GR Exclusive: "Women Are Natural Leaders," Preet Sandhuu, Co-Founder Of AVPL Says On Becoming Entrepreneur

International Women's Day Special: To become an entrepreneur, be prepared for imbalance because success does not come out of balance instead of hard work, risks, and perseverance, said, Preet Sandhuu, co-founder of AVPL International, a global drone brand, in an exclusive interview with GoodReturns.In. Ahead of the women's day, we reached out to successful women entrepreneurs and Preet Sandhuu's vision to strengthen agriculture led her to co-found one of the leading drone technology companies.

She believes drones have the potential to revolutionize agriculture, increase productivity, and create employment opportunities. Her persistency to shine comes from her belief that India needs more female entrepreneurs in the technology sector.

This women's day, let us take motivation from Preet Sandhuu's success story who has achieved the Youngest Female Entrepreneur in Drone Technology in India. She openly shares her goals to break barriers and inspire women to be independent and strong in technological fields. She believes women are natural leaders, and she has a message for both elder and young genz women out there.

Here are the excerpts from the interview of Preet Sandhuu, Co-Founders Of AVPL International with GoodReturns.In.

Q1. Tell us your story, where did you start from? What are the challenges that you overcame?

It all started from that small cabin in Chandigarh in 2011. This was where Deep and I dreamt of creating something that would drive technological innovation in India and positively impact the youth.

As we progressed, our vision expanded beyond just technology; we wanted to bridge the gap between institutions and industries, ensuring that young people were equipped with the right skills to either secure employment or start their businesses. Working in the Semi-Urban and Rural areas, we saw first-hand the struggles faced by farmers. This led us to explore how Drone technology could be a practical solution for the agricultural sector.

Today, we are empowering youth by providing Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) to farmers. But our work doesn't stop there - we are also utilizing drones for monitoring, GIS mapping, and logistics, extending their applications across multiple industries.

The biggest challenge we faced was educating people about drone operations and remote piloting, especially in regions where awareness of such technology was minimal. Overcoming this hurdle was a significant achievement, and today, I take immense pride in sharing that AVPL International has trained over 1 lakh individuals in drone technology.

Q2. Where do you see yourself from here?

I envision AVPL International expanding globally, with a strong presence in Australia and Spain. Our goal is to lead advancements in drone technology by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT, and Robotics into our solutions. Additionally, we aim to strengthen collaborations with government and private sectors to develop innovative solutions in areas like agriculture, disaster response, logistics, and other futuristic applications.

Q3. What is the turnover of AVPL? What kind of revenue does the company generate and what is your near-term goal?

As of Q3 in FY 2024-25, AVPL International has reached a turnover of ₹62 crores, reflecting a 55% growth from the previous year and a threefold increase since FY 2022-23. This is a proud milestone for us and adds yet another feather to AVPL's cap.

Our revenue primarily comes from three key areas:

1. Skill Training Programs
2. Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) Leasing
3. Drone Sales.

Each of these segments plays a vital role in our expansion and scalability.

Looking ahead, my near-term goal is to take AVPL International to NSE and continue scaling our impact in the drone technology sector.

Q4. Why did you choose Drone Technology?

Instead of entering conventional businesses, I deliberately chose drone technology because I wanted to make a meaningful impact in India's tech industry.

Drones have the potential to revolutionize agriculture, increase productivity, and create employment opportunities.
By working in this sector, I aim to contribute to:

• Make in India initiative
• Skill Development
• Technological Self-Reliance

Moreover, I strongly believe that India needs more female entrepreneurs in the technology sector. I take pride in being recognized as the Youngest Female Entrepreneur in Drone Technology in India. My goal is to break barriers, inspire women, and prove that they can excel in advanced technological fields.

Q5. On International Women's Day, what message do you want to give to all women entrepreneurs?

As a woman founder, I strongly support girl child education because education shapes a better future. Women naturally have the ability to build and nurture-whether it's a family, business, or society as a whole. This inherent strength makes them powerful leaders and decision-makers. More women are stepping into the business world, which is incredible to witness, but to truly succeed, they must:

• Develop strong futuristic skills
• Take on bigger leadership roles
• Maintain work-life balance without societal pressure.

Women are now in key management positions, excelling in diverse roles. My message to every professional woman is simple: Focus on your career, and pursue your dreams fearlessly, and never let society define your limits. Women are natural leaders-strong, independent, and capable of handling multiple responsibilities.

Q6. Any message for our Gen Z readers who aspire to be entrepreneurs or business owners?

I work closely with many Gen-Z employees, and I admire their modern outlook on work-life balance, mental health awareness, and ambition.

For those dreaming of becoming entrepreneurs, here's my advice :

• Be prepared for imbalances - Success does not come with balance; it comes with hard work, risks, and perseverance.
• Choose your path wisely - If you prefer a balanced life, opt for a stable career. But if you want to build something big, be ready to embrace challenges.
• Focus on problem-solving - The best businesses solve real problems.
• Understand regulations & industry trends - Staying informed will help you build a strong, sustainable business.
• Build a solid team - Success isn't just about what you know, but also who you work with.

To all the Gen-Z Entrepreneurs, this is your time to shine. Stay hungry, stay curious, and build something meaningful!