Not From IIT Or IIM, Yet This 10th-Pass Infosys Office Boy Rose From Poverty To Build India’s Biggest Image And Video Editing Platform

In

a society fixated on prestigious degrees and entrepreneurial buzzwords, the narrative of Dadasaheb Bhagat seems genuinely relatable. His journey from an office boy at Infosys to the founder of Design Template — a locally developed competitor to Canva — has generated buzz in India's entrepreneurial community and on social media. What’s popular today isn’t solely his business, but his perseverance — a reminder that creativity doesn’t always originate in modern structures; often, it arises close to a barn on a slope.

Humble Beginnings in Beed

Born in Beed district of Maharashtra, which is prone to drought, Dadasaheb was raised in an area where agriculture was challenging and chances were even scarcer. Education was not a priority for the family — he attended school until the 10th standard and then finished a basic ITI course, which is a typical path for factory workers. However, fate had different intentions.

The Turning Point at Infosys

He relocated to Pune to find employment, accepting low-paying jobs that scarcely provided for his living. His significant opportunity, though modest, arrived with Infosys — not as a tech professional, but as an office assistant making Rs 9,000 monthly. The job required cleaning, serving tea, and running errands, yet it also provided him with something priceless — an up-close view of the realm of computers and creativity. Observing workers at their stations, Dadasaheb understood that genuine strength lay not in manual work but in digital expertise. He started inquiring — “What steps can I take to achieve what they achieve?” The responses were discouraging: no diploma, no opportunity. However, one individual brought up graphic design — an area where creativity held greater value than degrees. That single statement ignited a flame.

From Office Boy to Designer

During his childhood, Dadasaheb would often draw temple murals alongside a neighborhood artist. Those afternoons long dismissed returned vividly. During the day, he was employed; at night, he studied design using online tutorials and free programs. In less than a year, he had transformed from an office boy to a graphic designer, making his income with a mouse rather than a mop.

Building His Own Path

However, Dadasaheb continued onward. He envisioned creating a personal venture — an Indian site for accessible design templates that anyone could utilize. And so commenced Design Template.

Starting Up From a Hillside

When the pandemic started, his office in Pune closed. While many might have surrendered, Dadasaheb viewed it as a message. He returned to his village, cut costs, and transformed challenges into opportunities. Due to unreliable internet and a restricted power supply, he and his team established a temporary workspace adjacent to a cowshed on a hillside—truly embodying the concept of "startup from scratch."

A ‘Make in India’ Success Story

And from that distant configuration, Design Template began to take form — a genuine “Make in India” achievement tale. News of his invention circulated, attracting national interest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to him as a model of grassroots entrepreneurship driven by self-sufficiency.

Empowering India’s Creators

Currently, Design Template is recognized as India’s alternative to Canva, enabling local creators and small enterprises to create posters, presentations, and digital content independently from global services.

Staying Humble and Giving Back

What makes Dadasaheb’s journey truly extraordinary isn’t only his achievements but also his humility. He maintains his faith in educating rural youth, instructing them in design so they can earn without departing from their communities. His life demonstrates that a dream requires direction, not a degree.

From Rs 9,000 to Recognition

Starting from Rs 9,000 monthly to leading a tech firm respected by the Prime Minister, Dadasaheb Bhagat exemplifies that innovation is indifferent to your history — it solely values your determination. His narrative isn't only motivational — it's visionary, demonstrating to India that even the simplest origins can create the most magnificent masterpieces.