#1- Vivek Kulkarni
IAS turned techpreneur
Vivek Kulkarni from the 1979 batch IAS, chose to leave the privileges and honor behind to start his entrepreneurial journey after 22 years, following his stint in biotechnology and IT secretary to the government of Karnataka. Vivek holds a mechanical engineering degree from the B.V.B. IIT, Hubly. Followed by a master’s degree from Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. As a start to his career, he worked with Indian oil company for a short period, before joining the Indian administrative service, in Karnataka.
In 2005, he co-founded brickwork India, a remote virtual assistant, an outsourcing firm that provides knowledge process online assistants to global companies. His wife had joined him too as co-founder. Today, she is the company’s chief executive officer. The Kulkarnis claim to have clients across 116 countries. Vivek runs Brickwork Ratings, which was incorporated in 2007 as India’s fifth Reserve Bank of India accredited credit rating agency—it has so far rated more than 10,000 companies. His wife, Sangeeta Kulkarni also joined the company as a cofounder, today she holds the chair of CEO at Brickwork. They claim to have a global presence with clients spread across 116 countries. Vivek also incorporated brickwork ratings in 2007, which is listed as India’s fifth Reserve Bank of India accredited credit rating agency—it has so far rated more than 10,000 companies. Coming from the public sector and with intensive experience in the fields of management and technology, Vivek handles his roles with panache. Let work speak is his attitude in life, and he proves the phrase with precision in both the avatars he played.
#2- Pravesh sharma
From IAS to Sabziwla
Pravesh Sharma, who belongs to the 1982 batch, from Madhya Pradesh cadre, retired voluntarily after 34 years of his Indian administrative service career, (IAS). he started his journey as an entrepreneur, in 2016, After his last assignment, as managing director of the small farmers. agribusiness consortium for 5 years, ministry of agriculture, govt of India. During his tenure, he advocated a national campaign to mobilize farmers into producer organizations (FPO) which successfully integrated many smallholders in the value chain. His startup is named SABZIWALA, a retail chain of vegetables and fruits sources and delivers farm-fresh products directly from farmers to consumers, at a controlled fair price. Pravesh expanded the services to the KAMATAN platform with Amol Patil (CTO and co-founder) and other dynamic
investors. They are working with farmers and FPOs to build efficient supply chains for all farm produce, leveraging technology to reduce wastage and inefficiencies, and creating a linkage between producers and bulk buyers through an organized, seamless, and transparent B2B module. Their success story comes from creating a value-driven relationship and customizing the supply model for individual buyers. With 50k farmers being supported, 44 cities reached, and 16 states covered, the company plans to grow pan nation.
#3- Roman Saini
Doctor? IAS? Unapologetically Unacademic
Roman Saini is the youngest and with the most unique story of career shifts from an MBBS, TO IAS, TO an entrepreneur today. He cleared the AIMS entrance at a young age of 16 and went to publish a research paper in a reputed medical journal before the age of 18. He also worked as a Junior Resident at NDDTC in Psychiatry but resigned within six months after he cleared UPSC Civil Services Exam 2014 in his first attempt. He was the youngest IAS then and was appointed as a collector in Madhya Pradesh. With the brightest feathers adorning his hat, Rohan resigned from the administrative services within six months and started a new venture in the educational field in 2015. He is the founder of UNACADEMY, a website that provides free online coaching, webinars, tutorials, and motivational speeches for IAS aspirants.
At a young age, roman has achieved knowledge and experience in multiple fields and believes that career should be fluid. He’s never restricted his learnings, visions, and goals in boxed within career definitions. As unique as he is, he pursues other passions and hobbies and also an ace motivational speaker who thrills a million minds through his ted talks.
#4- Syed Sahabat Azim
From IAS to entrepreneur with a cause.
Syed Sahabat Azim, is a doctor, an IAS, and now the founder of Glocal Healthcare Systems. DrAzim, a 2000 batch IAS officer, left the bureaucracy when the untimely death of his father instigated him to apply his education and knowledge towards a social cause. He founded a startup named glocal healthcare systems, in 2010that aims to make quality healthcare services accessible to the rural population by setting up low-cost yet efficient hospitals across villages. The former chairman of SEBI, also the current chairman at Glocal, closely supported Sahabat, in his entrepreneurial journey.