Rinku Paul<ref>{{cite news |last1=Narayanan |first1=Chitra |title=Daughters to the fore |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/books/daughters-to-the-fore/article24961893.ece |publisher=thehindubusinessline.com |date=16 September 2018}}</ref>
|}
|}


Line 113: Line 78:
! Year !! Event
! Year !! Event
|-
|-
| 2013 || [[Wharton India Economic Forum|Wharton-India Economic Forum]] – Philadelphia, PA, USA <ref>{{cite news |last1=Online Bureau |first1=BW |title=Devita Saraf Dream Catcher |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharton_India_Economic_Forum |publisher=Businessworld.in |date=3 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Post Budget reaction-VU Technologies(The Luxury Television and Display Brand) |url=https://www.itvoice.in/post-budget-reaction-vu-technologiesthe-luxury-television-and-display-brand |publisher=itvoice.in}}</ref>
| 2013 || [[Wharton India Economic Forum|Wharton-India Economic Forum]] – Philadelphia, PA, USA<ref>{{cite news |title=Post Budget reaction-VU Technologies(The Luxury Television and Display Brand) |url=https://www.itvoice.in/post-budget-reaction-vu-technologiesthe-luxury-television-and-display-brand |publisher=itvoice.in}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2016 || Tomorrow’s India Summit – Seoul, Korea <ref>{{cite news |title=Global Social India Foundation concludes Tomorrow’s India Global Summit in Seoul |url=http://www.businessworld.in/article/Lavanya-Nalli-The-Nine-Yard-Tale/03-04-2020-188170 |publisher=The SME Times News Bureau |date=7 October 2016}}</ref>
| 2016 || Tomorrow's India Summit – Seoul, Korea<ref>{{cite news |title=Global Social India Foundation concludes Tomorrow's India Global Summit in Seoul |url=http://www.businessworld.in/article/Lavanya-Nalli-The-Nine-Yard-Tale/03-04-2020-188170 |publisher=The SME Times News Bureau |date=7 October 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2016 || Istanbul Talks: Entrepreneurship Summit – Istanbul, Turkey <ref>{{cite web |title=Devita Saraf |url=http://www.istanbultalks.com.tr/inspired/en/speaker/devita-saraf/ |website=istanbultalks.com.tr}}</ref>
| 2016 || Istanbul Talks: Entrepreneurship Summit – Istanbul, Turkey<ref>{{cite web |title=Devita Saraf |url=http://www.istanbultalks.com.tr/inspired/en/speaker/devita-saraf/ |website=istanbultalks.com.tr |access-date=1 March 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419034943/http://www.istanbultalks.com.tr/inspired/en/speaker/devita-saraf/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2018 || TEDxGateway – Mumbai, India <ref>{{cite web |title=Devita Saraf At TEDxGateway 2018 – ‘Technology Is The Greatest Leveller’ |url=https://indiaeducationdiary.in/devita-saraf-tedxgateway-2018-technology-greatest-leveller/ |publisher=India Education Diary |date=24 April 2020}}</ref>
| 2018 || TEDxGateway – Mumbai, India<ref>{{cite web |title=Devita Saraf At TEDxGateway 2018 – 'Technology Is The Greatest Leveller' |url=https://indiaeducationdiary.in/devita-saraf-tedxgateway-2018-technology-greatest-leveller/ |publisher=India Education Diary |date=24 April 2020}}</ref>


|-
|-
| 2020 || Fortune Next 500 Summit – Mumbai, India <ref>{{cite web |title=Recognising India’s largest midsize companies at the Fortune India Next 500 summit- West |url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/events/recognising-indias-largest-midsize-companies-at-the-fortune-india-next-500-summit-west/103531 |website=fortuneindia.com |publisher=Fortune India}}</ref>
| 2020 || Fortune Next 500 Summit – Mumbai, India<ref>{{cite web |title=Recognising India's largest midsize companies at the Fortune India Next 500 summit- West |url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/events/recognising-indias-largest-midsize-companies-at-the-fortune-india-next-500-summit-west/103531 |website=fortuneindia.com |publisher=Fortune India}}</ref>
|}
|}


Latest revision as of 22:50, 21 October 2024

Devita Saraf
Born
Devita Saraf

(1981-06-25) 25 June 1981 (age 43)
Mumbai, India
NationalityIndian
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Chairman and CEO, Vu Televisions
Parent(s)Rajkumar Saraf
Vijayrani Saraf
Websitewww.devitasaraf.com

Devita Saraf is an Indian business woman, born in Mumbai, India. She is the founder, chairman and CEO of Vu Televisions.

Early life

[edit]

Saraf was born in Mumbai, India. Her father, Rajkumar Saraf, was chairman of Zenith Computers. She attended Queen Mary School, Mumbai.[1] She later attended the H.R. College of Commerce and Economics[2] and the University of Southern California, where she received a BA in business administration.[3]

Career

[edit]

She founded the company at the age of 24 after completing her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. She has also studied management of technology at the University of California, Berkeley, and game theory and strategic thinking at the London School of Economics.[4][5] She is also pursuing the OPM program at Harvard Business School.[6]

Zenith

[edit]

Saraf started her career at age 16,[7] under the guidance of her father at Zenith Computers, and was named director of marketing when she was 21.[8][9] In 2006 Saraf went from being the head of marketing to CEO.[10]

Vu Technologies

[edit]

At age 24, Saraf started Vu Technologies, which sells high-end[citation needed] LED TVs.[7] While Zenith was mass technology focused, Vu sells innovative luxury items.[11][12] In October 2014, the Bombay High Court sealed the premises of the Andheri-based office of Vu Technologies after it fraudulently showed 200 employees in their affidavit but only 32 were found on premises in a visit and in the muster roll for September–October 2014.[13]

Others

[edit]

Saraf has been a National Co-chair and Executive Committee Member in the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Young Leaders Forum.[3] She was also the founder and Chair of the Young Bombay Forum which was part of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.[14] She is the member of Mensa, an international society for people with high IQ.[15]

She was also a columnist for The Wall Street Journal.[16][17] In 2017, Saraf bought a full-page ad in the Times of India newspaper, where she congratulated Donald Trump on becoming President of the United States. The ad attracted mixed reviews on social media.[18][19]

Controversy

[edit]

The High Court of Bombay in a case filed by The Bank of New York Mellon, convicted her father, and the promoters of Zenith Infotech of siphoning company funds to personnel accounts and has directed the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction Government of India (BIFR) to act in accordance with its regulations.[20]

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) accused Zenith Infotech Limited and its six promoters of fraudulent removal of funds to personnel accounts without notice to shareholders, and as of 25 March 2013, SEBI prevented the promoters from accessing the securities market or trading in securities in any manner. The named six promoters included by SEBI are Saraf; her father Rajkumar Saraf; Akash Kumar Saraf; Vijayrani Saraf; VU Technologies; and Zenith Technologies.[21][22]

Books

[edit]
Year Title
2012 Business Czarinas – S. N. Chary[23][24]
2016 Most Powerful Women in India – Prem Ahluwalia[25]
2018 Daughters of Legacy – Rinku Paul[26]

Speaker

[edit]
Year Event
2013 Wharton-India Economic Forum – Philadelphia, PA, USA[27]
2016 Tomorrow's India Summit – Seoul, Korea[28]
2016 Istanbul Talks: Entrepreneurship Summit – Istanbul, Turkey[29]
2018 TEDxGateway – Mumbai, India[30]
2020 Fortune Next 500 Summit – Mumbai, India[31]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Chary, S.N. (2015). Business Czarinas. Bloomsbury India. ISBN 9789382951179.
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ a b "Business of Luxury". Afternoondc.in. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 28 May 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  4. ^ "Devita Saraf". Entrepreneur India.
  5. ^ Ann Thomas, Preethi (30 September 2013). "A go-getter". The New Indian Express.
  6. ^ "Devita Saraf Official Site".
  7. ^ a b "She Likes to Hone Her Skills on the Cutting Edge". Hindustan Times. 17 January 2007. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Devita Saraf, CEO Vu Technologies". Exhibit Magazine. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  9. ^ "On the radar: Simply Mumbai". India Today. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  10. ^ "Devita Saraf moves from head of marketing to CEO". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  11. ^ "'Keep company lean' says electronics CEO Devita Saraf". BBC News.
  12. ^ Sen, Sunny; Sinha, Suveen (24 May 2015). "Off the Old Block, off Course ; Had Enough of Business Family Scions Who Follow in Their Parents' Footsteps? Business Today Finds Some Who Blaze Their Own Trails". Business Today. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  13. ^ N Sundaresha Subramanian (15 October 2014). "Bombay HC raps Vu Technologies for false statements in affidavit". Business Standard. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  14. ^ "Leading ladies : Woman - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  15. ^ Singh, Saumit (23 January 2008). "Meet the fashionable Mensan!". dnaindia.com.
  16. ^ "Devita Saraf: Gadget woman from India". The Saturn Herald. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2016.[failed verification]
  17. ^ Chaudhuri, Arcopol (31 October 2010). "Lights, Camera, Ideas at TEDx Mumbai". DNA, Sunday. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Who is Devita Saraf? Why is she trending on Twitter? Here's what you need to know". The Indian Express. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Vu Televisions' CEO welcomes 'President' Donald Trump with full-page ad, gets trolled". Hindustan Times. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  20. ^ The Bank of New York Mellon, London vs Zenith Infotech Limited, Para 34 (THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY 2015-07-30) ("In view thereof, though I have expressed my view viz. that the Promoters of the Company are absolutely dishonest and have siphoned away the funds of the Company in the manner set out in detail hereinabove and are responsible for the state of affairs of the Company prevalent as of date, I leave it to the BIFR to decide whether the Reference filed by the Company should be registered and/or further entertained."), Text.
  21. ^ Sharma, Mahesh (10 April 2013). "How $33M was siphoned from India's Zenith Infotech". ZD net. Mumbai. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  22. ^ Modak, Samie (25 March 2013). "Sebi bars Zenith Infotech promoters". Business Standard. Mumbai. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  23. ^ Narayanan, K S (27 December 2013). "Business Czarinas". thesundayindian.com.
  24. ^ Chary, S. N. (30 April 2015). Business Czarinas. London: Bloomsbury Publishing India Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 9789382951179.
  25. ^ Ahluwalia, Prem. India's Most Powerful Women (2016 ed.). Indian Books and Periodicals.
  26. ^ Narayanan, Chitra (16 September 2018). "Daughters to the fore". thehindubusinessline.com.
  27. ^ "Post Budget reaction-VU Technologies(The Luxury Television and Display Brand)". itvoice.in.
  28. ^ "Global Social India Foundation concludes Tomorrow's India Global Summit in Seoul". The SME Times News Bureau. 7 October 2016.
  29. ^ "Devita Saraf". istanbultalks.com.tr. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  30. ^ "Devita Saraf At TEDxGateway 2018 – 'Technology Is The Greatest Leveller'". India Education Diary. 24 April 2020.
  31. ^ "Recognising India's largest midsize companies at the Fortune India Next 500 summit- West". fortuneindia.com. Fortune India.
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