Young entrepreneurs, who had come up with out-of-the-box ideas that went on to become popular brands, were honoured at Vellore Institute of Technology’s Weekend Leader awards, in Chennai on Wednesday (January 23, 2025).
Senthil Sankar, who launched a novel clothesline, Ecoline, manufactured from fabric that used recycled PET bottles, was presented the Weekend Leader VIT person of the year award. Mr. Senthil, managing partner of Shree Renga Polymers, who hails from Karur, transformed his father’s small business into a leading sustainable brand. They recycle around 15 lakh bottles daily and produce 30,000 to 40,000 garments each month.
VIT chancellor G. Viswanathan and Srivats Ram, managing director of Wheels India, presented the award. G. V. Selvam, vice president of VIT, Chennai, presented the cash award and felicitated the winners, who included Deepika Thiyagarajan, co-founder of Putchi Maternity Solutions, Anand Bharadwaj, co-founder of Sweet Karam Coffee,and Ramya Ravi, co-founder of RNR Donne Biryani.
Mr. Selvam said the annual event was launched in 2011 to honour changemakers, social entrepreneurs, and unsung heroes. The Weekend Leader–VIT Super Startup Awards recognised upcoming entrepreneurs who have made a mark in their respective industries through innovation and brilliant business strategies.
Mr. Viswanathan said, “India is the fifth largest economy in the world as per GDP but in per capita income it is in 136th position. To improve our per capita income, our country needs more entrepreneurs.”
