Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS – Conexus Indiana today announced its fifth annual Rising 30 class, recognizing outstanding young professionals making significant early-career contributions to Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) sectors.
A battery engineer who works for Ateios Systems in Newberry was named to the 2025 class.
Swapneel Kulkarni was described by Ateios Systems CEO as “a cornerstone.”
“In less than three years, Swapneel has become a cornerstone of Ateios Systems,” said Ateios Systems CEO Rajan Kumar, in a news release from Conexus Indiana.
Kumar said Kulkarni possesses a unique combination of technical expertise, practical skills and collaborative leadership. According to the release, Kulkarni has played a key role in transitioning the next-generation battery manufacturing firm from early-stage R&D to manufacturing production. During this evolution, he drove innovation across various processes, improving efficiency and reducing variability.
Kulkarni is a graduate of Purdue University and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. At Ateios, he excels at bridging cutting-edge science with operations to help Ateios Systems bring new battery technologies to market, according to the release.
Rising 30 reflects range of specialties
The Rising 30 program, presented by Purdue University, continues Conexus Indiana’s commitment to strengthening and promoting Indiana’s vital manufacturing and logistics ecosystem. These honorees represent exceptional talent under the age of 30 who are already reshaping Indiana’s largest industry sector and will lead it into the next era of innovation.
Selected for their remarkable achievements and forward-thinking approaches, this year’s cohort embodies the bright future of Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics industries.
“When I visit our manufacturing facilities across Indiana, I’m always struck by the ingenuity of our young talent,” said Jay Wirts, president and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “These Rising 30 honorees aren’t just building products – they’re building the future of Hoosier manufacturing and ensuring our families and communities thrive. Each one of them represents why Indiana continues to strengthen its position as a global manufacturing and logistics powerhouse for generations to come.”
The 2025 honorees span a wide range of specialties – from engineering and operations to research and development, technical services and strategic leadership. They represent organizations ranging from established global corporations, emerging startups and local family businesses distributed throughout Indiana’s manufacturing hubs from South Bend to Jeffersonville.
Rising 30 candidates are nominated by their employer or an industry representative, and winners are selected based on their career accomplishments to date. In the coming year, the Rising 30 honorees will participate in Conexus Indiana’s work by serving as thought leaders on topics including technology adoption and workforce development.
The 2025 Rising 30 class will be celebrated at a recognition event this evening in downtown Indianapolis, bringing together industry leaders to honor these exceptional young professionals.
The Radius region has been well represented in previous classes of the Rising 30. Past honorees include Brooklyn Kiefer, NE Dubois Jr./Sr. High School’s Jeep Engineering & Manufacturing (2024); Michael John Solliday, White River Valley’s Wolverine Enterprises (2023); Max Faiman, Indiana Furniture engineer (2022).
To view bios of each honoree, visit www.conexusindiana.com/rising-30. Nominations will open for the 2026 class in November.