As a first generation techno-entrepreneur, he founded Praj in 1983. He dreamt and developed Praj into a world-class engineering company specialized in Agri-processing opportunities.

With strong belief in principle of triple bottom-line, his business model is inherently scalable, replicable and sustainable. Praj fostered the emergence of advanced technologies in certain Bio-Energy and allied space. As India’s biggest Biofuel Technology company, Praj has 1000++ footprints in over 100+ countries, across five continents.

Deeply passionate about Bio-economy and Environment, Pramod is committed to develop clean and green technologies. As a champion of the powerful premise that ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship can change the world for better’, he has been a tireless crusader in propagating spirit of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship.

Pramod is a ‘Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay (1971)’ and an alumnus of Harvard Business School (AMP 1995).

Pramod’s recent recognitions include:

  • ‘George Washington Carver Award 2020’ by BIO-Impact, Washington DC, USA – he is the first Indian to receive this global honour.
  • ‘William C Holmberg Award for the Lifetime Achievement in Bioeconomy 2022’, by The Daily Digest, US based leading publication. He is the first Asian recipient of this global honour.
  • ‘Dr Mohan I Patel Industrial Research Leadership Award 2023’ by VASVIK, Mumbai
  • ‘Doctor of Science’ (Honoris Causa) by DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune
  • ‘D.Litt.’ by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (TMV)
  • ‘Eminent Engineer Award 2022’ in Industry Category by Engineering Council of India (ECI)
  • ‘Jagtik Marathi Bhooshan Puraskar 2023’ by Jagtik Marathi Akadami
  • ‘Fortune India: Best CEO-Capital Goods Category 2023’ award by ‘Fortune’ magazine
  • ‘Fellowship of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE)’
  • ‘Jeevansaadhana Gaurav Puraskar 2023’ by Savitribai Phule Pune University
  • ‘Atal Sanskruti Gaurav Puraskar 2023’ by Sanskruti Pratishthan Pune
  • The ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ and ‘Distinguished Service Award’ by IIT, Bombay.

Associations:

Pramod has been associated with many eminent organizations holding responsible positions from time to time. He is:

  • Chairman, Board of Governance, COEP Technological University, Pune
  • Member, Advisory Board, World BioEconomy Forum, Finland
  • President and Founder Member, Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE)
  • Member of Council of Past Presidents, MCCIA Pune
  • Founder Trustee, Pune International Center (PIC)
  • Honorary Member, Governing Council of Confederation of Biomass Energy Industry of India (CBEII)
  • Member on the Advisory Boards of reputed academic, engineering institutes, strongly promoting Industry – Academia interaction, leading to Innovation and Entrepreneurship

In the recent past, he had held many leadership positions, some of which are :

  • President of Maharatta Chamber of Commerce, Industries & Agriculture (MCCIA) Pune for 2016-18 (till Sept 2018)
  • President of Science & Technology Innovation Park Pune during 2016-17; Chairman of CII National Committee on Bio-Energy / Biofuels / Renewable Energy from 2007-08 till 2016-17

Awards and Recognitions:

Some of the awards Pramod has received for entrepreneurship and excellence are –

  • ‘Udyog Ratna’ by MAHA-Tech
  • ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Indian Institute of Materials Management, Pune
  • ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Pune Regional Centre
  • ‘Sustainability Crusader’ by JP Shroff Foundation, for exemplary work in Sustainability
  • ‘Indo-American Corporate Excellence Award 2022’ for outstanding contributor to the cross-border trade, by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
  • ‘Sustainability Champion of the Year 2022’ by Manufacturing Today
  • ‘AsiaOne Global Indian of the Year 2020-21’, by Asiaone Magazine and URS Media International.
  • ‘Dattopant Thengdi Rashtriya Svavalamban Sanmaan 2020’ by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch
  • ‘Asia’s Greatest Leader 2018’ award by URS AsiaOne Magazine; Process reviewers PwC P.L.
  • ‘ABP Majha Sanman Puraskaar 2018’ in Aug 2018
  • ‘BioSpectrum Leadership Award’ for his remarkable work in promoting the cause of Biofuels in the past three decades
  • ‘Empresario Most Inspiring Entrepreneur Award’ by National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
  • ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Sugar Technologists’ Association of India as well as by Army Institute of Technology, Pune
  • ‘Maxell (Maharashtra Corporate Excellence) Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Maxell Foundation, Mumbai
  • ‘National Level Entrepreneurship Award’ by Jagatik Marathi Chamber of Commerce.
  • ‘Outstanding Contribution through Innovation Award’ by Chemtech Foundation for leading Praj into developing innovative technologies.
  • ‘Arya Chanakya Maharashtra Rajya Udyojak Shreshtha Puraskar’ (for best practice of Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility) by MAEER’s MIT School of Government, Pune
  • Voted amongst ‘Globally Top 100 People’ in BioEnergy space by Biofuels Digest, consecutively for 3 years

Other Directorships:

  • Praj HiPurity Systems Ltd.
  • Praj GenX Ltd.
  • P-Cube Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
  • Parimal and Pramod Chaudhari Foundation