An interview with Anil Sethi, Founder & Chairman, Pump Academy Private Limited (iPUMPNET), a recognized as a pioneering end-to-end solution for optimizing pumping station operations.
In this exclusive interview, Anil Sethi, Founder and Chairman of Pump Academy Private Limited (iPUMPNET), shares his insights on revolutionizing pumping station operations.
With a focus on innovative solutions, Sethi discusses the challenges and successes that have positioned iPUMPNET as a leader in the industry.
What is iPUMPNET, and what is the vision behind this product/service? What makes iPUMPNET different from other monitoring solutions?
Anil Sethi: iPUMPNET is the flagship solution of Pump Academy, which went live 2.5 years ago as an online and mobile platform aimed at optimizing pump station management.
Advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning are the cornerstones employed to convert conventional pumps into intelligent self-diagnostic pumps.
The underlying vision of iPUMPNET is to facilitate proactive and sustainable water management. Through precise pump failure prediction and power inefficiency detection up to six months prior, iPUMPNET minimizes unplanned outages, saves operational expenses, and prolongs equipment life.
What distinguishes iPUMPNET from conventional monitoring systems is its diagnostics based on deep learning.
While simple monitoring tools merely report issues, iPUMPNET examines thousands of data points to reveal underlying inefficiencies and root causes of recurring failures—insights that are easily missed by traditional systems.
It doesn’t only report issues—it comprehends them. With iPUMPNET, Pump Academy seeks to revolutionize the way utilities and industries monitor, manage, and maintain their pump infrastructure for long-term reliability and efficiency.
What are the different services of Pump Academy, the USP, and the target markets?
Anil Sethi: Pump Academy provides end-to-end, 360-degree solutions in water-pumping services across India, constituting a one-of-a-kind operator within the industry.
Its primary areas of service lie in the operations, maintenance, and optimization of pumping stations customized for improved performance and energy saving.
Pump Academy’s patented solution, iPUMPNET, harnesses AI and machine learning technology to maximize the performance of pumping stations.
Pump Academy’s USP lies in its combination of state-of-the-art technology, which optimizes predictive maintenance, minimizes downtime, and improves reliability tremendously.
Pump Academy has clients like major utilities, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which speaks volumes about its competence in executing massive municipal projects.
The firm operates in key segments like power generation plants, oil and gas, and irrigation, along with being a major contributor to urban infrastructure projects revolving around sustainable and smart water management systems.
How is Pump Academy contributing to a sustainable cause? How do government policies encourage fostering sustainable practices and advancing environmental responsibilities?
Anil Sethi: Pump Academy is actively contributing to a sustainable future through its innovative product, iPUMPNET, which plays a key role in efficient water resource management.
Through automatic optimization of pump performance, identification of inefficiencies, and energy savings and emissions reduction, iPUMPNET enables primary environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals.
Its application in utility-scale applications, including joint ventures with BWSSB and BMC, demonstrates tangible real-world influence on sustainable urban water management.
Government intervention at the policy level firmly supports the transition to green practices. Policy rules that mandate the use of cleaner technology and tighter environmental regulations push businesses towards responsible practice.
Further, tax rebates, grants, and subsidies stimulate companies and consumers to adopt green technology. These policies not only encourage innovation, but also render sustainability an economical and desirable solution for all.
Synergistically, policy assistance and technological innovation are the main drivers toward the achievement of sustainable environmental custodianship and resource protection.
How do you ensure that Pump Academy stays at the forefront of industry trends and innovations? What are your expectations for the year 2025-2026?
Anil Sethi: At Pump Academy, staying ahead of industry trends and innovations is a key strategic focus for us. We invest continuously in R&D, focusing on advancements in AI/ML, IIoT, and smart water technologies.
Our team closely monitors and maintains a strong feedback loop with clients and field engineers, ensuring our solutions evolve in line with real-world needs. This proactive, innovation-driven approach enables us to consistently deliver cutting-edge, sustainable water management solutions.
Before 2025–2026, our focus will be on building market size and global outreach. With our present turnover of ₹80 crore and an ambitious 50% year-on-year growth, we are preparing ourselves for global expansion with the year 2026 and taking our proven solutions like iPUMPNET to new geographies and making Pump Academy a global leader in sustainable water management.
As the conversation concludes, Anil Sethi emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation in optimizing pumping operations.
His vision for the future of iPUMPNET reflects a commitment to sustainability and efficiency, ensuring that pumping stations can meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
| Are you an
Entrepreneur or Startup? Do you have a Success Story to Share? SugerMint would like to share your success story. We cover entrepreneur Stories, Startup News, Women entrepreneur stories, and Startup stories
|
Read Success story of Indian entrepreneurs & startups at SugerMint. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn