Stepping into 10th year of Entrepreneurial experience

It was June 2007, and I was starting my final year engineering course. There was campus placement happening and I got placed in TCS, the very fist company that came to campus. However, I felt I had the entrepreneurial ambitions in me and felt I should do an MBA to hone my entrepreneurial skills. My family was not into business and I would be the first generation entrepreneur. I was exploring my entrepreneurial aspirations in the energy field.  I always wanted to do something related to my electrical and electronics engineering degree. I explored two options one was VLSI design and another was Solar energy. Considering my technical skills and my flair for Eco-friendly initiatives, I choose solar energy.

In  2008, I got admission at  Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), and joined there in the full time MBA program in June 2008.  I always looked at the class sessions and the assignments in an entrepreneurial angle.

4, December, 2008

It was December 4, 2008, sitting in my hostel room at LIBA, I wrote the business idea, Market analysis, target segments, identification of opportunity,  market chain, technical feasibility, potential market size and share, revenue projections, SWOT analysis. I had a potential team too. I listed out their strengths as well.  I named the business Ulagin Oli Solar Power Consultants (Later I made it as a single word – Ulaginoli Energy Solutions; In Tamil Ulagin means world’s and oli means light).

At LIBA, we had access to the British Council Library and I used to frequent there to read books on Solar Energy. I also used to bring books to hostel room and explore further.

I explored more about the solar technology and the industry, the manufacturers, current players and Government schemes.

I felt Ulagin Oli would add more products and services in the future and named it as Ulagin Oli Energy Solutions.

November 2009, the website launch

December 2009 – MOU Opportunity

 I had been to SSN Solar Research Centre to understand what they are doing and after having a fruitful discussion, they were even open to sign a MOU with Ulagin Oli.  That was a big recognition for a start up to be offered a MOU.

Skipped the placements and the resistance!

I also officially wrote to LIBA’s placement cell that I am skipping the placements to pursue my entrepreneurial journey. I faced huge resistance from my parents and friends to do this. But somehow, I managed to take the entrepreneurial plunge.

Dad – The seed and the Angel investor

My dad had just retired from his service and I convinced him showing financial projections to give me money to start the business. He was the seed and the angel investor in my startup.  Even though he was very relectutant about me taking up the entrepreneurial journey, the immense faith he has been keeping on my abilities is a constant source of encouragement.

January 2010 – The first customer

In January, 2010, I got my first order to design a solar power plant for NGO called St. Boniface Anbhagam (It was a coincidence that my first customer name and my name was the same).  And I made more money than what I had spent at that time for Ulagin Oli Energy Solutions.

February 2010, The first media coverage

I was briefly interviewed by The Hindu in February 2010 and that was my first media coverage.

March 2010 – The first mentor meeting at Mumbai

June 2010

• Renamed the company as “Ulaginoli Enegry Solutions”
• Opened the first office at New no. 35/5, Old No. 18/5, Taylors Estate, II Street,
  Kodambakkam Chennai – 600024
• initiated Corporate Social Responsiblity

July 2010

• Registered the company as a partnership firm
• There were quite a few media coverages since then. We started building customers.
• Started supplying LED lights addition to the solar energy solutions.
• Signed agreement with General Czrbon, Mumbai to offer Carbon Advisory Services
• Enlisted with TEDA, State Government Nodal Agency for Renewable Energy.

August 2010 – Finalised the Logo & The first tweet

The first tweet

The previous page of Ulaginoli Energy Solutions will be deleted soon. You are kinldy requested to join us in this page.

— Ulaginoli Energy Solutions (@Ulaginoli) August 5, 2010

November 2010 – First Guest lecture (many more since then)

Lectured faculties 4m various universities with PhDs on Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Green Energy at the VIT University!Tat was Amazing

— Boniface Pascalraj (@boniface_p) November 23, 2010

June 2011 – Partnering with IBM Chennai (continued for successive years)

November 2012 – First project outside Tamil Nadu ; Moved to new office

• Moved to a new and bigger office in Padi, Chennai

December 2012  –  Established Dealer Network across Tamil Nadu

January 2013 – Trust Seal

May 2013 – Private Limited

Incorporated the company as a private limited company

September 2013 – Laucnhed Ulaginoli Centre for solar energy research and entrepreneurship development

April 2014 – Daylighting Products & Governor Award

• Signed agreement with Skyshade Daylights, Hyderabad to offer daylight solutions and products.
• Received Award from the Tamil Nadu Governor

May 2014 -Rated by CRISIL

June 2014 – Signed MOU with Rajalakshmi Engineering College

October 2014 – U Ring V Bring

March 2015 – Introduced Hybrid Solar Air Conditioner (First in Chennai)

June 2015 – Participated in a trade fair for the first time

The Hybrid Solar Air Conditioner which we introduced that year was the talk of the entire fair.

April 2016 – Launched Service Raja

September 2016 – Moved to a smaller office space

To improve sustainability amidst a challenging business environment, moved to a smaller office space.

October 2017

Joined Founder Institute Chennai Chapter to improve the business scope.

The see-saw Journey

It was a journey of good times and tough times. The good times made me happy and the tough times shaped me in to a better person and a more skilled entrepreneur. There were compelling reasons to give up entrepreneurship quite a few times, but still continuing the journey.  I strongly believe in God and I thank Him for taking me through this journey so far and I am sure, He will guide me to the light at the end of the tunnel. I thank Him for putting me in uncomfortable positions and situations, without which I would not have improved!

Thank You!

Thank you customers, vendors, staff, contractors and all stakeholders who have been  part of this journey so far! Special thanks to my parents, family, friends and relatives for being with me through the journey.

Biggest Achievement so far