Deepak Venkat M
Founder & Managing Director
Deepak’s journey into the world of technology and entrepreneurship began during his time at IIT Bombay, where he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering. The residential system at IIT Bombay played a crucial role in fostering his growth. Living on campus allowed for a vibrant exchange of knowledge and ideas, creating a unique environment where students learned as much from their peers and seniors as they did from their professors. Deepak believes that IIT Bombay’s residential system is what makes it special. It’s not just about the classroom learning; it’s about the vibrant culture of learning and teaching that happens in the hostels. His hands-on experience working in a team, on projects like the autonomous underwater robot for a prestigious competition in the US, equipped him with invaluable skills in mechanical design, manufacturing, electronic control systems, and team building. This foundation set the stage for his future endeavours.
The Spark of Entrepreneurship
Deepak’s transition from a tech enthusiast to an entrepreneur was sparked by a chance encounter with a friend who introduced him to the concept of entrepreneurship. Initially, Deepak envisioned himself as a garage techie, constantly tinkering and building, his hostel room resembled a tech repair shop, filled with motors, sensors, soldering irons and PCBs. However, the entrepreneurial spirit of IIT Bombay, coupled with the burgeoning startup culture around him, ignited a new passion. “In 2013, entrepreneurship was booming. I saw ventures like Housing.com, Atomberg and Ola emerging, and it was interesting to see ordinary people building successful enterprises. This realization that I could create a commercial research
environment to work on my terms led to the inception of Metalman Auto-mation", shares Deepak Venkat M.
The journey of Metalman Automation began in the Tinkerers’ Lab at IIT Bombay in 2014, where Deepak started developing his initial prototypes. Despite the challenges of bootstrapping a startup, Deepak’s exceptional ability of agile product development and lean project management, combined with his knack for identifying market gaps, laid a strong foundation for the company. Deepak always had the urge to build something tangible like engines, devices, and machinery, also, visualizing processes and parts in 3D is second nature to him.
Furthermore, one of the significant turning points for Metalman Auto-mation came in 2017 when Deepak’s childhood friend, Tharun Gadu, joined the company as a partner. Tharun’s expertise and support system proved invaluable. Additionally, Shantanu Sinha, an IIT KGP alumni and entrepreneur, provided mentorship and resources, offering a small space in his factory to set up prototypes. This collaboration played a pivotal role in overcoming the initial hurdles of establishing the company.
By 2019, Metalman Automation had pivoted from standard CNC thermal cutting machines to Automation of Structural steel fabrication including processes like punch, drill, cut, and tap. This strategic pivot opened up new market opportunities and set the company apart from competitors. Also, Metalman Automation has introduced a consultative sales approach with the tagline 'We Automate Your Success', focusing on customized solutions and faster lead times compared to other vendors. This approach not only broadened their market reach but also established Metalman Automation as a reliable partner for various industries like solar, electricity T&D, automobile, construction, casting & forging, storage & shelving, and metal hardware.
Meticulous Approach to Research
Deepak’s research internship at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems in Germany further enriched his technical and professional journey. Working on computer-controlled stabilization and closed loop control systems, Deepak experienced firsthand the meticulous and disciplined approach to research that Germans are known for. Deepak noted that the culture of precision and discipline in Germany was inspiring, as they take pride in their work and maintain a perfect balance between work and life. This experience reinforced the importance of discipline and meticulous planning in his entrepreneurial journey.
Throughout his journey, Deepak has garnered several awards and recognitions. At IIT Bombay, he was honored with the title of 'Tech Freshman of the Year' and received the 'Tech Color' award in his third year. Despite operating in the shadows of the more visible funded startups, Metalman Automation’s steady growth and loyal customer base are a testament to its genuine value addition. Remarkably, the company has been profitable since its first year.
Moreover, Deepak envisions a future where Metalman Automation plays a pivotal role in supporting India’s manufacturing wave with affordable solutions for MSMEs. “By the end of 2025, our company plans to inaugurate a state-of-the-art factory near Navi Mumbai to catalyze its R&D efforts and expand its product lines. Our ambitions extend beyond CNC machinery and automation. We aim to broaden our portfolio to include engineering services like Product Design & Development, IoT integration, and manufacturing solutions for medium-to-large scale enterprises", Deepak concludes.
The journey of Metalman Automation began in the Tinkerers’ Lab at IIT Bombay in 2014, where Deepak started developing his initial prototypes. Despite the challenges of bootstrapping a startup, Deepak’s exceptional ability of agile product development and lean project management, combined with his knack for identifying market gaps, laid a strong foundation for the company. Deepak always had the urge to build something tangible like engines, devices, and machinery, also, visualizing processes and parts in 3D is second nature to him.
Furthermore, one of the significant turning points for Metalman Auto-mation came in 2017 when Deepak’s childhood friend, Tharun Gadu, joined the company as a partner. Tharun’s expertise and support system proved invaluable. Additionally, Shantanu Sinha, an IIT KGP alumni and entrepreneur, provided mentorship and resources, offering a small space in his factory to set up prototypes. This collaboration played a pivotal role in overcoming the initial hurdles of establishing the company.
Deepak always had the urge to build something tangible like engines, devices, & machinery, also, visualizing processes & parts in 3D is second nature to him
By 2019, Metalman Automation had pivoted from standard CNC thermal cutting machines to Automation of Structural steel fabrication including processes like punch, drill, cut, and tap. This strategic pivot opened up new market opportunities and set the company apart from competitors. Also, Metalman Automation has introduced a consultative sales approach with the tagline 'We Automate Your Success', focusing on customized solutions and faster lead times compared to other vendors. This approach not only broadened their market reach but also established Metalman Automation as a reliable partner for various industries like solar, electricity T&D, automobile, construction, casting & forging, storage & shelving, and metal hardware.
Meticulous Approach to Research
Deepak’s research internship at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems in Germany further enriched his technical and professional journey. Working on computer-controlled stabilization and closed loop control systems, Deepak experienced firsthand the meticulous and disciplined approach to research that Germans are known for. Deepak noted that the culture of precision and discipline in Germany was inspiring, as they take pride in their work and maintain a perfect balance between work and life. This experience reinforced the importance of discipline and meticulous planning in his entrepreneurial journey.
Throughout his journey, Deepak has garnered several awards and recognitions. At IIT Bombay, he was honored with the title of 'Tech Freshman of the Year' and received the 'Tech Color' award in his third year. Despite operating in the shadows of the more visible funded startups, Metalman Automation’s steady growth and loyal customer base are a testament to its genuine value addition. Remarkably, the company has been profitable since its first year.
Moreover, Deepak envisions a future where Metalman Automation plays a pivotal role in supporting India’s manufacturing wave with affordable solutions for MSMEs. “By the end of 2025, our company plans to inaugurate a state-of-the-art factory near Navi Mumbai to catalyze its R&D efforts and expand its product lines. Our ambitions extend beyond CNC machinery and automation. We aim to broaden our portfolio to include engineering services like Product Design & Development, IoT integration, and manufacturing solutions for medium-to-large scale enterprises", Deepak concludes.
