Biography of Sanjay Krishnan: Founder and CEO of Lithium Urban Technologies
Biography of Sanjay Krishnan:
Engineering the Future
Sanjay Krishnan began his academic journey at the University of Mumbai,
earning a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in
1991. From an early age, he showed signs of being a visionary, someone
who not only mastered technical concepts but also looked at the bigger picture.
His foundation in engineering would later become crucial in reshaping how India
thinks about mobility and sustainability.
A Global Career Takes Off
Over the next two decades, Sanjay gained vast experience across four
continents – the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. He worked in various
fields, from investment banking and business development in Africa
to management consulting for global firms. This diverse exposure helped
him build a sharp sense of global business dynamics and fueled his ability to
scale ideas across geographies and sectors.
Strategic Leadership at Honeywell
In August 2010, Sanjay joined Honeywell as Senior Director of
Planning, Strategy, and VPD (Value Product Delivery). Based in Bengaluru,
he reported to the Sr. VP and led initiatives focused on strategic planning,
innovation, and product incubation. His time at Honeywell was capped off by his
participation in the prestigious Honeywell Leadership Development Program
in 2012, which fine-tuned his executive abilities and prepared him for
his next bold move.
The Leap into Entrepreneurship
In January 2014, Sanjay made a daring shift — he founded Lithium
Urban Technologies. With a mysterious yet confident message, he hinted at
“something that could touch us all.” Behind the suspense was a radical vision:
to create India’s first fully electric corporate mobility platform. Sanjay
began assembling a passionate team ready to transform urban transportation.
Biography of Sanjay Krishnan: Founder and CEO of Lithium Urban Technologies# startup#entrepreneur#age#net worth#investor#Lithium Urban Technologies
The Lithium Vision is Born
Officially launched in 2015, Lithium Urban Technologies Pvt Ltd
was built around a clear purpose — to tackle the challenges of pollution and
inefficiency in corporate travel. Based in Bengaluru, the company aimed
to combine electric vehicles with cutting-edge technology to offer smart,
sustainable transport to businesses. Sanjay believed that the future of
commuting had to be clean, data-driven, and deeply human-centric.
Building the World's Largest EV Fleet
Under Sanjay’s leadership, Lithium quickly scaled. It became the world’s
largest fleet of electric vehicles outside China, changing the face of
employee mobility in India. The company developed its own fleet management
software, with features like telematics, rostering, route optimization,
and analytics. At the same time, it began training certified EV
drivers, ensuring high service standards and safety.
Charging Ahead with Infrastructure
Recognizing that vehicles alone wouldn’t be enough, Sanjay and his team began
investing in infrastructure. Lithium developed an EV charging network across
seven cities in India, supporting its growing fleet. This move positioned
the company as not just a transport provider but a holistic electric
mobility ecosystem.
Smart Expansion Through Acquisitions
In May 2021, Lithium took a major strategic step by acquiring SmartCommute,
a software provider specializing in employee transport management. This
acquisition allowed Lithium to go beyond just EVs — offering solutions for both
electric and non-electric vehicles, and expanding into other segments
like freight and rapid bus transit. The integration helped
streamline the company’s offerings for enterprise clients.
Securing Strong Investor Backing
Lithium’s groundbreaking work caught the attention of global
investors. Over seven funding rounds, the company raised $26.8
million, with its largest Series B round in March 2019, led
by IFC (International Finance Corporation). Other major backers included
LGT Lightstone, Lightrock India, and INDAG Rubber, along
with 37 angel investors, reinforcing trust in Sanjay’s vision and
execution.
A Milestone Acquisition
In March 2022, Lithium was acquired by EverSource Capital,
marking a key milestone in its journey. The acquisition validated Lithium’s
model and opened new avenues for growth and impact. Sanjay continued to guide
the company’s mission of transforming urban mobility with purpose and
precision.
Operational Excellence with a Human Touch
From day one, Sanjay emphasized operational effectiveness. He built
Lithium’s systems to scale — focusing on reliability, real-time monitoring, and
sustainability. Beyond the tech, he created an inclusive work culture that
welcomed diversity in skills, gender, and background, showing that great
companies are built by great people, not just great ideas.
A Legacy in Motion (Present & Beyond)
Today, Lithium Urban Technologies is a symbol of what happens when ambition
meets sustainability. With a team of over 150 employees,
cutting-edge tech, and a network across India, it continues to shape the future
of corporate mobility. Sanjay Krishnan’s story is a shining example of
leadership that dares to be different — combining global insights, local
relevance, and a deep commitment to making a difference.
Timeline Summary:
- 1987–1991:
Studied Engineering at University of Mumbai
- 1991–2010:
Worked across 4 continents in diverse industries
- Aug
2010 – Dec 2013: Senior Director at Honeywell
- 2012:
Completed Honeywell Leadership Development Program
- Jan
2014: Founded Lithium Urban Technologies
- 2015:
Official launch of Lithium in Bengaluru
- 2016–2020:
Built largest EV fleet outside China
- May
2021: Acquired SmartCommute
- Mar
2019: Raised $7.52M in Series B from IFC
- Mar
2022: Acquired by EverSource Capital
- 2023–Present:
Operating EV and non-EV mobility solutions across India
