Headquarter In: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Founded in Year: 2010
Employees Headcount: 11-50
An entrepreneur, technologist, founder and managing director of an enterprise, E-Spin Nanotech Pvt. Ltd. at SIIC IIT Kanpur, Dr. Sandip Patil is a passionate researcher and he is often referred to as the ideal of entrepreneurship at IIT-K.
Sandip founded E-Spin Nanotech Pvt. Ltd. in 2010, with the goal of developing world-class nanofiber spinning machines, nanofiber technology, and collaboration in the field of novel composite nanomaterials, which are being extensively researched due to their excellent mechanical and biomedical applications. He has numerous patented methods that are used in the mass manufacture of nanofibers/nanoparticles for research and development. He has also produced multiple peer-reviewed studies on soft matter, adhesion, and nanofibers, all with a focus on nanotechnology.
Team of Experts
No organisation can be successful unless it has a team that inspires and motivates one another to work toward a common vision. Apart from Sandip, there are a few names that deserve to be mentioned in relation to the success of E-Spin Nanotech Pvt. Ltd.
Mrs. Jagruti Patil, the company’s managing director, holds a master’s degree in computer management. Her exceptional management abilities and skillful decision making in general operations, logistics, and human resources at the firm allow the organisation to work smoothly and efficiently.
Dr. Sunil Dhole is the director another spin off company “Technorbital Advanced Materials Private Limited”. Dr. Dhole received his Ph. D. from IIT Kanpur in 2006. He has several scientific publications published in peer-reviewed journals, as well as patents to his credit. In 2010, Reliance Industries Ltd. honoured him with the Best Innovation Award.
Nitin Arjun Charhate is the director of E-Spin Nanotech Private Limited. He pursued his M.Tech (Nanotechnology) in the University Department of Chemical Technology, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon. He plays a major role in new product development.
A Journey that Inspires
Sandip grew up in a small mud house in the Maharashtra hamlet of Pimpri. Sandip and his brother sometimes went to bed hungry since his parents worked as contract labourers. Sandip struggled to receive a good education since his village lacked essential healthcare and education services. However, based on his current achievements, it is easy to believe he had a wealthy childhood.
Sandip was from a hamlet where tribals made up 75% of the population. So when his uncle brought him to Dhandra, a nearby hamlet, he was able to break away from his previous life and enrol in school.
“Dhandra had a high literacy rate, and most of the children here attended school. During my time there, I attended school and heard some stories about the Patil brothers, who were involved in science. I became curious and unknowingly developed a fascination for the field of science and research,” he says.
Sandip was enthralled by the mechanical repair work on televisions and diesel engines in the village. But he still had family in his own village. Sandip returned to Pimpri after graduating from high school. He pursued his studies while also assisting his mother, who had opened a modest business in the area.
Sandip returned to Dhandra to finish his senior school studies before enrolling in a BTech programme.
Sandip failed his first year, but he persevered and eventually made it to IIT Kanpur, where he enrolled in a PhD programme.
He witnessed one of his co-workers attempting to design and install an nanofibre spinning machine while he was there. This was a watershed moment for Sandip. He was given the assignment. He performed the work effectively and, in the process, discovered his core strength and primary interest area: translating technology into goods.
The Inception Story of E-Spin Nanotech
Sandip delved deep into the machine’s many applications and realised its enormous potential in clinical and industrial research. That’s when the thought of commercialising the machine occurred to him. If he is successful, he will be the first indigenous maker of the same product.
He discussed his proposal with Dr. Ashutosh Sharma, his PhD adviser, who was intrigued by his entrepreneurial energy. “He told me how most of his mentees tend to go abroad for further research or join corporate firms. I was one of the very few willing to stay in the country and contribute to its scientific advancement,” Sandip recalls.
As a result, while earning his PhD, Sandip founded his commercial firm, E-Spin Nanotech, in 2010. His company was the first in India to supply electrospinning machines, making it considerably easier and faster for Indian research institutions to obtain them.
Sandip received his first order for nanofibre spinning machine from IIT Kanpur itself within a short period of time. Since then, there has been no turning back. Currently, he has delivered his idea to Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries, in addition to various medical laboratories and nanotech research centres in India.
Since its start, E-Spin Nanotech has evolved and created several useful materials in the form of nanofibers and nanoparticles. His company has made significant accomplishments over the years, including building a very advanced electrospinning machine, designing N-95 facemasks (SWASA-N95), and grabbing a substantial market of stackholders. After supplying machine units to prestigious Indian organisations such as IITs, NITs, Central Universities, CSIR labs, and international connections such as France, Spain, the US, Bangladesh, Denmark, Russia, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, the company received many mandates and looks forward to delivering many more in the coming years.
Recognition and Success
Sandip’s gadget is a remarkable pathfinder in India’s nanotech research. With the global boom in regenerative medicine, artificial organ creation, biodegradable bandages, and other applications, there is a booming need for extracellular matrix derived from nanofibres. The Super ES machine produces bulk nanofibre in a short period of time from a collection of polymers.
The devices are priced between Rs 4 lakhs and Rs 35 lakhs based on their structural and functional complexity.
During COVID-19, E-Spin Nanotech based SWASA facemask was distributed to practically all Indian subcontinents. This facemask provides excellent antibacterial and antiviral protection. According to Sandip, E-Spin Nanotech sold over 1.5 million masks in the market and distributed them to various government officials, security forces, and frontline soldiers.
Bharat Ratna CNR Rao recently presented Sandip with the “Nano Innovation Award” (2020) at the Bangalore Nano conference. As an entrepreneur/influencer, he was chosen for the front page of the renowned entrepreneur magazine, Silicone India, in 2017. Sandip was named one of the top three contenders for the “TIME India Start-up Innovator” of the year award in 2017 and was named one of Kanpur’s “Top 10 Young Outstanding Business Persons in 2016.” He was honoured with the Motwani Foundation’s Rajeev Motwani Young Entrepreneur Award in 2014, as well as the IIChE Shah-Schulman Award for outstanding PhD Thesis in Colloid & Interface Sciences in 2013.
Becoming a Helping Hand for Aspiring Visionaries Sandip’s genuine concern for society has inspired many famous figures, including India’s Prime Minister, to wear Swasa and support the cause. Sandip wants to create a startup platform for young people who are interested in creative ideas. He says, “I am always dedicated to serving society through science for a better tomorrow, and also dedicated to uplifting those who need it most.“