Meet man who quit his Scientist job at ISRO to start his own firm, now earning Rs 2,00,00,000; his name is…, business is….

You might have heard many stories about how people rise from a poor financial background and achieve success through hard work. But have you ever imagined that a scientist from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) could quit his prestigious job to become a taxi cab entrepreneur? Well, this might feel like a rumour, prank, or joke! But, it isn’t. This article revolves around the inspiring journey of Dr. Uthaya Kumar, a former ISRO scientist who left his government job to start his own taxi business.

What sets him apart is his unique business model. Drivers who join his platform with their vehicles receive up to 70% of the earnings, ensuring they are fairly rewarded and motivated. Dr. Uthaya Kumar now earns approximately Rs 2 crore per year.

Meet man who quit his Scientist job at ISRO to start his own firm, now earning Rs 2,00,00,000; his name is…, business is….

Hailing from a small town in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Uthaya Kumar pursued his academic journey with dedication, earning an MPhil and PhD in Statistics before joining the esteemed Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he played a significant role in various scientific projects.​ According to an India Today report from October 2024, Dr. Uthaya Kumar’s role at ISRO involved monitoring liquid fuel densities, a crucial task to prevent potential disasters during rocket launches. ​

After spending seven years at ISRO, Kumar realized that his true passion lay in entrepreneurship. In 2017, he made a bold and life-changing decision to leave his stable scientific career at ISRO and follow his passion.

With the support of friends who helped him raise the initial capital, he launched ST Cabs, a name inspired by his parents — Sukumaran and Thulasi. What began with just a handful of vehicles has now grown into a fleet of 37 cars, generating an annual revenue of approximately Rs 2 crore. Together with his brother, Kumar has successfully navigated various challenges to keep the business running.

One of Kumar’s initial strategies was to carve out a niche by focusing on IT/ITES companies, specifically catering to employee transportation. This targeted approach paid off quickly—he began managing three daily pick-ups and drop-offs, with each trip earning around Rs 2,500. This early success helped ST Cabs become cash-flow positive in a short time, reported IndiaToday.

But Kumar didn’t stop there. Always looking ahead, he has started diversifying the business, expanding to platforms like Uber and exploring opportunities in the film industry, aiming for broader growth and a stronger market presence.

News