Early Life and Education
Ramesh Kunhikannan was born in Mysore, India, in 1964, to a modest family without ties to the technology sector. From a young age, he displayed a fascination with engineering and innovation. This led him to pursue a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore.
Rise to Success
In 1988, at the age of 24, Kunhikannan founded Kaynes Technology India, initially as a contract manufacturer of electronics. He transformed a small workshop into a thriving entrepreneurial venture, assembling printed circuit boards for local clients. Faced with challenges like limited access to capital, he secured contracts by providing reliable products at competitive prices. Kunhikannan reinvested profits in cutting-edge equipment, modernizing his workshop and expanding his client base.
Key Business Strategies
Kaynes Technology expanded into high-value-added sectors like aeronautics, defense, and medical. The company became a strategic partner of ISRO, playing a key role in the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which supplied electronic systems for the rover and lander. This led to a significant increase in the company's share value. Kunhikannan's company has eight factories across India and supplies to 350 clients globally.
Philanthropy
Outside of business, Kunhikannan is involved in philanthropy, focusing on education, renewable energy, and community development.