Cool Winds From Indore to the World: The Power Woman Behind Vaayu Aircon's Global Ascent

The air in Indore is buzzing, and it’s not just the city's vibrant energy. It's the story of Vaayu Aircon, a homegrown company that’s changing how the world stays cool. Years after being celebrated as a winner at the iRise Conclave & Awards, an initiative by Upshot Brand Media, we sat down with the formidable Dr. Priyanka Mokshmar, the Chairman and Managing Director of Vaayu Aircon, to talk about their incredible journey from a local startup to a global force.

 

The journey of Vaayu Aircon is a testament to the power of a simple idea, fueled by relentless innovation and a shared vision. It all began with a common household problem that sparked an inventive solution. Frustrated with the high electricity consumption of conventional air conditioners, Mr. Pranav Mokshmar, a seasoned professional with a background in the HVAC industry, embarked on a mission to create a cooling system that was both effective and energy-efficient.

 

After years of research and development in his modest workshop, Mr. Mokshmar developed a groundbreaking hybrid cooling technology. This patented system ingeniously combines the principles of air coolers and traditional air conditioners, resulting in a product that delivers significant cooling while consuming up to 80% less power. This innovation was not just a technological breakthrough; it was the birth of Vaayu Aircon.

 

While Mr. Mokshmar was the technical genius behind the product, it was Dr. Priyanka Mokshmar, an academician with a Ph.D. in marketing management, who provided the business acumen and strategic direction to transform the invention into a viable enterprise. As the Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Mokshmar has been instrumental in shaping Vaayu's corporate strategy, brand identity, and its ambitious journey from a local player to a global contender.

UBM: Dr. Mokshmar, it’s a pleasure to connect again. When we first recognized your work, Vaayu was already a disruptive force. Now, you’re making waves globally. Can you take us back to the very beginning? What was the spark that ignited Vaayu Aircon?

 

Dr. Mokshmar: "The pleasure is all mine. The spark, as you call it, came from a very common problem that almost all industrial & big spaces face. My husband, Pranav, who has a deep background in the HVAC industry, observed the high electricity consumption, especially during the summer season. He examined conventional air cooling solutions and found a significant inefficiency. He believed there had to be a better, more sustainable way to achieve powerful cooling without the massive energy drain. This became his mission."

 

UBM: So it started not in a boardroom, but from a problem that’s widespread across industrial as well as domestic units. How did that mission turn into the technology we see today?

 

Dr. Mokshmar: "Exactly. Pranav turned our workshop into his laboratory. After years of relentless research and countless prototypes, he developed our patented hybrid cooling technology. It’s the heart of Vaayu. The result was a breakthrough: a system that provides significant cooling but consumes up to 80% less power. That wasn't just an invention; it was the birth of our company.And something, which has the potential to preserve energy for future generations."

 

UBM: Pranav was the technical genius, but an invention needs a business to thrive. That’s where you came in. With a Ph.D. in management, you two are often described as a 'power couple'. How did you build the business around technology?

 

Dr. Mokshmar: "Pranav is absolutely the innovator. My role was to take his incredible creation and build a strategic roadmap for it. We had to create a brand, a corporate identity, and a plan to take on a market dominated by giants. From the very beginning, our vision was not limited to the Indian market. We knew that the problem of high energy consumption for cooling was a global one, and we had a solution that could make a real difference."

 

UBM: That global vision is now a reality. But it couldn't have been easy. What were some of the early hurdles in convincing the market, both at home and abroad?

 

Dr. Mokshmar: "Oh, the initial years were a true test of our perseverance! We were introducing a disruptive technology, which always meets with skepticism. Securing funding and convincing customers to trust something new was our biggest challenge. But our product’s performance became our best marketing tool. The tangible benefits—the dramatic cost savings and the smaller environmental footprint—started speaking for themselves. As our customer base in India grew, so did our confidence."

 

UBM: What was the turning point that really catapulted Vaayu onto the international stage?

 

Dr. Mokshmar: "The turning point was our participation in international forums. I remember presenting our technology at a conference in St. Petersburg, Russia. Specifically, the Meghalaya government invited Vaayu India for a presentation after seeing the functioning of their Vaayu Hybrid Chiller at the exhibition. Being on those global platforms gave us a voice and a showcase. Suddenly, we weren't just a small company from Indore; we were presenting a global solution. The international inquiries started pouring in. It led directly to establishing our dedicated 'International Office' right here in Indore to manage that growing demand."

 

UBM: And that demand led to some major projects, I believe?

 

Dr. Mokshmar: "Yes, and those were moments of immense pride for our entire team. Securing the contracts for prestigious installations in Nigeria was huge. It was the ultimate proof that our technology worked effectively in diverse international climates. More recently, our strategic partnership in GCC Markets, to distribute our products across the Middle East has been another massive step in cementing our global presence."

 

UBM: It's an incredible story of partnership and perseverance. What does it mean to you to have put Indore on the global map of innovation?

 

Dr. Mokshmar: "It means everything. We are incredibly proud of our roots. Our story proves that with a powerful idea, relentless hard work, and a clear vision, a homegrown Indian company can compete and succeed on the world stage. We hope our journey inspires other entrepreneurs in India and across to dream big and pursue their vision, no matter how challenging it seems."

 

UBM: “We're taking a look back at the iRise Conclave and Awards of 2022, an event where you and Vaayu Aircon were recognized. Could you share your initial feelings when you were announced as a winner?"

Dr. Priyanka Mokshmar: "It’s wonderful to reminisce. Honestly, the moment was a mix of exhilaration and deep gratitude. As an entrepreneur, you spend years, often in relative obscurity, pouring your heart and soul into building something from the ground up. To have that hard work recognized by a prestigious platform like iRise, curated by Upshot Brand Media, was incredibly validating. It wasn't just a personal victory; it was a win for my entire team at Vaayu Aircon."

 

Dr. Priyanka Mokshmar has been lauded for her exceptional leadership and business acumen. She has been a part of the invitee list at the Rashtrapti Bhawan, by Shrimati Draupadi Murmu, Hon. President of India, for recognising top 25 women entrepreneurs in the nation. Her collection of honors includes the esteemed Skoch Award and recognition for India's Most Innovative Initiative. She was also featured in the Top 100 SME Award 2019 by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). Her prowess in the technology sector was acknowledged with the Top Women in Tech Award 2019 by Business World. Further cementing her position as a leading woman entrepreneur, she was named one of the Top 30 Woman Entrepreneurs by NITI Aayog in 2020 and was selected for the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program at IIM Bangalore.

 

These accolades underscore Vaayu Aircon's commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainable business practices under the distinguished leadership of Dr. Priyanka and Mr. Pranav Mokshmar. Their combined vision continues to drive the company to new heights in the competitive air conditioning market.

 

As our conversation concludes, it’s clear that the cool breeze of change blowing from Vaayu Aircon is just getting started. Fueled by Pranav Mokshmar's ingenuity and Dr. Priyanka Mokshmar's strategic leadership, this Indore-based powerhouse is not just selling air cooling solutions; they are exporting a vision for a more sustainable future, one cool room at a time.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loved reading this? Your story can be here too!

Get featured in Upshot Brand Media - Central India’s most trusted Creative Brand Agency.

 

Send your story to -

contact@upshortbandmedia.com / 8962429492