What happens when a seasoned corporate leader leaves behind a high-flying tech career to build something deeply rooted, locally inspired, and globally ambitious? You get HanuAI—a Mohali-based deep-tech startup using AI to make roads smarter, safer, and more resilient, featured The Indian Express.
At the heart of this inspiring story is Prerna Kalra, a woman who turned her frustration with routine corporate life into an innovation that’s now winning national awards and international recognition.
From Cubicles to Cracks on the Road
Prerna’s journey began in the boardrooms of top IT companies like Quark, IBM, and Edifecs. A tech expert, a mother, and a professional navigating transfers across India—from Delhi to Chennai, Guwahati to Bangalore—she often lived apart from her husband who was based in Chandigarh. After the birth of their son, she made a choice that would later become life-defining: to move to Mohali for a better work-life balance.
But even in the relative comfort of Mohali, something didn’t sit right. She realised she was spending her life building others’ dreams. That’s when she decided to create her own. Along with Manav Singal, a like-minded innovator, she co-founded HanuAI, later joined full-time by her husband Dr. Rahul Kalra, a dentist by training, now COO by choice.
RoadAthena: When AI Meets Asphalt
Their flagship product, RoadAthena, is a game-changer. It’s a smart, AI-powered road assessment system that uses mounted hardware to capture video and GPS data. The software then analyses this data to detect potholes, cracks, vegetation overgrowth, road wear, and even missing signage. What used to take months of manual surveying can now be done in real time, more accurately and far more affordably.
The system is unique because it doesn’t just work with new data—it integrates with older survey methods, edge-mounted devices, and even government dashboards, giving road agencies a holistic view of road health. The goal is not just repair, but preventive maintenance and asset life forecasting.
Recognition That Matters
HanuAI’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed. It bagged the Nasscom DeepTech Award, the ESC’s “Ubharte Sitare” honor, and a ₹5 lakh grant under the Startup Maharathi Challenge hosted by STPI NEURON in Mohali. They’ve also been invited by the World Bank to present in Washington D.C. and were named one of India’s most promising deep-tech startups by Forbes.
From Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to Gujarat, their product is now being deployed across states. What’s even more remarkable is that HanuAI met its annual revenue target in the first quarter of the financial year—a feat many established firms struggle to achieve.
Why Mohali, Not Mumbai or Bengaluru?
Prerna says the choice of Mohali was intentional. It offered affordable living, access to great talent, and a budding startup ecosystem powered by platforms like STPI NEURON. But more than infrastructure, she believes the real challenge lies in mindset—teaching young talent to think like innovators, not just job seekers.
Built on Belief and Badminton
The name “HanuAI” reflects more than branding—it reflects faith. Prerna says she believes a divine force is guiding their journey, and that’s why they’ve always trusted the process, no matter how uncertain it seemed.
Despite the pressures of running a startup, the team remains grounded. They regularly unwind with friendly badminton matches. Prerna herself was once a national-level springboard diver—a reminder that her journey has always involved taking bold leaps.
The Road Ahead
HanuAI is already in talks for global expansion, particularly in Latin America and Africa. The team is also working on enhanced edge-based hardware and new pilot projects with international agencies.
What started as an idea between three people with no civil engineering background is now one of India’s most promising AI-led infrastructure companies. And it all began with a simple desire: to solve a problem, not just chase profits.
Prerna sums it up best: “You never grow alone. Whether it’s your team, your family, or your faith, it takes many hands to build a dream.”
Photo Credit: The India Express
