Anil Agarwal started a small business of scrap metal in 1976 called Vedanta Resources. He also bought Shamsher Sterling Corporation, a cable company in the same year — which was later renamed to Sterlite Industries.

In September 2014, Anil Agarwal pledged to donate 75% of his wealth to charity. The Vedanta Foundation primary areas of focus are education & computer literacy, vocational training, women & child empowerment, and community welfare.

His company was also the first Indian company to get listed in the London Stock Exchange.