Pune, February 20: The Dubai-based Word Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) has chosen Pune entrepreneur Umeed Kothavala, CEO, Extentia Information Technology Pvt Ltd, for its ‘outstanding entrepreneurship’ award. While the citation praises his “dedicated and continuing work… in technological advancements, educations, social work and creating job opportunities”, Kothavala himself says, “Although nominally an individual award, this is really a reflection of the efforts put in by all the talented people I work alongside.” WZCC has been working since 2000 to facilitate, encourage and promote the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst Zarathushtis worldwide. Kothavala, a software engineer from Purdue University, US, started Extentia, a global software development and consulting company, in 1998 to deliver IT solutions to clients in Europe and North America. He also co-founded two other technology companies – Pingpoint Software, an application messaging services organization for new software developers, an Extencore Solutions, an engineering and design services company. Active in agriculture and social work, too, he co-founded an agriculture venture, Bamboo Grove, to produce high-quality salads and herbs at affordable prices. “Corporate, entities must take the responsibility to serve the underprivileged,” he says of his social causes group Sakaar.