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Karthik Raja Karnan

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Tag added: 23 July 2025


Karthik Raja Karnan
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Born 30 May 1994 (age 31)
Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality Indian
Education B.E. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Knowledge Institute of Technology, Salem
Alma mater
Occupation Entrepreneur, Innovator, Social Reformer
Years active 2016–present
Known for Founder & CEO of MADique Technologies, World’s Smallest Idiyappam Machine
Notable works Food Processing Machinery, Smiles of India Foundation
Awards India’s TOP SME 100
Spouse(s) Kowsalya (m. 2021)
Children Kannukiniya
Parents Karnan (father), Kaladevi (mother)
Religion Hinduism
Website madique.in


Karthik Raja Karnan (born May 30, 1994) is an Indian entrepreneur, innovator, and the founder and CEO of MADique Technologies OPC Private Limited, a pioneering manufacturer of food processing machinery. He is widely recognized for transforming the food automation industry in India through his affordable and innovative machines that have empowered over 3,000 entrepreneurs, including physically challenged individuals and homemakers, to start their own food businesses.[1]

Among his innovations is the world’s smallest automatic idiyappam machine, which earned a spot in the Kalam’s Book of World Records. Karthik is also the co-founder of the Smiles of India Foundation, a philanthropic initiative that integrates social impact into his business model, focusing on education, health, and rural development.

Early Life and Education

Karthik was born into a modest, working-class family in Salem, Tamil Nadu, to Mr. Karnan and Mrs. Kaladevi, both skilled handloom weavers. From childhood, he demonstrated an instinct for innovation—building tools and toys from scrap materials and approaching learning with creativity.[2]

He completed his schooling at a government school and graduated in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Knowledge Institute of Technology, Salem, in 2016. Though he found rote memorization difficult, he excelled in conceptual and practical applications. His academic journey brought him awards such as the Brahma Award, District-Level Best Student Award, and State-Level Best Student Award, culminating in national recognition for his student innovations.[3]

Professional Journey

Choosing passion over security, Karthik declined a job offer from Titan and launched his startup from a small car shed, laying the foundation for what would become MADique Technologies OPC Private Limited.

With minimal resources, he developed revolutionary machines such as the Automatic Murukku Machine and the Automatic Idiyappam Machine, making automation accessible to micro and small food businesses. These products were praised for their compact size, efficiency, and affordability.[4]

Today, MADique Technologies OPC Private Limited serves clients in over 30 countries and continues to disrupt the food machinery sector with user-friendly, cost-effective solutions that cater to entrepreneurs of all backgrounds.[5]

Achievements and Recognitions

Karthik’s dedication to innovation and inclusive entrepreneurship has been honored with numerous awards, including:

  • India’s TOP SME 100 Award – India SME Forum & Axis Bank, New Delhi (2025)
  • Pride of Tamil Nadu Award – Youngster Times Media, Madurai (2025)
  • Youth for Social Empowerment Award – Aram Foundation, Chennai (2025)
  • Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam National Star Award – WELRED Foundation (2025)
  • Best Social Welfare Initiative Award – World Talent Network, India (2025)
  • Business Leader Award – Indian Achiever Forum, Delhi (2025)
  • Social Entrepreneur Award – All India Business & Community Foundation (2025)
  • Honorary Doctorate – OXFAA University, Trichy (2025)
  • National Talent Award – Indian NGO Award Council, Bangalore (2025)
  • Rising Star Award – Heights of Success Magazine (2025)
  • National Pride Award – Socially Point India Foundation (2025)
  • National Youth Inspiration Award – Bharati Yuva Welfare Association, Delhi (2025)
  • National Social Achievement Award – Global Achievers Council, Chennai (2025)
  • India’s Fast Growing 500 CEO Award – Benchmark Trust, Mumbai (2024)
  • Young Achiever of the Year Award – Global Triumph Foundation, Bangalore (2024)
  • Most Admired Personality Award – Pride of Nation by Asia Today, Hyderabad (2024)
  • Tamil Nadu Business Icon Award – IBTHINK Academy, Chennai (2024)
  • India Top 500 Best Brand Award – India 5000 MSME Business Awards (2024)
  • Innovative Company of the Year Award – GTF World Business Summit (2024)
  • International Achievers Award – Startup Siksha Foundation (2024)
  • Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award – JCI Metro Salem (2024)
  • Best Innovative Entrepreneur Award – IMPA Association, Salem (2024)
  • Global Excellence Award – World Peace University (2019)
  • Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award – Institute of Engineers (2016)

Smiles of India Foundation and Social Impact

Karthik co-founded the Smiles of India Foundation, a non-profit initiative that reflects his commitment to social transformation. The foundation’s major activities include:

  • Donating ₹500 from each machine sale by MADique Technologies OPC Private Limited to the Foundation in the customer’s name.
  • Providing school notebooks, stationery, and meals to underprivileged children in rural India.
  • Donating water purifiers to village schools, ensuring access to safe drinking water.
  • Promoting environmental responsibility by distributing over 10,000 seed balls and gifting 1,000+ copies of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s biography.

This model ensures that every machine purchased becomes a tool for social change, tying innovation directly to impact.[6]

Personal Life

Karthik Raja Karnan married Kowsalya in 2021, and the couple has a daughter, Kannukiniya. Deeply passionate about nature and sustainability, Karthik engages in tree planting, gardening, and environmental awareness programs, aligning his personal values with his professional mission.[7]

Vision for the Future

By 2030, Karthik envisions MADique Technologies OPC Private Limited as a global leader in inclusive food automation. His goals include:

  • Empowering over 10,000 entrepreneurs globally, especially women and differently-abled individuals
  • Launching an academy to train aspiring food entrepreneurs.
  • Innovating further in green technology, sustainability, and automation.
  • Strengthening CSR efforts to increase impact in education, clean water, and ecological restoration.[8]

References

  1. ↑ https://helloentrepreneurs.com/business/karthik-raja-karnan-brings-dr-kalams-vision-to-life-with-madiques-groundbreaking-food-machines-46739/
  2. ↑ https://www.aninews.in/news/business/celebrating-excellence-karthik-rajakarnan-named-topceo-at-india-5000-awards20241125170400/
  3. ↑ https://www.hindustanbytes.com/from-humble-beginnings-to-globalsuccess-karthik-rajakarnans-inspirational-journey-with-madiquetechnologies
  4. ↑ https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/madique-technologiessets-new-standardfor-food-processing-with-world-record-breakingidiyappam-machine-1034068553
  5. ↑ https://boroktimes.com/revolutionizing-food-automation-karthik-rajakarnans-madiquetechnologies-launches-the-worlds-smallest-idiyappammachine/
  6. ↑ https://hindustaninsider.in/2024/12/04/from-engineer-to-entrepreneurkarthik-raja-karnansjourney-to-empowering-food-entrepreneurs-globally/
  7. ↑ https://thecapitalnews.in/index.php/2024/11/28/karthik-raja-karnan-andmadiquetechnologies-win-top-honors-at-india-5000-awards/
  8. ↑ https://areporterlive.com/sustainability-meets-innovation-karthik-rajakarnans-madiquetechnologies-empowers-entrepreneurs/
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