Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s (RPI) Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship has named Ajit Prabhu, Co-Founder and CEO of Quest Global, as the recipient of the 2026 William F Glaser ’53 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The award recognises RPI graduates who have built successful entrepreneurial careers and contributed to their respective industries. Mr Prabhu has been recognised for his role in co-founding and leading Quest Global, a global engineering services company serving customers across multiple sectors.
Under Mr Prabhu’s leadership, Quest Global has expanded its operations to more than 20 countries, with 104 delivery centres and a workforce of more than 23,000 employees. The company provides engineering services and solutions to customers across industries.
Dr Eric Ledet, Director of RPI’s Severino Center, said, “Ajit is an entrepreneur whose experience across diverse sectors reflects commitment to innovation and positive business impact. We challenge our students to think big, and Ajit exemplifies this mindset with a passion for solving complex engineering problems.”
Mr Prabhu said the recognition had a particular significance because of his association with RPI. “RPI is where my entrepreneurial journey began, and this recognition means a great deal to me. We started Quest Global with a simple but powerful belief: that engineering can address complex challenges. I hope our story shows the next generation of engineers and founders that thinking big, staying humble, and never giving up is the only way to build something that truly matters.”
The William F Glaser ’53 Entrepreneur of the Year Award was established in 1990. It recognises RPI graduates who have achieved success as entrepreneurs and serve as examples for students and aspiring founders. The annual award also provides an opportunity for honourees to share their professional experiences with students and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with entrepreneurship. Through the Severino Center, RPI supports technological entrepreneurship and connects students with entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators. The award ceremony for the 2026 recipient will be held in October at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) theatre on RPI’s campus in Troy, New York.
Quest Global is a global leader in engineering services, solving some of the world’s most complex engineering challenges. With over 25 years of experience, the company operates in more than 17 countries, with over 83 delivery centers worldwide. Comprising 21,000+ employees, Quest Global delivers innovative solutions across a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, healthcare, and semiconductor. Quest Global partners with companies to drive faster, more effective solutions to their most pressing challenges.
Prabhu’s recognition by RPI adds to his association with the institution, where his entrepreneurial journey began. The award will also bring him back to the university to engage with students and the wider RPI community.
The Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship was established to support entrepreneurship at RPI and provide students with access to resources, networks and practical exposure to building technology-driven businesses.
