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Media Release
Preetham Akula has been nominated as a finalist in the Victorian International Educational Awards 2024 for International Student/Graduate Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
The Victorian International Education Awards 2024 (VIEA 2024) are an initiative of the Victorian Government to support the international education sector and raise awareness of the benefits international students bring to the broader Victorian community. The finalist list, which was announced on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, features over 21 high-achieving professionals and businesses across 8 submission-based categories. Securing a place as a finalist is widely recognised as a remarkable achievement in the international students' community.
It signifies the unwavering determination and commitment of students and graduates who have given back to the Victorian community.Preetham Akula, the founder and CEO at Akula said that he was humbled to be recognised and proud to be named as a finalist in the Victorian International Educational Awards 2024. As a finalist, he has been recognised for his undeniable leadership and resilience in his entrepreneurial efforts in business and space technology.
Preetham's entrepreneurial journey began with Dropout Chaiwala, a successful food and beverage startup. He quickly scaled the business to multiple locations in Melbourne, generating significant revenue. Leveraging his engineering background and business acumen, Preetham transitioned to the aerospace sector by founding Akula Tech, which rapidly secured $1 million in pre-seed funding in its first year. is preparing for the company's first satellite launch. Preetham champions mentorship, talent development, and industry collaboration for Victoria's startup ecosystem.
In addition to operational excellence, Preetham has invested significantly in upskilling himself in marketing. He collaborated with his academic peers to analyse successful strategies employed by competitors and thriving startups which enabled him to develop robust marketing foundations for his ventures.
Beyond academics, Preetham has actively participated in student events including serving as General Secretary for RMIT Indian Club and involvement in entrepreneurial communities such as FBIDEA’s, RMIT Activator, and Stone & Chalk, which refined his organisational and management skills.
One of the integral ways Preetham has contributed to the development of Victoria's entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem is by actively employing graduates and students from Victorian universities. By incorporating these young talents into Akula Tech, he has paved the way for them to gain firsthand experience in the startup world.
Preetham’s journey is characterised by his ability to leverage initial entrepreneurial experiences to build and scale innovative ventures. His ability to integrate financial, technological, and marketing strategies has been fundamental to the success of his ventures.
His message for others who are interested in pursuing an entrepreneurship pathway in Victoria is that "It's always the first step that's the hardest. Once you take it, the business will keep you going, and in a state like Victoria, equipped with world class facilities and resources, anytime is right time to take that first step"
For Enquiries
Akhash Kennedy
Media and Marketing
Phone: 0411 501 753
Email: akhash@akulatech.com
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