Ashwin Desai is a prominent Indian entrepreneur, the founder of Aether Industries, and the richest man in Surat, Gujarat. Born into a modest family, Desai’s early years were marked by limited resources, living in a cramped one-room home.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Mumbai in 1974. Driven by a strong ambition, he teamed up with his brother-in-law in 1976 to launch a chemical business while still residing in their one-room apartment, renting a small farm to manufacture sulfuryl chloride locally.

• Core Company: Aether Industries (Specialty chemicals).
• Education: B.E. in Chemical Engineering, ICT Mumbai (1974).
• Honors: Awarded the Distinguished Alumnus award by ICT in 2010.

Ashwin Desai’s professional career spans over four decades in the specialty chemical industry. Before founding Aether, he was a founding member of Anupam Rasayan India Limited and served as its Chairman and Managing Director until 2013.

In 2013, he established Aether Industries, focusing on innovative chemical engineering solutions, particularly continuous reaction and flow technology. Under his leadership, Aether went public in June 2022, raising $10.3 million in its IPO. This successful listing propelled Desai to billionaire status and solidified his company as a leading name in sectors like agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals.

• Innovation Focus: Leading core competency in continuous flow technology.
• Technical Prowess: Author/co-author of 138 publications in technical journals and holder of 17 patents.