He quit his IT job to farm his own path—now his 'two-laptop' startup is a 1.5 crore success story.

A software developer who once earned just Rs 3,500 a month has built a technology company generating projects worth Rs 1.5 crore annually, turning an entrepreneurial dream into reality in a small town in Tamil Nadu. Eswaran Arumugam, who left a nine-year career at a Chennai-based software firm to start his own venture, now runs Yaa Creations from Rasipuram in Namakkal district. The company has grown from a modest beginning with two laptops and borrowed money into a 26-member team serving clients across seven countries, according to a report by Times of India. Arumugam's journey was not without difficulties.

He faced financial challenges, struggled to secure projects and accumulated debts of around Rs 5 lakh during the initial years. The Covid-19 pandemic further disrupted his business, forcing him to rethink his plans. However, his decision to accept different kinds of technology assignments helped him gradually establish the company. Who is Eswaran Arumugam? From a farming family to software entrepreneurship Arumugam grew up in Pallipatti, a village in Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district, in a modest middle-class family. His parents operated a small grocery shop, while his father also had an agricultural background.

Growing up in a family connected to farming helped him understand the financial uncertainties associated with agriculture and the importance of finding a stable livelihood. Education became an important part of his journey. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree before pursuing a Master of Computer Applications (MCA). His brothers also pursued higher education. His professional career began in 2011 when he joined a software startup in Chennai as a junior software developer. His first monthly salary was Rs 3,500. Over the next nine years, he gained experience in software development, client management and project execution, eventually progressing to the position of technical lead.

Although he had established himself professionally, Arumugam eventually decided to pursue entrepreneurship. Health-related difficulties forced him to leave Chennai and return to his hometown, giving him an opportunity to reconsider his career plans. How Eswaran Arumugam started Yaa Creations with Rs 1 lakh The idea of establishing a software development company emerged during conversations with his brothers. Arumugam had the technical experience but needed financial assistance to launch the business. An initial software development assignment helped him take the first step. He borrowed Rs 1 lakh from his brother, rented a co-working space in Chennai for Rs 10,000 per month and purchased two laptops to begin operations.

He named the venture Yaa Creations. He initially hired a woman software developer at a monthly salary of Rs 30,000. The payment received from his first project, along with the remaining borrowed money, helped him manage the employee's salary and office rent. However, finding new clients and securing regular assignments proved difficult. In February 2020, Arumugam restarted the business near his native village and recruited two employees. The Covid-19 pandemic soon created another challenge as lockdowns and business disruptions affected operations. With fewer projects and mounting expenses, his financial difficulties increased.

He accumulated debts of approximately Rs 5 lakh and struggled to manage both business costs and household expenses. Instead of closing the company, Arumugam decided to take up every project he could secure. Yaa Creations began working across different areas, including website development, mobile applications, software solutions, surveys and other digital services. This approach gradually helped the company attract more clients and establish a steady flow of assignments. Yaa Creations' growth: From Rs 3 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore in projects The company's financial performance improved gradually as its client base expanded.

According to the report, Yaa Creations recorded project earnings of Rs 3 lakh in its first year, followed by Rs 7 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 30 lakh in the subsequent years. The company also expanded its technical capabilities. Beyond website development and basic digital services, it began taking up more advanced software assignments and developing mobile applications and products incorporating artificial intelligence. By 2025, Yaa Creations had executed projects worth Rs 1.5 crore and expanded its workforce to 26 employees. The company now operates from Rasipuram in Namakkal district, demonstrating how a technology business can develop outside established IT hubs such as Chennai and Bengaluru.

Tamil Nadu software company expands to seven countries Yaa Creations has gradually built an international client base, working with customers across seven countries. These include Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar and Germany. Its work also extends beyond private-sector assignments, with the company undertaking technology projects for public institutions. One of its notable assignments involved conducting a student survey for the Tiruppur Municipal Corporation. The project covered Class 10 and Class 12 students studying in government schools. It collected information about their academic performance, subject preferences, reasons for poor results and plans for higher education.

The findings were intended to help identify students' difficulties and areas where additional academic support could be provided. The company also developed a QR-code-based identification system for Salem Medical College Hospital. The system was designed to record visitor details and monitor the entry and exit of patient attendants, helping improve identification and access management within the hospital. From earning Rs 3,500 a month as a junior developer to leading a 26-member technology team, Arumugam's journey reflects the challenges of building a business with limited resources. His experience also highlights how technology ventures can find opportunities beyond major cities by addressing the requirements of businesses and public institutions.