Author: Swatee Jog

I met Gajendra Tripathi at the GIT campus. He arrived- flask in hand, backpack slung over his shoulder and guided me to the third floor, where GIT has established KLS GRID (GIT’s Research, Innovation, and Development Centre).

A few minutes into our conversation, he tells me he trains boxing aspirants at his academy as well. I start connecting some dots, well, training any youngster in business and sport has parallels. Gajendra heads this KLS GRID centre where startups in the tech and robotics sphere are incubated. As we spoke, a few students were working on their computers and some more started pouring in after some time, anxiously asking when he will be free. Currently, 8 companies function from here physically and 4 virtually (using the KLS’ NVIDIA GPU’s).

Originally from Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh, Gajendra comes from a family where many relatives serve in the armed forces and civil services, that brought him to Belagavi. After pursuing a mechanical engineering degree, like many from his home state, his initial goal was to crack the UPSC examination, but he narrowly missed it.
He actually got a PDO job, in Bidar, but around that time, the Government of India launched the Startup India policy, which changed his life entirely. He applied for a role and was shortlisted for a project under the Government of Karnataka’s K-TECH Innovation Hub at Hanuman Nagar. Initially, the centre saw limited traction, but by 2019, things took off. Many startups sought incubation at K-TECH, and during his tenure, Gajendra supported around 70 startups and organized 120 events. He also played a key role in helping startups secure grants up to ₹50 lakhs from the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka. Several renowned startups from Belagavi have benefited from such grants

He then moved to Hyderabad to work in T-HUB for the Telangana Govt in Startup Innovation and Community Building,( World’s Largest Innovation Campus), an area close to his heart even now. Gajendra speaks highly of his Hyderabad stint, calling the ecosystem there “truly conducive for startups.” He had an opportunity to work with Indian School of Business, IIIT Hyderabad, BITS Hyderabad, IIT Patna, MIT Pune, and other corporates that are keen to work with startups, starting with a problem statement and go on to nurture those that can provide solutions. He believes that instead of investing heavily in traditional R&D, corporates or industries can gain more agility and innovation by partnering with startups offering rapid, solution-driven approaches.
At T-HUB, he worked with over 2,000 startups. The difference, he explains, lies in the massive push that the Telangana Government provides through its various initiatives, establishing multiple startup centres across the state. Gajendra mentored startups across all stages, from ideation to growth, from go -to- market to investment readiness.

As part of community-building initiatives, he had the opportunity to host and engage with several global and national leaders including Paul Brown (Founder, Inspire Foods), Robert Metcalfe (Inventor of Ethernet & Co-founder, 3Com), Ajay Chowdhry (Co-founder, HCL), Ivan Zhao (Founder, Notion), Nandan Reddy (Co-founder, Swiggy), among many others.

KLS GRID-a shot in the arm for Belagavi’s Startups
At KLS GRID, Gajendra has introduced a unique initiative called Idea Openhouse, currently open to students from all the colleges. Participants receive a questionnaire designed to help validate their ideas through expert feedback. The GRID supports startups at every stage from idea validation, product development, and prototyping to market strategy, commercialization, and investment readiness.
The GRID also runs a Student Startup Program, where students from 1st, 3rd, and 5th semesters are interviewed and selected into a structured learning program. The goal is to incubate at least 10 student-led startups on campus. Gajendra’s vision is to build a strong, collaborative, and self-sustaining startup ecosystem, one where young innovators can grow, collaborate, and inspire one another while solving real-world challenges faced by industries today

The Fight Club Coach
Now his other passion- boxing. Gajendra is the first in Belgaum to start a dedicated boxing club, Tripathi’s Fight Club (TFC) located near the Hindalga Ganapati Temple. His younger brother Satyendra, a civil engineer, runs the club full-time. Over the past 8 years, around 25 athletes from TFC have joined the armed forces, thanks to the discipline and training they received there. The club now trains over 130 athletes, ranging in age from 5 to 60 years. For those above 30, the club offers BoxFit, a high-intensity fitness program inspired by boxing which is now a global trend.
Gajendra is also a National-Level Boxing Coach certified by NIS Patiala. Now the dots connect well looking backwards. He loves to nourish those who dream big, whether in business or sports. And feels happy when his mentees succeed.
You think our city needs more Gajendra Tripathis? You’re not alone. I do too.

If you were present at this year’s BeTCA Annual Meetup, you would have witnessed Maboof’s Hoopoe E-bike (pronounced Hoopee) that was a head-turner. The posters at the venue showed design inspiration from something that looked like a bird (the Hoopoe) and that intrigued many. The bike’s launch brought delightful smiles on everyone’s face and people literally mobbed him for enquiries. That’s Maboof Mulla , founder of Hoopoe E-bikes, Belagavi. Of late, Belagavi has been in the news for its smart tech entrepreneurs making a mark on the global scene and Maboof is on his way to become the next one. This young designer from Marihal turned his childhood fascination with vehicles into a full-fledged electric mobility company.

Humble Beginnings

Maboof’s journey began in a Kannada-medium school at Marihal. After completing his diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Bharatesh Polytechnic, he couldn’t pursue engineering, but his love for design kept pushing him forward. Fascinated by vehicle aesthetics since childhood, he gave the transportation design exam and was shortlisted for admission to DYPDC Center for Automotive Research and Studies, Pune, in 2016.

He credits mentors at Bharatesh Polytechnic like Prof. R.J. Patil who shaped him with tough love but practical training, while the legendary DC (Dilip Chhabria) inspired him during his final year at DYPDC, especially with his “Tarzan Wondercar” designs. Life took a difficult turn when his father fell ill and passed away, forcing him to pause his education and miss campus placements. Yet, Maboof returned, completed his studies, and embarked on a career that shaped his future.

Gaining Ground in Vehicle Design

His early career took him to Studio 34, Manesar (Haryana), where he worked on OEM projects for Maruti, Tata, and Sonalika Tractors. His big break came with Sonalika’s global export brand Solis, where he designed six successful tractors — including their first electric tractor. It was here he met Rohit Raghuvanshi (IIT Kanpur), who became his lifelong mentor and taught him the design thought process.

Later, Maboof returned closer home to Pune and worked with John Deere’s design studio, gaining experience with global standards. He also experimented with a tractor startup and canopy design but realized he needed deeper understanding of startup funding. As a consultant, he earned well, but the urge to build his own dream never left.

The Rivot Chapter

In 2023, through LinkedIn networking, Maboof connected with Ajit Patil of Rivot Motors, Belagavi (Rivot has earlier launched its electric bike). After a five-hour conversation, he joined the team and soon became a key force in building their design studio. Within nine months, they launched a vehicle that earned design accolades and strong bookings. His time at Rivot taught him invaluable lessons on fund management, supplier networks, and scaling ideas into production.

Birth of Hoopoe

By February 2025, Maboof decided to chart his own course. He exited Rivot, raised seed money from his mother and wife — they gave him the family gold — and within six months, developed the Hoopoe e-Bike. The prototype was proudly showcased at KADEM, Suvarna Soudha, where it was well received.

Unlike traditional e-cycles, Hoopoe is designed to be a bike that rides like a cycle- it feels aspirational but remains accessible to youth. Maboof observed that children and teenagers wanted to ride bikes but lacked licenses or safety readiness. He saw a gap where most kids and college students just wanted to ride a bike for show-off but few wanted the speed of one. Hoopoe bridges that gap with a :

• 60 km range

• 7-gear cycle mode if battery is off – ideal for the health conscious

• Easy to ship design, fits into a box (55 inches) if the handle is detached.

• SMART BMS (unique fire-prevention battery system)

• 5-year LFP (lithium iron phosphate- Li-Fe-PO battery (2000 life cycles)

• Fully made in Belagavi with injection-moulded plastic frames

Building in Belagavi, Dreaming Global

With a pilot fleet of 100 vehicles for Belagavi, Dharwad, Hubli, and Kolhapur, Hoopoe is gearing up for a pan-India launch in the next three months. The startup already sees interest from markets like UAE, Netherlands, and the US, where compact urban mobility solutions are booming. What is worth noting is that the entire production of Hoopoe bikes is done in Belagavi with everything from prototypes to actual mass production happening in the city.

Today, Hoopoe employs 10 people, including three designers, two mechanical engineers, two diploma holders, and his wife who manages administration.

The Road Ahead

Maboof’s story is more than a startup tale — it’s about big dreams, persistence, design excellence, and solving real-world problems. Hoopoe e-Bikes are not just vehicles; they are a symbol of youthful aspiration, local innovation, and the belief that even from small towns, world-class ideas can take flight.

As Belagavi watches the first 100 Hoopoe e-Bikes hit the roads, Maboof has his eyes set on making the bird named after freedom and beauty soar across India and the globe.

See more on https://hoopoebikes.godaddysites.com/

For more information about BeTCA and how it can help you connect with Belagavi Tech Companies or find Tech resources, visit www.betca.org

Speaking to Deeksha Shukla is a revelation in itself. Having been an Air Force Pilot, she is an unassumingly vivacious person. It is very difficult to fathom the challenges she has faced in life across contrasting landscapes — from the skies of high-speed fighter jets to the quiet practice of yoga and mental health healing and now as an entrepreneur. Few stories capture this transition as powerfully as that of Deeksha Shukla, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at SOULSARA, a platform redefining corporate wellness and employee mental health.

Roots in Discipline and Service

Born into an Army family hailing from Uttar Pradesh, she grew up moving across Ajmer, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and eventually came to Belgaum for her undergraduate studies at RLS College, where she pursued a B.Sc. The city instantly won her heart, becoming the foundation for many of her future chapters.

Her early years were shaped by NCC Republic Day camps, extracurricular achievements, and a remarkable talent for swimming — she earned the prestigious title of University Blue and represented her university at national-level swimming competitions.

By ninth grade, she knew she wanted to wear the coveted uniform of a pilot, having been fascinated by the life of a soldier. Her determination took her through the gruelling CDS exam and the five-day selection process in Mysore, where she cleared the once-in-a-lifetime Pilot Aptitude Battery Test — a feat accomplished by just 15 out of 400 young women from that batch. She went on to join the academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in December 2009.

The Sky Years

Her Air Force career saw her posted across Bangalore (Yelahanka), the Andamans, Delhi, Lucknow, and multiple border areas, including the western frontier. She also undertook operations at fighter bases and experienced the intensity of life at Suratgarh on the Rajasthan border. By the time she arrived in Belgaum on her last posting in 2019, she had flown missions across the nation, balanced family life, and given her best to service.

“Life in the Air Force is a constant state of readiness — you are always ‘on.’ It’s high-stress, often life-or-death. Mental and physical tolls accumulate,” she reflects.

Grounded in Entrepreneurship

When she stepped away from the Air Force, she ventured into hospitality with a franchise of a Bakery and Café followed by D Heaven Café, running them successfully for over two years. Even during the challenges of the first lockdown in 2020 — sourcing raw material from Hubli, keeping the business alive — she gathered lessons in resilience, community, and the importance of mental wellbeing.

This phase also opened her to new paths: she immersed herself in chakra healing, yoga psychology, and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). A collaboration with Abhay from Mumbai would mark the start of a new chapter — SOULSARA.

SOULSARA: Reimagining Corporate Wellness

The history of where SOULSARA is now is rooted in its initial proprietary dome-shaped physical installation called Soul-X, — a tranquil space for immersive wellness experiences.  They successfully conducted 2 installations in Croatia and New York in 2019, with promises of 6 more across the globe, but COVID threw life out of gear. As physical congregations were halted, SOULSARA transformed into a digital platform, and today it stands as a robust SaaS platform delivering Employee Assistance 2.0.

Unlike traditional EAPs that respond only in crisis, SOULSARA provides a Predict, Prevent, Prove approach to mental health — proactive, predictive, and confidential support that is far missing in reactive EAPs. Employees can access counsellors and virtual therapies through ImmersiveCARE™, which rewires the brain with virtual therapies for various challenges like quitting smoking, overcoming social anxiety, crisis management, sleep assistance, and more. This module was recently launched successfully in NYC’s Central Park at an event called Peace in the Park in association with The Brahma Kumaris. Access requires something as simple as headphones — no complicated installations required.

·       Individual reports remain confidential, while organizations receive actionable insights on productivity, engagement, and retention patterns.

·       Their patent-pending psychometric profiles are unique each month, based on a non-threatening line of questioning around color, art, and sports, combining their patented 9 modalities. Deep tech and GenAI are used extensively across the platform to vectorize the data and give individuals and teams the most robust and authentic information, all while keeping individual and team data completely confidential and compliant.

·       The system not only flags dips in engagement but is designed to offer end-to-end support — not just highlighting challenges but also offering hyper personalized recommendations to individuals and teams. SOULSARA provides interventions for teams like team facilitation and coaching, reducing the stress on leaders and managers and freeing up their time to do what they do best.

The goal is to normalize conversations around mental health, making it as routine as physical fitness. “Mental health shouldn’t be the last resort. It has to be part of how organizations function,” she emphasizes.

The Bigger Picture

Having lived the stresses of service — both her father’s 15 years in Kashmir Valley as an infantryman and her own decade in the Air Force — she knows first-hand how stress can manifest as illness if left unaddressed. Today, her mission is to help others unlock their potential by being mentally and physically well.

SOULSARA now works with both B2C and B2B clients, has signed multiple LoIs, and is building partnerships with academic institutions and corporate leaders. “We want to mobilize leaders and business owners,” she says, “because wellness has an impact not just on individuals but on entire organizations.”

Coming Full Circle in Belagavi

From knowing the Belagavi Fort and its stories better than many locals, having lived inside the TA premises, to returning as an entrepreneur and strategist, Belgaum remains a city close to her heart. For someone who once soared the skies in uniform, her journey today is about helping others rise — not in altitude, but in resilience, balance, and wellbeing.

For more information about BeTCA and how it can help you connect with Belagavi Tech Companies or find Tech resources, visit www.betca.org

Dr. Ameet Patil’s journey from a curious schoolboy in Belagavi to a globally recognised entrepreneur and founder of Ecobillz is truly inspiring. His story reflects resilience, risk-taking, and the relentless pursuit of innovation with a social impact.

Speaking to Dr. Ameet Patil gives you vibes of speaking with a person with a strong academic and research bent. He explains earnestly and knows how to unravel things so you understand fully. If not for the intense entrepreneurial bug in him, this techie-at-heart would have made for a great research scholar, continuing to invent wonderful things to make this world a better place with technology.

Early Life & Education

Born and raised in Belagavi, Ameet’s childhood was deeply influenced by his father, who worked in Muscat at that time. He returned to India and joined Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Ltd. (SMIORE). The family moved there, and he was enrolled at Sandur Residential School, run by the Ghorpades. Ameet was exposed to a unique education system that emphasised “learning by doing.” This shaped his problem-solving mindset early on.

When he eventually returned to Belagavi, he joined St. Mary’s School and later pursued his PUC at GSS College, securing a Computer Science seat at KLE College of Engineering.

From a very young age, Ameet was fascinated by computers and by class 7, he was already coding and used to developing small software tools for local industries in Belagavi- a sign of his early creative tech bent.

First Steps into the Corporate World.

Ameet was placed at Wipro immediately after his graduation, but due to a recession, his joining was deferred. Soon after, he landed a job at Oracle in Hyderabad with an attractive salary of ₹4 lakh—on the very day he attempted the GATE exam. While higher studies were on his mind, this opportunity pulled him into the corporate world.

Even at Oracle, he constantly thought about doing more. This urge pushed him to consider an invitation for pursuing an integrated Masters and a PhD in the UK.

With sheer conviction, and encouragement and guidance of this maternal uncle Dr. Prakash Diwan, the family mortgaged the family home for a ₹30 lakh student loan and set him off to follow his academic dream.

Struggles & Breakthroughs in the UK

Life abroad was far from easy. Though he earned a decent scholarship, the cost was high. To manage living expenses, Ameet worked night shifts at a supermarket for £7 an hour. His PhD mentor eventually discovered his struggles when he noticed Ameet’s under-eye dark circles. Shocked, the mentor connected him with an embedded software company that worked with aviation companies such as Boeing, which went on to sponsor his PhD. He completed it in four years.

During his UK stint, he was also selected by Rapita Systems Ltd. as an expert in real-time systems software. Alongside academics and work, Ameet even pursued his passion for cricket, playing in the Yorkshire Dales County League.

Return to India & Entrepreneurial Journey

In 2009, Ameet decided to return to India with a dream of building something meaningful at home. But his company back in London was reluctant to let him go. They instead offered him to set up a development center and promote their products in India. He returned in December 2008 and founded Spundhan Softwares Pvt. Ltd., focusing on real-time systems and IoT solutions. His order book was packed from day 1. By 2013, with a 25-member team, he wanted to grow faster. He sought for and found mentorship from Vivek Pawar of Hubli. Spundhan showed promise. However, after merging with LinkEZ Technologies and shifting the company to Hubli, things did not scale as expected even after two years. Ameet believes in giving himself set timelines and when things don’t turn out, he prefers to move on. This setback, however, laid the foundation for his next big leap—Ecobillz.

Birth of Ecobillz

In 2016, along with co-founder Nitesh Singh Rathore, Ameet observed the massive paper wastage from printed receipts at retail chains like Big Bazaar. This thermal paper wasn’t eco-friendly. They discovered that at that time, India alone consumed 20 kms of such paper receipts per year, amounting to Rs. 600 crores. Determined to create an eco-friendly solution, they developed Ecobillz, a SaaS-based real-time digitisation platform that:

• Uses AI to digitize, collect, and aggregate data

• Builds complex back-office automation systems

• Streamlines document management without the need for paper

After multiple trial and error at local supermarkets, their first pitch was to the Fortune Group, which embraced the idea wholeheartedly and became their first big client with over 2500 outlets across India. Soon after, they set up operations in Bengaluru.

Breakthrough with Hospitality Giants

Persistence paid off when Nitesh, after calling the GM of The Leela Palace every day for 200 days, finally secured a meeting. The Leela GM was impressed and not only gave them business but also offered office space in their premises.

Oberoi Hotels followed, and the COVID-19 lockdown tested the startup’s resilience. With no funds to pay salaries, Ecobillz innovated by creating systems for remote check-ins during hotel quarantines. This pivot brought in clients like Taj , ITC, etc., eventually leading to rapid growth post-2021.

Today, Ecobillz boasts 400+ Hotels as clients, with operations in Belagavi, Dubai, and London. Ameet travels to all these places and more, but is based out of London with his family.

Vision, Impact & Future

Ecobillz has been recognised by NASSCOM 10,000 Startups and 500 Startups (now 500 Global). While its current focus is on the hospitality industry, Ecobillz is expanding into retail, hospitals, QSRs, and automotive sectors.

Ameet’s vision is simple yet powerful: to save trees, time, and make businesses more responsible through digitisation. His entrepreneurial journey—spanning Spundhan, LinkEZ, and Ecobillz—has been full of scars and stars, but it has firmly established him as a pioneer in AI-driven digital transformation.

Beyond Work

Outside of entrepreneurship, Ameet is a fitness enthusiast who loves to walk, even 20 km at a stretch. He is married to Sushma, his childhood friend, and they have two school-going daughters. Despite his demanding schedule, he continues to balance personal life with his mission-driven work.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Ameet Patil remains rooted in his values, forever grateful to the places and people who shaped him—from Belagavi to Sandur, from Oracle to Ecobillz. His story is proof that passion, persistence, and purpose can truly create enterprises that change the world.

In the tech corridors of Bangalore, where innovation hums through every street and ambition rides high, one man decided to take a detour. For Ram Kattige, a BSc Physics and Electronics Instrumentation graduate from the University of Mumbai, who then worked in Bengaluru, life had other plans. From a promising start in the electronics industry, his path eventually led him to become a pivotal ERP implementation specialist — and to the quiet, industrious city of Belagavi.

His career began in 1988 in Bangalore, and over the next three decades, he moved from electronics development into coding, learning C++ and transitioning into software development. In 2003, a chance encounter with a Tally representative looking for payroll development opportunities marked the beginning of a long association with Tally. By 2005, he and his wife Nagamani, also a software professional, were deeply engaged in developing and implementing payroll solutions for Tally’s clientele, and over the years became trusted implementation partners in Bengaluru.

Their strength lay in customizing Tally’s features for real-world business needs—particularly for HR and inventory-heavy businesses. Unlike basic accounting setups, these ERP systems required a deep understanding of multiple verticals: compliance, inventory management, resource planning, and employee management. With up to 10,000+ inventory lines and 100+ employees, clients needed not just software but an integrated solution, which MV Solutions provided. His three-year stint working with a Chartered Accountant further honed his understanding of finance and audits which added to his repertoire of offerings.

Shifting to Belagavi

By 2019, feeling stifled by Bangalore’s growing chaos, Ram made a spontaneous move to Belgaum — a city where he had no prior connections though he had business contacts through Tally. This decision coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which ironically opened more doors than it closed. With businesses shifting to digital operations, the need for remote accounting, online ERP solutions, and real-time data access surged. Tally continued to refer implementation projects his way, particularly in the Udyambag industrial cluster of Belagavi.

Initially, his interactions in Belgaum were intermittent, but as confidence in his services grew, long-term contracts followed. Today, MV Solutions manages over 15-20 private limited companies in manufacturing and other domains in the city. He offers not just implementation but also the initial hand holding till the staff is able to manage on its own. To support this growing demand and avoid a bottleneck as a solo operator, he began team building about three years ago.

Ram is also part of Tally’s elite Evangelist Group, a national forum of top ERP implementers across India. This core group of 50–60 experts works with Tally to communicate on-the-ground issues and user expectations, while also training trainers and staying ahead of compliance and regulatory changes.

Expanding to training

Realizing the acute shortage of skilled manpower in ERP and accounting in Belgaum, he has launched a training vertical under MV Solutions, based in Udyambag. This new center will train local talent in HR, accounting, and ERP software such as Tally, Zoho, Odoo, and Busy. He’s even planning to develop it as a full-scale software training and support center, offering practical, industry-ready education. His elder daughter, Medha — a gold medalist MBA in Sports Management — is spearheading recruitment and operations for the new center. His younger daughter, currently preparing for CA exams and a state-level badminton player, also plays an active role.

Ram and Nagamani’s teamwork continues to form the backbone of MV Solutions. While he handles on-site implementation and strategic planning, she manages the backend, coding, customization, client communication, and coordination. The couple previously ran an Abacus training program for children between 2005–2010, showcasing their passion for education and skill-building. This experience is coming handy for their new venture.

Moving forward

MV Solutions’ future plans are as ambitious as they are grounded. They aim to hold software demo events, awareness workshops, and launch a YouTube channel offering ERP insights and tutorials. The team is already developing social media tools to spread the message.

With strong coordination from business networks like BeTCA and affiliated entrepreneurs like RK Patil and Ajit Patil, Ram found a vibrant, motivated business community in Belgaum that helped him accelerate his impact. He credits the enthusiasm and support of the young, driven entrepreneur crowd for reigniting his own energy and sense of purpose. Ram says joining BeTCA has been a defining moment in his business journey.

While Belgaum may seem laid-back, its business ecosystem is evolving rapidly — and people like Ram are at the forefront of that change. He emphasizes that ERP solutions must be integrated, not fragmented. Most businesses use different software for HR, inventory, and accounting with little or no coordination. MV Solutions is bridging these silos to deliver meaningful insights and efficiency.

Looking ahead, the company plans to conduct industry connect events and expand training for business owners and their teams. With the support of his family and a growing team, Ram envisions MV Solutions becoming a leading ERP support and training hub not just for Belgaum, but tier-2 India. As Ram puts it: “This is not about building a money-spinning enterprise. It’s about giving businesses the tools they need to thrive.”

Connect with Ram Kattige :

Email : info.mvstally@gmail.com

Phone : 9342842463

Website : https://infomvstally.wixsite.com/tally-central-bgm

Amey Kadle is living proof that childhood dreams, backed by relentless hard work, focus and a passion for solving problems, can shape extraordinary success stories. At just 30 years of age, Amey is the founder and driving force behind Ajinkya Technologies, a Belagavi-headquartered software firm that creates innovative solutions for clients across India and overseas. With over 120 employees today and a remarkable growth trajectory, Ajinkya Technologies is poised to touch ₹100 crore in revenue within the next two years.

A Journey That Began in School

Amey Kadle’s tryst with technology began in the most unassuming way — during his 8th standard summer vacation, when he enrolled at a computer centre alongside Engineering and M.Tech students. There, he learned hardware and networking, returning from classes to assemble computers and sell them door-to-door — all before changing out of his school uniform. What helped him was his training in theatre and acting way back in 2^nd std. which laid the foundation for negotiations, public speaking and networking, despite being a self – confessed introvert!

Having studied at MVM School and later at Jyoti College (Commerce) for PUC, Amey soon shifted gears to pursue his true calling, enrolling in BCA at Gogte College of Commerce. It was at Jyoti College library that he picked up books and taught himself XML going on to create his first mobile theme: a speedometer-style battery and range indicator that he uploaded on Ovi store. The theme went viral, clocking over a million downloads — an early glimpse of Amey’s ability to identify gaps and build impactful solutions.

From Startup Struggles to Business Breakthroughs

While still a student in school, Amey Kadle founded Ajinkya Technologies — a name deeply rooted in his family’s legacy. Later, he hired seniors from his BCA class and began building software for businesses. By the second year of his distance education MCA (which he eventually dropped out of becauae obviously, he knew more than the redundant curriculum), Amey had opened his first office in Chidambar Nagar, Belagavi. Focused on medical, manufacturing, and education verticals, Ajinkya Technologies grew quietly without even a formal office signboard.

A New Vision for Ajinkya Technologies

Like many entrepreneurs, Amey Kadle faced his share of challenges. That was also the time he had started a new company with Arvind Kapadia of Vikas Composites, named DailyGate. That took them to Deshpande Startups where they could meet people doing interesting things. All these experiences enriched their perspective.

However, revenue at Ajinkya Technologies dipped even as user numbers rose, and personal setbacks took a toll. In a bold move, around 4 years ago, Amey took up a project work at IISc, Bangalore, to work alongside some of the nation’s top minds. There, at EPLabs, where he discovered what he’d been missing: the importance of design thinking, UI/UX, and the culture of relentless innovation. Working with scientists who spent almost the entire waking hours working passionately on projects, delegating, finding solutions and building real life solutions, he found the missing piece.

Returning to Belagavi after 18 months at IISc, Amey Kadle brought back a refreshed vision. He repositioned Ajinkya Technologies to focus on creating better-designed software that delivers measurable value.

Today, the results of Ajinkya Technologies’ solutions are astounding:

• 90% reduction in dispatch errors for clients
• Solutions tracking 7.2 lakh materials daily
• $600 million or more saved for one of the Largest Steel Manufacturing in the country
• Managing ₹12,000 crore worth of inventory, 40% faster than global benchmarks
• Medical asset tracking becoming the firm’s largest revenue driver
• Systems managing 16,800 barrels of paint/hour, reducing labour by 60% in inventory ops
• Maintaining ₹80,000 crore worth of machinery for all clients

Today, Ajinkya’s solutions are used across geographies — with 20% revenue coming from overseas markets, aiming for 60% next year. The company is working with LGSI, Samsung, drone manufacturers, Manufacturing Companies, and 3D printing firms, delivering custom software solutions.

The Power of Collaboration

Recognizing that one man cannot scale alone, Amey has built a core network of advisors and well wishers, including Rahul Kednurkar (The Tea Toast Co.), Anand Kagalkar, Hitesh, RK, Virendra and others who act as his sounding boards. The arrival of Kednurkar, in particular, has strengthened Ajinkya’s partnerships and business development efforts.

Amey values the close-knit entrepreneur community of Belagavi, especially EO, where there is strong learning and growth, & BeTCA, where founders support and uplift each other, staying grounded despite their success. His ambition is not just to grow Ajinkya but to contribute meaningfully to Belagavi’s economy — hiring talent from across the country willing to relocate, investing locally, and building a company in Belagavi that gives back.

Starting with a simple cycle in school and college, Amey got his first scooter when in college, a gift for exemplary performance. He loves his cars and also flies a plane. Off-roading and traveling whenever he finds time, he values life experiences over flamboyance. Along with his wife Manali, who handles Software Quality at Ajinkya, he loves to live life meaningfully.

What Lies Ahead

Ajinkya Technologies is on track to scale to 300 employees in the next five years, with revenue and growth targets of 200 X its starting point (they have already breached 60 X) . Amey is committed to ensuring that the company’s success benefits its people — financially and professionally. Inspired by global best practices, he dreams of introducing policies like paid rejuvenation breaks for staff.

A quiet contributor to healthcare, education, and temple restoration, Amey Kadle embodies the generosity he saw in and learned from his father. His journey is now on an interesting trajectory — standing as a inspiring reminder of what passion, persistence, and purpose can achieve.

Website: https://ajinkyatechnologies.in/

When you step into the factory of DELTASYS E FORMING, located just across the back gate of Gogte Institute of Technology in Udyambag, Belagavi, you’re met with an unexpected sight — towering, cutting-edge 3D printing machines unlike anything you’ve seen before. DELTASYS isn’t simply following trends — it’s building the future.

A Deep Tech Dream Built in Udyambag
Founded by two determined mechanical engineering students from Jain University — Virendra Kadam and Murlidhar Sutar — DELTASYS E FORMING is Belagavi’s own deep tech startup that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced 3D printing machines and CNC machining centers. What sets this company apart is its focus on “mother machines” — the backbone of industrial manufacturing — engineered with precision, reliability, and scalability.

The company’s journey began modestly. In their final year at Jain Polytechnic, Virendra and Murlidhar built a 3D printer as a college project. They had spent most of their time at the engineering college library, scouring all books they could lay their hands on. But 3-D printers caught their attention. That passion turned into purpose when they built and sold their first small scale 3D printing machine soon after graduating. Starting on a shoestring budget and working out of a small, rented space, the duo realized that the market for small 3D printers was saturated with many cheaper alternatives available in the market. So, they shifted their focus to large-format, high-performance 3D printing machines — a niche with few players and high potential.

Today, they operate from a 14,000 sq. ft. facility in Udyambag and are already planning a move to a larger space to accommodate their growing production scale and product size.

Innovation Engineered: The Pattern Forge Machine
At the heart of DELTASYS’ diverse product portfolio lies the Pattern Forge Machine — a breakthrough innovation designed for the foundry industry. Traditionally, making a new casting pattern was a time-consuming, labor-intensive task done manually by skilled artisans. It often took weeks or months to produce just one.

DELTASYS revolutionized this with their proprietary DE Thermo Fiber Resin material. The Pattern Forge machine dehydrates, melts, and deposits these resins layer by layer to create patterns within hours — dramatically reducing time, labor, and cost. This has become a game changer for industries like automotive, power generation, agriculture, and heavy engineering, which rely heavily on casting components. The clients include big names in Heavy Engineering, automobile and other allied engineering sectors as also reputed institutes like IITs,NITs,CSIR Labs and IISc, etc. who need large size patterns before manufacturing begins. A large size pattern of say, a part of a large pump or the dashboard of a truck or car takes a long time to be created by hand and could have minor anomalies, especially given the shapes. With the 3D Printing machine, it becomes quick and accurate.

Beyond Patterns: A Broader Product Line
The innovation doesn’t stop there. DELTASYS also manufactures:
• Advanced Hybrid 3D Printers – designed for additive manufacturing with high- performance materials.
• Construction 3D Printers – capable of large-scale, automated concrete-based home building.
• CNC Machining Centers – 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis machines used in plastic and composite trimming, and the manufacturing of special purpose CNC machines (SPMs) for complex material processing.

Their machines can work on a wide range of materials including hard metals, composites, plastics, wood, and even stone — enabling multi-industry applications.

Leadership Rooted in Vision and Values
CEO Virendra Kadam, hailing from a humble farming background, is as comfortable discussing high-tech innovation as he is talking about philosophy, literature, or spiritual growth. His workspace is a reflection of his curious and balanced mind — adorned with books by Napoleon Hill, Babasaheb Purandare, Sarthak Ahuja, Jim Collins, Sadhguru, and others. The table also has a replica of the Adi Yogi, Lingbhairavi Devi and an assorted symbols of belief. A follower of Sadhguru and a practitioner of early morning meditation, Virendra begins his day at 4:30 AM and is at his factory by 7:00 AM — a discipline that reflects in the company’s culture as well. He loves off-roading on his KTM Adventure or the newly acquired Triumph, a rare indulgence when time permits. Currently, he is busy writing his first book on concepts dear to his heart about human life and existential questions.

The Road Ahead
With machines priced between ₹45 lakhs and ₹3 crores, DELTASYS has carved out a niche in India’s manufacturing innovation ecosystem. The company is one of the very few players in its segment, not just in India but globally. With a robust order book and participation in national and international tech exhibitions, Deltasys is making Belagavi proud on the world stage. “The day we sell our fiftieth PATTERN FORGE machine, we will open our office in New York” says Virendra with a confident smile as USA, Brazil is good market for Composite Part production where PATTERN FORGE is being used to make Moulds and Patterns for the Compsosite part production, adding that it’s going to be much sooner than expected.

In an era where deep tech startups often emerge from metros and Tier-1 cities, Deltasys E Forming proves that innovation can thrive anywhere — even from a modest factory floor in Udyambag, Belagavi — when powered by vision, grit, and a relentless drive to solve real-world problems.

How a young Belagavi engineer’s passion for flight led to one of India’s most innovative drone companies, now powering the skies with cutting-edge technology for Defence and beyond. So much so that his large-sized drones procured by the Indian Army could have been the ones that played a role in some key operations. (Sarus deployed delivery drones for quick operational deployment).

In the heart of Belagavi, nestled inside the Silver Jubilee Building of the sprawling Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) campus, something extraordinary is taking shape. Sleek, futuristic drones—some with wingspans as wide as four meters—sit poised like aircrafts ready for a mission. This is not a sci-fi movie set, but the headquarters of Sarus Aerospace, a rising Indian drone-tech firm with national relevance, born out of a humble bedroom startup.
At the helm of this trailblazing venture is Rahul Patil, an unassuming yet fiercely determined founder whose journey from an aspiring pilot to a drone-tech pioneer is as inspiring as the machines he builds.

A Dream That Took Flight
Rahul, an army child educated at Marathi Vidyaniketan and Jain PU College in Belagavi, always dreamed of becoming a pilot. Back then, with little knowledge of how to enter aviation, a friend’s suggestion to pursue aeronautical engineering opened new skies. He enrolled at Karavali Institute of Technology in Mangaluru and, during his final-year project, discovered the rapidly evolving world of drones.
The fascination was instant and profound.
After graduation, Rahul joined Air India in Mumbai as a Junior Technical Officer in the Production Planning Division but the largely administrative role left him yearning for more hands-on work. Stints in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and then Ahmedabad at an aerospace company followed, where he honed his skills while juggling personal responsibilities and financial hardships. Meanwhile, he also up-skilled himself which helped him ace the tech edge.
But his heart never left Belagavi.

Building Sarus: Bootstrapped and Belagavi-Born
Despite attractive offers from other cities and people offering him all the resources to start from Gujarat and Pune, Rahul registered Sarus Aerospace with a Belagavi address. Even while working full-time, he would regularly set aside part of his salary to buy drone components. Piece by piece, he assembled his first drone—custom-built with features few competitors offered. When he fell short of ₹2 lakhs to complete it, a former boss from his Air India days and colleague loaned him the amount, convinced by Rahul’s zeal and dedication.
The initial client didn’t show up for the demo. Unfazed, Rahul approached banks, secured his first loan, paid off his lenders within days, and finally landed his first orders from the same client—thanks to a relentless focus on quality and customization. He soon returned to Belagavi and set up a workshop from his home in February 2022.
Operating from his bedroom, clients would walk into his home to witness demos. Word of mouth brought more clients, and by the end of the first year, Sarus had sold over 200 drones and introduced 22 unique applications of drones with deep customization. What’s more, he has also trained 100+ pilot for different applications.

Engineering Excellence with Purpose
Today, Sarus Aerospace builds survey, surveillance, delivery, and defence drones for a wide range of sectors including the Indian Army, DRDO, Navy, and BSF. One model can carry up to 30 kg, fly over 350 km, and stay aloft for 3+ hours. These are no ordinary drones—they take off vertically, then switch to airplane mode mid-air, drastically improving range and efficiency.
In Himalayan terrains, Sarus drones now deliver crucial life-saving medical samples and supplies to remote villages in under an hour—a task that earlier took a full day by road.
Despite no formal marketing, Sarus continues to scale—powered solely by client referrals and performance.

A New Chapter at VTU
Looking for a larger, more professional workspace, Rahul was introduced six months ago, to BeTCA (Belagavi Technology Companies Association). Around the same time, VTU opened its campus to startups. Today, Sarus operates from there in a symbiotic model: the company mentors students and provides internships. Over 96 engineering students are interning there today.
His team of 13, along with passionate interns, are behind some cutting-edge innovations:
• An 8 meter SkyPod tower built for a Goa based client that automates last-mile parcel delivery via drones with OTP-secured vending chutes.
• A thrust bench for drone components—removing the need for real flight testing during manufacturing.
• A ground rover capable of fire-fighting, mine detection, and disposal.
The company is all set to start its Drone Pilot training institute to train young drone enthusiasts who will be certified by DGCA, a crucial requirement today for anyone to fly drones.
The buzz in the lab is electric. Bright young interns credit Rahul for giving them the skills, entrepreneurial attitude and hands-on exposure they never imagined getting at this stage in their careers.

Towards Indigenous Innovation
Rahul’s next goal? Complete indigenization of drone components. “We rely too much on imports,” he notes, “and it’s time India builds its own ecosystem.” Sarus is among the very few Indian drone firms offering this level of customization and sophistication, making it a potential jewel in India’s innovation crown.
A proud BeTCA member, Rahul’s story is a shining example to what’s possible when skill meets grit and a dreams take flight. Sarus Aerospace is more than a business—it’s a beacon for what India’s Tier-2 towns like Belagavi can produce: world-class innovation with heart, hustle, and high-tech excellence.

Rahul can be reached at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sarus-aerospace/
Email- rahul@sarusaerospace.in