From ₹1 Lakh to ₹15 Crore Turnover: How Lokeswaran Kannan Defied Odds at 48

Chennai: Conventional wisdom suggests that startups are for those in their 20s or 30s. But Lokeswaran Kannan from Chennai has completely rewritten that narrative. After a 28-year career in IT, reaching senior positions in a multinational company, Kannan made a bold move at the age of 48—he quit his secure job to start his own venture. Many called him “crazy,” but he had a vision.

With just ₹1 lakh, a table, a chair, and a fan, he founded eOrbitor in December 2019. Today, the company has grown into a leading systems integrator, specializing in data center maintenance, cybersecurity, and cloud services, serving major clients like Gujarat Metro, Ashok Leyland, and Zoho. In just five years, the company has achieved a turnover of ₹15 crore, proving that determination matters more than age.

Starting Small, Thinking Big

Kannan’s first order was modest—₹14,000 for firewall support—but his focus on data center maintenance during the COVID-19 lockdown turned adversity into opportunity. While established IT firms struggled during the global shutdown, eOrbitor carved a niche, quickly securing contracts worth crores.

Gaining Trust of Industry Giants

Today, eOrbitor is considered the “doctor” of IT operations. When a major manufacturing plant or institutional data center crashes, Kannan’s team restores operations within minutes. This reliability has won the trust of high-profile clients like Gujarat Metro Rail, Hyderabad Police Command Center (18,000 cameras), Ashok Leyland, and Zoho. The company focuses on long-term partnerships and services, setting it apart from competitors.

Financial Discipline as Key to Growth

The journey from ₹1 lakh to ₹15 crore turnover was built on financial discipline. Kannan ensures timely payments to vendors and pays employees on the first of every month. This reputation helped secure a ₹5 crore bank overdraft facility without property collateral, a remarkable achievement for an MSME. The company expects to reach ₹30 crore turnover by next year.

Expanding Nationally and Internationally

With a presence in 11 Indian cities, eOrbitor has now expanded internationally. In February 2025, the company launched operations in the UAE (Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi). Alongside business growth, Kannan prioritizes employee welfare, offering a 5-day workweek and cashless health insurance, reflecting his human-centric approach. For him, success is not just profit but the well-being of over 50 families connected to his enterprise.

Conclusion

Lokeswaran Kannan’s journey is a testament that age is no barrier to entrepreneurship. With vision, discipline, and commitment, even a modest start can transform into a multi-crore success story in a short span of time.