‘Resilience is not avoiding failure, but learning and moving forward’

Meet Anant Munjal, an alumnus of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, batch 2012, whose lifelong passion for cars led him from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. After a BTech in Computer Science and a Master’s in Marketing Management from the University of Southampton, UK, he co-founded Auto Catalyst Detailing in 2016.

Today, he is the Founder of MotorProtek India Pvt Ltd, an automotive protection brand specialising in Paint Protection Film and premium vehicle protection solutions. Through his ventures, Anant is working to build a more reliable, professional and trusted automotive protection ecosystem in India.

Read his journey…

What inspired you to build MotorProtek, and what problem were you aiming to solve?

MotorProtek was born from real experience. As a detailer myself, I experienced the challenges detailing studios face every day—from inconsistent product quality and limited support to a lack of customer awareness about paint protection film (PPF). Many customers didn’t understand what PPF was, how it worked, or why professional installation mattered. At the same time, studios needed reliable products and genuine technical support they could trust. These real-world gaps became the foundation for my venture. 

Where did the idea originate from?

I wanted to build a brand that truly understood detailers because we came from the same space. The goal was to go beyond selling a product and create an ecosystem built on trust, quality and transparency, where customers, detailing studios and the brand could grow together. 

Looking back, are there any experiences at Apeejay that played a significant role in shaping your entrepreneurial mindset?

The school played an important role in shaping my confidence and personality. Beyond academics, school taught me communication, teamwork, responsibility and how to face challenges, qualities that are invaluable in entrepreneurship. The discipline, exposure and environment at Apeejay continue to influence how I think, learn and interact with people today.

What has been your biggest learning while building your business?

My biggest learning has been that sustainable growth comes from strong systems, not just excitement. Growing Auto Catalyst, especially during Covid, taught me the importance of financial discipline, efficient operations, the right team and a long-term vision. I’ve also learned that reputation is everything. In a trust-driven industry like automotive protection, long-term credibility matters far more than short-term gains.  

Was there a defining moment when you realised your venture had the potential to make a real impact?

The defining moment came when we realised that detailers across India faced the same challenges such as  inconsistent quality, limited support, tight margins and a lack of reliable products. Customers, too, needed greater awareness and trustworthy protection solutions. That’s when we saw MotorProtek as more than a product company: an opportunity to professionalise the automotive protection industry and build a certified detailing studio ecosystem across India. The strong response from detailers reaffirmed our belief that we could create a meaningful impact.

What values or lessons from your school days continue to guide your professional and personal life?

The values that guide me are discipline, honesty, confidence and continuous learning. School taught me the importance of sincerity, consistency and respect, while my father’s belief that “the most profitable thing in business is to be honest” continues to shape my approach. It has reinforced my commitment to building lasting trust through integrity and consistency.

How has success changed your perspective on failure and resilience?

Success has taught me to respect failure. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, setbacks, losses and challenges have shown me that failure is often the best teacher. Today, I see failure as feedback, an opportunity to identify weaknesses, improve systems and grow stronger. Resilience is not avoiding failure, but learning and moving forward.

What does being an Apeejay School alumnus mean to you today?

The school gave me a strong foundation in discipline, confidence, communication and values. Looking back, I’m grateful for how it shaped both my academic journey and personality. As alumni, we also carry forward the values our school instilled in us.  

What are your aspirations?

My vision is to make the company one of India’s most trusted automotive protection brands—not just by selling PPF, but by building a certified detailing ecosystem centred on quality, trust and professionalism. Ten years from now, I want MotorProtek to be the name customers instinctively turn to when they buy a new car, while helping make India’s automotive protection industry more organised and credible. 

Rapid Fire!!

Apeejay School taught me...

Apeejay School taught me that confidence, discipline and values form the foundation of everything we build later in life.

Success, to me, means…

Success, to me, means building something meaningful that creates value for customers, partners, employees and the industry at large.

Young entrepreneurs should never stop…

Young entrepreneurs should never stop learning, adapting and believing in their ability to solve real problems.