Many entrepreneurs dream of building their startups into a franchise. The thought of having multiple locations, possibly in various cities or even countries, each operated by enthusiastic franchisees, is thrilling. However, not every startup is destined to be a successful franchise. How do you know if your business has what it takes to make the leap from a startup to a franchisable concept? Here are seven signs to look out for:
Your startup’s potential for franchising hinges heavily on the demand it’s generating in the current market. Your concept must resonate with customers and create a buzz in your sector. Assessing your sales figures, customer responses, and prevailing market trends can provide valuable insights. Do they reflect a desire for your product or service beyond your immediate area? Is there potential for your offering to satisfy the demand in new territories? Identifying an expansive appetite for your startup’s proposition can be an encouraging sign of its franchisable potential.
Your Business Has a Proven Concept
Is your startup standing tall on the foundation of a proven concept? Demonstrable success over a period, paired with a solid financial performance, will pique the interest of potential franchisees. These prospects are investing their money and time; they’ll want evidence of your track record and a robust business blueprint before taking the plunge. Remember, the franchising world thrives on proven concepts that can be replicated across multiple franchises. Therefore, a history of profitability in your current market could be a strong indicator that your business has the potential to thrive as a franchise.
It Offers Something Unique and Attractive
What’s your startup’s secret sauce? Your venture must have a unique selling proposition (USP) that stands out from the crowd. This USP could be a standout product or service, an innovative business model, a distinguished brand, or stellar customer service. It’s this compelling differentiator that will not only draw in customers but will also entice potential franchisees. They’ll want to be part of the journey, aligning with your unique vision and contributing to your brand’s story. So, take a moment to reflect on what makes your startup exceptional – this could well be the key to its franchising future.
A recipe for success in franchising lies in the standardisation and systemization of your startup. A well-articulated business model and clear operational protocols are critical to this. Consistent training initiatives and uniform customer experiences are also integral to the puzzle. Your enterprise must have a predictable and repeatable formula that can be duplicated across different locations. If these elements are firmly embedded within your startup, you’re halfway there to establishing a franchise. This means your potential franchisees can focus on growing the business rather than getting lost in figuring out the basics. It’s like providing a clear roadmap for your journey into the franchising world.
Your Startup Can Offer Training and Support
Does your startup have the capacity to provide comprehensive training and support to your franchisees? It’s a crucial part of the franchising journey. It’s not just about handing over your brand; it’s about equipping others to succeed with it. Providing in-depth training on the operational aspects, marketing strategies, customer service standards, and more will ensure consistency and quality. Additionally, ongoing support through a strong back-end team is vital for addressing franchisee queries, issues, or challenges they may face. If your startup can effectively deliver on these fronts, it’s a positive indicator that you’re ready to franchise.
Sufficient Resources to Support Expansion
Franchising demands more than just a brilliant idea and market demand; it requires substantial resources. It’s not solely about the financial aspect but also the people and time involved. Franchising is a long-term investment that calls for an unwavering commitment and robust support mechanisms. You’ll need the capital to build infrastructure, recruit talent, and provide essential training to uphold your brand’s standards and reputation. Therefore, ensuring your startup has the necessary resources to back your expansion plan is an integral step towards becoming a franchise. Remember, the franchising journey is as much about the resources you have as the unique idea you offer.
Legal Considerations Are Clear
Embarking on a franchising journey means navigating a sea of complex legal necessities. Creating a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreements are just the tip of the iceberg. Being well-acquainted with these legal obligations and prepared to collaborate with experts in franchise law can set your startup on a course toward a successful franchising voyage. A sturdy legal framework is essential for averting potential disputes and ensuring the franchising process sails smoothly. Hence, a clear understanding of legal considerations should be part of your franchising compass.
Summary
Journeying from a startup to a franchisable entity demands a particular blend of elements. This mix includes a strong market presence, proven business model, unique offerings, standard operational procedures, supportive infrastructure, ample resources, and sound legal understanding. If your startup can tick off most of these elements, it could be ready to venture into the exhilarating realm of franchising. But remember, it’s a significant undertaking that demands detailed planning, rigorous diligence, and expert advice. The road to franchising is paved with opportunity but also requires a solid foundation and careful navigation.
Agricultural exports account for 10% of India’s overall exports and rank as the country’s fourth-largest exported major commodity category. India’s poor output-to-input ratio highlights major structural weaknesses that are making life tough for people who make their living in the agricultural sector despite the importance of agriculture. Some examples of these challenges are higher input prices, lower output, climate variability, declining resources, limited access to markets, a lack of innovation, and so on. The agriculture sector is aggressively exploring ways to employ technology to boost crop yields to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship. Artificial intelligence and other forms of disruptive technology are having a major impact on India’s agricultural economy.
The three most prominent uses of AI in agriculture are robotics, crop and soil management, and livestock farming. The goal is to improve farmers’ productivity, income, and harvests while decreasing their workload. In 2017, analysts predicted a $240 million global market for agricultural AI. More than doubling to $1.1 billion by 2025 is projected. Problems like rising population, shifting climate, and inadequate food supplies call for innovative approaches to increasing agricultural output. Therefore, it is essential to learn about AI’s potential applications in agriculture. The global food supply must be increased by half by the year 2050.
Shedding more light on this new tech-driven agriculture, Praveen Pankajakshan, Vice President and Head – Cropin AI Labs stated, “The applications of AI in Agriculture can be profoundly transformative, and we have just begun to scratch the surface in exploring the potential of it. Based on some indicators, at Cropin, we started investing resources early on and developed over 50 different models for different customers, which are at different Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). Crop health and phenological stage monitoring, generating cloud-free data, risk mapping for biotic and abiotic stresses, sowing progression and harvest prediction, and irrigation management models that farmers and organizations across the globe are already using. Although we had been working in this space for long, last year, we felt the need to formally launch the Cropin AI Lab in anticipation of its potential for Agriculture.”
The AI landscape is shifting rapidly, which has far-reaching consequences for agriculture at every stage, from the initial stages of land preparation and cultivation to final consumption. The widespread dissemination of scientifically peer-reviewed AI approaches into the public domain, including for commercial applications, is a rising trend around the world. Generic models that can access multiple types of data are quickly replacing task-specific ones. Even if this develops further, many are worried about making appropriate use of the data and models. Companies are responding to legitimate concerns and trending trends in the market by developing industry- and domain-specific strategies and solutions to problems including data privacy, trust and explainability in AI, ethical usage of AI, and a lack of data diversity that leads to prejudice.
Pravin Shinde, Founder, KhetiGaadi.com commented, “Although many people are working on AI for Agriculture, its usefulness to different sorts of farmers, such as those who own less than 2 ha of land in the Global South, remains restricted. Large-scale farmers growing a single crop would benefit most from these options. We must not forget the 600 million small-landholding farmers (according to FAO data) who require our help to raise food in a sustainable and climate-smart way, even as we attend to the demands of larger farms. There is no dearth of data at the moment, but most of it is noisy or biassed, so models trained with it reflect those characteristics.”
The problem is not with accuracy but with access to information. According to recent findings, the gridded weather data is a good approximation of weather station data, particularly for estimating temperature and relative humidity. These methods combine statistical, AI, and numerical algorithms with data from ground stations, satellites, and radar to make predictions. However, due to the limited amount of data available for training these models from meteorological stations, accurate short-term rainfall forecasting remains a formidable obstacle. More automatic weather stations or rain gauge stations (ARG) will be necessary as the environment continues to change. The government of India has taken several steps recently to deal with this problem. To improve the accuracy of the models, numerous new stations will soon be built in many different locations across the country.
Stretching further on that note, Nikita Tiwari, Co-Founder, of NEERX, stated, “From a farmer’s perspective, the available meteorological data is invaluable for predicting the beginning of disease or stress. Much more important is the timely dissemination of this trustworthy secondary data to the farmers. Farmers determine when to start sowing and what kind of management techniques will be effective based on when the monsoons will arrive. Recent years have seen delayed or early monsoon onsets, as well as false onsets, as a result of climate change. The vast majority of people in smallholder markets, such as India’s, do not have access to this information.”
Farmers typically base their cultivation processes on traditional wisdom, historical data, and years or decades of experience in the field. In the face of evolving agricultural market dynamics, increasing weather threats, and concerns about pests and diseases, there is also a need to share the data to update their knowledge. However, one must be careful not to overload them with too much information that freezes their decision-making capacity.
“Through some of our ground-level surveys, we have found that many farmers have increased yield quantity and quality by a minimum of 25% by adopting some of our solutions. So, the potential and aspiration is to extend this to all the farmers to benefit. The data must be homogenized and brought down to a scale where it is easily ingestable and trustworthy. One key element is to increase the trust of the farmers with whom we work,” stated Pankajakshan.
Value of Agricultural Exports From India in Financial Year 2016 to 2022
Are Indian Farmers Ready for Digitization?
While widespread digital adoption remains elusive, the stars are aligning for a dramatic shift in the agricultural industry. Now more than ever, farmers must contend with a changing climate, pests and diseases, crop failures, and other difficulties. It’s the next logical step in the evolution of their farming methods, therefore they’re on the lookout for novel approaches.
For instance, today’s technology allows for the early detection of pests and diseases both on individual plots and in larger regions, often weeks in advance. By addressing problems before they cause significant crop loss, it helps farmers save money. From planting to harvesting, geo-location-based crop and environmental compatibility recommendations to farmers are being offered. Governments and agricultural organizations benefit from our knowledge of sowing patterns, harvest timing, and the impact of extreme weather on crop productivity.
Speaking about farmers getting their hands on tech, Pankajakshan opined, “In my interactions with farmers across the globe, they are very curious and ready to learn and implement ideas. The adoption has been limited because there are too many tools, and not all address their essential needs. If trust is established, farmers are keen to adopt some of these technological advancements, not only in India but across smallholder farmer markets worldwide. Tech adoption is actively changing and we are seeing an increase in momentum. To date, we have digitized about 30 million acres of farmland and impacted the lives of about 7 million farmers globally through some of our solutions. We acknowledge that it is an upward journey to reach out to many more and earn their trust.”
The most important thing is to make these remedies more easily accessible and used by farmers. They need to be reasonably priced, helpful in solving the problems they face every day, and informative about how technology may improve efficiency, earnings, and quality of life. There is a compelling need to address financial inclusion in rural areas and the digital gap in agriculture. The scale of the problems facing the industry and farmers is too great for any single player to solve.
“At Cropin, we understand that it requires the collaboration of all stakeholders, including governments, agribusinesses, NGOs, development agencies, international organizations, financial service providers, and more. In the process, we make our solutions accessible and affordable. They also get the full backing of the entire ecosystem to support them so that farmers feel empowered and, most importantly, supported. We firmly believe we’re on the right path, and you can expect transformations very soon,” said Pankajakshan.
Pointing towards the government’s support, Praveen Shinde stated, “It’s important to recognize that the government is, without a doubt, making progress. Our agricultural sector might benefit greatly from these forward-thinking policies and plans, and they could serve as a model for other countries. What matters now is figuring out how to put these forward-thinking policies into operation as efficiently as possible.”
AI for All by Niti Aayog
India, being the fastest-growing economy has a significant stake in the AI revolution. Recognizing AI’s potential to transform economies and the need for India to strategize its approach, the Hon’ble Finance Minister, in his budget speech for 2018 – 2019, mandated NITI Aayog to establish the National Programme on AI, to guide the research and development of new and emerging technologies. In pursuance of the above, NITI Aayog has adopted a three-pronged approach – undertaking exploratory proof-of-concept AI projects in various areas, crafting a national strategy for building a vibrant AI ecosystem in India, and collaborating with various experts and stakeholders. NITI Aayog has partnered with several leading AI technology players to implement AI projects in critical areas such as agriculture and health.
Way Forward
There will soon be a dramatic change in agriculture, driven by AI, which will promote innovation and long-term growth. By 2025, the agricultural industry is projected to become the economy’s second-largest sector. Niti Aayog has selected a theme of ‘AI for all’ and is working to foster India’s AI ecosystem.
Precision farming, better use of resources, improved supply chains, and increased agency for small farmers are just a few ways that AI is tackling problems that have persisted for decades or centuries. With an ever-increasing global population, smarter use of AI in farming is more important than ever. Food security, resource conservation, and thriving rural economies are all possible outcomes if the agriculture industry adopts AI-driven solutions.
The rapid evolution of AI technologies has sparked a transformative wave in various industries, with energy-efficient AI edge devices at the forefront. These devices, designed for localized processing with minimal power consumption, are becoming integral to applications such as IoT, wearables, and autonomous systems.
Behind this innovation lies the expertise of Niranjana Gurushankar, whose work in designing and verifying Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) has significantly contributed to advancing low-power solutions for AI edge devices.
As Niranjana puts it, “Energy efficiency is not just a technical challenge; it’s a commitment to sustainable innovation that drives meaningful change across industries.”
With a strong foundation in low-power design principles, she tackled the complexities of ASIC development with a focus on reducing power consumption. Through techniques like clock gating, power gating, and voltage scaling, she has enhanced the efficiency of these devices. Her experience spans multiple levels of the design hierarchy, allowing her to identify optimization opportunities and refine energy usage. “Every Nano-watt saved in a device contributes to extended battery life and a greener future,” she shares, emphasizing the importance of her work.
Debugging complex systems is another area where she excelled, honing her analytical skills to resolve intricate issues in ASIC designs. This involves analyzing waveforms, tracing signals, and using advanced debugging tools to ensure reliability and robustness, critical attributes for AI edge devices operating in demanding environments. “Debugging is not just about fixing errors; it’s about building resilience into the system,” she explains, highlighting the meticulous effort behind each successful design.
Collaboration has also played a pivotal role in her achievements. Working closely with firmware teams, she has ensured seamless integration between hardware and software, optimizing power consumption at every step. This collaborative approach has enabled the co-optimization of hardware and software, reducing unnecessary power overhead and enhancing device functionality. “Teamwork bridges the gap between vision and execution, especially in a multidisciplinary field like ours,” she remarks.
By writing comprehensive tests for on-chip components, she increased functional coverage from 75% to an impressive 95.3% using advanced tools like Cadence IMC. This meticulous testing framework has enabled early identification and mitigation of power-related bugs, directly translating to reduced power consumption and improved device performance. “Functional coverage is a measure of how well we’ve anticipated real-world scenarios, it’s our assurance of quality,” she notes.
Her expertise extends to FPGA testing and validation, where she designed comprehensive test plans to evaluate power consumption and validate low-power features. These efforts have helped uncover power inefficiencies early in the development cycle, leading to optimized designs. Her work in FPGA environments has also facilitated real-time measurement of power consumption, enabling precise adjustments for greater efficiency. “FPGA testing is like a rehearsal before the final performance, it helps us perfect the design,” she explains.
Implementing test vectors for Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and High-Temperature Operating Life (HTOL) testing has been another critical aspect of her contributions. These rigorous testing methods ensure the reliability and longevity of ASICs, even under extreme conditions. By identifying potential weaknesses and validating design robustness, she has contributed to extending the operational life of AI edge devices while reducing power-related vulnerabilities. She reflects, “Reliability is the cornerstone of trust in any technology, we owe it to the end-users.”
Her commitment to continuous learning has been instrumental in staying ahead in a rapidly evolving field. Proficiency in tools like SystemVerilog, UVM, and Cadence IMC, coupled with a deep understanding of power optimization strategies, has allowed her to address emerging challenges effectively. “In this industry, learning is not optional; it’s the key to staying relevant and innovative,” she affirms.
Despite the technical challenges, she consistently achieved great results, whether by developing robust UVM test benches for thorough verification or by achieving high toggle coverage to ensure design integrity. Her dedication and expertise have not only advanced the field of low-power AI edge devices but have also set benchmarks for energy-efficient design practices.
Through her work, Niranjana Gurushankar showcases the innovative spirit driving the next generation of AI technologies. Her contributions have not only improved the functionality and efficiency of AI edge devices but also underscored the importance of sustainable practices in technology development.
As she aptly puts it, “The future of technology lies in achieving more with less, more performance, more reliability, and less power consumption.”
The central government’s goal of boosting India’s employability through comprehensive training, skilling, and reskilling was reaffirmed in the Union Budget 24-25, which was delivered by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The employment situation for frontline workers in India is expected to improve as a result of the plan to increase domestic tourism, which is expected to generate numerous job possibilities for local workers.
The Budget also highlighted the importance of working together to elevate women, youth, farmers, and underprivileged workers. This aligns with our shared goal of enhancing the dignity and well-being of these diverse groups, who are steadfastly propelling India’s economic growth. To further guarantee that women workers have access to medical and healthcare facilities, the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) should be extended to all ASHA and Anganwadi workers.
It was fascinating to learn about how India’s tech stack has grown into a strong example for the rest of the globe to follow and how tech-first firms like ours are solving problems for markets throughout the world through innovation.
While we await more specific policies to expand gig workers‘ social security and formalise the workforce, business owners and executives in the sector must now engage in transparent communication with lawmakers to craft policies that benefit both employers and independent contractors.
Elaborating further on the recently concluded Budget 2024, Sumit Singh, CEO and Co-Founder of DashLoc, stated, “The budget has clearly exhibited that the government is extending full-fledged support towards adoption of technology across sectors. The special mention of deep-tech in the defence section gained in the speech truly indicates that the government is going to support emerging technologies in crucial sectors, too. Alongside, it is a matter of pride that STEM courses have seen aggressive enrolment from women. We can expect a quality and skilled workforce in India that will keep the wheel running towards striking progress.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Devan Gupta, Co-Founder and Partner, Cretum Advisory commented, “In this budget, the tax slab remains unchanged for the common man, ensuring no taxes are applicable on income up to Rs 7 Lakhs under the default “New Tax Regime.” The government’s focus is on simplifying business processes, and they have withdrawn outstanding direct tax demands, including INR 25,000 for FY 2009-10 and Rs 10,000 for FY 2010-11 to 2014-15. Additionally, there is a relaxation in TCS on foreign remittances under the LRS scheme, with the TCS rate reduced from 20% to 5% and no TCS imposed on expenses up to Rs 7 Lakhs. The issue surrounding the optional nature of Input Service Distributor (ISD) and cross-charging, previously resolved by a government circular allowing companies to choose whether to adopt ISD, has been reignited due to a new government proposal mandating the use of ISD. This change means companies will now face an increased compliance burden, as they will be required to register for ISD and additionally determine situations where cross-charge invoices need to be issued between branches that share the same PAN but have different GSTN numbers.”
“We commend the government’s focus on tech-driven progress in the 2024 budget. The unveiling of a new scheme dedicated to bolstering deep-tech technologies for defence purposes is a testament to the commitment towards fostering self-reliance (‘Atmanirbharta’). This forward-looking initiative aligns seamlessly with the government’s visionary ‘Viksit Kaal’ objective. With the emphasis on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘, this scheme will be pivotal for the growth and resilience of our nation’s defence sector in areas such as AI, Quantum, Analytics, and more. We are committed to supporting India’s self-reliance vision and are actively engaged with the local industry and academia to build trusted high-tech capabilities in-country. We are optimistic that together we are poised to propel India’s journey towards becoming a formidable force in defence manufacturing and exports on the global stage,” stated Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director, Thales
As predicted, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has suggested keeping the current tax rates for import tariffs, direct taxes, and indirect taxes in the year of the 2024 General Elections. She stated in her address on Budget 2024, “In keeping with convention, I do not propose to make any changes relating to taxation and propose to retain the same tax rates for direct and indirect taxes, including import duties.”
“However, certain tax benefits to startups and investments made by sovereign wealth or pension funds, as also tax exemption on certain income of some IFSC units, are expiring on March 31, 2024; to provide continuity, I propose to extend the date to March 31, 2025,” according to her.
Reacting to the announcement, Mahesh Krishnamoorthy, Managing Director of Core Integra, stated, “The presented budget is indeed an interim one, prompting anticipation for the formal budget scheduled to be unveiled by the new Government in July 2024. It is heartening to observe the strides India has taken over the past decade. The Government’s continued commitment, as outlined in the budget, towards fostering ease of doing business, skill development, employment generation, and strengthening the entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem is commendable. In a positive development, the budget overview remains rational and aligned with the ongoing initiatives, even in the backdrop of it being an election year. The forthcoming annual budget later this year will unveil whether the new Government opts to maintain the current interim budget structure or introduces new measures, particularly concerning the implementation of the New Wage Code.”
“The 2024 interim budget has brought positive developments by extending tax benefits to startups, sovereign funds, pension funds and some IFSC units till March 2025. We expect the July budget to build on these initiatives and continue to foster growth prospects for BFSI and startups in the country. Aligning the GST input credit for NBFCs to 100% at par with other entities can boost the growth of NBFCs. Policies that improve credit access for lower-income groups and first-time borrowers would be warmly received. Following the RBI’s call for diversification of funding channels beyond traditional banks, policies encouraging NBFCs to explore obtaining credit from international agencies or the government would expand their financing options. The ongoing support for startups through tailored fiscal policies, tax benefits, and easier credit access will further stimulate entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment generation,” Sashank Rishyasringa, Co-founder of Axio, opined.
Budget 2024 on the Healthcare Sector
Interim Budget 2024
Along with the 157 newly established medical colleges, the Union Budget 2023 included the announcement of new nursing institutions. In addition, Sitharaman has pledged to examine seven crore individuals in an effort to eradicate sickle cell anaemia by the year 2047. In addition to presenting the budget, she also stated that certain ICMR labs will be available for research to academics from public and private medical colleges as well as the business sector.
Encouraging these moves, Dr Neerja Agarwal, Psychologist and Co-founder of Emoneeds (Mental & Health Wellness), said, “While the interim budget lacked specific policies or initiatives for the mental health sector, we remain optimistic that post-election, the full budget will address this critical area. With approximately 150 million Indians requiring mental health care services and a stark shortage of professionals – only 0.3 psychiatrists, 0.07 psychologists, and 0.07 social workers per 100,000 people – the need is urgent. On a positive note, we commend the government’s commitment to other health initiatives, including the extension of Ayushman Bharat, consolidation of maternal and child healthcare schemes, and the remarkable 1-lakh crore corpus for private sector R&D. These efforts reflect a commendable focus on the nation’s well-being, growth and innovation.”
With a focus on health sector research and workforce development for budget 2023–24, the push for R&D opened the door to more advanced medical practices; now, public and private organisations can work together to educate and train healthcare workers, which will help alleviate shortages in the workforce and boost healthcare quality generally.
“The increased allocation of resources and funds is up by 13-28% from the last budget, opening the door for more innovation, especially when it is concerned with minimally-invasive, highly result-oriented fat removal procedures, i.e., 4D liposuction or when things are centrally focussed on skin rejuvenation, LHR (laser hair removal), or postpartum surgeries, including breast surgeries, abdominoplasty, and cosmetic gynaecology. We hope that in the future, we explore the option to access cosmetic surgeries, availing the facilities with insurance easily and associated financial assistance to the masses prohibited from costlier medical or cosmetic procedures,” said Dr. Karishma Kagodu, Founder of Karishma Aesthetics.
New Delhi (India), February 01: For over 19 years, Pradeep Bhanot has illuminated the paths of countless individuals, guiding them through the intricate cosmos of Vedic astrology and Vastu Shastra. His profound knowledge, sharpened under Dr. Ajai Bhambi, a world-renowned astrologer, goes beyond mere predictions. It empowers people to unlock their potential, navigate life’s complexities, and build a brighter future for themselves and the world around them.
“Astrology isn’t just about foretelling the future,” emphasises Pradeep. “It’s a map of the soul, revealing our strengths, weaknesses, and innate potential. By understanding the celestial influences on our lives, we can harness their energies to lead more fulfilling and purposeful lives.”
Pradeep’s approach resonates deeply with his clients. They seek glimpses into tomorrow and the tools to shape it effectively. His renowned “Soul Motivation Sessions” delve into subconscious patterns and limiting beliefs, guiding individuals towards a space of self-acceptance and empowered action. Through Vedic astrology, he helps unravel intricate life situations, offering clarity and direction in career, relationships, and overall well-being.
This dedication to personal growth extends beyond individual consultations. Pradeep upholds the principles of empathy, compassion, and unity, advocating for a societal framework characterised by collective responsibility and constructive contributions. His Oath is a call to action, urging individuals to identify three people who could benefit from guidance and inspire them to do the same. This interconnectedness, he believes, forms the bedrock of a brighter future.
His 19-year track record speaks volumes, with clients confirming his accuracy in predictions often exceeding 80%, coupled with his guidance to renowned individuals and celebrities, solidifying his position as a trusted advisor. However, his commitment to client privacy and his unique expertise in Vastu Shastra sets him apart. Unlike many, Pradeep’s solutions prioritise non-invasive adjustments, ensuring harmonious energy flow within residences and workplaces without compromising existing structures.
Pradeep bridges the gap between celestial influences and earthly experiences, empowering individuals to take charge of their destinies and contribute positively to the collective good. His mission is not merely to guide stars but to ignite them within each soul he encounters, illuminating the path towards a brighter future, one step, one constellation at a time.
StartupTalky presents Recap’23, a series of in-depth interviews where we engage with founders and industry leaders to explore their growth in 2023 and their predictions for the future.
The co-working industry, a dynamic and transformative sector in the realm of modern workspace solutions, has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years.
The coworking space market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $19.05 billion in 2023 to $22.44 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.8%.
The coworking space market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $40.4 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to hybrid work culture, global expansion, workforce mobility and remote
In a recent Recap’23 interview, we at StartupTalky had the privilege of connecting with Robin Chhabra, CEO & Founder of Dextrus. We explored how the Co-working space industry is revolutionizing the transformative sector in the realm of modern workspace solutions.
StartupTalky: What service does Dextrus provide? What was the motivation/vision with which you started?
Robin Chhabra: Dextrus offers office spaces as a service. We design, build and operate premium office spaces for our clients. Our vision has been to bring a high level of design thinking to office space requirements as it is an ever-changing landscape where flexibility and quality are key.
StartupTalky: What new services have been added in the past year? What is/are the USP/s of Dextrus?
Robin Chhabra: We have expanded to give enterprise office space where we design and custom-build office spaces curated to the minutest details for our clients.
StartupTalky: How has the Co-working space you are in changed in recent years and how has Dextrus adapted to these changes?
Robin Chhabra: COVID caused most companies to look at our model more carefully and see resonance in our offerings. Client requirements change over time as they grow and need flexible office solutions. They also don’t wish to have the headache of overseeing these needs as it distracts from core functions. Our prowess in design and high service quality has helped address both those needs.
StartupTalky: How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in Co-working space industry?
Robin Chhabra: We keep pushing the boundaries of design and service quality as we want to be the best in the business and hence focus mostly on that.
StartupTalky: What key metrics do you track to check the company’s growth and performance?
Robin Chhabra: Occupancy levels to be maintained at high levels, customer satisfaction, and good seat pricing to ensure profitability.
StartupTalky: What were the most significant challenges Dextrus faced in the past year and how did you overcome them?
Robin Chhabra: Hiring is our most significant challenge as we grow. Good talent who can be intrapreneurial. We focus internally on our team members via flexible policies as well, as we hope that will spread the word that we are a good company to work for.
StartupTalky: Good service is something everyone is talking about in the service industry. How do you ensure that Dextrus clients are happy?
Robin Chhabra: Feedback is important and learning from that feedback is as important.
StartupTalky: What are the different strategies Dextrus use for marketing? Tell us about any growth hack that you pulled off.
Robin Chhabra: Quality, Quality, Quality is the only focus. Word spreads and that brings the clients.
StartupTalky: Foreign clients- this is what most of the service-based companies are looking for. What has been your experience?
Robin Chhabra: We look for companies that are well established, they can be foreign or domestic. Foreign companies understand what our model can offer and come with experience using it abroad hence easier to close deals though Indian companies are fast catching up post covid.
StartupTalky: What are the important tools and software you use to run the Dextrus business smoothly?
Robin Chhabra: We use Google Suite, Asana for task management, and Slack for internal communications. All of these talk to each other. We have also built applications using a Google platform to help operate more efficiently. We use Tally and Zoho Books as well for accounting-related matters.
StartupTalky: What opportunities do you see for future growth in Co-working space industry in India and the world? What kind of difference in market behaviour have you seen between India and the world?
Robin Chhabra: Enterprise workspaces have seen great demand in India, more than in the rest of the world. Growth looks upwards with coworking spaces will comprise of 10% of grade A office space in the country soon.
StartupTalky: How do you plan to expand the Customers, service offering, and team base in the future?
Robin Chhabra: We continue to expand in Mumbai, once we achieve a comfortable size we shall turn to the other major cities.
StartupTalky: One tip that you would like to share with another Service company founder?
Robin Chhabra: Keep learning from your mistakes and keep making service excellence the focus.
It has become important to have insurance by your side in this uncertain world, where anything could happen at any time. Especially when it comes to your health and life, the game out there is risky. Yes, there are insurance companies but having trust and finding a company with a myriad of insurance coverages is crucial.
CignaGroup has placed itself as a colossal figure in the health insurance sector. A company that is a for-profit American organization, is also a major provider of insurance subsidiaries. The Bloomfield-based health insurance company relaxes the weary minds of its customers with a range of insurance from medical, life, and disability, to accident, while even providing dental insurance coverage.
A global health company, leading in over 30 countries has won the trust of more than 190 million customers. The company offers Medicare as well as Medicaid products along with its well-reliant insurance coverages.
Cigna Group aims at improving the vitality as well as the health of its customers and patients. The health company stands tall in this sector as it works under diverse capabilities with its two available divisions, Cigna HealthcareSM and Evernorth Health Services®.
Even during the rising cost of the health market, Cigna Group provides its clients and customers access to a range of care related to health, and life that too with personalized support aimed at each individual. As of the ranking on the Fortune 500 list, Cigna ranked 15 in the year 2023 amongst the list of largest U.S corporations by total revenue.
Cigna – Industry
Speaking of the industry that is targeted by the Cigna Group, health and medical insurance, it is the largest in the US. The same is booming around the globe, as an analysis of Data Bridge Market Research suggests that the health insurance market which was at USD 1,855.30 billion in the year 2022, the same is expected to reach USD 2,658.69 billion by the year 2030 with a CAGR of 4.6%.
Looking at the geographical distribution of the health insurance market, the North American region is the highest buyer of health insurance, followed by Europe. These areas are expected to have growth in the said industry in the coming years. This is assured due to the high demand for health insurance in the corporate sector.
Next in line is the Asia-Pacific region, which is again expected to grow by 2030. A few companies that are thriving in the aforementioned regions are Bupa (UK), Now Health International (China), and of course Cigna (USA).
Cigna – Team
At present David Cordani is the president and CEO of Cigna, who took the chair in 2009, while Brian Evanko is the current Chief Financial Officer.
David Cordani
David Cordani – President and CEO, The Cigna Group
David Cordani looks after the 70,000 colleagues while leading the health insurance company. In the year 2020, David also oversaw Cigna’s launch of Evernorth, which is their recent brand for high-performing health services portfolio.
With all of that amazing journey and experience, David is even known to be the co-author of ‘The Courage to Go Forward.’ He is a triathlete, who has experience of over 125 triathlons and has won a few too.
Amongst his other interests and great roles, David has also been a part of the Achilles International Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans and ChildObesity180, as a charter board member.
Brian Evanko
Brian Evanko – CFO and Chief Actuary, The Cigna Group
The alumnus of Penn State University, Brian Evanko looks after all the global financial functions that take place across Cigna. He has experienced an astounding journey while working with Cigna since he became the Actuarial Director in the year 2003.
In the August of 2009, Brian became the CFO & Chief Actuary. This is when he spent his 2 years managing the functions in Singapore and then spent a year in Hong Kong managing all financial global leads.
Cigna – History and Beginning
It was the year 1982 when Cigna was formed. The whole idea that is ruling over the health insurance industry today, came to life through the merger of the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CG) and INA Corporation. INA is the parent company of the first ever stock insurance company in America the ‘Insurance Company of North America.’
While spelling out the name ‘Cigna’ it represents the combination of the initial words of the two merged companies which are CG and INA.
Looking further and turning the pages in its history, the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CG) was formed in 1865, while the Insurance Company of North America was formed in 1792.
Cigna – Mission and Vision
Cigna has got clear and simple mission that guides them through the depth of the insurance market.
Mission: As per the company’s website, Cigna is focused on improving the health and vitality of those they serve. They are making great efforts to strengthen as a company while working towards their goal and at the same time they are evolving their capabilities focusing on innovation and new schemes.
Vision: While talking about the vision, Cigna aims to have a better future that is built on the vitality of each individual belonging to every community.
Cigna – Name and Tagline
The Cigna Group – Tagline
Tagline: This health company’s tagline is simple yet encouraging, “Together, all the way.”
Cigna – Business Model
Focusing on three business segments, Cigna has achieved a lot since its inception. The company focuses on global health through its sub-segments such as medical, life, dental behavioral health, vision as well as prescriber drug benefits plans. The Cigna group even has a health advocacy program. With this, it also covers Global supplementary benefits. The plan offers a range of supplemental insurance ranging from health, life, and also accident.
Besides the above-explained business model, Cigna then provides group long-term and short-term disability, group life, accident, and specialty insurance products.
Cigna – Revenue Model
As of 2022, the revenue of Cigna is at USD 180.52 billion. The primary source of generating revenue at Cigna is through its insurance premiums which are paid by the customers every month. Next in line in the revenue generation model is the service fees, which are again paid by the customers.
The company also aims to generate its revenue through its medical insurance schemes and even through the prescribed drug benefit plans. Cigna even generates its revenue through the health advocacy program.
Cigna group currently has around 70,000 employees, while covering over 30 markets within various countries.
Cigna – Challenges
Although Cigna has achieved a lot over the period, it had its days of struggle. The company once relied heavily on PowerPoint which hindered its productivity and even affected its creativity. Similarly, the in-house team of designers failed to come up with the company’s own visual identity which ultimately affected its brand recognition.
Then about the technical expertise, the internal team at Cigna had to face issues while looking for a partner to manage the technical part.
Cigna – Funding and Investments
Cigna has a total of four investors with only one Angel Investor being Carl Icahn. About Funding, Cigna raised a total of USD 250 million in the year 2018, through a single venture fund which is Cigna Ventures I. The mentioned fund was announced in September 2018.
Investments
In total, Cigna Group has made 10 investments, with the most recent being in 2023. Follow the table below to know all the investments made by Cigna.
Date
Organization Name
May 4, 2023
Prognos Health
September 6, 2022
Tritium
April 8, 2022
Ryse Health
December 7, 2021
Tritium
June 4, 2020
Tritium
September 5, 2018
Cricket Health
August 1, 2018
MDLIVE
November 27, 2017
Prognos Health
June 14, 2017
Omada Health
August 4, 2016
Shatterproof
Cigna – Growth
Recently at the end of 2023, Cigna Group reported a profit of USD 1.4 billion in its third quarter. This growth was achieved through its Evernorth health services as well as with the help of Cigna’s health insurance plans.
Let’s take a look at the details of this growth:
Cigna saw USD 4.74 per share profit
The previous year’s profit was at USD 2.75 with a big boost from the sale of life, accident as well as supplemental benefits business to Chubb.
Third-quarter revenue increased by 8%
Cigna – Social Media Presence
You can see a tremendous amount of responses to the company’s profile on social media. It is active on all platforms including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, Instagram, and Snapchat.
To attract more audiences Cigna targets each region around the globe using local language. This helps the clients understand its scheme more efficiently, making them buy the insurance.
On Snapchat, Cigna keeps posting stories focusing on its health benefits and advocating its mission.
Cigna – Advertising Strategy
For its advertisements, the health insurance company, Cigna focuses on traditional marketing channels that include television as well as print media. The company targets its audience through local languages in various countries.
Cigna – Awards and Achivements
In the year 2009, Cigna received a gold Garrner & 1to1 Customer Experience Excellence Award, for clearly demonstrating exemplary customer relationship strategy. Later in 2010, Cigna received the JD Power Award for its customer service.
Cigna and Humana in talks for possible merger: WSJ
Cigna – Competitors
The competitors of Cigna are as below:
Aetna
Humana
UnitedHealth Group
Elevance Health
Molina Healthcare
CVS Health
Cigna – Future Plans
Last year, the Cigna health group announced its plan for 2024, which is to offer affordable, comprehensive health care plans in the ACA Marketplace across 14 states in the USA in 2024.
The said plan would even include 15 counties in North Carolina and will even cover counties in regions of Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, and more.
FAQs
How long does it take Cigna to process a claim?
It takes up to five days to reimburse the fees after receiving the claim.
In which countries is Cigna available?
Insurance by Cigna is available in China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Spain, New Zealand, South Korea and Turkey.
When was Cigna formed?
Cigna was formed in the year 1982 with the merger of the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CG) and INA Corporation. INA is the parent company of the first-ever stock insurance company in America the ‘Insurance Company of North America.
Who are the competitors of Cigna?
The competitors of Cigna include Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealth Group, Elevance Health, Molina Healthcare, and CVS Health.
Lesics Engineers Pvt Ltd, founded by Sabin Mathew, is at the forefront of transforming global engineering education. With a dedicated team, Lesics provides quality online education to engineering students and professionals. The company’s journey began a decade ago when Sabin identified a demand for high-quality engineering content on platforms like YouTube.
Lesics serves the intersection of technology and education. Initially known for providing cybersecurity solutions, Lesics recently expanded into the education sector by introducing its first robotics course. This move signifies a strategic entry into robotics, automation, and embedded system development education.
Embark on a journey through the narrative of Lesics, where we uncover the vision and mission that propels its existence, illuminate the key tools and software driving its operations, and shine a spotlight on its recognition and achievements.
Lesics Engineers Pvt Ltd provides quality online education to engineering students and professionals. It systematically teaches the concepts of engineering and also equips them with capabilities to meet the challenges in the industry.
Lesics – Industry
The founder of Lesics expresses the current reach of over 10 million people per month through the company’s YouTube channel. Looking ahead, there is a vision to expand Lesics’ presence on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram, aiming for a reach of 25 million people monthly within the next 5 years. Additionally, Lesics recently introduced its first robotics course, marking an entry into the field. In the paid course segment, the plan is to launch more than 20 courses covering robotics, automation, and embedded system development. The founder hopes to impact the lives of over 5000 engineers and students annually by leveraging Lesics’ previous growth data and traffic conversion rates to the course website.
Lesics – Founders and Team
Sabin Mathew – Founder, Lesics
Sabin Mathew, the founder of the company, holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Delhi. The team, consisting of 18 members, is structured with two team leads overseeing three members each, while the remaining nine individuals work directly under the founder’s supervision. In terms of the hiring process, the company follows a strategy of presenting candidates with challenging practical tests, and successful completion of this test significantly increases the likelihood of securing a job, with a success rate of 90%.
Lesics Founder and Teams
Lesics – Startup Story
Sabin Mathew got the idea of the Lesics YouTube channel 10 years back when Mathew realized that a lot of bad-quality engineering videos were generating millions of views on YouTube. This was a clear case of a huge demand but no supply. He instantly started to make good quality engineering videos on YouTube and there was no stopping afterwards.
Lesics – Vision and Mission
Lesics wants to transform engineering education globally. It will focus on logical and conceptual engineering with more emphasis on live projects, which is the need of the hour for the rapidly expanding engineering job market.
The term “Lesics” signifies the approach of learning engineering through the study of physics, combining “Learn,” “Engineering,” and “Physics” in its meaning.
Lesics – Products/Services
It provides good quality engineering educational videos. The USP of their video is that they are concept-oriented. The current engineering students fail as engineers because of a lack of conceptual knowledge. It focuses on student’s conceptual improvement and they keep on coming back to learn a new topic.
Lesics – Business and Revenue Model
Lesics revenue mainly comes from AdSense revenue, course sales, and crowdfunding.
The initial few days of Lesics’ YouTube channel were a struggle. Mathew didn’t have any money to promote it. I had to promote my YouTube videos via Facebook groups. He joined relevant Facebook groups and informed the other members regarding new YouTube educational videos that could be helpful for them. Luckily most of them liked the videos and they didn’t even realize that Sabin Mathew was promoting it. The first 100 subscribers came this way. After crossing 1000 subscribers, Sabin Mathew didn’t have to promote his videos this way. The views came automatically.
Lesics – Customer Growth and Retention Strategies
The growth from 100 to 1000 subscribers for Lesics was entirely organic. The strategy involved continuous improvement in video quality with each release, focusing on a more engaging presentation and unconventional explanations for selected topics. The approach deliberately avoided textbook-style explanations and aimed to present more interesting video ideas to the audience. This concerted effort contributed to the organic growth of Lesics YouTube channel during that phase.
Lesics – Challenges Faced
The major challenge happened almost after two years of starting the company. Lesics AdSense revenue started to drop even though the view counts were increasing. Sabin Mathew immediately requested Lesics subscribers to help us on Patreon and it worked. Their help saved Lesics channel from death. The next challenge happened around two years back. During this period Lesics videos were not reaching the audience even though the content quality was good. Sabin Mathew overcame this issue by selecting more curiosity-oriented topics and presenting the video to achieve the maximum view duration.
Lesics – Growth
The founder of Lesics expresses the current reach of over 10 million people per month through the company’s YouTube channel. Lesics recently introduced its first robotics course, marking an entry into the field. In the paid course segment, the plan is to launch more than 20 courses covering robotics, automation, and embedded system development. The founder hopes to impact the lives of over 5000 engineers and students annually by leveraging Lesics’ previous growth data and traffic conversion rates to the course website.
Lesics – Marketing Strategy
Sabin Mathew markets his videos the organic way. My latest courses have integrated promotion inside the Lesics YouTube videos. Lesics courses are also able to get a good number of sales thanks to the reach of their YouTube videos.
Lesics – Key Tools and Software
Lesics Utilizing a diverse range of software tools such as :
Blender
Da Vinci Resolve
After Effects
SolidWorks
Gazebo ROS2
Lesics -Recognition and Achievements
Here are the top achievements of Lesics:
Lesics have received two Golden Play button awards for crossing the 1 million subscribers mark in English and Hindi channels.
Sabin Mathew was nominated for the best content creator award category in the Septimtius Awards 2022.
Lesics – Competitors
Some of the top competitors of Lesics include:
Skill Lync
iBrainBaby
Linktrust Education
Lesics -Future Plans
Lesics want to extend their free educational service to LinkedIn and Instagram as well. Sabin Mathew hopes he will be able to release more than 8 engineering courses in the next two years.
FAQs
Who is the founder of Lesics?
Sabin Mathew is the founder of Lesics.
What industries does Lesics serve?
Lesics serves the technology and education industries. The company’s activities include cybersecurity solutions, as well as educational initiatives such as robotics courses.
What kind of courses do you offer on your website?
Lesics recently introduced its first robotics course, marking an entry into the field. The plan is to launch more than 20 courses covering robotics, automation, and embedded system development.
The evolution of the use of mobile devices at workplaces has been rapid over the past decade, especially after the pandemic. Remote and hybrid workplaces are thriving, while the in-office device ecosystem differs from before. This is precisely where SaaS solutions for enterprise mobility, like mobile device management (MDM) and unified endpoint management (UEM), have come to the forefront. MDM or UEM have transformed from good-to-have to must-have solutions for modern workplaces.
The global unified endpoint management market continues its growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 22.4% from 2023 to 2030. One UEM solution that is stirring up the mobility quotient for enterprises (big or small) is Scalefusion. Scalefusion is a top mobile device and endpoint management software that helps businesses worldwide secure and manage their device fleets.
In this article, we will get to know Scalefusion up close and personal.
Scalefusion – Company Highlights
STARTUP NAME
Scalefusion
Headquarters
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Sector
Information Technology, Unified Endpoint Management
Scalefusion is the flagship product of ProMobi Technologies. It is a mobile device and endpoint management platform. Since its launch in 2015, Scalefusion has been on a steady trajectory of growth and evolution. The company has achieved numerous milestones along the way, like the Android Enterprise Gold Partner badge, recognized by G2 in its 2024 report as Leader in Winter and High Performer Enterprise. Scalefusion was also recognized by G2 in various prestigious categories in its 2023 report—one of the best IT management products, best support, high performer, users most likely to recommend, fastest implementation, and best-estimated ROI.
Scalefusion is also positioned in the Midmarket Context: Magic Quadrant for UEM by Gartner, recognized as a Great Place to Work, and has achieved a high Capterra rating of 4.7/5. Throughout this journey, Scalefusion has consistently delivered on its mission to provide world-class customer service and make device management simple and effortless for businesses worldwide.
Scalefusion | The Next Gen
Scalefusion – Industry
The UEM industry has experienced remarkable growth since the onset of the pandemic. With the sudden shift to remote work, companies sought effective ways to manage their dispersed workforce. Among the exciting developments on the horizon, the Scalefusion team anticipates a surge in the adoption of IoT-based solutions in various business applications bolstered by the widespread rollout of 5G technology.
The key question is no longer “if” or “when” these innovations will take root, but rather “how” well-prepared businesses are, in harnessing these technologies to drive superior business outcomes. The responsibility for efficiently managing these cutting-edge solutions often falls on MDM/UEM solutions like Scalefusion. It’s the age of disruptive technologies; to be at par, Scalefusion wants to continue to do what it does best—keep customer needs at the focal point of everything.
Scalefusion – Founders and Team
Harishanker Kannan (left) and Arnab Chakraborty (Right) – Co-Founders of Scalefusion
Arnab Chakraborty and Harishanker Kannan co-founded Scalefusion. As the CEO, Harishanker oversees the strategy and day-to-day operations of Scalefusion, taking charge of hiring, legal, growth, and expansion functions. His role includes setting the overall strategy and direction for the company. Arnab is the CTO at Scalefusion. He leads product development, engineering, support, and design. Basically, he is all things tech!
Arnab and Harishanker initially crossed paths as colleagues in 2007, working for a product-based startup. Driven by a deep conviction, their shared passion for startups led them to brainstorm into an entrepreneurial venture. Subsequently, they gained valuable experience working in other organizations, learning the processes necessary to launch a successful venture. In 2014, the dream was realized, and Arnab and Harishanker founded ProMobi Technologies, Scalefusion’s parent company.
Today, the Scalefusion family has grown to a close-knit team of 200. It stands by 7 core values: empathy, respect, communication, curiosity, innovation, ownership, and impact. The founders firmly believe that the behavior of leaders in a company significantly influences its culture. They take pride in the fact that they’ve been successful in imparting these values from team leaders to their extended teams. Arnab and Harishanker have cultivated an office atmosphere where people are eager to work and inspired to contribute innovatively.
The ProMobi approach to hiring is straightforward: prioritize passion, character, integrity, and drive. Once an individual joins the team, the organization assumes the responsibility of providing them with opportunities for personal and professional growth
Scalefusion – Startup Story
The journey of Scalefusion (formerly known as Mobilock Pro) commenced in 2014. What began as a basic Android kiosk-based locking application evolved into a comprehensive device and endpoint management solution. Initially, it was launched as a standalone, free Android app on the Google Play Store to gauge market interest. The dashboard was based on what customers asked for. In turn, customers themselves helped the company get the Product Market Fit.
Scalefusion’s vision was to simplify mobile devices and endpoint management, a vision the team wholeheartedly realized. Today, it proudly positions itself as an MDM/UEM solution dedicated to streamlining the device management journey, removing complexity from the equation.
The Scalefusion journey started as a product primarily focused on serving SMBs in the Android device management niche. However, it expanded its horizons, extending MDM capabilities to encompass iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux management. This transformation marked a significant shift as it evolved from an Android and SMB-centered solution to a full-fledged MDM provider suitable for small, medium, and large-sized businesses.
Scalefusion – Vision and Mission
The Scalefusion mission is to simplify endpoint management for companies worldwide with a customer-centric approach, and it strives to foster a culture that places the customer at the centre of everything it does.
Scalefusion’s long-term vision is to be a global leader in mobile device and endpoint management, providing innovative solutions to businesses of all sizes. It aims to be the go-to solution for organizations looking to streamline their device management processes and improve their overall security posture. The goal is to continuously evolve the platform to meet the ever-changing needs of a connected world and to be at the forefront of the endpoint management space. Scalefusion is committed to expanding its solution set, widening its presence in key markets, and building strong partnerships to deliver excellence to our customers.
At Scalefusion, the core belief is that technology should empower businesses, not complicate them. And so, it focuses on making its dashboard experience as easy as possible. Through this, it wants to empower IT admins to manage devices and endpoints effortlessly and streamline IT operations.
Scalefusion – The Brand Name
When deciding on a name, the company sought something straightforward and reflective of its core value proposition. The name “Scalefusion” was chosen, derived from the concept of the “fusion of endpoints at scale,” effectively encapsulating the essence of what the company does.
Scalefusion: Logo
Scalefusion – Product & Features
Scalefusion is a mobile device and endpoint management solution that helps IT admins manage, monitor, and secure organization devices like laptops, mobiles, smartphones, PCs, tablets, rugged devices, and digital signage. It supports the management of Android, Windows, Linux, iOS, and macOS platforms across different industry verticals.
In simple terms, if a company has 200 devices used by its workforce, Scalefusion helps the IT administrator manage and monitor these 200 devices. Organizations can remotely push and manage configurations, content, and applications to meet business needs. Enterprise IT teams can remotely resolve/troubleshoot device issues and have a ubiquitous view of the devices on one single console, which is the Scalefusion dashboard. Scalefusion offers a variety of device enrollment options, including Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). BYOD is set to be a massive trend in modern workplaces, and Scalefusion is in sync with this through features like Android Management API (AMAPI) BYOD enrollment.
Scalefusion’s USP lies in the simplicity of our solutions, seamless integration, and top-notch security features. Some of the major technologies that we work on are Ruby on Rails, Java, React, Angular, Kotlin, C#, .NET, C++, Objective-C, and Swift, built on a network stack of HAProxy, NGInx, ELK, and other tools.
Scalefusion – Business and Revenue Model
Scalefusion’s pricing structure is designed with flexibility in mind, catering to businesses of various sizes and their feature requirements. As of 2024, the pricing starts with an ‘Essentials’ plan, priced at just $2 per device per month. Next up is the ‘Growth’ plan at $3.5 per device per month, offering additional features and capabilities. For those seeking a top-tier offering, the ‘Business’ plan is available at $5 per device per month, providing a comprehensive set of tools. For large organizations with complex use cases, the ‘Enterprise’ plan is available at $6 per device per month.
In addition to these competitive pricing options, Scalefusion provides valuable benefits to its customers, such as the flexibility to customize solutions to meet specific needs, purchase licenses in bulk and activate them in batches, and the convenience of reusing licenses for lost or damaged devices.
Scalefusion follows a subscription-based revenue model, offering a predictable and cost-effective approach for businesses. It established partnerships with key players in the APAC, US, EMEA, and LATAM regions to support global expansion. These partnerships are integral to Scalefusion’s mission of extending its reach to diverse markets and geographies, ensuring its solution and features are accessible and effective for businesses worldwide.
In 2014, the free version of our product, which was initially called MobiLock, was launched on the Play Store. By then, the mobile device management industry had been around for quite some time in a niche category. People were downloading and using the MobiLock app, and this motivated the team to start working on the backend of its mobile locking software, which was later named MobiLock Pro.
Securing the first 100 customers was an incredibly rewarding experience. Right from the outset, the team was committed to two fundamental principles. First was providing exceptional customer support, wanting to be there for its customers every step of the way. During those days, the team consisted of about five people, all taking on the customer support role.
Second, the team focused on the concept of ‘instant gratification’. It wanted to create a user-friendly, intuitive solution with a simple learning curve. Instant gratification happened when the customers could easily enroll 100 devices on our dashboard in just 5 minutes. This immediate positive feedback helped Scalefusion build a group of satisfied customers.
Scalefusion – Customer Growth and Retention Strategies
To facilitate further growth, alongside the initial two strategies, Scalefusion’s focus shifted to engaging with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Given their typically smaller teams and instances where the founder often doubles as the IT person, SMBs tend to require straightforward solutions for their simpler processes. So, Scalefusion targeted SMBs and helped them solve the challenges they faced with their enterprise mobility management. This approach provided valuable insights into various industries and an understanding of the diverse nature of operations across different companies and startups. The experience prepared the team for the next phase of Scalefusion’s business development.
Moreover, Scalefusion strongly emphasized broadening partnerships and establishing region-wise teams, with a particular focus on ensuring proficiency in local languages. This strategic approach enabled the company to immerse itself in diverse markets and better comprehend the unique needs of customers across regions. As a result, Scalefusion successfully established extended teams in LATAM and APAC, enhancing its capability to connect with and cater to the specific requirements of different regions.
Scalefusion: Customers Feedback
Scalefusion – Challenges Faced
The most challenging part was scaling the team. From the initial phase, the founders have strived to build a core team that is dependable enough to lead their respective domains, be it product, engineering, marketing, sales, HR, and operations. Scaling people, teams, and processes while retaining the company’s values was challenging. It developed a carefully sanitized hiring process and constant in-house mentoring to overcome this. And things have worked out well.
As a self-funded startup, effectively managing finances was another challenge during the early days. The company implemented a strategy of establishing monthly targets to ensure a consistent positive cash flow. As it began generating revenue, it extended its financial runway from three months to six months and beyond, but closely monitoring our expenditures was a hurdle we initially faced.
Scalefusion: Device Management Solutions
Scalefusion – Most Successful Marketing Campaign & Strategy
Scalefusion’s marketing strategy during its initial years differed significantly from its current approach. With a primary focus on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the marketing tactics were centered on inbound strategies. This approach proved beneficial, particularly given the limited team size at that time, as it negated the necessity for extensive customer education. Conversions were swift, as Scalefusion delivered precisely what the target audience sought.
The emphasis was placed on organic channels, including SEO and user-friendly content on the Scalefusion website and blog. Early on, geo-marketing was also incorporated. Maintaining a tone that avoided excessive corporate jargon and intricate content was pivotal in Scalefusion’s success, preventing overwhelming its customers.
Over time, the marketing strategy evolved to capitalize on the simplicity of the Scalefusion dashboard. The positive feedback for the straightforward and easy-to-use interface prompted a campaign with the tagline ‘It’s Simple. It’s Scalefusion.’ This campaign was prominently featured across Scalefusion’s website, campaign pages, videos, and social media. The success of this campaign was evident in the increased website visits, demo calls, and signups.
Scalefusion – Growth
Scalefusion is headquartered in Pune, India, with other offices in Gurugram and Bengaluru. It also has overseas offices in France, Mexico, the USA, Canada, and Latin America. It has recently shifted to a new and owned office space that reflects its company culture and values.
Scalefusion was recognized as a leader by G2 in Winter 2023 and in Gartner’s Midmarket Context: Magic Quadrant for UEM. Additionally, it has a Capterra rating of 4.7/5 for its service. The Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) has been consistently 95% for three years.
During its course, Scalefusion has garnered the trust of 8000+ customers—Radisson, Magna, Go Air, Decathlon, and Talabat—to name a few.
Scalefusion – Recognition and Achievements
Here are the Top Recognition and Achievements of Scalefusion:
Android Enterprise Gold Partner
G2 recognized Scalefusion as the Leader in Winter 2024
Scalefusion MDM Listed #36 in G2’s list of the Best IT Management Products for 2023
Positioned in the Midmarket Context: Magic Quadrant for UEM by Gartner
Scalefusion – Funding
No funding has been raised; Scalefusion is a 100% bootstrapped company.
Over the next two years, Scalefusion’s strategic roadmap will encompass regional expansion and enhancing the product’s feature set. One significant development on the horizon is introducing support for managing Chrome OS, offering a broader spectrum of compatibility.
To streamline the enrollment process for companies that lack individual company IDs for their workforce, Scalefusion has launched OneIDP, its inbuilt user identity and access management (IAM) solution. This innovation will make onboarding smoother and more accessible for our clients.
Furthermore, Scalefusion aims to extend the reach of the product by forging substantial partnerships within the EMEA region. These collaborations will be pivotal to its pursuit of expanding its market presence and serving a more comprehensive range of businesses.
The long-term roadmap foresees the integration of a multitude of devices, especially as the future promises an increasing role for AI, IoT, and self-service devices for public use. Thus, Scalefusion has already started leveraging AI with the introduction of AirThink AI in 2023. In the future, Scalefusion is determined to bolster its AI capabilities further in the endpoint and device management space. Consequently, managing, controlling, and securing endpoints and devices and the associated data will continue to become imperative.
FAQs
Who are the founders of Scalefusion?
Arnab Chakraborty and Harishanker Kannan are the co-founders of Scalefusion.
Which operating systems does Scalefusion support?
Scalefusion MDM provides support for managing Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices.
What is the long-term vision of Scalefusion?
Scalefusion long-term vision is to be a global leader in mobile device and endpoint management, providing innovative solutions to businesses of all sizes.
Link Building is an inherent way of making a website more visible and getting higher places in search pages. However, many websites knowingly or unknowingly use critical links that distort the entire website, because of Google’s safety rules. Toxic links on your website can quickly cause link penalties from search engines.
Google penalty is a primer action taken against websites that violate Google’s Webmaster guidelines, resulting in a significant drop in organic visibility. This can hurt a website’s success and deprive its online importance. Understanding the complex structure of links and what you need NOT do to avoid such link penalties.
These 9 Mistakes Will Get Your Website PENALIZED in Google
What Causes Google to Penalize Your Website?
Google has its rule book, which every website using the platform source has to form. Using black-hat SEO techniques connects websites with unnatural links violating Google’s guidelines and resulting in a manual penalty.
Inbound and outbound links that are not natural are among the most frequent causes of a Google link penalty. We usually call them “harmful” or “spammy”. Your website may be penalized for both inbound and outbound links.
Suppose you create an external link that violates Google’s guidelines, such as by creating a “pattern of artificial, deceptive, or manipulative internal links,” you risk facing penalties from Google. In short, any website with evil links in the eyes of Google shall be punished.
What’s So Serious About Spammy Links?
Penalties and Loss of Rankings
Using tricks to build links or breaking Google rules can lead to serious problems. You could rank lower on search results or even be removed from them.
For example, too many link trades, buying or selling links, and being part of schemes to change search rankings break Google’s rules. It can result in punishments. In 2011, Google punished JCPenney for using paid links, which caused an enormous loss in their search visibility.
Reputation Damage
Bad or spammy backlinks can damage a website’s reputation. Links from bad sites with a lot of spam or questionable content can make both users and search engines suspicious.
For example, if a money advisory website gets links from gambling or adult-themed websites, it can hurt its image in the financial world. This might hinder good users from trusting it.
Risk of Negative SEO
Sometimes, bad people or enemies might use mean tricks on SEO by making harmful or spammy links to a website. They do this to try to make the website get in trouble or harm its reputation. Spammy links can drop your standard on Google in no time.
For example, a competitor might use tricks like making cheap links to another company’s website or using tools to make lots of spammy links. They do this to mess up their search ranking and name.
Making strong links takes a substantial amount of time, work, and cost. Building connections, making gripping content, and doing campaign work all need hard work and skill. Startups or small businesses with limited resources might have a hard time at this stage.
For instance, a novice business website that wants to get links from various startups and business leads might not have enough people or money to do that compared to the big companies that can enroll them easily.
Constant Monitoring and Maintenance
Making good connections isn’t a one-time job, it’s something you have to do throughout the period. Checking regularly if old links are still important and good, and always looking for new and better chances adds to the need for constant use of resources.
Not checking and updating the list of links often can cause old or not important links to build up. This can make the site weak over time.
How to Not Receive Google Link Penalty
By using these plans and following Google’s rules, websites can not only protect themselves from punishments but also develop a strong link network that helps their website stand out and be trusted online.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Focus on getting good connections from powerful sources related to your area. For example, a software company getting a link from a famous technology magazine in their area is more important than many links from small directories.
Natural Link Acquisition
Move the attention to making content that naturally gets links because of its worth.
Suppose a helpful blog post or a study can make popular websites or bloggers want to use and link to your content without being asked.
Regular Audits
Do regular checks of your website links using tools like Google Search Console or special SEO software. This will help you find and say no to poor-quality or spammy backlinks.
For example, if a health and wellness website finds useless connections from drug spam sites, it should immediately stop those links to avoid getting punished.
Diversification
Use different methods to get links from various platforms. For instance, writing articles for websites in your field, collaborating with renowned people in your niche, and creating unique content worth linking (graphics or studies) spreads your collection of inbound links.
This reduces depending on one plan. This makes it safer when search engine rules change or you get punished for certain moves.
Anchor Text Variation
Use different words in the links that point to your website to keep your link setup looking natural. Stop always using the exact match keyword as anchor text. Instead, try using variations like brand terms, partial keyword matches, or natural language phrases.
For example, a website that sells sports stuff getting different links with text like “best sports items” or “trendy Nike sports shoes” seems more natural than just the repeated word “affordable sports equipment.”
If you get a link penalty from Google, it’s important to resolve this sooner and take action to avoid it in the future. Here is how you can recover from one:
Distinguish Penalties
Use Google Search Console to find out and learn about the penalties or steps taken by hand that affect your website. For instance, determining whether the punishment is a result of error, in linking or an algorithmic penalty like Panda or Penguin, can aid in devising a customized recovery plan.
Link Cleanup
Examine to identify and remove or disapprove of any spammy links that violate Google’s guidelines. Utilize tools such as Moz Link Explorer, SemRush, or Ahrefs, to analyze the link profile.
If a website has been penalized due to paid links, they can reach out to the website owners. Request their removal or utilize Google’s “Disavow Tool” to detach from them.
Reconsideration Request
Correct the issues that led to the penalty and then submit a request for re-evaluation by Google. Explain the steps taken to address these problems, ensuring adherence to Google’s rules.
If a website has resolved duplicate content issues, it should demonstrate its improvements and outline measures for avoiding such issues in the future.
Prioritize High-Quality Content
Concentrate on creating relevant content that fulfills user intent. By producing informative and interesting content, not only will trust be regained but also natural backlinks from reputable sources will be obtained.
If a website has been penalized for keyword usage, it could alter its approach by focusing on creating valuable content that genuinely benefits users.
Monitor and Adapt
Keep an eye on the website’s performance, links count, and user activity measures after it gets better. Change your methods to match with new SEO rules and Google tips. This will stop you from getting punished in the future. Checking and fixing content and link-making methods often keep your website’s growth multiplying with time.
Never Forget!
Google keeps working on its system to always put user experience first when it comes to real and trustworthy content. Therefore, the success of link-building lies in:
User-Centric Approach: Focus on user experience when creating content and getting links.
Quality over Quantity: Google will keep caring about good backlinks. So, websites must put quality first instead of the number of links they get.
AI and Technology Integration: Use AI tools to understand connections and improve content based on Google’s changing rules.
Link building can be very effective for your site but could drop you down if your practices are wrong in Google’s sight. It’s better to focus on making content better instead of link manipulation. Following Google’s rules, and going with natural links, leads to lasting success in link building.
FAQs
What causes Google to penalize your website?
Google has its rule book, which every website using the platform source has to form. Using black-hat SEO techniques connects websites with unnatural links violating Google’s guidelines and resulting in a manual penalty.
How to not receive a Google link penalty?
Google link penalty can be avoided by focusing on quality over quantity, natural link acquisition, regular audits, diversification, and anchor text variation.
How to recover from Google link penalties?
Google link penalties can be recovered by distinguishing penalties, link cleanup, prioritizing high-quality content, and monitoring the website’s performance.
Dev Gupta
