Aimed at bringing eco-friendly cleaning solutions, 3 elderly people founded Proklean. An ec-friendly and sustainable cleaning solutions, which aims to clock Rs 60 crore revenue in FY24-25.
| Startup Name | Proklean |
| Founders | Dr Sivaram Pillai, Chandrasekhar B, and Vishwadeep Kuila |
| Industry | Industrial cleaning solutions (Cleantech) |
| Company Classification | Private Limited |
| Headquarters/based-in | Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Idea | To provide eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning solutions to different industries. |
| Revenue | FY 2023 Rs 45 crore |
| Date of Commencement | 2012 |
| Investments | May 2023, raised $4 million in a venture round
January 2022 raised $873.15K in debt financing May 2015 raised $550K in a seed round from Infuse Ventures 2012 raised Rs 3.5 crore in angel funding |
Competitors: Clorox Professional Products Company, Henkel, and Kao Corporation.
The Problem: Why Does This Matter?
Various industries use cleaning solutions, particularly, textile, leather, and paper industries. Though useful, but these solutions are harmful for the environment and lead to water pollution on a large scale.
The Solution: Proklean
In 2009, they were introduced by a mentor during a meeting in Chennai. Chandrashekhar and Sivaram were interested in the same subject, probiotics. Driven by a deep passion for probiotics, and shared commitment to address environmental impact of traditional cleaning products, Sivaram and Chandrashekhar embarked on a mission to transform the industry.
Vishwadeep other than being a marketing professional, was Chandrashekhar’s university batch mate. Who, on joining the team, added a strategic edge to it. Officially founded in 2012 on a small-scale, Proklean’s focus was on the leather industry. They soon realized the potential of their solution and rapidly expanded to paper and textile sector.
They replace harmful chemical solutions by multinational corporations, substituting them with eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning products. Proklean brings its proprietary fermentation-based technology and have demonstrated the performance of its product at various industries.
Staying true to their mission, Proklean’s CO2 emissions stand impressively 80% lower than other industries. Successfully mitigating 12,867 tons of carbon emissions, they have substituted 21,908 metric tons of hazardous chemicals. Moreover, their water and energy consumption are also lower than other companies.
About the Founders
The trio aged between 60 and 70: Sivaram Pillai (PhD holder in Biochemistry), Vishwadeep Kulia, and Chandrasekhar B (IIM Ahmedabad alumnus and former owner of a leather manufacturing company in Chennai) founded the startup Proklean.
Business Model: How Do They Make Money?
Paper manufacturers form the major client base of the company. This has led to their expansion in consumer products, biosufactants, institutional cleaning, water solutions, etc.
In FY23, Proklean earned an annual revenue of about Rs 45 crore.
In FY24-25, their estimated revenue is around Rs 60 crore.
Challenges/Struggles: What Roadblocks Are They Facing?
During December 2015 Chennai’s heavy floods, Proklean faced a setback when 9 months’ of production was washed away. They had to deal with insurance claims while going months without salaries. But despite these challenges, the company’s resilience prevailed. But with strong determination and adaptability, Proklean emerged stronger than before.
Future Vision: What’s Next?
Further ahead, the company aims to reach Rs 300 crore revenue in the next few years. Moreover, Proklean has plans to implement strong export strategies to expand internationally and keep their carbon footprint under control.
Key Takeaways: Why Should Users Care?
Age is just a number.
We can use our expertise to benefit humans and the environment.
