Abhilash Shirur: Powering Growth Through Technology & Trust
Abhilash Shirur
Managing Director
From an early stage, Abhilash aspired to study overseas. While the United States initially featured in his plans, his academic exposure during his engineering at REVA University helped him make a more informed decision.
With a clear interest in construction and allied industries, Australia emerged as the ideal destination. However, ambition alone was not enough. Financing his education became his biggest hurdle.
Yet, he persisted and secured an education loan from a regional bank, just two days before his university invitation was due to expire. That defining moment, boarding a flight to Australia a day after his birthday, cemented a lesson that continues to guide him: perseverance creates opportunity.
Today, as the Managing Director of Quick Powder Coating, Abhilash channels those early lessons into leadership, growth, and long-term vision, building a business rooted in grit, adaptability, and hard-earned success.
What were the most transformative learning experiences during your time at REVA University?
Coming to REVA University was truly eye-opening for me. I came in with a clearer mindset, and I think the people around you really matter. I had very good friends, and that environment pushed me to become more professional and focused.
I started taking things seriously, learning how to work and carry myself. I even scored a 9.2 CGPA in one semester, which I never imagined was possible. We were also the first batch after REVA became a university, so that made it special. They took great care of us, and the campus and facilities were excellent.
Illustrate the accessibility of faculty from your time at the REVA University.
During academic hours, the support from faculty was
seamless. Students were encouraged to ask questions without hesitation and teachers were available to students, even beyond college hours.
When I later came to Australia, I realised how different this was, because there you need prior permission to meet a professor. At REVA, that freedom made learning much easier.
Even after graduation, when I needed guidance on choosing subjects for my master’s degree, the faculty were happy to help.
How has the university’s alumni network benefitted you professionally?
When I was a student, we didn’t really have a strong alumni network, but seniors played a huge role in helping me.
Over time, things have improved significantly. Now the alumni network is very active, we receive regular updates, and there are groups across Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, and the US.
What I really appreciate now is the university’s support for startups. As I plan to build a few ventures in India, the university has offered free guidance on legal, accounting, and setup support, even providing workspace in the early stages.
What is one memory that stands out to you the most from your time at the REVA Univer-sity?
The overall environment at the REVA University campus was positive and inviting. After classes, we would sit in the garden, talk about projects, and discuss what we had learned that day.
I became more serious about life without even realising it. This shift in mindset is some thing I’ll always remember from my time at the university.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
From my university days to now, I have always believed in leading by example and teaching through action. I don’t believe in bossing people around; it never felt right to me.
From my past experiences, I have learned that to be a good leader, one must understand the work. Motivational speeches don’t mean much if you don’t know what you’re talking about.
People respect action more than words, and I truly believe that leading by example is the strongest form of leadership.
How do you align with ongoing industry trends to steer your organization towards the future?
I make it a point to stay in constant touch with my suppliers
When I later came to Australia, I realised how different this was, because there you need prior permission to meet a professor. At REVA, that freedom made learning much easier.
Even after graduation, when I needed guidance on choosing subjects for my master’s degree, the faculty were happy to help.
How has the university’s alumni network benefitted you professionally?
When I was a student, we didn’t really have a strong alumni network, but seniors played a huge role in helping me.
Over time, things have improved significantly. Now the alumni network is very active, we receive regular updates, and there are groups across Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, and the US.
What I really appreciate now is the university’s support for startups. As I plan to build a few ventures in India, the university has offered free guidance on legal, accounting, and setup support, even providing workspace in the early stages.
What is one memory that stands out to you the most from your time at the REVA Univer-sity?
The overall environment at the REVA University campus was positive and inviting. After classes, we would sit in the garden, talk about projects, and discuss what we had learned that day.
I became more serious about life without even realising it. This shift in mindset is some thing I’ll always remember from my time at the university.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
From my university days to now, I have always believed in leading by example and teaching through action. I don’t believe in bossing people around; it never felt right to me.
From my past experiences, I have learned that to be a good leader, one must understand the work. Motivational speeches don’t mean much if you don’t know what you’re talking about.
People respect action more than words, and I truly believe that leading by example is the strongest form of leadership.
How do you align with ongoing industry trends to steer your organization towards the future?
I make it a point to stay in constant touch with my suppliers
and clients because it’s their everyday business. Regular conversations help me understand what’s happening and what’s new in the market.
Beyond that, I am a big tech nerd. I follow YouTube channels, tech news, and articles I find online to keep up with what’s coming next. I also spend time researching larger, well-established companies in Australia.
As a small business owner, I study their websites, operations, pricing, and scale how they manage costs, materials, and staff across multiple branches. If something catches my attention, I dig deeper. Talking to customers and doing my own research helps me stay updated and competitive.
What is your roadmap for the future?
Right now, I am planning to expand Quick Powder Coating by opening another branch in Australia and also launching one in India.
I stay closely connected with my customers and clients and through those conversations, I have identified advanced powder coating technologies that can significantly improve the business. I aim to bring that in this year.
There isn’t much awareness about powder coating in Hubli-Dharwad. I want to change that, because once you know how effective powder coating is, it clearly solves many of the issues people face with traditional methods. That’s my next focus. Beyond this, I also plan to launch other startups for my city.
Abhilash Shirur, Managing Director, Quick Powder Coating
Abhilash Shirur is the Managing Director of Quick Powder Coating, where he leads the business with a strong focus on quality, innovation, and hands-on leadership.
An engineer by training, Abhilash moved to Australia to pursue higher education and built his career through perseverance, learning, and practical experience.
Known for leading by example, he stays closely connected with clients, suppliers, and emerging technologies to keep his business future-ready.
•Hobbies: Travelling, Cricket, Technology
•Travel Destination: New Zealand, Japan
•Favourite Cuisine: South Korean
•Favourite Book: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Beyond that, I am a big tech nerd. I follow YouTube channels, tech news, and articles I find online to keep up with what’s coming next. I also spend time researching larger, well-established companies in Australia.
As a small business owner, I study their websites, operations, pricing, and scale how they manage costs, materials, and staff across multiple branches. If something catches my attention, I dig deeper. Talking to customers and doing my own research helps me stay updated and competitive.
What is your roadmap for the future?
Right now, I am planning to expand Quick Powder Coating by opening another branch in Australia and also launching one in India.
I stay closely connected with my customers and clients and through those conversations, I have identified advanced powder coating technologies that can significantly improve the business. I aim to bring that in this year.
There isn’t much awareness about powder coating in Hubli-Dharwad. I want to change that, because once you know how effective powder coating is, it clearly solves many of the issues people face with traditional methods. That’s my next focus. Beyond this, I also plan to launch other startups for my city.
Abhilash Shirur, Managing Director, Quick Powder Coating
Abhilash Shirur is the Managing Director of Quick Powder Coating, where he leads the business with a strong focus on quality, innovation, and hands-on leadership.
An engineer by training, Abhilash moved to Australia to pursue higher education and built his career through perseverance, learning, and practical experience.
Known for leading by example, he stays closely connected with clients, suppliers, and emerging technologies to keep his business future-ready.
•Hobbies: Travelling, Cricket, Technology
•Travel Destination: New Zealand, Japan
•Favourite Cuisine: South Korean
•Favourite Book: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People