From humble beginnings in an industrial town in Haryana to securing international contracts with American and Swiss MnCs, Energeia’s founders have built an amazing manufacturing and energy innovation company that is transforming India’s industries and commercial facilties. Led by Sookrit Malik and Co-founder Amlan Panda, Energeia’s journey is defined by perseverance, bold decision-making, and a strong commitment to making India self-reliant in the energy sector.
Sookrit Malik, the CEO of Energeia, reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, which combines a traditional business foundation with modern corporate governance principles. Mr Malik learned the fundamentals of business at home before attending The Doon School and later Tufts University. He combined this foundational knowledge with a globally exposed education to co-found Energeia with Amlan Panda. Their goal was to build a company that would not only reflect the aspirations of a modern and self-reliant India but also solve the dire problem of increasing air pollution in the region.
Sookrit and Amlan’s journey began through an unexpected connection—both were recipients of a educational scholarship from the Khemka foundation. Their paths first crossed in 2014 when a devastating earthquake struck Nepal, prompting them to join a relief effort organized by the Foundation to rebuild schools in rural Nepal.
Upon completing his master’s degree from the Fletcher School at Tufts University in Boston, Mr Malik returned to India in 2018 with the idea of starting an energy company. Amlan, who was already in India and had a job offer from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), offered to assist for a few months. However, recognizing the expansive potential of their venture, Amlan decided to decline the BCG offer and fully commit to building Energeia.
Starting from Scratch: Humble Beginnings
Energeia, in stark contrast to traditional family-run businesses, operates with a philosophy centered on inclusion and professionalism. From the beginning, Sookrit envisioned Energeia as a company that would unite talented individuals from across India, regardless of their background or geography, to contribute to its collective success. This approach led to a business model where employees are treated as stakeholders – with equity offered to them – fostering a culture of shared ownership and innovation.
Energeia’s journey began modestly. “Our office was my flat’s dining table,” Sookrit recalls. However, their relentless focus on innovation and growth led to rapid expansion. “We grew so fast that we kept running out of space,” he reflects on the company’s early days. In just six years, Energeia moved through eight offices as their team expanded, and today they have established a strong presence in 5+ cities across India. Energeia now operates in major Indian cities, including Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Panipat, with its manufacturing plant located in Panipat, Haryana. “Our head office is in Delhi, but we have offices in these cities because many of our large customers are based there,” Mr Malik shares.
The company has quickly built a reputation for developing innovative energy saving solutions for industrial and commercial customers. “Our rapid growth has been fueled by our commitment to delivering world-class products and services,” he adds.
Two Core Verticals: Energy Efficiency and Fuel Switching
Energeia operates through two primary verticals: energy efficiency and fuel switching. In the fuel switching vertical, the company focuses on converting both stationary diesel generators and large mobile engines, such as mining trucks, to run on gas using the most advanced dual fuel kits. This strategy is designed to reduce emissions while providing more cost-effective energy solutions for their clients.
Energeia acquired the technology from an American company, GFS Corp, and its inventor, Jason Green. Today, the company manufactures this technology in its facility in Haryana, India and supplies it worldwide to countries in the Global South.
What sets their solution apart is its ability to seamlessly replace diesel with gas across various load levels, a challenge many competitors struggle to address. Their Adaptive Gas Control technology is the only technology in the market right now that not only reduces emissions significantly, but also substitutes the maximum amount of diesel for gas, lowering fuel expenses and making it a highly cost-effective solution.
Additionally, Sookrit highlighted the cultural and market differences across regions in India. Operating across diverse geographies, Energeia serves prominent clients such as LG Electronics in Pune, Medreich in Bangalore, Varun Beverages (PepsiCo) in Bhiwadi, and The Leela Palace in Delhi.
Making in India: Local Manufacturing and Innovation
Energeia’s journey toward local manufacturing has been crucial in shaping its identity. While the technology was initially imported, Mr Malik was determined to produce everything in India. “Now everything is our own, from the control electronics to the patented air-gas mixers that we manufacture in India,” he proudly shares.
This commitment to local manufacturing and innovation has been pivotal in shaping Energeia’s identity. By leveraging Indian talent and resources, the company has not only reduced dependence on foreign technology but also created significant employment opportunities, contributing to India’s growing economy.
Energeia recently achieved a significant milestone in its mining vertical by signing a distribution deal with Larson & Toubro (L&T) to convert Komatsu mining trucks to gas-powered engines. Komatsu, a leading Japanese company that manufactures large mining trucks, will now have all their trucks in India converted to run on gas using Energeia’s dual fuel technology.
Overcoming the Challenges of the Indian Market
Building a business in India comes with its own set of challenges. Mr Malik highlights that the Indian market is highly price-sensitive, often pushing companies to prioritize cheaper products over high-quality solutions. He emphasizes, “People here often try to make things cheaper, but we believe in building products that are reliable and long-lasting.” Energeia’s strategy is to create world-class products, not just India-class products. Their goal is to ensure that when people think of Indian products, they associate them with reliability and top-quality, not just as inexpensive alternatives.
As Energeia continues to grow, the company remains focused on its mission to position India as a leader in innovative energy solutions. Sookrit believes that Indian products should set their own standards and inspire other countries. With a strong team, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to quality, Energeia is well on its way to becoming a global leader in the energy sector, proving that Indian manufacturing can indeed be world-class.
