Beginning today, Business Line will publish the profiles of the 24 entrepreneurs shortlisted for the final round of the Tamil Nadu Emerging Entrepreneurs Award, being given by the Confederation of Indian Industry in partnership with The Hindu Business Line.

The award was conceptualised in late 2009, when the CII's Tamil Nadu unit decided to identify and recognise the known and the not-so-wellknown entrepreneurial talent in the State. A rigorous and professional process that began in January 2010 has culminated in the short-listing of 24 entrepreneurs, each a trailblazer in his own right, for the final round. The winners, to be decided by a jury of eminent persons from Tamil Nadu, will be announced on April 18. The awards will be given away by the Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister, Mr M.K. Stalin.

The CII felt the need for such an award, as a successful entrepreneur has a direct positive impact on society as they generate more economic opportunities. The award seeks to recognise and applaud individuals who have shown great entrepreneurial abilities and have potential to make it to the big league in the years to come, says Mr C.K. Ranganathan, former Chairman, CII-Tamil Nadu State Council. It was during Mr Ranganathan's tenure as head of the CII-TN unit, which ended in March, that the award was conceived.

Adds Mr Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman of the Award Committee, the entrepreneurs are going to build India@75 and "while our leaders got us Independence, entrepreneurs are going to get us complete freedom."
The application process consisted of a unique `find plus nomination' process from entrepreneurs running companies with turnover ranging from Rs 10 crore to Rs 500 crore and who have consistently shown growth and profitability.

Professional agencies such as IMRB and McKinsey were involved in the award process right from the beginning, and played a major role in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the many-layered process.

Company financials were studied, the entrepreneurs short-listed for the next stage were interviewed by Business Line and, in a unique attempt, the interviews videographed, to help the jury select the winners.

The jury consisted of: Mr N. Kumar, Past President, CII, and Vice-Chairman, Sanmar group; Mr N. Gopalaswami, former Chief Election Commissioner; Mr P.S. Raman, Advocate- General of Tamil Nadu; Ms Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals; Mr Lakshmi Narayanan, Vice-Chairman, Cognizant Technology Solutions; Mr B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, Managing Director, Sakthi Textiles; and Ms Akhila Srinivasan, Managing Director, Shriram Life Insurance Co Ltd.

From a one-room office with 14 employees and a turnover of Rs 11 lakh in 2002, Aparajitha Corporate Services has grown into a company with a national presence, a 450-strong staff spread over 18 offices and a turnover of Rs 130 crore in 2010.

This, says Mr Bharath K.S., Chairman and Managing Director, is just one aspect – the tangible part – of the Madurai-headquartered Aparajitha's growth. The other and intangible part is that he has been able to build an empowered and spirited leadership team that can manage itself with “me just as a consultant and critic and all, from a tier II city, Madurai.”

Having built his and his company's reputation on the value it offers its clients, Aparajitha has set its sights on having a global presence, through acquisitions and diversifications.

Mr Bharath attributes the company's success to three orientations – value, affiliation and achievement. The leadership team and the team that followed have all the three orientations. Adherence to financial discipline and nimbleness to change are the other reasons that have contributed to the company's growth and success.

From his base in Madurai, Mr Bharath has shown that being in a tier II city is no constraint to either growth or ambition. The company has developed a national level model, thanks mainly to Mr Bharath's drive and vision. In the process, Aparajitha has contributed to the regional economy, hoping to motivate other budding entrepreneurs to think big.

Hitting upon the idea of compliances as a knowledge process outsourcing business was in itself a novel effort. Mr Bharath has ensured that the company stays focussed on the customer in terms of offering new services, pricing its services and delivery, all based on constant market feedback.

Mr Bharath has faced challenges such as cash flow management, distance management and scaling up the business and managed them through financial discipline, innovatived HR systems and institutionalising the learnings in a regular format.