Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. is one of the leading IT security solutions company but how much do you know about the founder? Here is a quick check out of Kailash Katkar, Founder and CEO of this 22-year-old company.
Early Life of Kailash Katkar
Kailash Katkar was born in a small village is Rahimatpur, Maharashtra in 1966. As a child, Katkar was never interested in studies. But, somehow he managed to complete his class 10. After dropping school, he supported his family financially by taking a job in a radio & calculator repair shop where he used to earn Rs 400 per month. Gaining the confidence of the shop owner, Katkar at 19, was sent for a two-months training in Mumbai and returned back with the increment salary of Rs 1500 per month.
Over a period of five years, Kailash Katkar had gained knowledge in fixing radios and calculators and how to function a business. And by the time he had saved Rs 15,000, he started his own calculator shop in 1990. He rented a small 100 sq ft office in Pune, and this was the time when he was inspired to be an entrepreneur. That year, he managed to earn a decent amount of Rs 45,000, and his shop was a success.
To expand his business, he began reading and attending computer related courses in which later on he came up with the idea of CAT computer services in 1993.
Struggle of CAT Computer Services
Having had no educational qualification in computer, Katkar struggled in the initial days of CAT. There was nobody who trusted his new vendor as he did not have any experience. However, he did not lose hope. After a few months, his company managed to get its first clients when two families agreed to receive their services with an annual fee of Rs 2000. Later, this business had grown and started receiving contracts. After receiving a decent range of success, CAT Computer Services gave rise to the birth of Quick Heal Anti-Virus.
How Quick Heal Antivirus started
In the early and mid 1990s, people have become very much familiar with operating computer, Katkar felt the need to come up with a reasonable antivirus programme. He and his brother Sanjay Katkar who was then studying masters in computer Science developed a basic antivirus software for DOS. The software which was named Quick Heal became a success for its low price in 1994. The company later transformed to Quick Heal Technologies Ltd.
About Quick Heal Technologies Ltd
Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. (Formerly Known as Quick Heal Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) is one of the leading IT security solutions company. Each Quick Heal product is designed to simplify IT security management across the length and depth of devices and on multiple platforms. They are customized to suit consumers, small businesses, Government establishments and corporate houses.
In 2010, Sequoia decided to fund the company with Rs 60 crore in order to expand their business outside the country.
Kailash Katkar is the current CEO portfolio of Quick Heal Technologies Ltd and his brother Sanjay Katkar as the CTO. Today, the company has around 1300 employees with a base of 20 million customers across the world.
Company’s Achievements!
Received the ‘Entrepreneurs International Honors’
Received the Maxell Award for Maharashtra Corporate Excellence 2012 by Maharashtra’s Ex-Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan
Received the Army Institute of Technology’s (AIT) Young Entrepreneurs’ Award
Awarded the 2012 Brands Academy ‘Entrepreneur of the Year in IT Security’ award
Received the SME Channel’s Achiever’s Award (2011)
Won the Deloitte Fast 50 award (2010)
Won the Red Herring Asia Award (2009)
Believes in his Passion
Kailash Katkar has overcome many hurdles in his life. His business had gone through many ups and downs. Being a school dropped out who had no knowledge of computers, contributed more to his difficult journey. But, Katkar never gave up in whatever he is doing. His passion for technologies and the efforts that he had put in, have turned him into the man he is today.
