Krishnamoorthy Ravishanker : Revolutionizing Power Systems & Motor Controllers With Innovation & Leadership
Krishnamoorthy Ravishanker
President & Managing Director
Ravishanker’s remarkable career journey traces its roots back to his time at IIT Madras, where he gained a solid foundation in technical expertise and leadership. After graduating, he joined ST Micro electronics in Singapore, where he designed integrated circuits (ICs) for hard disk drive motor controllers, a field that required a high level of expertise in analog circuit design.
His exceptional work ethic and drive for self improvement enabled him to complete tasks well ahead of schedule and led to him taking on leadership responsibilities early in his career. Within just three years, Ravi shanker managed a project that typically would require 8 to 10 years of experience, eventually earning the ‘Best Project’ award globally for his efforts.
Ravishanker’s career continued to soar at Marvell, where he worked for 12 years under the mentorship of Dr Sehat Sutardja. During this time, he earned 55 patents and contributed to over 100 more through his team's innovative work. His groundbreaking contributions helped Marvell maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
In 2017, Ravishanker took the next step by founding Zerro Power Systems, a company focused on developing next-generation motor controllers. His achievements, which span industries such as automotive and home appliances, stand as a testament to the exceptional education and values nurtured at IIT Madras.
CEO Insights engaged in a one-on-one interaction with Krishnamoorthy Ravi shanker, let’s hear from him.
Tell us about some of the most valuable lesson or experiences which you gained during your time at IIT Madras.
I opted to pursue my master’s through research rather than the traditional coursework path. During that time, computer hardware and software resources were limited, forcing me to build
and learn many things from scratch.
Picture browsing a remote server via email, where each directory navigation or file listing required sending an email and waiting a full day for a response. Down loading a 10MB file meant breaking it into 20-30 separate emails. This experience made self-sufficiency essential, as tools and resources were not readily available. It taught me to be resourceful, finding creative solutions in an environment that lacked the conveniences we enjoy today.
Could you provide an example of how accessible the faculty members were to students at the institute?
The department was always buzzing with activity, operating around the clock, and it wasn’t unusual to see people working late into the night. Faculty members were equally ded - icated, often available well beyond regular hours, including weekends and holidays. I vividly remember a time during a bandh in Chennai when the entire city came to a halt, but life at IIT carried on without any disruption.
Even exams were scheduled outside regular hours, some times starting after dinner, and were open-book with no time limits. The approach was simple, if you were well-prepared, it didn’t matter how much time or how many books you had access to, because if you weren’t prepared, the extra resources wouldn't make a difference. This environment fostered a strong sense of discipline and self-reliance, reinforcing the importance of being ready and able to handle challenges, regardless of the circumstances.
Tell us about some of your memories that you still recall from the days at IIT Madras?
IIT is home to not only highly qualified and approachable faculty but also a diverse and vibrant student community. While many perceive IIT primarily as an engineering institution, few are aware that it also houses departments for humanities and biology.
I have fond memories of visiting a friend's lab in the biology department, where they conducted experiments growing bacteria. I was particularly amazed by the deep freezer they had, capable of maintaining temperatures as low as -80°C. This experience highlighted the institute’s broad academic spectrum and its commitment to fostering a multi disciplinary approach to research and learning.
How have the skills that you gained both inside and outside the classroom or lab contributed to your success in your current role?
My research specialized in analog circuit design, a field that has shaped my entire career. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to advancing new analog and power circuits, which I see as a natural continuation of my time at
Picture browsing a remote server via email, where each directory navigation or file listing required sending an email and waiting a full day for a response. Down loading a 10MB file meant breaking it into 20-30 separate emails. This experience made self-sufficiency essential, as tools and resources were not readily available. It taught me to be resourceful, finding creative solutions in an environment that lacked the conveniences we enjoy today.
Crafting a clear growth plan for each team member is crucial for developing a strong, successful team, ensuring personal growth while fostering collective achievement
Could you provide an example of how accessible the faculty members were to students at the institute?
The department was always buzzing with activity, operating around the clock, and it wasn’t unusual to see people working late into the night. Faculty members were equally ded - icated, often available well beyond regular hours, including weekends and holidays. I vividly remember a time during a bandh in Chennai when the entire city came to a halt, but life at IIT carried on without any disruption.
Even exams were scheduled outside regular hours, some times starting after dinner, and were open-book with no time limits. The approach was simple, if you were well-prepared, it didn’t matter how much time or how many books you had access to, because if you weren’t prepared, the extra resources wouldn't make a difference. This environment fostered a strong sense of discipline and self-reliance, reinforcing the importance of being ready and able to handle challenges, regardless of the circumstances.
Tell us about some of your memories that you still recall from the days at IIT Madras?
IIT is home to not only highly qualified and approachable faculty but also a diverse and vibrant student community. While many perceive IIT primarily as an engineering institution, few are aware that it also houses departments for humanities and biology.
I have fond memories of visiting a friend's lab in the biology department, where they conducted experiments growing bacteria. I was particularly amazed by the deep freezer they had, capable of maintaining temperatures as low as -80°C. This experience highlighted the institute’s broad academic spectrum and its commitment to fostering a multi disciplinary approach to research and learning.
How have the skills that you gained both inside and outside the classroom or lab contributed to your success in your current role?
My research specialized in analog circuit design, a field that has shaped my entire career. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to advancing new analog and power circuits, which I see as a natural continuation of my time at
IIT. Innovation has been central to my work, resulting in 61 issued patents and 11 more currently pending. This consistent drive for innovation has been a hallmark of my professional journey, allowing me to push boundaries and contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies.
What is your approach towards leadership? Tell us about the principles or methods that you practise in your role as a leader.
I strongly believe in leading by example, building trust through openness, and creating personalized growth plans for committed individuals. From being punctual to maintaining attention to detail, I make it a point to demonstrate the behaviour I expect, rather than just discussing them. Embracing both giving and receiving feedback, and taking actionable steps based on that feedback, helps establish trust over time.
Addressing any limitations openly is also essential. When trust is built, motivation follows naturally, reducing the need for constant monitoring or micromanagement. Crafting a clear growth plan for each team member is crucial for developing a strong, successful team, ensuring personal growth while fostering collective achievement.
Going forward, how do you envision the long-term progression of your professional journey?
In my career, I began as a young engineer and progressed to roles such as project leader, where I successfully managed a new project from its conception to volume production. My journey expanded to over seeing operations, marketing, finance, and customer engagement. I even founded a company from the ground up and continue to run it successfully today.
While innovation is inherently challenging, making it function in real-world applications is an even greater hurdle. One of my aspirations is to write a book titled 'How to Design an Integrated Circuit (IC): A Practical Hands-On Guide'. This book aims to equip the next generation of engineers with insights into the practical aspects of chip design, which are often not covered in traditional educational programs. I am actively seizing every opportunity to mentor and educate young engineers, guiding them to do things the right way and helping them navigate the complexities of the field.
Krishnamoorthy Ravishanker, President & Managing Director, Zerro Power Systems
Krishnamoorthy Ravishanker, born in 1971, is the third child of an engineer father and homemaker mother. Growing up with three siblings, they lived in various cities due to his father's government job, fostering close relationships with many neighbors and friends.
After studying at RECT and IIT Madras, he moved to Singapore in 1996. Married in 2000, Krishnamoorthy has two sons, aged 22 and 10. Throughout his career, he has traveled extensively across Asia, Japan, and the U.S. for business, visiting customers and suppliers. His diverse experiences have shaped his global out look.
What is your approach towards leadership? Tell us about the principles or methods that you practise in your role as a leader.
I strongly believe in leading by example, building trust through openness, and creating personalized growth plans for committed individuals. From being punctual to maintaining attention to detail, I make it a point to demonstrate the behaviour I expect, rather than just discussing them. Embracing both giving and receiving feedback, and taking actionable steps based on that feedback, helps establish trust over time.
Addressing any limitations openly is also essential. When trust is built, motivation follows naturally, reducing the need for constant monitoring or micromanagement. Crafting a clear growth plan for each team member is crucial for developing a strong, successful team, ensuring personal growth while fostering collective achievement.
Going forward, how do you envision the long-term progression of your professional journey?
In my career, I began as a young engineer and progressed to roles such as project leader, where I successfully managed a new project from its conception to volume production. My journey expanded to over seeing operations, marketing, finance, and customer engagement. I even founded a company from the ground up and continue to run it successfully today.
While innovation is inherently challenging, making it function in real-world applications is an even greater hurdle. One of my aspirations is to write a book titled 'How to Design an Integrated Circuit (IC): A Practical Hands-On Guide'. This book aims to equip the next generation of engineers with insights into the practical aspects of chip design, which are often not covered in traditional educational programs. I am actively seizing every opportunity to mentor and educate young engineers, guiding them to do things the right way and helping them navigate the complexities of the field.
Krishnamoorthy Ravishanker, President & Managing Director, Zerro Power Systems
Krishnamoorthy Ravishanker, born in 1971, is the third child of an engineer father and homemaker mother. Growing up with three siblings, they lived in various cities due to his father's government job, fostering close relationships with many neighbors and friends.
After studying at RECT and IIT Madras, he moved to Singapore in 1996. Married in 2000, Krishnamoorthy has two sons, aged 22 and 10. Throughout his career, he has traveled extensively across Asia, Japan, and the U.S. for business, visiting customers and suppliers. His diverse experiences have shaped his global out look.