Innovation

A significant innovation is the Cosmos ecosystem, which focuses on energy optimization and reducing carbon footprints. It incorporates features like load scheduling, energy usage tracking, and IoT-enabled controls. Users can monitor and manage appliances through an app, receive detailed energy consumption reports, and strategically reduce energy waste during peak times. By enabling precise control over energy usage, Cosmos promotes environmentally responsible decisions, directly aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Candle One also scaled its impact by transitioning from in-house production to a partnership model, similar to Apple and Foxconn, enhancing efficiency and reach. The company’s structure now includes two branches: Candle One Automation, focusing on IT, design, and sales, and Candle One Engineering, dedicated to electrical contracting and services. This dual approach enables broader adoption of sustainable technologies while maintaining high-quality standards.

By making energy-efficient solutions accessible and scalable, Candle One addresses environmental challenges and drives innovation, contributing to a more sustainable and responsible future aligned with the UN SDGs.

Inspiration

Candle One started as an electrical contracting and data networking service with the mission of creating job opportunities for his peers in a struggling job market today. Together with his friends, Akhil envisioned a company that could transform the electrical and automation industry by introducing innovative and reliable solutions. Despite initial hurdles, such as limited IT expertise, the team overcame challenges by self-training through online platforms and gradually expanded into automation, eventually establishing Candle One as a private limited firm. 

Through continuous development and hands-on experimentation, the team addressed a major challenge: integrating traditional electrical switches into an IoT-enabled ecosystem. This breakthrough idea resulted in a solution that allowed conventional switches to be controlled via voice assistants like Alexa, revolutionizing the home automation experience. The transition from a simple prototype to a sophisticated solution was marked by challenges, each of which strengthened the team’s ability to create market-ready innovations.

A story shared by the founder which reflects their current inspirations is as follows. A video showcasing candle's motorized glass rooftop solution garnered over 5 million views, catching the attention of Ms Ujjala, a resort owner in Manali. Intrigued by their ingenuity, she approached Candle One with a bold request: to design a bed that could move automatically from her resort room to the balcony, spanning 22 feet. Though initially uncertain if they could meet the challenge, the team was motivated by her trust and confidence in their capabilities. They saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.

This project became a defining moment for Candle One. The team brainstormed, collaborated with suppliers, and experimented relentlessly to develop a unique solution—replacing a standard motor with a roller motor integrated with automation modules. The success of this innovative project not only showcased Candle One’s ability to push boundaries but also reinforced the team’s confidence and commitment to excellence. Reflecting on the experience, the founder described it as a turning point, saying, “It showed us what we are capable of when we push ourselves. It reinforced the trust our customers place in us and motivated our team to keep innovating.” 

Overall impact

IoT based smart home solutions provided by the Candle not only enhance convenience but provides evidence of changing power consumption trends and increased literacy on importance of efficient energy management .

Collaborating with contract manufacturers for large-scale production, the company has established itself as a competitive player in the manufacturing sector. Today, Candle One exports its products to countries like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, contributing to India’s economic growth and technological advancements. Renowned for its automation solutions, the company counts major clients such as TATA and Mercedes among its clientele while also serving offshore markets. Beyond automation, Candle One has earned recognition in the service sector, solidifying its reputation as a versatile and reliable brand.

Looking ahead, Candle One envisions bold and ambitious goals, including achieving significant turnover, registering under MSME, and transitioning to a public limited company.

Business benefit

In its early stages, Candle’s automation products were tested in-house after manufacturing. However, the team lacked insights into real-life challenges the products might face. To address this, Candle distributed beta versions(Version 1,2 &3) of its products to select customers free of charge, clearly communicating that the products might encounter issues and feedback was essential. These insights helped improve product quality.

The team worked hard to fix these issues, leading to the release of Version 4. This version resolved all the earlier problems and met customer expectations in terms of quality and performance. The upgraded market-ready products replaced the beta modules in the customer’s home.

Through this process, Candle gained valuable insights into the real-life challenges its products faced. The team was able to refine features based on customer preferences, ensuring the products were practical and user-friendly. This approach also helped reduce the cost, time, and effort of extensive in-house testing while addressing all real-world challenges effectively.

Their perseverance paid off when the Version 4 product helped them secure a major deal with a poultry farm, providing a substantial financial boost. When asked about business profits, the founder was hesitant to disclose specific figures but mentioned an average revenue growth of up to 10% over the past five years, a commendable achievement for a company in its budding stage. The team now has an ambitious target of achieving ₹10 crore in annual revenue within the next three years.

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Social and environmental benefit

Candle One products proudly bear the label “Made in India,” embodying the Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into a global manufacturing hub while fostering self-reliance. This commitment aligns with the goal of making Indian products globally competitive and supporting sustainable economic growth. Manufactured domestically, Candle products are exported to three Middle Eastern countries, contributing to India’s economy through foreign cash inflows. The company’s dedication to innovation is reflected in its adoption of latest technologies to enhance sustainability and user experience.

The founder’s philosophy centers on creating impactful business solutions that contribute meaningfully to society, rather than seeking convenience by migrating abroad. This entrepreneurial approach drives both personal and societal growth by fostering innovation and attracting investments, ideals that Candle exemplifies.

Cosmos vertical, products are designed to contribute to the green revolution by minimizing energy usage and employing recyclable paper packaging to ensure eco-friendliness. The innovative approach behind Cosmos products includes demand-side energy management. This technique optimizes energy consumption during peak load times by strategically scheduling device operations.

The company provides detailed energy usage reports, enabling homeowners to monitor and manage their consumption effectively. Users can input specific device details, like wattage, into the app for precise tracking. Appliances can be programmed to turn on or off based on user-specified limits or timings, eliminating the need for reminders or manual intervention. This system not only promotes sustainability but also empowers users to make environmentally responsible decisions.

Interview

Akhil Jose, CEO

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