Experion Technologies: Building a Global Product Engineering Powerhouse from Kerala
In 2006, when global enterprises looked at India, they saw a "services back-office." But for Manoj Balraj and his co-founders at Experion Technologies, the vision was different: they wanted to build world-class products. After an early realization that launching their own products in the Indian market was a "stellar failure," they pivoted to **Product Engineering as a Service**. Today, from their headquarters in Trivandrum, Kerala, Experion has scaled to a 1,500-person powerhouse, serving Fortune 500 giants across four continents by focusing on one simple, unshakeable metric: Trust.
Balraj's journey is a masterclass in bootstrapped resilience. An engineer from Bangalore who cut his teeth at Wipro and Blow Plast, he spent years in the "boiler room" of global business, understanding that durable enterprises are built on accountability, not just code. By remaining organically funded and refusing to dilute their focus, Experion has moved from being a "small company from Kerala" to a trusted partner for world leaders in Pharma, Automotive, and Financial Services. For Balraj, the secret to global success is authenticity—staying true to your roots while delivering at the speed of the future.
The 12-Week "Discovery Phase"
Unlike traditional outsourcing firms that jump straight into coding, Experion mandates a 12-week intensive Discovery Phase. They align with the client's Chief Digital Officer to map out Vision → Strategy → Goals → Initiatives. This creates a visually documented "Foundation" that ensures the product solves real problems rather than just adding features for the sake of it.
The Pivot: From Product Idea to Product Engineering
Experion Technologies didn't start as a services firm. The founders initially wanted to be a product company. They built solutions for shipping, ports, and healthcare, but they struggled with market fit in India. "We weren't exactly a stellar success when it came to launching products... but we understood the intricacies of building intellectual property," Balraj admits.
They realized there was a massive gap in the market for high-quality engineering services. Most firms were building "applications," but Experion wanted to build "products"—the core software that companies thrive on to generate revenue. By staying headquartered in Kerala—a state not then known for tech—they doubled down on organic growth, choosing independence over venture capital to maintain their engineering integrity.
"In the US, I learned my lesson: it's all about trust. If they trust you, they don't even need to meet you in person or see where Kerala is on a map. Rejection and humiliation are part of the early journey, but if you deliver well, there's no looking back."
Navigating the Global Market: ATL to the World
The company's first big break came from a client in Atlanta, Georgia. Despite being "scoffed at" by large procurement teams, Balraj's persistence in the US market paid off. He realized that small and mid-sized customers were signing up faster because they valued the personal accountability Experion offered.
Today, the company specializes in five key verticals: Insurance, Retail, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Automotive. They leverage a stack of Microsoft, Java, and Open Source technologies to displace global incumbents. "Some of the world's largest companies displace their current big vendor for us because they trust our speed and our ability to move at the pace of data science," Balraj notes.
The Experion Value Chain
- Vision Capture: Understanding the quantitative and qualitative outcomes the client wants.
- Strategic Mapping: Building a roadmap that aligns business goals with tech initiatives.
- User Story Documentation: Creating the visual bedrock of the product foundation.
- Agile Execution: Delivering engineering as a service across hardware and software integration.
The Kerala Advantage: Overcoming Skepticism
One of Experion's biggest challenges was attracting talent to Kerala in the early years. "Kerala wasn't known for product engineering capabilities... it was known for tourism," Balraj says. They struggled to compete with the hiring power of Bangalore or Chennai giants. However, by building a culture of authenticity and interpersonal trust, they built a loyal team that has grown to 1,500 people.
They managed to turn their "limitations" into a moat. While larger players had dev centers in dozens of countries, Experion stayed focused. This specialized focus allowed them to win contracts where clients overlooked their lack of global centers in favor of their specific engineering excellence. "I don't have all 79 things the giant is talking about, but I have the two things you actually need," Balraj often tells clients.
Experion Technologies: Impact at Scale
- Total Team Size: 1,500+ dedicated professionals.
- Global Offices: Dallas (US), UK, Australia, and Kerala (India).
- Client Reach: Serviced 90+ customers including Fortune 500 giants.
- Funding Status: 100% Organically funded and profitable.
- Experience: Founded in 2006 with 18+ years of engineering legacy.
Founder's Wisdom: Freedom and Ethics
For Manoj Balraj, entrepreneurship is the marriage of Freedom and Responsibility. He believes the ultimate reward is not becoming "famous or rich," but creating a meaningful journey for the team. He mentors high school and college kids, telling them to avoid the addiction to big-name celebrities and focus on the "invisible" entrepreneurs in every town who are solving real problems for their communities.
Manoj's Guide for Ethical Growth
Never Compromise Ethically: There is always a "shortcut" offered in business. Balraj asserts that you never have to do a single thing against your ethics to be successful. "Stick to the core values your parents and teachers taught you."
Be Your Authentic Self: Don't try to change your personality to "look" like a successful founder. "People see through you if you're not yourself. Authenticity builds unshakeable trust."
Network Inwardly: Networking isn't just about business deals; it's about relationships. Balraj stays active in theater and films to "rewire" his thinking and build genuine human connections.
The Meaning of the Journey
As Experion Technologies continues its global expansion, the goal remains the same: building a sustainable, profitable institution that represents the best of Indian engineering. For Manoj Balraj, the biggest satisfaction isn't the multi-million dollar realization per customer—it's the fact that his father, who asked him why he wouldn't do something of his own back in school, is now a very happy man.
In the high-velocity world of product engineering, Manoj Balraj and Experion are proving that you can win the global game while staying grounded in your roots. As he puts it, "If people trust you, you can do wonders. Authenticity is the ultimate differentiator."
About the Guest
Manoj Balraj is the Co-founder and President of Experion Technologies. A mechanical engineer from BMS College of Engineering and an MBA graduate, Manoj spent over 15 years in global sales and marketing roles at **Wipro, niit, and IBS** before co-founding Experion in 2006. With over three decades of experience in the technology sector, he has been instrumental in scaling Experion's global operations, particularly in the US and European markets. He is a passionate mentor to youth, an active participant in theater and cultural arts, and a staunch advocate for ethical, organically-funded entrepreneurship.
Experion Technologies is a leading global product engineering services company. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Trivandrum, Kerala, the company provides end-to-end software product development, digital transformation, and engineering services to Enterprises and early-stage startups. Specializing in high-stakes industries like Healthcare, Automotive, and Financial Services, Experion leverages its proprietary "Discovery Phase" methodology to deliver scalable, secure, and innovative technology solutions to a global clientele.