| Name of the beneficiary | Prithibhusan Deka |
| Project/Programme Name | PGDMN 2001-2002 |
| Name of the enterprise floated | Founder of Gramya Vikash Mancha (A registered non-profit organization) Pragjyotish Sanchay Aru Rindan Somabai Sommittee Limited (A registered thrift and credit cooperative society)Shoishav Vidyapeeth (School) Barhampur Krishi satra (An agricultural farm) |
| Initial Investment | 1500/- only |
| Employment Generated | Currently working 227 staff |
| Present Turnover | Approximately 30 Cr |
| Funds Raised, if any | Approximately 100 Cr during last 25 years |
| Awards Rec’d | Special Jury Award for Emerging Entrepreneur, 2024Received award for distinguish Social work (North East) from Marowary Yuva Mancha, North EastDistinguish Social Worker Award by Rotary Club, South GuwahatiDinBandhobi Suchibrata Raichoushury Samaj Sewa Award Ambikagiri Smarak Nyash Guwahati Assam |
Mr. Anirudh Dube
Founder & CEO
Ci4 & Paltro
PGDM, 2005
EDII President’s Alumnus Award 2025 – Business Entrepreneur
Anirudh Dube is a visionary tech entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in building highperformance organizations across defense, space and robotics. He is widely recognized for pioneering autonomous hardware–software systems that integrate engineering physics, AIenabled sensing and mission-critical defense applications.
Anirudh is a Physics graduate from Bangalore University, post which, he joined EDII. Alongside learning entrepreneurial concepts, Anirudh progressed deeper into the tech world with the clarity that there was a dire need for more innovative defense solutions. Around this time, the Government of India opened up the defense market for private companies, paving the way for them to enter the domain. Anirudh was now certain about building a business in this area. His training and passion led to the creation of Ci4 (CIPHOR), Autonomous Defense Technologies, which is defining a new age of connected, intelligent & aware defense and space systems. Anirudh also led development of autonomous hardware–software platforms for national security, surveillance and mission- critical applications. He built multidisciplinary engineering and research teams across autonomy, sensing, Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) and aerospace hardware. He established long-term partnerships within defense agencies, integrators and technology collaborators.
Anirudh also founded Paltro, Intelligent Robotics, to build configurable, modular robotic test systems for materials research, imaging, tribology and mechanical testing. He successfully established his base in the U.S. as well, with laboratory installations across research institutions and industry, along with integrated advanced automation, sensing & data systems to transform traditional testing workflows.
Anirudh started his business with an initial investment Rs. 6 crore, and hearteningly today, leads an enterprise generating a turnover of Rs. 110 crore and employing over 100 professionals. He also serves as a Board Advisor at Ducom Aerospace, providing strategic direction for aerospace and space-mission technologies.
Anirudh’s tech – innovations have been much recognized nationally. Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Defence, Govt. of India, awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to him for developing an underwater vision system for the Indian Navy. Also, Ci4 has secured five iDEX awards and has been recognized as Best Defence Startup 2024, Best Startup – Defennovation 2023, in addition to being honoured with the ISpA Space Excellence Award 2023.
The Institute is extremely proud of his achievements and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.