Kavita Kiran Prasad
Founder
Hailing from Korba, Chhattisgarh, Kavita completed her high school education at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya , a renowned and competitive government-supported boarding school providing tuition-free education that fostered her academic and extracurricular rigor. Actively involved in a wide spectrum of activities including music, arts, poetry writing, and stage performances, Kavita demonstrated her multifaceted talents. She then proceeded to Delhi Public School, Korba for her higher secondary education, where her fees were once again waived off due to her outstanding merit and achievements. It was during her 12th grade that Kavita was introduced to competitive exams such as JEE. Despite facing challenges due to the lack of quality coaching centers in her hometown, Kavita utilized several scholarships and resources to embark on a journey of self-preparation. Her hard work paid off when she not only cleared the JEE exam with flying colors but was also the state’s second topper and district topper in the CBSE 12th grade exam. This achievement garnered appreciation from several esteemed figures such as the Honorable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh, and the Minister of Human Resource Development Smriti Irani , at that time.
“After successfully cracking the JEE exams, I chose Electrical Engineering at NIT Warangal, one of the top ranking NITs. I achieved distinction as a double gold medalist, secured the prestigious All India Rank (AIR)-1 in the Indian Engineering Olympiad, and was honored as the institute’s best outgoing student for my remarkable academic achievements and multifaceted contributions. Throughout my academic years, I was determined to shoulder the responsibility of funding my education. I have supported my father's medical expenses and contributed to my brother's education, all while ensuring my own educational needs were met through scholarships”, shares Kavita Kiran Prasad, Founder, KAVIRISE.
Kavita’s journey took a turn towards the end of her Bachelor's Degree program when she received the Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF). She was among the first batch to receive the prestigious fellowship. Having been published in reputable platforms such as IEEE during her undergraduate days, Kavita always had a penchant and deep desire to delve into the world of research. She decided to pursue her Ph.D. at IIT Bombay in sustainable energy particularly focusing on wireless charging for electric vehicles. During her Ph.D., she also got selected for the prestigious Industrial Fellowship by the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC) and ranked among the top 10 research scholars all over India. The fellowship presented Kavita with an opportunity to work at ‘Wiferion - industrial wireless charging - a PULS brand (formerly acquired by Tesla)’, Germany as a research scientist where she had the opportunity to collaborate with experts from diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives.
Venturing into Entrepreneurship
Despite receiving lucrative job offers, Kavita embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. Having traveled to various countries during her research days for conferences and expositions, she realized the glaring gender disparity within the fields of science and technology. Kavita aims to bridge this gap through her establishment where women could lead and excel in scientific and technological endeavors. The company name 'KAVIRISE', derived from her name 'Kavita', aims to inspire and empower women in science and technology while bolstering creativity in solutions, owing to the fact that 'Kavi', which means 'poets' in Hindi, are inherently creative. The ‘RISE’ refers to 'Rise to Inspire Sustainable Energy', which conveys the company’s vision.
“We aim to promote green energy and address pressing environmental challenges, including climate change and pollution, while bringing about positive societal change. In discussions with my father, who has been a constant source of positivity despite health issues and being physically challenged, it was agreed that the name KAVIRISE should signify creativity as well as empowerment. I also wanted that as a woman-led enterprise in science and technology, we would be able to inspire other women in the field to do something different", informs Kavita.
The road to entrepreneurship for Kavita was not easy. Coming from a middle-class family with no experience in establishing a technology business, Kavita found herself navigating an unfamiliar territory. In the early stages, she had to don multiple hats, which included meeting with stakeholders and coordinating across different time zones. How ever, she overcame these challenges fuelled by her passion, perseverance, and planning. KAVIRISE was able to secure its first grant from the IIT Bombay’s Institute of Eminence grant for a prototype development. The firm is currently pre-incubated at SINE, IIT Bombay, and was also selected for various competitive startup programs such as Mahindra RISE, Boeing BUILD, GDC-IIT Madras I-NSPIRE, and many more.
The Robust Way Ahead
In the future, KAVIRISE aims to provide indigenous solutions, made in India, for India, and for the world. Currently working on wireless charging for e-mobility and devices, the firm aims to commercialize this technology to be able to provide sustainable practices to society. This initiative represents a transformative step towards reducing harmful carbon emissions, minimizing manpower reliance, and enhancing safety, all while simplifying the charging process for maximum user convenience. “With our solution, we anticipate a safer and sustainable future. Our approach emphasizes autonomy, intelligence, reliability, and affordability. Looking ahead, we're eager to expand our product line into emerging sectors like electronics and healthcare. Further more, we're dedicated to empowering innovators through tailored training, mentorship, and consultancy services for students / researchers, industry partners, and other stakeholders”, concludes Kavita.
Through KAVIRISE, Kavita aims to inspire the next generation of women to break all barriers & realize their true potential
Venturing into Entrepreneurship
Despite receiving lucrative job offers, Kavita embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. Having traveled to various countries during her research days for conferences and expositions, she realized the glaring gender disparity within the fields of science and technology. Kavita aims to bridge this gap through her establishment where women could lead and excel in scientific and technological endeavors. The company name 'KAVIRISE', derived from her name 'Kavita', aims to inspire and empower women in science and technology while bolstering creativity in solutions, owing to the fact that 'Kavi', which means 'poets' in Hindi, are inherently creative. The ‘RISE’ refers to 'Rise to Inspire Sustainable Energy', which conveys the company’s vision.
“We aim to promote green energy and address pressing environmental challenges, including climate change and pollution, while bringing about positive societal change. In discussions with my father, who has been a constant source of positivity despite health issues and being physically challenged, it was agreed that the name KAVIRISE should signify creativity as well as empowerment. I also wanted that as a woman-led enterprise in science and technology, we would be able to inspire other women in the field to do something different", informs Kavita.
The road to entrepreneurship for Kavita was not easy. Coming from a middle-class family with no experience in establishing a technology business, Kavita found herself navigating an unfamiliar territory. In the early stages, she had to don multiple hats, which included meeting with stakeholders and coordinating across different time zones. How ever, she overcame these challenges fuelled by her passion, perseverance, and planning. KAVIRISE was able to secure its first grant from the IIT Bombay’s Institute of Eminence grant for a prototype development. The firm is currently pre-incubated at SINE, IIT Bombay, and was also selected for various competitive startup programs such as Mahindra RISE, Boeing BUILD, GDC-IIT Madras I-NSPIRE, and many more.
The Robust Way Ahead
In the future, KAVIRISE aims to provide indigenous solutions, made in India, for India, and for the world. Currently working on wireless charging for e-mobility and devices, the firm aims to commercialize this technology to be able to provide sustainable practices to society. This initiative represents a transformative step towards reducing harmful carbon emissions, minimizing manpower reliance, and enhancing safety, all while simplifying the charging process for maximum user convenience. “With our solution, we anticipate a safer and sustainable future. Our approach emphasizes autonomy, intelligence, reliability, and affordability. Looking ahead, we're eager to expand our product line into emerging sectors like electronics and healthcare. Further more, we're dedicated to empowering innovators through tailored training, mentorship, and consultancy services for students / researchers, industry partners, and other stakeholders”, concludes Kavita.
