At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited yet another passionate entrepreneur Pranit Parekar for an interview with BrilliantRead Media. He is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Mentor, Consultant and Change Enabler. He is the Co-Founder and CTO of VTRO. Let’s learn more about his background, his inspiring journey so far and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Pranit:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur, please;
My entrepreneurial journey began during my college days, where I spent a lot of time doing R&D on various topics, including robotics and automation, which eventually led me to teach robotics as a faculty member in college.
My love for innovation and tech only grew stronger as I launched my first-generation business, Skroman Global which offers home automation products such as locks, curtain motors, lights, and switches.
Despite Skroman’s success, I wanted to venture into a new sector, and with the rise of sustainability and green energy, the EV sector caught my attention and VTRO was born.
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
Being an entrepreneur is an amazing and rewarding experience. I learn something new every day – a new problem to solve, a new customer to serve, a new idea to try, a new hack to apply.
The situation is very different from that in large, mature, corporate environments, where politics, processes determine what is done. Startups in the technology industry are great.”
Technology evolves so fast that finding new ways to help individuals or businesses is so much easier in the tech world. It is not for everyone, but if you get to like tech startups, working for them will be the best activity to engage in, the best game to play – every day!
‘VTRO’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
VTRO was incorporated in the year 2020, with the vision to shape the future of mobility riding on disruptive technology and offering disruptive end-user benefits and services.
VTRO is building an ecosystem to support the growing adoption of EVs rather than merely selling a few EV products.”
The idea is to create a charging station infrastructure, which will enable owners of EVs to recharge/swap batteries while on the go.
The infra will include charging equipment, power supply infrastructure, a mobile app, and the software to manage and monitor the charging process. The setting up of SEV charging station infrastructure is crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and the growth of the electric mobility industry.
What does your company specialise in?
VTRO is building a SAAS platform for the EV eco-system which will include charging swapping stations firmware with IoT to allow the system to communicate in real-time.
In the past 3 years, our R&D team has successfully developed a Cloud Platform, Firmware for Battery and Vehicle IoT in addition to sensors which can detect Thermal Runaway faster than any other technology. We have built the entire product architecture and software suitable for the Indian market.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Positive mindset.
Positive thinking is something you can train your mind to do. It begins with mental awareness.
If you learn how to acknowledge your thoughts and let them pass, you will be able to stop negative thoughts in their tracks.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
For me the biggest motivation in life is Sports.
As a sportsperson, I can totally agree that if you are building or running a business, or maybe just going through a difficult period in life, engaging in any sports can help you gain the mental fortitude and self-confidence to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals in both your personal and business life.”
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Always focus on self-development, develop personal skills, nurture your existing skills and aiming to develop and acquire a new skill set.
Show strong work ethic: When you work hard whilst further going above and beyond in all that you do, you are able to experience enhanced personal growth much more effectively.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
In simple words what really matters at the end of the day is – Hard Work and Honesty.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Invest in upskilling and always be open to learning. Be a smart worker but never look to compromise on the quality of your work. Do not shy away from responsibility and take don’t fear failure.
Last but not least, what are the most important lessons you have learned in your life?
> Always trust the process.
> Prioritize networking with others.
> Never stop learning, because it gives you courage.
> The more knowledgeable you are, the more comfortable you feel.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
