- Entrepreneur originally studied at Aston University for a MSc in International Business
- Labelled as one of the 100 Most Powerful Business Leaders in the renewable energy industry
- In 2019 he launched India’s first 100%-electric taxi service.
The co-founder of India’s first 100% electric ridehailing service, BluSmart, is to receive an honorary doctorate from Aston University.
In 2006 Punit Goyal left India to study for a MSc in International Business at Aston University, after which he went on to launch a succession of successful businesses in India within the sustainable energy sector. He built them from the ground up and sold each business before moving on to his next venture.
Previous businesses include PLG Power which was founded to manufacture solar panels for export to Europe, which achieved annual sales of $100million between 2008 to 2011. He also created solar power company PLG Photovoltaic which built India’s first 20 megawatt solar power plant which he sold in 2014 for $70million.
In 2019, he set up BluSmart to help tackle two of India’s biggest problems - massive traffic congestion and high levels of air pollution. BluSmart currently operates across the Delhi region and has completed 1.8 million zero-emission trips, covering 60 million ‘clean’ kilometres. By July 2022 the company is projected to reach $24million in annual revenue run-rate from subscriptions, and has raised $65mln in venture capital since launch and is backed by BP Ventures (London).
Punit has been recognised for his work in the sustainable energy sector and has been labelled as one of the 100 most powerful business leaders in the renewable energy industry and in the top 40 under 40 solar business leaders in India.
On hearing he is to be awarded an honorary doctorate from his former university he said: “I originally wanted to study abroad to help me grow my global network and at Aston University I achieved this, working with a diverse cohort picking up business practices from different cultures. I wrote a dissertation in 2007 called the ‘Role of Renewable Energy in Powering India’s Future’ with a focus on solar power, and it’s my research and the time I spent at the Aston University campus, that gave me the confidence to launch my entrepreneurial ventures in the renewable energy space.
“I’m delighted to be the recipient of an honorary doctorate from the prestigious Aston University - which gave me the platform to pursue my goals and to become a clean energy entrepreneur”.
Professor George Feiger, executive dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, said: “It is a pleasure to invite Punit back to Birmingham to receive an honorary doctorate.
“He originally chose to study for a MSc in International Business at Aston University because he wanted to enhance his entrepreneurial effectiveness – something he has most definitely achieved.
“His career is an inspiration to anyone aiming to be an entrepreneur. Not only has he built up several hugely successful businesses, he is now using his commercial acumen to help tackle pollution in India.”
Aston University will be holding its summer 2022 graduation ceremonies between 18-22 July.
- Notes to Editors
About Aston University
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Saskia Loer Hansen is the interim Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)7825 342091 or email n.jones6@aston.ac.uk
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