Kovai.co, a Coimbatore-based AI startup, has made waves in the business world by rewarding its 140 employees with a remarkable Rs 14 crore bonus. This gesture has set the company apart from many others in the startup ecosystem, where such bonuses are often a distant dream.

Founded in 2011 by Saravanakumar, Kovai.co specialises in business-to-business software solutions (SaaS). Over the years, the company has attracted high-profile clients, including BBC, Boeing, and Shell. Saravanakumar, originally from Coimbatore, moved to London 25 years ago. Despite a successful 10-year career in IT, he returned to his hometown to start Kovai.co, after recognising a gap in the market. The company is entirely bootstrapped, with no external funding, and has grown to generate an impressive $15 million in annual revenue.

The generous bonus was promised three years ago by Saravanakumar. “Why do people work in startups? They hope to become rich, but in most startups, employees get shares that are just on paper,” he explained. In January 2025, he fulfilled his promise, awarding Rs 14 crore to the 140 employees who remained loyal to the company.

Saravanakumar’s long-term goal is to turn Kovai.co into a unicorn company, with a revenue target of $100 million by 2030.