Manoj Meena faced a significant turning point upon completing his studies at IIT Bombay. With a promising job offer from ISRO on the table, he was positioned for a stable and secure career. For his family, living in rural Rajasthan, choosing a government role seemed like the right path, providing assurance for the future. However, Meena opted for a more uncertain route: he decided to embark on an entrepreneurial journey.

Having studied Electrical Engineering, Meena was immersed in technology, particularly in robotics and electronics during his time at IIT. He engaged in numerous projects, igniting his belief that engineering should address real-world problems. Recognising that entrepreneurship could empower him to effect positive change, he pursued this path despite his family’s initial misgivings.

The inception of his company, Atomberg Technologies, came in 2012, with a fellow IIT alumnus, Sibabrata Das, joining him the following year. Their early days lacked a defined consumer strategy, with efforts concentrated on various engineering projects, providing services to research institutions while refining their skills and understanding the market.

Finding the Right Product after Years of Efforts

Meena and Das spent four years exploring different ideas before they discovered their niche. In 2015, while analysing the ceiling fan sector, they noted a significant gap in energy efficiency. Conventional ceiling fans consumed between 75 to 80 watts, while the duo developed a brushless DC motor capable of delivering similar performance at a mere 28 watts. This innovation represented a breakthrough, granting Atomberg a unique position in a common household market.

Atomberg launched its first fan under the Gorilla brand in 2015, initially targeting institutional buyers. Transitioning to direct consumer sales in 2016 posed challenges, as the market was already saturated with established competitors. Despite investors expressing doubt about the startup’s ability to survive in such a landscape, Meena and Das remained persistent in their efforts to convey their vision.

The company’s operating revenue reached 37 crore in the fiscal year 2019, with daily production of around 1,000 fans. Though the business was growing, the financial demands were increasing, and by 2019, Atomberg faced existence-threatening challenges.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Expansion

By 2019, Atomberg’s financial stability was precarious; salaries were delayed and funding options seemed bleak. During this critical time, the founders contemplated shutting down operations. However, an unexpected opportunity arose when they approached a newly-established fund, securing essential capital that allowed them to continue operations.

After overcoming this hurdle, Atomberg evolved beyond merely an energy-efficient product. The BLDC motor allowed for a compact design, which led to the introduction of features such as remote controls, Wi-Fi connectivity, and app-based controls. This transition marked a shift towards modernising their product line, appealing more to tech-savvy consumers.

Expanding their repertoire, Atomberg ventured into producing other household appliances, including mixer grinders and water purifiers. Their adaptability enabled them to explore applications for their technology in air-conditioning components and drone motors, diversifying their business and enhancing their technological capabilities.

Eventually, Atomberg emerged as a reputable brand in the Indian consumer technology market, with an operating revenue of approximately 958 crore for the fiscal year 2025, achieving a total income exceeding 1,000 crore. Alongside these financial successes, Meena and Das have received numerous accolades, including recognitions from Forbes and IIT Bombay. Their journey underscores the value of perseverance and innovation in overcoming challenges in the tech industry.

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