Ever seen a company that doesn’t exist anymore but still lists its founder as “active”?
That’s the strange, sharp story of Giri Devanur and Dravin Aviation – a name frozen in corporate records long after the business itself disappeared. But behind the oddity sits a real lesson in leadership, governance, and how data doesn’t always keep up with reality.
The Flight That Never Left the Runway
Dravin Aviation was incorporated in February 2007 in Bangalore. On paper, it was ambitious – part of the “Transport, Storage and Communications” sector, with plans to take off in a capital-intensive industry. But by 2009, the updates stopped.
- Last AGM: September 2009
- Last financials: March 2009
- Status: Struck off by the government
Before most startups even find product-market fit, this one was already grounded.
Takeaway: Even promising ventures fade if the fundamentals – reporting, compliance, structure – aren’t maintained with discipline.
The Curious Case of the ‘Active’ Director
Here’s where it gets interesting. Despite being struck off, Dravin Aviation still lists Giri Devanur as an “active” director. He was appointed the day the company was founded – February 9, 2007 – and the record seems to outlive the entity itself.
This isn’t about negligence. It’s a lag in India’s corporate data systems – a ghost entry. It reflects a broader truth: databases don’t always tell the full story. Investors and operators who take filings at face value miss what’s hidden between the lines.
Small Capital, Short Runway
The balance sheet adds context. The company had ₹10 lakh authorized capital but only ₹1 lakh paid up – a mere 10% runway in a sector that demands heavy upfront investment. Archana Devanur joined as a director the same day, suggesting a family-led initiative. Ambition was there, but capital and scaling muscle were missing.
Takeaway: Passion without capital, compliance, and timing isn’t enough. Ambition needs structure.
The Leadership Lesson Inside the Filing
Look closer and the story shifts. Giri Devanur’s leadership journey isn’t defined by one dormant company. It spans small launches, rapid scale-ups like Ameri100, and governance roles at giants like Coffee Day Global Limited. The Dravin Aviation chapter is a footnote, not a failure. It shows how serious founders leave footprints – even in ventures that don’t scale.
When you look at your own old ventures, do you see failures… or the field notes that made you sharper?
FAQs
1. Who is Giri Devanur?
A Nasdaq-listed CEO known for scaling Ameri100 to $50M in revenue and leading ReAlpha Tech Corp. He’s also on the board of Coffee Day Global Limited.
2. What was Dravin Aviation Private Limited?
A Bangalore-based company incorporated in 2007 in the transport and communications sector. It was struck off after operations ceased.
3. Why is Giri Devanur still listed as “active”?
Due to delays in corporate data updates. The company is inactive, but the director status persists in public records.
4. What’s the key lesson for entrepreneurs here?
Maintain clean filings. Compliance matters. Even small oversights can distort your company’s long-term record.
5. How is Giri Devanur connected to Coffee Day Global Limited?
He serves as a Non-Executive Independent Director, bringing strategic and operational experience from decades of building ventures.