G4, EKKI Water Technologies – FBN India

FBN NxG Award 2026 - Intrapreneurship Category - Finalist

Kanishka Arumugam, an Oxford University MBA graduate, is a next-generation leader within his family business, spanning pump manufacturing, water technologies, engineering, education, and real estate sectors. He currently serves as the Co-CEO of EKKI Group and has been instrumental in establishing India's first international joint venture in the wastewater sector with the German major HOMA, one of the world's top five sewage pump companies.

Mr. Arumugam holds a double Master's degree. an MBA from the University of Oxford and a Master's in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick. He earned an Honours degree in Engineering, Design & Technology from Sheffield (UK), along with a Certificate of Higher Education from the University of Leeds (UK). He is also an alumnus of Stanford University's SIGM Program (USA). Kanishka was appointed an Honorary Fellow of the University of Warwick, UK, becoming one of the youngest recipients of this prestigious honour.

Prior to joining EKKI, he interned at Xylem Water Solutions in Italy, Forbes Marshall, and Rentropsche Vermögensverwaltung in Germany. Having travelled to over 50 countries, Kanishka brings a strong focus on global competitiveness, internationalization, technology management, and business development to his family business. Additionally, Mr. Arumugam was the youngest Past National Chairman of the NxG Committee, CII Family Business Network (FBN) India. His contributions also include advisory roles for international companies and institutions.

Beyond his business responsibilities, Kanishka is actively involved in various social initiatives. He is a founding family trustee of his family's charitable endeavours, including the Info Institute of Engineering, a not-for-profit engineering and business college, and the Darbari Elders Home.

Under his leadership, EKKI's accomplishments have been recognized as a case study at INSEAD Business School, and the company has become the first Indian organization to win multiple European PIA Awards. EKKI Water Technologies, headquartered in Coimbatore, sustainably pumps, transports, and optimizes water for agriculture, building services, industries, and public utilities. The company has a global presence through international manufacturing collaborations and distribution partnerships, with its products sold in more than 20 countries.

The Group includes EKKI Pumps, EKKI HOMA, Deccan Pumps Pvt Ltd, KOOT, and InfoInstitute of Engineering.