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  • Top 7 Must-Have Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools

    “Cyber Security is much more than the matter of IT” – Stephane Nappo

    With the increased internet usage, a large amount of personal and professional information and data is available online which is continuously under the threat of exposure. In the USA alone over 53 million individuals were affected due to data compromise in the first half of 2022.

    Source: Statista.com
    Source: Statista.com

    This threat has grown several folds with cyber crimes becoming incredibly sophisticated and the entire world shifting online, especially since 2020 amid the uncertainty and disruption of the global pandemic. As per a survey conducted by Statista, the average cost of data breaches worldwide from March 2020 to March 2022, combined in different sectors, is more than 150 million US dollars.

    Under these circumstances, cyber threat intelligence becomes an extremely valuable tool to protect, detect and respond to any cyber threat your data might be exposed to.

    In this blog, we will discuss in detail cyber threat intelligence and tools that can help you in protecting your data.

    What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?
    Cyber threat intelligence is the collection, processing, and analysis of data to discern the motive and behavior of a potential cyber attack and to help us make informed decisions and implement proactive security procedures. The cyber threat intelligence tools are designed to help us with the process.

    Threat intelligence is a cyclic, continuous process that is typically completed in 6 steps:

    1. Set goals and plan the direction
    2. Collection of data
    3. Processing of data
    4. Analysis of data
    5. Dissemination of data
    6. Report findings

    There are four types of cyber threat intelligence viz. strategic, tactical, technical, and organizational. Each one of these is meant for different users and describes the threat and its details in various depths as per the knowledge and requirement of the concerned user.

    Cyber Threat Intelligence Explained

    What Are Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools?

    Attackers today have learned and developed thousands of ways to breach data and wreak havoc. Also, with advanced technology and software involved, threats have grown more complex and crimes more sophisticated. Therefore, effective and timely detection of threats and strongly powerful retaliation are extremely important for protecting your data.

    Cyber threat intelligence tools are developed and designed to counter these issues. They provide up-to-date information about the latest threats such as malware, exploits, etc. These tools also provide information about the tactic, technology, and procedure (TTP) involved in a particular threat and suggest the best methods for protection against it. Further, these tools are capable of analyzing any potential or specific threat detected on a particular network.

    These tools are capable of managing the risk as well as enhancing your cyber security through artificial intelligence or machine learning. They give an organization the ability to plan preventive measures, detect threats, and resolve security issues.

    Key Features Your Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool Must Have

    As per a survey by Statista, the most useful type of cyber intelligence tool, as per the users, is the one that provides detailed information about the malware being used in the attack.

    Source: Statista.com
    Source: Statista.com

    Although the basic function of most cyber threat intelligence tools remains the same, there are certain key features that you must look for while choosing your CTI.

    Flexibility

    Any cyber threat intelligence tool that you choose must fit in with your already existing security mechanisms including Firewalls and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management).

    A threat intelligence tool processes data from various sources and provides risk scores. Therefore, it cannot act as a standalone tool. Combining it with other security systems enables prioritization, and proactive alerting, as well as adds circumstantial data for alerts that ease the investigation.

    Moreover, this flexibility of function would also let the tool collect accurate data from the dark web and other sources.

    Comprehensible

    A single-window dashboard simplifies the entire process of threat detection and remediation. Being comprehensive the tool collects information from every possible source and displays it together which also accelerates the decision-making process.

    Multiple Source Information

    To exactly analyze an organization’s position in terms of cyber security the tool must be able to extract information from as many sources as possible. Through this real-time indicators can be discovered that can help in forming accurate correlations.

    Alert Quality

    Several security alerts are often ignored owing to a large number of false positives. This causes alert fatigue amongst the security team who are unable to decipher the actual high-priority issues.

    A good threat intelligence tool should be able to prioritize and categorize the actual security alerts, which is only possible when it can correlate the data in the alert with the already available database. This would ensure that the important notifications do receive a response from the security team.

    Proactive Intelligence

    To manage and control security issues a cyber threat intelligence tool must be proactive. This means that the tool should be able to identify the threat and vulnerabilities before the commencement of the actual attack.

    A tool integrated with automated response processes helps in early detection and effective response to the threat.

    Top 7 Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools

    The right threat intelligence tool would help point out the potential issues and nip the problem in the bud. Based on the requirements of users as well as the opinions of the experts we have made a list of the top 7 cyber threat intelligence tools that will secure your system from cyber threats.

    Fortinet’s FortiRecon
    Recorded Future
    Cisco Security Malware Analytics
    Echosec
    IntSights External Threat Protection(ETP) Suite
    ThreatConnect
    ZeroFOX

    Fortinet’s FortiRecon

    Website Fortinet.com
    Rating 4.7
    Demo Provided Yes
    Used For External attack surface monitoring
    Fortinet's Fortirecon - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Fortinet’s Fortirecon – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    As per Statista, Fortinet led the global threat intelligence software industry in 2022 with almost 39% of the total market share.

    Experts label Fortinet’s FortiRecon as one of the best cyber threat intelligence tools. It is a Digital Risk Protection Service product. Other than its outside-the-network view of the risk, it can also mitigate three additional risk areas viz. Digital assets risk, brand-related risks, and underground & imminent threats. It uses automation, machine learning as well as human intelligence to analyze the brand risk for an organization and deliver proactive custom intel.

    Key Features:

    • External Attack Surface Management
    • Adversary Central Intelligence
    • Extensive asset and exposure discovery
    • Comprehensive reporting

    Pros:

    • Easy to use
    • Contextualized threat insights
    • Early-stage lifecycle protection
    • Far-reaching threat sources
    • Comprehensive report

    Cons:

    • Not suitable for any non-MS domain device
    • Logging services do not include many details

    Pricing:

    Contact the vendor to get the quotes for Fortinet’s Fortirecon threat intelligence license.

    Recorded Future

    Website Recordedfuture.com
    Rating 4.6
    Demo Provided Yes
    Used For Providing coverage against adversaries, infrastructure, and targets
    Recorded Future - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Recorded Future – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is headquartered in Boston cyber security platform. Recorded Future is widely recognized for its predictive or proactive cyber threat intelligence. It gives you real-time visibility into the vast digital ecosystem and automates the entire process of collection, analysis, and reporting. It provides coverage against adversaries, infrastructure, and targets.

    Key Features:

    • Manages risk landscape through a single-platform approach
    • Advance filters to narrow down your search
    • Powerful integration ability connects with both SIEM and SOAR providers
    • Graphical representation of worldwide threat data

    Pros:

    • A wide variety of threat intelligence is covered
    • Direct source evidence for effective decision making
    • Easy navigation owing to modular design
    • 10+ years of reference data updated regularly

    Cons:

    • Overwhelming search results
    • Comparatively expensive, starts at USD 10,000 for AWS

    Pricing:

    Contact Recorded Future to obtain the current pricing of the license.

    Cisco Security Malware Analytics

    Website Cisco.com
    Rating 4.4
    Demo Provided No
    Used For Providing contextual analytics for malware and threats
    Cisco Security Malware Analytics - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Cisco Security Malware Analytics – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    Earlier recognized by the name threat grid, it is a cloud-based unified security solution. It generates alerts for malware activities and helps analyze the threat levels to draw strategies for tackling them. It provides end-to-end visibility and protection by leveraging threat intelligence.

    Key Features:

    • Contextual analytics for malware and threats
    • Huge malware knowledge base
    • Uses behavioral indicators to predict and prioritize attacks
    • Automation and integration abilities through APIs

    Pros:

    • Easy integration without reprogramming
    • Cross-product security data from Cisco and third-party sources
    • Thorough analysis and comprehensive reporting of threat
    • Automated sample upload through API integration

    Cons:

    • Frequent delays in the alert mechanism
    • Strenuous on-premise appliance setup

    Pricing:

    Contact the vendor to get the quotes for Cisco Security Malware Analytics license.

    Echosec

    Website Flashpoint.io/platform/echosec
    Rating 4.9
    Demo Provided 10 days free trial
    Used For Social media and open source intelligence (OSINT) gathering.
    Echosec - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Echosec – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is a Canada-based company that specializes in Open Source Intelligence Tools (OSINT). Its flagship platform leverages data from social media, the dark web, as well as open community platforms. It collects real-time risk information and allows you to perform ad hoc dark web searches alongside internal threat monitoring.

    Key Features:

    • Pre-built data search filters with 24X7 monitoring.
    • An externally focused tool that connects with global security feeds, illicit forums, etc.
    • Directly feeds information to the co-security tools
    • Collects data from 18 social media platforms, news portals, and blogs

    Pros:

    • Simple and easy-to-use investigative tool
    • Makes investigation easy and provides actionable results quickly
    • Extraordinarily intuitive GUI

    Cons:

    • For any OSINT newbie, the learning curve can be steep
    • Occasional random results require human verification

    Pricing:

    Pricing information for Echosec is supplied by the software provider. Final cost negotiations to purchase Echosec must be conducted with the seller.

    IntSights External Threat Protection(ETP) Suite

    Website Intsights.com
    Rating 3.5
    Demo Provided Yes
    Used For Monitoring phishing attacks, malicious domains, and data breaches
    IntSights External Threat Protection - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    IntSights External Threat Protection – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is a 360-degree tool for cyber security that provides rich, real-time, actionable insights within 24 hours. It delivers enterprise-grade external, contextualized, and prioritized threat intelligence. It can be used either as separate modules for external intelligence, risk analysis, and threat investigation or as an end-to-end cyber threat intelligence tool.

    Key Features:

    • It collects data from the dark web, provides external threat feeds, and conducts custom research.
    • Well-built analytical report and automatic risk mitigation
    • Critical vulnerability patching
    • Comes with use-case-specific solutions or APIs for extensible integration capability.

    Pros:

    • Supports all major languages including Japanese, Portuguese, German, French, and others.
    • Focuses on external channels such as social media, black markets, etc.
    • Extremely flexible, adaptable, and comprehensive tool

    Cons:

    • Weak alerting mechanism
    • Steep learning curve

    Pricing:

    Pricing information for IntSights External Threat Protection is supplied by the software provider. Final cost negotiations to purchase IntSights External Threat Protection must be conducted with the seller.

    ThreatConnect

    Website Threatconnect.com
    Rating 4.5
    Demo Provided Yes
    Used For Dealing in threat intelligence, risk quantification, and intelligence-powered security operations
    ThreatConnect - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    ThreatConnect – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is a Romania-based company that deals in threat intelligence, risk quantification, and intelligence-powered security operations. It strengthens security and defense by breaking down complex data into actionable information. The information and data collected can be analyzed manually or with automation assistance.

    Key Features:

    • Uses Playbooks which are an intelligence-driven orchestration feature
    • Extensible integration and automation for all cybersecurity features
    • Intuitive dashboard with prioritized risks on the face of it
    • Show threat prevalence through crowdsourcing analytics

    Pros:

    • A powerful data model that establishes links between incidents, threats, and IOCs.
    • Proactive detection through the combination of orchestration and automation.
    • Updated information on the latest cyber threats and malware

    Intro to ThreatConnect

    Cons:

    • One of the most expensive threat intelligence tools
    • Not flexible enough to suit user requirements

    Pricing:

    Pricing information for ThreatConnect is supplied by the software provider. Final cost negotiations to purchase ThreatConnect must be conducted with the seller.

    ZeroFOX

    Website Zerofox.com
    Rating 4.3
    DemoProvided Yes
    Used For Monitoring the web for data leakage and ransomware
    Zerofox - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Zerofox – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is a US-based company that provides cyber intelligence solutions. It safeguards an organization against online threats such as phishing, data leakage, impersonation, and others. It monitors the web for data leakage and ransomware and brings relevant data to the attention of the user.

    Key Features:

    • It is equipped with the latest AI, ML, and OCR technologies
    • Combines artificial intelligence with human intelligence to review and prioritize threats
    • Solely designed for external threat protection
    • Visual indicators on the dashboard offer absolute visibility

    Pros:

    • Hacker elimination through adversary disruption and takedown as a service
    • Huge integration library covering all popular IT tools
    • Streamlined workflow with a straightforward setup process

    Cons:

    • Overwhelming subdomain alerts
    • Generates a large number of false positives

    Pricing:

    Contact ZeroFOX to know about the price of the license.

    Conclusion

    Cyber threat intelligence tools play a crucial role in the growth of any business by protecting it from the commonest and biggest of threats. They identify, predict, alert, and manage cyber attacks. Also, with the number of cyber-attacks rising every year to a great degree and the world shifting online there is no alternative to these tools. However, with a large number of options available in the market, making a final choice can be hard.

    In this article, we shared with you the 7 best cyber threat intelligence tools to make your search convenient. Hope we could help.

    FAQs

    What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?

    Cyber Threat Intelligence is the process of gathering and analyzing information about cyber threats to protect an organization’s digital assets and infrastructure. It provides actionable intelligence to support cyber security strategies and enhance the ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber-attacks.

    What are the 3 types of cyber threats?

    • Malware
    • Phishing
    • DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attacks

    What are the benefits of Crime Threat Intelligence tools?

    The benefits of using Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) tools are:

    • Improved threat awareness and detection
    • Enhanced incident response
    • Increased efficiency and cost savings
    • Compliance with regulatory requirements

    What is the most common cyber threat?

    The most common type of cyber threat is malware, including viruses, trojans, and ransomware.

  • Top 10 SSL Certificate Providers of 2023 to Secure Your Site

    In ancient times, government authorities transferred classified information through secure pathways to ensure confidentiality and prevent unauthorized access. Today, in the digital age, data privacy, and security are more crucial than ever as sensitive information, when leaked, can have severe consequences.

    To address this concern, SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates were introduced. These certificates create an encrypted link between a web server and a client, ensuring that all data transmitted remains private and secure. SSL certificates provide peace of mind for individuals and organizations who need to transmit sensitive information over the internet. Thus, when you enter your details such as name, debit card number, password, etc., it gets encrypted and inaccessible to hackers.

    An SSL certificate looks like a lock icon toward the URL’s immediate left. Here are a few reasons why SSL certificates are vital for a business:

    • Higher CRR – SSL is the very first sign of trust that a website visitor sees and is core to the business-customer relationship. A website without an SSL warns the visitors before entering the site. This negative sign repels the visitors and defiles the brand image.
    • Secures Data – Data is the currency of the modern world. If it is secure, you, your company, and your customers are secure. SSL provides an encryption layer and prevents data breaches. This, in turn, can put your company under legal lassos.
    • Financial Compliances – It also aligns your website with the PCI/DSS requirements.
    • Better Search Ranking– Security is now a direct search ranking factor. In the year 2021, Google announced its Core Web Vitals that would impact search rankings. Security was a part of these Web Vitals.

    Because SSL is a technical field, you might find a hard time sailing through it. How many types are there? How to choose one? We’ll guide you through all the technical troubles and help you dock your boat to the SSL service provider that is best for you.

    Why SSL Certificates?

    Factors To Consider While Choosing SSL Certificates

    Choosing an SSL certificate is not as easy as buying a packet of crisps. Buying the wrong SSL certificate can ruin the image of your company. But how to buy an SSL certificate? Well, certain factors must be ticked when choosing an SSL certificate for your website.

    1.  Validation Level: The validation level ensures the type of security provided by the CA (Certificate Authority). At present, three types of domain validation levels are there:

    • Domain Validation: This is the simplest SSL that can provide your website with a padlock symbol and basic encryption. It is usually provided within minutes.
    •  Organization Validation: OV is a step above and requires the organization to prove domain ownership. It also validates the physical and legal existence of the organization. You might need to submit the basic papers and wait a few days.
    • Extended Validation: This provides the highest level of trust and is best for websites that face a large number of people. For example, an e-commerce website must have this validation. EV provides a padlock symbol and a green HTTPS bar.

    2.   Number of Domains Covered: Depending upon the number of domains and subdomains, you may choose an SSL certificate. Here are the possible actions:

    • Single Domain
    • Wildcard
    • Multiple Domain

    3.      Warranty Provided: Authorized CAs also provide a certain amount of warranty to cover any mishap. The higher the warranty, the higher the price of SSL certificates.

    4.      Experience and Reputation of the CA: Not all the certificate providers out there are legit. To ensure the image of your company, you must also consider the experience and image of the SSL certificate providers. The best CAs use the latest security technology.

    5.      Customer Support: Consider this in case any mishap occurs with the certificate.

    Once you’ve considered all the factors before choosing the type of SSL, it is time to choose the best SSL provider.

    How Does SSL Certificate Work?

    The Top 10 SSL Certificate Providers

    SSL certificates have been around almost since the boom of the internet. As soon as there was a flow of data through the wires, there was a need to secure the passage through which data flows. The history of SSLs has been thought to reach as back as 1995. Now, a mere glimpse can reveal thousands of SSL certificate providers to you. In such a case, it becomes important to choose the SSL-providing company wisely; it is a matter of security and you cannot compromise over it. Here is a list of 10 reliable SSL certificate-providing companies that you can choose from:

    Comodo
    DigiCert
    GoDaddy
    SSL.com
    GeoTrust
    GlobalSign
    Sectigo
    Entrust
    AlphaSSL
    Thawte

    Comodo

    Website Comodosslstore.com
    Rating –
    Best For All businesses
    Used By Air Canada, Mn.gov, Alberta, etc.

    Comodo - Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    Comodo – Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    Comodo has been named the largest certificate authority globally. It has achieved the herculean number of 100 million certificates worldwide. It also has a good support staff that is highly trained in the technicalities. Comodo provides a wide array of certificates based on security and warranty.

    Here are some factors to consider before choosing Comodo:

    Pros:

    • Aggressive pricing in the DV SSL field
    • 24/7 customer support
    • 30-day money-back guarantee
    • Varieties of products
    • Covers all three validation levels: DV, OV, and EV
    • Huge warranties up to $2 million for EV in Enterprise SSL and Optimum SSL for multi-domain

    Cons:

    • You might need to buy for longer periods to get an affordable price
    • The validation time might take up to 5 days

    Pricing:

    Comodo has an aggressive pricing approach that helps buyers afford the price without compromising on security. It offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Pricing
    DV SSL $66/yr
    OV SSL $165/yr
    EV SSL $174/yr
    Wildcard SSL $312/yr

    DigiCert

    Website Digicert.com
    Rating 4.4 out of 5
    Best For Big enterprises looking for up-to-date security and priority support
    Used By Behance, CCTV.com, bit.ly, etc.

    DigiCert- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    DigiCert- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    DigiCert is the same company that acquired Norton Security back in 2017. It is a reputed company that offers various types of security certificates with easy validation and installation. Price-wise, DigiCert might come roaring at your pockets.

    If price is not your concern, here are the reasons that you should go for DigiCert

    Pros:

    • Numerous SSL options like Wildcard, Multi-domain, etc.
    • Contains Norton Security at its core
    • Easy to validate and install
    • Offers all three validation levels
    • Money-back guarantee
    • Huge warranties ranging from $1.25 million to $2 million
    • 24×7 live support that eases up the after-purchase worries

    Cons:

    • Pricing at the higher end
    • Technical language used on the website
    • No price provided for DV SSL

    Pricing:

    DigiCert offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Pricing
    Basic OV SSL $268/yr
    Basic EV SSL $398/yr
    Pro EV SSL $1728/yr

    DigiCert has been in the security industry for over 20 years. This deep-rootedness ensures trust and security without any compromise. If you love the blend of security, trust, and support, go for DigiCert.

    GoDaddy

    Website Godaddy.com
    Rating 3.9 out of 5
    Best For Businesses looking for multi-domain EV SSL at a reasonable price
    Used By Mediamatters, ADN, AZquotes, etc.

    GoDaddy - Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    GoDaddy – Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    With over 26 years of experience, GoDaddy is usually hailed as a domain and web hosting providing company. But the company is much more than this. In the field of SSL, GoDaddy has achieved immense public trust.

    Here are the reasons you should choose GoDaddy for SSL,

    Pros:

    • Flexible pricing
    • Excellent security
    • 30-day money-back guarantee

    Cons:

    • The thing that you should take care of is the renewal cost. The renewal charges could be comparatively higher whereas the first payment might be cheaper.

    Pricing:

    GoDaddy offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Pricing
    DV SSL $100/yr
    OV SSL $169/yr
    EV SSL $249/yr
    Wildcard SSL $429.99/yr

    Godaddy is a reliable source for security certificates. Its easy-to-install-and-validate certificate will provide you quickly with an EV till you are finished sipping your coffee.

    SSL.com

    Website Ssl.com
    Rating 4 out of 5
    Best For Websites looking for quick EV and OV issuance and strong technical support
    Used By LAPL, HSLDA, etc.

    SSL.com - Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    SSL.com – Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    Founded in the year 2002, the company has over 20 years of expertise in the field of SSL and TLS. Other than this, here are a few factors to consider before choosing SSL.com:

    Pros:

    • Affordable prices that are good for small to medium businesses
    • A promising 30-day money-back guarantee
    • Excellent support team with 24×7 availability
    • Huge warranties ranging from $10K to $2 million

    Cons:

    • SSL.com is not so beginner friendly; they have lots of technical and confusing language on their website
    • Might need plans for over 1 year to get some discount

    Pricing:

    SSl.com offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Pricing
    Basic Single Domain Plan Starting from $49/yr
    Premium SSL $74.25 to $99/yr
    Enterprise EV SSL $239.50 to $299/yr
    Enterprise EV UCC/SAN SSL $319,20 to $399/yr

    If support, price, and quick certificate issuance are your concerns, go for SSL.com. It claims to provide DV and OV certificates within 5 minutes.

    GeoTrust

    Website Geotrust.com
    Rating 4.8 out of 5
    Best For Websites looking for multi-domain EV and OV for a longer period
    Used By Sky.com, Visa.com, Sony, etc.

    GeoTrust - Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    GeoTrust – Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    It was the first company that issued DV SSL certificates. Founded in the year 2001, GeoTrust has gained a sea-deep experience in the field of cyber security. As it was once acquired by Norton, it is a part of the DigiCert group now because of Norton’s acquisition by them. GeoTrust also provides OV and EV with GeoTrust True Business ID.

    Here are the factors you should consider before choosing GeoTrust for SSL:

    Pros:

    • Huge warranties ranging from $500K for DV, $1.25 million for OV, and $1.5 million for EV
    • Supports 99% of browsers
    • Quick validation time ranging from a few minutes for DV, 1 day for OV, and 1-3 days for EV
    • Competitive price for high-end products
    • 24×7 live chat and call support

    Cons:

    • Their pricing for lower-end products like Basic DV SSL is a bit high
    • The warranty amount is not high

    Pricing:

    GeoTrust offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Pricing
    DV 1-year plan $149/yr
    GeoTrust True Business ID OV $268/yr
    GeoTrust TrueBusiness ID EV $398/yr

    Go for GeoTrust if you have a larger business to be secured.

    GlobalSign

    Website Globalsign.com
    Rating 4.2 out of 5
    Best For Big enterprises having numerous subdomains can consider a Wildcard SSL costing $949 for unlimited subdomains
    Used By Vimeo, Vmware, Spacex, etc.

    GlobalSign - Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    GlobalSign – Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    It is a company that focuses on enterprise-level businesses. Founded in the year 2003, this Belgian company is as good as Belgian chocolates. GlobalSign might not be a good choice for you if you are a smaller business just starting to row. Also, it offers security for 3 SANs for free – Outlook, Mail, and auto-discover.

    Here are the factors you should consider before choosing GlobalSign for SSL:

    Pros:

    • Certificate issuance in a flash
    • Huge warranties ranging from $10K to $1.5 million
    • Multi-language chat, email, and call support
    • Provides all three validation levels: DV, OV, and EV
    • Easy and quick installation and validation

    Cons:

    • Its limited support timings
    • The price is at the higher end

    Pricing:

    GlobalSign offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Pricing
    Basic DV SSL $249/yr
    Baasic OV SSL $349/yr
    Basic EV SSL $599/yr

    If you are a large-scale company, GlobalSign will ensure that your data remains secure. Also, if you have multiple domains to cover and expect future growth, go for it.

    Sectigo

    Website Sectigo.com
    Rating 4.5 out of 5
    Best For Websites looking for multi-domain EV SSL at an affordable price – $599 for 1 year
    Used By Samsung, Gravatar, WP, etc.

    Sectigo- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    Sectigo- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    Founded in the year 1998, Sectigo holds an immense experience in the cyber-security field. It has SSL certificates that suit all business requirements irrespective of size.

    Here are other factors to look for before choosing Sectigo:

    Pros:

    • Offers DV, OV, and EV
    • Reasonable prices for all the different types of certificates
    • Money-back guarantee
    • Huge warranties ranging from $500K for DV and $1.75 million for EV
    • 24×7 live support through chat and ticket
    • Easy and quick installation and validation

    Cons:

    • The warranty for OV SSL is a bit low at $1 million

    Pricing:

    Sectigo offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Pricing
    DV SSL $78/yr
    OV SSL $179/yr
    EV SSL $249/yr

    Price-wise Sectigo is very affordable for all the different types of products, especially when it comes to its multi-domain EV SSL.

    Entrust

    Website Entrust.com
    Rating 4.5 out of 5
    Best For Companies running multiple websites
    Used By FCC.gov, Dell, Nokia, etc.

    Entrust- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    Entrust- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    In terms of experience, Entrust holds the scepter with nearly 30 years of footmarks in the cyber security field. Founded in the year 1994, this company offers SSL in OV and EV only.  

    Here are factors that you should consider before choosing Entrust for SSL:

    Pros:

    • Money-back guarantee
    • Excellent support through phone, chat, and email (not on Saturdays and Sundays)
    • Easy to install, validate, and manage

    Cons:

    • Low warranty amount of $500K warranty on all SSLs
    • Limited support – 5 days a week
    • Entrust does not provide DV SSL

    Pricing:

    Entrust offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Pricing
    Standard OV $219/yr
    Wildcard OV $799/yr
    Multi-Domain EV SSL $429/yr

    AlphaSSL

    Website Alphassl.com
    Rating –
    Best For Single websites looking for basic and affordable SSL
    Used By Ecrater, AAP, Electricbike, etc.

    AlphaSSL- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    AlphaSSL is powered by GlobalSign, which is another SSL-providing giant. If you have a single website that you are looking to secure at an affordable price, AlphaSSL is there for you. However, when it comes to multi-domain SSL certificates, AlphaSSL disappoints.
    Here are the factors you should consider before choosing AlphaSSL:

    Pros:

    • Affordable prices start at just $49 per year
    • Simple buying and installing process
    • Warranties on all SSLs (the amount has not been made open by the company)

    Cons:

    • Only DV SSL is issued
    • No discounts on buying SSL for longer terms
    • Limited chat support
    • It does not offer multi-domain SSL

    Pricing:

    AlphaSSL offers two pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of these packages.

    Plan Pricing
    Alpha SSL $49/yr
    Wildcard SSL $149/yr

    AlphaSSL, being a good company for single websites, might also disappoint you in terms of validation levels, discounts, and customer support. If you have multiple domains or OV and EV, you need to look for other providers like Sectigo, GlobalSign, Comodo, etc.

    Thawte

    Website Thawte.com
    Rating 3.5 out of 5
    Best For Websites looking for a trustable SSL source for OV and EV SSLs
    Used By Vince, Peba, Instamed, etc.

    Thawte- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023
    Thawte- Top SSL Certificate Providers of 2023

    Being one of the oldest companies providing SSL certificates, Thawte is one reliable source you can consider for SSL certificates. Founded in the year 1995, it holds an experience of over 28 years in the field of SSL and cyber security. The company claims to have issued over 945,000 SSL certificates in over 240 countries. It also offers a multi-year plan for 1-6 years. In all its plans, you can add up to 24 SANs.
    Here are the factors you should consider before choosing Thawte:

    Pros:

    • Free reissues – in case you upgrade your server
    • 99% browser compatibility rate
    • 30-day money-back guarantee
    • Good technical support through chat, mail, or phone calls
    • Good tool management

    Cons:

    • Considering the price, the warranty amount might disappoint. Warranty ranging from $500K to $1.5 million.

    Pricing:

    Plan Pricing
    Basic SSL $149/yr
    SSL Web Server $268/yr
    SSL Web Server with EV $398/yr

    Thawte is a security giant that has been in the industry for a long time. If you have a large-scale business, you can consider it for its affordable prices, strong security, and technical support.

    Conclusion

    Buying an SSL certificate is trickier, especially when you know nothing about the technical aspects. If you have a simple website that needs some basic security, you may go for Comodo; it offers basic DV SSL for as low as $5.99 per year. It is an excellent choice that also offers a best-in-the-class warranty that goes up to $2 million. If you have a big business that needs excellent enterprise-level security and support, GlobalSign could be your answer. It is all about knowing your requirements and finding the best fit for you.

    Apart from paid SSL certificates, many hosting providers also provide free SSL certificates. These free certificates are good for basic blogging websites. If you have a dedicated business, paid SSL with OV and EV is the best option for you. For a business, SSL creates trust, builds reliability, increases conversion rate, reduces the threat of data breach, and enhances the overall brand image.  

    FAQs

    What is SSL?

    SSL is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client.

    What are the three types of certificates?

    • Extended Validation (EV)
    • Organization Validation (OV)
    • Domain Validation (DV)

    Which is the cheapest SSL certificate?

    If you have a simple website that needs basic security then Comodo is the cheapest SSL Certificate you will find.

    How long are the SSL certificates valid?

    It depends on which SSL certificate you are choosing. As per the Certificate Authority / Browser (CA/B) Forum, an EV, OV and DV certificates of GeoTrust, Thawte, Symantec, SSL.com & Comodo are issued a maximum of 2 years.

    Are there any free SSL certificate providers?

    Yes, there are a few free SSL certificate providers which are good for basic blogging websites.

  • Top AI Content Detector Tools

    When director Steven Spielberg created the movie A.I., a wave of being-human swept across the world. We fancied much about A.I., but we also craved that human-like feel to be real and be loved. And although we have already started seeing the advent of A.I. on the horizon, it has still not matched the level of human imagination. However, when we open up the internet and type AI, we get loads of websites that claim to be creating AI content. This, although seems helpful, sucks away the creativity and originality out of the internet’s fabric. As a business paying for original content, you’d want to ensure that it indeed is original. And to help you detect unoriginal content, there are plenty of tools available that you can seek help from.

    Here is a list of the top 10 AI detection tools:

    Originality.AI
    Writer
    Copyleaks
    Sapling.ai
    GLTR
    Hugging Face (OpenAI Output Detector)
    Crossplag
    Content at scale
    Kazan
    GPT-2 Output Detector

    Originality.AI

    Website Originality.ai
    Ranking –
    Best For All Businesses
    Originality.AI - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    Originality.AI – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    Originality.ai, as the name suggests, is a tool that uses AI to detect AI. Seems a bit paradoxical, but it uses machine learning and works around the sentence structure to check the originality of the text. This tool also detects plagiarism and ensures that the written work is original. If you are planning to consider Originality.ai as your go-to tool, here are the pros and cons to look for beforehand.

    Pros:

    • It quickly identifies plagiarism and thus saves time and effort involved.
    • It can help ensure that written work is original, which can be important in academic or professional settings.
    • Originality.ai uses natural language processing (NLP) algorithms to understand the text and identify similarities, even when the text has been rephrased or paraphrased. The tool can also check the text against a user-defined database of sources, such as a list of sources provided by a professor or a company’s internal document.
    • It can also help users learn about proper citation and referencing practices.

    Cons:

    • Like any other software, this, too, is prone to false positives. There might be instances where it might detect your original content to have been written by an AI. Don’t groan about it; rather, feel proud that you have some superhuman-level skills.
    • It may not be able to detect all instances of plagiarism, especially if the text has been substantially rephrased or paraphrased.
    • It may rely too heavily on the tool and not encourage users to develop their skills in identifying plagiarism.

    Pricing:

    $0.01 per credit, 1 credit scans 100 words.

    Writer

    Website Writer.com
    Ranking 4.6 out of 5
    Best For All Businesses
    Writer - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    Writer – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    Similar to Originality, Writer.com’s AI Content Detector tool also uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to check the originality of the text. The tool works by comparing the text being checked against a database of other texts to identify similarities. When a user submits text to Writer.com’s AI Content Detector, the tool scans the text and compares it to a database of other texts, including academic papers, websites, and other sources. The tool looks for similarities in the text, such as identical or similar phrases, sentences, or paragraphs. Here are the pros and cons to look for:

    Pros:

    • Using NLP, it cannot just detect AI content but even helps brands get unique content to elate their image
    • Free for up to 1500 characters (nearly 300 words)
    • Can quickly create different types of content like social media copy, articles, quora answers, emails, etc.
    • It can quickly and efficiently check large amounts of text for plagiarism
    • Users can also get numerous suggestions regarding citations and referencing
    • It has an extension that you can add to Chrome, Word, Edge, Docs, etc.

    Cons:

    • Might fail to detect plagiarism every time
    • It is also prone to false positive, which mean that sometimes even human-generated content can be detected as AI-generated. Phew!

    Pricing:

    Plan Pricing
    Team $18/user/month
    Enterprise Contact the vendor

    Copyleaks

    Website Copyleaks.com
    Ranking 4.7 out of 5
    Best For Websites that need basic AI detection
    Copyleaks - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    Copyleaks – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    Whenever we talk about plagiarism, we talk about Copyleaks. This company mainly works on helping companies be free from plagiarism. Apart from it, it also has a free tool that allows free 300-word AI content detection. But, should it be relied upon?

    Pros:

    • Free to use
    • Covers different language models
    • Provides chrome extension
    • Best for plagiarism
    • APIs for large-scale detections

    Cons:

    • Does not provide a measurement of how much content is original
    • The AI detector is a beta version, which means in the future it might be chargeable

    Pricing:

    Copyleaks offers various pricing plans. Have a look at the pricing details of some packages.

    Plan Monthly Pricing
    Trial (10 pages) Free
    100 pages $10.99/month
    250 pages $24.99/month
    1000 pages $75.99/month
    2500 pages $184.99/month
    5000 pages $349.99/month
    10000 pages $679.99/month
    120000 pages and more Custom Price

    Sapling.ai

    Website Sapling.ai
    Ranking 4.8 out of 5
    Best For Companies that need chatting assistants
    Sapling.ai - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    Sapling.ai – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    Founded in 2018 by Ziang Xie, this tool has become an excellent AI detection tool in no time. It claims to be an excellent messaging assistant for companies that deal with customers. However, apart from being a messaging tool, it also helps companies detect AI-generated content. But how good is it at doing this?

    Pros:

    • Offers excellent grammar and spell checking
    • Extension and add-ons for Google Chrome and Docs
    • Creates excellent content like emails, blogs, etc., using NLP
    • Offers quick and excellent messaging support
    • Integration with over 40 websites and applications

    Cons:

    • No extension yet for the Mac browser
    • Integration lacks quality
    • Has no add-on for Google Slides

    Pricing:

    Have a look at the pricing details of packages offered by Sapling.ai:

    Plan Monthly Pricing
    Free $0/month
    Pro $25/month
    Enterprise Contact the vendor

    GLTR

    Website Gltr.io
    Ranking –
    Best For Small businesses that need detection at smaller levels
    GLTR - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    GLTR – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    GLTR, or Giant Language Model Test Room, works on detecting the GPT language model. It was developed by a team hailing from MIT-IBM and Harvard NLP. The interface is very basic and can help you detect artificially generated content through its natural language processing (NLP) algorithm. Here are the pros and cons to consider:

    Pros:

    • Can work well on the GPT model
    • It is free for all users
    • Provides results with reasonable accuracy
    • Provides results with visualization

    Cons:

    • The scientific language used could be vague for non-tech users
    • User interface is a bit complex
    • Detection is limited to the GPT database

    Pricing:

    GLTR is a free AI-content detector tool making it accessible to everyone.

    HUMAN OR MACHINE? – Test If Writing Was Written with AI

    Hugging Face (OpenAI Output Detector)

    Website Huggingface.co
    Ranking 4.8 out of 5
    Best For All businesses
    Hugging Face (Open AI output Detector) - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    Hugging Face (Open AI output Detector) – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    Founded in the year 2016 by Clément Delangue, Julien Chaumond, and Thomas Wolf, this company originally was targeted at teenagers. Now, Hugging Face is best known for its cutting-edge NLP models and its open-source library of pre-trained models. It has a machine learning model that identifies and segregates different types of texts like emails, blogs, news articles, posts, etc.

    Pros:

    • It has an easy-to-use interface
    • Is free and open source
    • Was initially meant to detect the GPT

    Cons:

    • The use case is limited to GPT-generated content only
    • Could be inefficient to tackle the latest GPT model

    Pricing:

    Hugging Face (Open AI output Detector) is a free AI content detector tool to use.

    Crossplag

    Website Crossplag.com
    Ranking 4.3 out of 5
    Best For All businesses
    Crossplag - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    Crossplag – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    Like other AI detection tools, Crossplag is based on machine learning and NLP. The software shows results on a scale of red to green, where red means unoriginal content and green means original. Crossplag is a powerful tool, forged by the brightest minds in the field of technology, that uses advanced algorithms to scan your text and identify any instances of plagiarism, big or small, with reasonable accuracy. Here are the pros and cons of Crossplag:

    Pros:

    • Supports over 100 languages
    • Simple UI that detects plagiarism with reasonable accuracy
    • Could be helpful in several work areas like SEO, academics, corporate content, etc.
    • LTI integrations
    • Uses the latest tech in NLP and ML

    Cons:

    • Not well adept to the latest GPT model
    • Pricing could be an issue for some
    • Where its plagiarism is reasonably good, its AI detection may give out false positives

    Pricing:

    Have a look at the pricing details of packages offered by Crossplag:

    Plan Monthly Pricing
    Free $0 upto 1000 word
    Pay-as-you-go $9.99 upto 5000 words
    Bundle $149.99 upto 100000 words
    Custom Contact the vendor

    Content at scale

    Website Contentatscale.ai
    Ranking –
    Best For Small scale businesses because of its ability to process limited words at a time
    Content at Scale - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    Content at Scale – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    Founded by Justin McGill in the year 2008, ‘Content at Scale’ offers automated content creation using the advanced NLP model and machine learning. They claim to have the ability to produce undetectable AI content using their advanced technology. What more? They even have a free AI content detection tool.

    Pros:

    • Multi-language support
    • Developed by experts in SEO
    • Processes several NLP models to generate or detect AI content
    • Free-to-use tools

    Cons:

    • Can process only 2500 characters (nearly 350-400 words) at a time
    • Is prone to false positives, which means that it can sometimes detect human-generated content as AI generated
    • Does not tell which part is AI-generated

    Pricing:

    Pricing for Content at Scale is based on your needs, but it can cost anywhere from $0.01/word to $0.018/word.

    Kazan

    Website Kazanseo.com
    Ranking –
    Best For Small to medium businesses that can keep working on average results
    Kazan - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    Kazan – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    Considering companies’ current focus on SEO, Kazan came up with its SEO-based content generation and optimization app. Apart from SEO, Kazan is capable of generating AI-based content too. It also uses the NLP model to generate and detect AI-based content. Here are possible pros and cons to consider before paying for its services:

    Pros:

    • Can process GPT3 model
    • Simple interface
    • Far excels the other free tools out there
    • Can scan content in bulk
    • Free-to-use tool

    Cons:

    • Needs a minimum of 200 and a maximum of 400 words to process the results
    • Has a bit distractive interface that could feel annoying at times

    Pricing:

    Kazan is a free AI content detector tool.

    GPT-2 Output Detector

    Website Openai-openai-detector.hf.space
    Ranking 4.0 out of 5
    Best For Small to medium-scale businesses that need basic reporting
    GPT-2 Output Detector - Top AI Content Detector Tool
    GPT-2 Output Detector – Top AI Content Detector Tool

    It is the easiest tool out in the market that takes your text as input and provides you with output regarding plagiarism and AI content generation. You simply have to paste the content into the interface and it’ll start doing its work.

    Pros:

    • Easy to handle and use
    • Provides free AI content detection
    • No word limit

    Cons:

    • The results do not give accurate data every time
    • There is not much written about the software
    • Authenticity of its results is questionable

    Pricing:

    GPT-2 Output Detector is a free AI content detector tool.

    Conclusion

    Considering the pace with which AI is entering our lives, preserving life and originality in the content becomes vital. As a business, what you put for the users defines you and your vision. If you put content that looks dull and lacks life, users might get affected adversely. To tackle it, investing in AI content detection tools become important. While the free AI content detector tools are good for basic blogs, as a big company has lots of content, you might want to make sure that no space for error is left. Invest in tools like Originality.ai, Writer.com, Crossplag, Sapling, etc. Consider what your requirements are and choose the software rightly. As a business, you might not want to depend on free software whose reliability is questionable. If you are a small website, you may depend on Copyleaks for its trustable record in terms of plagiarism.

    FAQs

    What is AI-generated content?

    The content that AI-generated content creators create while using existing content to build new content is called AI-generated content. AI-generated content is used in a variety of applications, including news summarization, creative writing, content marketing, and more.

    Can AI-generated content be detected?

    Yes, AI-generated content can be detected from various tools available in the market like Originality.ai, Writer, Copyleaks, Sapling.ai, and others.

    How to detect AI-generated content?

    There are various ways to detect AI-generated text. One common method is to use software to analyze text features – for example, how fluently it reads, how frequently certain words appear, or whether there are patterns in punctuation or sentence length.

    How do AI-generated content detection tools work?

    AI-generated content detection tools compare the text to a vast database of existing content. These tools utilize advanced algorithms to identify similarities in the text that may indicate that it was generated by AI.

    How accurate are these tools in detecting AI-generated content?

    The accuracy of AI-generated content detection tools can vary depending on the tool, the complexity of the AI-generated content, and the type of text being analyzed.

  • Unleashing the Power of Creativity and Tech: By The Gram Founders Redefine Content Studio With Unique Originals

    StartupTalky presents Recap’22. This is a series of interviews in which we conduct in-depth discussions with founders & industry leaders to understand their growth in 2022 and their predictions for the future.

    In today’s digital age, content creation, and brand development are crucial components of marketing and advertising. Content creation aims to create and distribute valuable and engaging content that builds brand awareness, establishes thought leadership, and drives engagement with target audiences. On the other hand, brand creation involves extensive research, strategy development, and the creation of visual and verbal elements that accurately reflect a company’s values and mission.

    Effective content and brand creation help businesses establish a strong online presence, increase brand recognition, and drive engagement and sales. With the increasing importance of digital marketing, the demand for these services has been growing rapidly.

    According to a report by Statista, in 2021, the global advertising industry was estimated to be worth over $600 billion and is expected to continue growing at a moderate to high rate in the coming years.

    For this Interview, we invited, Danisha Kohli, Eman Batliwalla, and Aaliya Amrin, Co-founders of By The Gram (BTG) and we talked about the growth, challenges, insights, and future opportunities in the content and advertising industry.

    StartupTalky: What service does your company provide? What was the motivation/vision with which you started?

    BTG Founders: BTG is a content studio – a unique intersection where creativity meets tech. Production house meets full-service creative agency.

    Our vision was to build a company that did not exist yet in a market-ready and yearning for this unique hybrid.

    StartupTalky: What new services have been added in the past year? What is/are the USP/s of your service?

    BTG Founders: We are venturing into long-format original content with a slate of fresh young adult scripts that are currently being shopped around to platforms and production houses alike. Ultimately we are young people writing stories for young people.

    StartupTalky: How has the content and advertising industry changed in recent years, and how has your company adapted to these changes?

    BTG Founders: The key is to be constantly evolving and adaptive, never rigid in your services/offerings or even your company culture. The pandemic changed everything about the ad industry today, those that changed with it, were able to last.

    StartupTalky: How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the content and advertising industry?

    BTG Founders: Read, a lot. Watch, a lot.

    StartupTalky: What key metrics do you track to check the company’s growth and performance?

    BTG Founders: Growth in company size, client size, project size, and retention of all of the above.

    StartupTalky: What were the most significant challenges your company faced in the past year and how did you overcome them?

    BTG Founders: The past year was neither here nor there with regard to the after-effects of the pandemic. A mix of being back in the office meets remote working and so on and so forth. As a company, we’re full of left brains and right brains trying to work together on projects which often require adequate face-to-face time. Getting back into the groove of a ‘flexible’ in-person company culture was the toughest challenge for most of us.

    We remain flexible to those who are not native to Bombay and allow ourselves to pick and choose our in-office days.

    StartupTalky: Good service is something everyone is talking about in the service industry. How do you ensure that your clients are happy?

    BTG Founders: With the economy bouncing back, the advertising industry will boomerang aggressively. The handbrakes are coming off and brands are re-energized. BTG’s intention in the coming years is to provide future-proofing to clients. Future-proofing includes owning the brand experience and the data.

    BTG thrives at the intersection of creativity and tech. Now that more and more
    brands are looking to go direct to consumer, the idea is to own the customer relationship and the data that goes with it (especially with a cookie-less future ahead). Through this BTG works to evolve their clients from focusing on transaction and conversion to deeper engagement, and customer loyalty.

    StartupTalky: Foreign clients- this is what most service-based companies are looking for. What has been your experience?

    BTG Founders: Our biggest USP to date is our ability to produce content of a high caliber globally. Our producers are all over from London and New York to Hong Kong and Dubai. We have a seamless process wherein we are able to shoot for international clients on their home turfs and even shoot for our local clients elsewhere as per their unique requirements.

    With trusted A-Teams in place, we have mastered an automotive experience for our clients wherever they are.

    StartupTalky: What are the important tools and software you use to run your business smoothly?

    BTG Founders: Investing in the right creatives to build out a brand’s creative strategy will be instrumental in a world that is no longer ruled by algorithmic targeting. BTG’s goal is to get nifty with the privacy-friendly data available, in order to produce data-informed, clutter-breaking content – all whilst remaining personalized, relevant, and compelling.

    BTG plans on investing in AI-powered creative insights to leapfrog our content performance to the next level. AI will dominate when augmented with a human touch. Until today, AI companies and content studios like BTG functioned separately, merging now and again on a token project without any long-term synergy. In the next five years, BTG hopes to bring in-house the technology, and
    infuse it into their day-to-day practices. With AI, agencies have an opportunity to advance digital advertising by eliminating guesswork in creativity—constantly learning and optimizing what is truly resonating with consumers. This will be step one in implementing high-end AI innovation and eventually far more exciting adoptions for agencies like BTG in the ad tech space. They recognize the competitive advantage they have, which is to pair the AI with the right human touch, for this to be done effectively and responsibly, human augmentation
    must play a critical role.

    StartupTalky: What lessons did your team learn in the past year and how will these inform your future plans and strategies?

    BTG Founders: BTG was founded on the commitment to be 75% diverse and will continue to be that way years down the line. We firmly believe our women’s leadership, right from our producers and managers to our cinematographers and designers has been the secret sauce to our global large-scale productions, international presence, and our 16x growth over the last four years.

    By The Gram Team
    By The Gram Team

    StartupTalky: How do you plan to expand the Customers, service offering, and team base in the future?

    BTG Founders: Over the last few years, original content has become the cornerstone of entertainment, from household names to niche businesses – It’s not hard to see why – people crave originality and hate being sold to.

    As an agency, BTG has always been content first. With the economy bouncing back, the advertising industry will boomerang aggressively. The handbrakes are
    coming off and brands are re-energized. Their primary play is already in motion. Currently, they own the short format space, with an alarming monopoly over all things short form. They have finessed their production prowess and uber-niche offerings. Earlier this year, they ventured into original content and long formats, ranging from their very own slate of eight-episode series, to buying the rights for Hindi adaptions of the best KTV has to offer.

    The next two to three years will mean harnessing their existing relationships in entertainment to house our long-format vertical: BTG Films. Their think tanks and writers’ rooms are expanding, and over the course of the next five years, they see themselves with a dedicated department for long format and original content wherein we bring the writers, directors, and producers – a triple threat.

    StartupTalky: One tip that you would like to share with another service company founder?

    BTG Founders: Too many voices reduce the quality of a conversation and complicate leadership hierarchies impede swift decision-making.

    We thank Danisha Kohli, Eman Batliwalla, and Aaliya Amrin for spending their valuable time and sharing their learnings with all of us.

    You can read other Recap’22 Interviews here.

  • Trescon celebrates its illustrious 7th year in the emerging-tech events sector

    Trescon prides itself on its unwavering commitment to excellence in events, partnerships, and teamwork. This focus on achieving greatness has allowed Trescon to achieve numerous milestones and create unique, innovative events for its select audience each year. Over time, Trescon has evolved from a company that conceptualizes events to a formidable industry presence. Currently, Trescon produces 100+ events annually across 10+ countries in partnership with major organizations and government institutions worldwide. The organization is now synonymous with several global flagship events, including World AI Show, World Blockchain Summit, World Cloud Show, and World FinTech Show.

    As with previous years, Trescon continues to lead the charge for change and embraces evolution as the cornerstone of its success. Through a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and a deep understanding of its audience’s evolving needs, Trescon has solidified its position as a leader in its field. This year, Trescon has partnered with the Dubai government to present an unparalleled FinTech event, Dubai FinTech Summit, alongside other ground-breaking events. With this strategic collaboration, Trescon is poised to deliver an exceptional experience that will leave attendees with a newfound appreciation for the possibilities that lie ahead in the world of finance and technology.

    We are thrilled to celebrate the 7th year of our journey,” said Mohammed Saleem, Founder & Chairman of Trescon. “Over the past seven years, we have built a reputation for creating high-quality, impactful events that enable our attendees to connect, learn, and grow. We couldn’t have achieved this success without the support of our advisors, clients, partners, and team members, and we are grateful for their dedication and commitment.”

    As the company celebrates its latest anniversary, here’s a look back at some of the milestones they’ve achieved;

    • This year the group has on boarded a fresh new perspective with a change in leadership. Trescon welcomed Naveen Bharadwaj as its new group CEO to conceptualize and launch new business lines.
    • Growth of the team with the inclusion of 150+ new members.
    • Collaboration with top industry players such as Deloitte, Alibaba Cloud, Intel, Amazon, Google Cloud, Visa, Binance and others.
    • World FinTech Show providing a platform for companies to form partnerships and revolutionize the FinTech industry.
    • Playing a key role in strengthening Turkey-India trade relations through the IIFF (India International Furniture Fair) event.
    • Introduction of Dubai FinTech Summit under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohamed Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance.
    • Diversification into emerging tech fields such as blockchain, fintech, metaverse, AI, data and cybersecurity.
    • Digital Acceleration Transformation Expo (DATE) to be the first-ever event to define 7 top tech innovations in an elaborated manner.

    “Trescon’s focus has always been on delivering value to their event attendees. From thought-provoking keynote speakers to interactive panel discussions, they strive to create an environment where their attendees can connect, learn, and grow. We look forward to collaborating with them to continue to deliver high-quality events in the years to come” added Mithun Shetty, Vice Chairman, Trescon.

    What’s ahead for Trescon;

    • Vision 2025 (TV25) Trescon’s Vision2025 (TV25) aims to revolutionize the company’s events strategy, and exploring new business opportunities. Through TV25, Trescon plans to grow its brand, penetrate new markets, and establish alternate revenue streams. This ambitious vision challenges the traditional events mind-set and focuses on evolving the company’s overall approach to achieve long-term success.
    • To support the 2025 growth strategy, Trescon will be announcing a new advisory board of members, known as the Trescon Advisory Board (TAB), shortly. TAB will comprise of prominent industry leaders, and experts who will provide valuable insights and feedback to Trescon’s management team, helping Trescon stay ahead of industry trends, enhance its service offerings, and maintain its competitive edge.
    • Trescon is expanding its market presence in Saudi Arabia, Europe, and North America. The company’s expansion strategy is focused on delivering high-quality services to a broader audience and achieving its goal of becoming a leading business events and consulting firm.
    • Trescon recently made an investment in Demandify, a B2B Demand Generation and Media company. The investment will enable Trescon to leverage Demandify’s expertise in generating leads and enhancing its media presence. Trescon aims to scale this investment and work closely with Demandify to provide its customers with effective marketing solutions.

    With Vision 2025 underway and a new outlook, Trescon is truly a force to reckon with in the business events industry. This year, the company is determined to set an even higher benchmark, serving as a model for others to follow. The future is certainly shining bright for Trescon.

    A note to Trescon’s advisors;
    On this special occasion, Trescon takes the opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to its advisors who have played a crucial role in the company’s journey. The team of advisors have been instrumental in guiding the company’s strategic decisions and shaping its vision for the future. They have shared their extensive knowledge and experience in various domains, which have helped the organization reach where it is today.
    As Trescon celebrates its 7th anniversary, the company reaffirms its commitment to providing innovative and unique offerings. With the support of its advisors, Trescon is confident that it will continue to exceed its customers’ expectations and reach new heights in the years to come.

    About Trescon

    Trescon is the world’s fastest-growing business-to-business events, training, marketing and consulting company primarily focused on the adoption of sustainability, inclusive leadership and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, metaverse, cloud, fintech, data analytics and cybersecurity.

    Our summits, conferences, and expos create real economic impact by connecting and empowering the key ecosystem of government organizations, regulators, policymakers, private sector companies, solution providers, startups, investors, accelerators, advisors, consultants, associations, academia and more.

    Thought leadership, knowledge exchange, brand positioning, business expansion, market penetration, lead generation, finding solutions & services, capital raising, capacity building, training and networking are among the key objectives of our stakeholders.

    With the help of our 250+ employees across offices in 6 countries, several of our clients have quadrupled their leads, shortened sales cycles by half or less, entered markets three times faster, closed deals within unimaginable timelines and grown their businesses ultimately.

    Whether you are an organization or an individual, Trescon has something to offer you.

  • Top 12 B2C Ecommerce Websites Dominating the Indian Market

    ‌‌From Amazon to Pepperfry, the eCommerce industry thrives in India, especially in B2C eCommerce companies. In fact, India is ranked first in the fastest-growing eCommerce market globally, with an estimated market value of $16.6 trillion by 2022.

    B2C means business-to-consumer, which refers to the business model where the companies directly sell their products to consumers. The market offering B2C services has gained speed in recent years. According to the report by Grand View Research, the B2C eCommerce industry is set to reach a valuation of $7.65 trillion by the year 2028.

    This brings us to the article’s primary content, top B2C eCommerce companies across India. So, let’s get started.

    List of top B2C eCommerce companies in India

    Amazon
    Flipkart
    FirstCry
    Paytm Mall
    Snapdeal
    Myntra
    1mg
    LimeRoad
    Shopclues
    Pepperfry
    BookMyShow
    Nykaa

    Amazon

    Founded 2013
    Founders Jeff Bezos
    Headquarters Seattle, Washington (USA)
    Category Ecommerce
    Website amazon.in

    Amazon Website
    Amazon Website

    When it comes to B2C eCommerce websites, Amazon tops the list. The company was initially started in the United States as an online bookstore and was later converted into a marketplace for other products. Initially, it was created as a platform where customers could purchase books on a wide range of subjects.

    With time, Amazon grew into an eCommerce site with monthly visitors of over 322.54 million, as per the 2010 data. And it became widely popular in the Indian eCommerce industry. Today, the company reached out to a total of 89 percent of the Indian audience.

    Flipkart

    Founded 2007
    Founders Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal
    Headquarters Bengaluru, India
    Category Ecommerce
    Website flipkart.com

    Flipkart Website
    Flipkart Website

    Founded by two former Amazon employees, Binny Bansal, and Sachin Bansal, in 2007, Flipkart is a well-known privately hosted eCommerce website in India. After its highest acquisition of 16 billion in 2018 by Walmart, Flipkart now comes under the ownership of Walmart. The company owns 39.5 percent of the market share of the Indian eCommerce industry, with the most significant competition from none other than Amazon.

    Flipkart gained massive popularity due to its Big Billion Days Sale, where it reached a large audience base by offering huge discounts on its merchandise of all categories. With a solid online presence, Flipkart is considered one of the best eCommerce websites following the B2C business model.

    FirstCry

    Founded 2010
    Founders Amitava Saha and Supam Maheshwari
    Headquarters Pune, India
    Category Online Baby Products
    Website firstcry.com

    FirstCry Website
    FirstCry Website

    FirstCry is considered the best eCommerce platform for babies and children’s merchandise, following a B2C business model. The product quality and variety offered by FirstCry are excellent and worth all the praise. It provides more than 200,000 products from over 5,000 manufacturers. FirstCry was introduced in 2010 by Amitava Saha and Supam Maheshwari.

    In addition to its eCommerce platform, Firstcry also operates physical stores across the country, which allows customers to experience its products before making a purchase.

    The website has also launched its own private-label brands to offer quality products at affordable prices. FirstCry has over 400 outlets across India, covering cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and many more.

    Paytm Mall

    Founded 2016
    Founders Vijay Shekhar Sharma
    Headquarters Bengaluru, India
    Category Ecommerce
    Website paytmmall.com

    Paytm Mall Website
    Paytm Mall Website

    Yes, you heard it right. Paytm isn’t limited to digital payments and financial services; it has also expanded to eCommerce. In 2016, Paytm introduced an online shopping platform based on the B2C business model, Paytm Mall.

    From all kinds of clothing to exclusive gadgets to home furnishing, you can find everything at Paytm Mall. As per the reports published by findly, Paytm Mall is estimated to receive 60 million orders in a month.

    Paytm Mall offers high-quality products at affordable pricing. Plus, you can use different coupons for discounts and cashback offered by Paytm Mall.

    Snapdeal

    Founded 2010
    Founders Kunal Bahl, Rohit Bansal
    Headquarters Gurgaon, India
    Category Ecommerce
    Website snapdeal.com

    Snapdeal Website
    Snapdeal Website

    With an estimated monthly visitor count of 56.41 million, Snapdeal is considered an eCommerce giant with a B2C business model. It’s an online shopping platform with various products from different categories such as electronics, clothing, home decor, books, beauty, and many more. Among these, Snapdeal’s electronic category is the largest shopped one.

    This eCommerce platform was launched in 2010 and has attracted top investors such as Softbank, Alibaba Group, and Foxconn.

    Myntra

    Founded 2007
    Founders Mukesh Bansal, Ashutosh Lawania, Vineet Saxena, Sankar Bora, and Raveen Sastry
    Headquarters Bengaluru India
    Category Ecommerce
    Website myntra.com

    Myntra Website
    Myntra Website

    Myntra is among the premier fashion, lifestyle, and home eCommerce platforms with a B2C business model. It has around 48.03 million monthly visitors. It earned impressive profit and popularity after the acquisition of Jabong.com, its competitor in the market.

    Myntra is known for its fantastic collection of high-end fashion from top brands all around the globe and as per 2012 data, Myntra added more than 350 Indian and Foreign brands to its manufacturer’s list. Plus, it has many private clothing labels, such as HRX and Moda Rapido, which are exempted from expansion vastly.

    The website is also a fashion retailer with a wide range of products from international to local brands in all sections.

    Estimated Retail Ecommerce Sales in India in Million US Dollars from 2016-2022
    Estimated Retail Ecommerce Sales in India in Million US Dollars from 2016-2022

    1mg

    Founded 2013
    Founders Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal, Vikas Chauhan
    Headquarters Gurugram, India
    Category Healthcare
    Website 1mg.com

    1mg Website
    1mg Website

    1mg is categorized as an Indian online pharmacy founded in 2015 by Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal, and Vikas Chauhan. 1mg offers a wide range of healthcare products including medicines, healthcare devices, health supplements, personal care products, and more. The website features products from over 3,000 brands and has over 2 lakh products available on its platform.

    1mg also provides features such as online medicine ordering, diagnostic tests booking, and wellness package booking to provide a comprehensive healthcare experience to its customers. In addition to healthcare products and services, 1mg also provides health-related content through its blog and social media channels.

    LimeRoad

    Founded 2012
    Founders Prashant Malik, Manish Saksena, Ankush Mehra, and Suchi Mukherjee
    Headquarters Gurugram, India
    Category Fashion Ecommerce
    Website limeroad.com

    Limeroad Website
    LimeRoad Website

    Headquartered in Gurugram, LimeRoad is a pretty famous fashion and clothing eCommerce website following B2C business models. The company was founded in 2012 with the specification of online shopping. It was founded by Prashant Malik, Manish Saksena, Ankush Mehra, and Suchi Mukherjee.

    In its initial three funding rounds, the company raised 50 million USD. LimeRoad is the first-ever women’s social shopping platform in India. It also offers a wide range of categories dealing with men, women, and kids.  

    Shopclues

    Founded 2011
    Founders Sandeep Aggarwal, Radhika Aggarwal and Sanjay Sethi
    Headquarters Gurugram, India
    Category Online Shopping
    Website shopclues.com

    Shopclues Website
    Shopclues Website

    Shopclues is another online shopping company based in Gurugram, Haryana, India, founded by Radhika Aggarwal, Sandeep Aggarwal, and Sanjay Sethi in 2011. With revenue of above $40 million and 1080+ employees, the company has established a strong image in the marketplace. It’s a privately owned company that specializes in online shopping.

    ShopClues operates on a marketplace model where it connects buyers and sellers on its platform. The website has over 5 crore products from 9 lakh+ merchants across 3,300+ categories. Apart from the regular products, ShopClues also offers several exclusive features like Sunday Flea Market, Wholesale, and IndiMarket which showcase products from small and medium-sized businesses in India.

    Pepperfry

    Founded 2011
    Founders Ambareesh Murty & Ashish Shah
    Headquarters Mumbai, India
    Category Home Decor and Furniture
    Website pepperfry.com

    Pepperfry Website
    Pepperfry Website

    Pepperfry is a popular eCommerce B2C website in India that primarily focuses on home decor and furniture. The website was launched in 2012 by Ashish Shah and Ambreesh Murthy. Pepperfry has become one of the leading online shopping destinations for furniture and home decor in India.

    They offer products from over 10,000 sellers and has over 1.2 lakh products available on its platform. It also has more than 100 outlets across 57 cities in India. The website also has a feature called “Studio Pepperfry” which is a concept store where customers can get a hands-on experience with the products before making a purchase.

    BookMyShow

    Founded 2007
    Founders Ashish Hemrajani, Parikshit Dar, and Rajesh Balpande
    Headquarters Mumbai, India
    Category Online Ticket Booking
    Website bookmyshow.com

    BookMyShow Website
    BookMyShow Website

    BookMyShow is a popular eCommerce B2C (business-to-consumer) website in India that primarily focuses on providing online ticket booking services for movies, events, and other entertainment activities. The website was launched in 2007 by Ashish Hemrajani, Parikshit Dar, and Rajesh Balpande.

    BookMyShow offers a range of services including movie ticket booking, event ticket booking, sports event ticket booking, play and theater ticket booking, and more. The BookMyShow website features listings of events, movies, and activities happening in various cities across India. They also provide reviews and ratings of movies, events, and activities to help customers make informed decisions.

    Nykaa

    Founded 2012
    Founders Falguni Nayar
    Headquarters Mumbai, India
    Category Cosmetics, Beauty, Personal Care
    Website nykaa.com

    Nykaa Website
    Nykaa Website

    Nykaa is a popular eCommerce B2C website in India that primarily provides beauty and wellness products to its customers. It was launched in 2012 by Falguni Nayar. Nykaa offers a wide range of beauty and wellness products including makeup, skincare, hair care, personal care, fragrance, wellness, and more.

    The website features products from over 1,500 brands and has over 2 lakh products available on its platform. It also provides content related to beauty and wellness through its blog and social media channels.

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    Conclusion

    In conclusion, with the massive adaptation of machine learning, consumers are getting more personalized services from B2C eCommerce companies. The best thing about B2C websites is the level of convenience and security they provide consumers.

    It shows products based on the previous purchasing history of the users to fulfill their unique needs. These above-mentioned B2C eCommerce websites are truly extraordinary with their services and products. And because of this only, the competition within the eCommerce industry is relatively high, which is also the reason for its growth.

    FAQs

    Which is India’s number 1 eCommerce company?

    Flipkart is considered India’s number 1 eCommerce company with 39.5% of the market share from the Indian eCommerce industry.

    Is Zomato a B2C?

    Yes, Zomato is a B2C company.

    Who is the father of eCommerce in India?

    K Vaitheeswaran is considered the father of eCommerce in India.

    What are B2C website examples?

    Some of the B2C website examples are Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, LimeRoad, Pepperfry, Shopclues, 1mg, Snapdeal, Paytm Mall, Firstcry, etc.

  • Co-founder Navin Rao on The Kaftan Company’s Commitment to Sustainability, Comfort, and Style With Their Range of Kaftans and Loungewear

    StartupTalky presents Recap’22. This is a series of interviews in which we conduct in-depth discussions with founders & industry leaders to understand their growth in 2022 and their predictions for the future.

    Kaftans are a type of traditional clothing originating in the Middle East and North Africa. They are loose, flowing garments that are typically made from lightweight, breathable materials, such as cotton or silk. They are often worn as a type of formal or semi-formal dress and are often embellished with intricate embroidery, beading, or other decorative elements.

    In recent years, kaftans have become popular as a fashion item in many different cultures, including those outside of the Middle East and North Africa. They are now often used as a comfortable and stylish alternative to more traditional clothing items, such as dresses or skirts.

    There are many companies that specialize in the production and sale of kaftans. These companies offer a variety of kaftans in different styles, materials, and sizes, and many also offer customization options to ensure that each kaftan is as unique as the person wearing it.

    For this Interview, we invited, Navin Rao, Co-founder of The Kaftan Company and we talked about the growth, challenges, insights, and future opportunities in the fashion industry.

    StartupTalky: Navin, what products does your company sell? What was the motivation/vision with which you started?

    Navin: We are India’s leading brand for Kaftans. The Kaftan Company was founded in 2016 when the market was becoming competitive with several new brands. However, this was also when many similar products filled the market, and the founders were keen to create a unique product category that would be comfortable, high-quality, and stylish.

    That’s where the Co-founder Prakruti Gupta Rao came across Kaftans. She found that the dress that has been a favorite of royals and celebrities for centuries afforded the right grace, comfort, ease of wearing, and style for all women. It creates the impression of someone who is free-thinking, courageous, and open
    to new opportunities and experiences.

    StartupTalky: What other products/features have been added in the past year? What is/are the USP/s of your products?

    Navin: The Kaftan Company is the leading brand specializing in the design and creation of Kaftans in India. We have innovated and created a diverse range of loungewear, sleepwear, and kaftans for every occasion. We have expanded to loungewear, kids’ kaftans, and even a range of loungewear for men apart from traditional kaftans.

    The brand’s commitment to sustainability accompanies the high quality and stylishness of The Kaftan Company’s range of kaftans. The brand has given a contemporary feel to the iconic kaftans and uses cutting-edge technology to make products that are environmentally friendly.

    Departing from the conventional printing methods, TKC produces digitally printed kaftans. This helps in saving water, dyes, electricity, and even fuel. Further, it is almost a zero-waste fashion brand with ethical production practices and a constant focus on using natural fabrics that enable artisans to display traditional craftsmanship.

    StartupTalky: How has the fashion industry changed in recent years, and how has your company adapted to these changes?

    Navin: The fashion industry has become increasingly competitive, and in the last few years, we have seen a lot of D2C brands come up in the segment. In the wake of the pandemic, there is a greater demand for comfortable and stylish dresses to wear at home or outside with equal ease.

    Further, we are witnessing much attention on eco-friendly manufacturing and growing customer demand for natural fabrics and colors that don’t harm the environment.

    At TKC, we have already been following a manufacturing process that minimizes raw material waste through digital design and printing. We use natural fabrics in our products and this emphasis on comfort and sustainability has made TKC a market-leading brand.

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    Navin: We constantly follow global fashion trends and keep an eye on what style, pattern, or design dominates the popular international and domestic markets. We read style guides and fashion roundups and follow the fashion trends and leading magazines to remain updated. At the same time, we also regularly focus on innovating and creating new trends based on the kaftans.

    StartupTalky: What key metrics do you track to check the company’s growth and performance?

    Navin: There are multiple metrics we look at when considering the company’s growth and performance. The standard and basic ones include various revenue-based metrics. Being a digital-only brand, we look at various metrics within the digital marketing space. These include monitoring the average revenue per user, lifetime value, customer acquisition costs, repeat purchase rate, etc. Ultimately customer loyalty program and their measurement also plays a significant part in
    understanding the preference of our customers.

    StartupTalky: What were the most significant challenges your company faced in the past year and how did you overcome them?

    Navin: As we continue to grow and evolve as a brand, our messaging to customers was getting confusing with the various categories and names associated with our group of sleepwear and loungewear kaftans. (Women’s, Maternity, Kids, Men’s, etc…) As a result, we spent a lot of time consolidating and identifying a consistent image to portray to our customers in recognition of our brand. This meant creating new standardized logos, taglines, and essentially a corporate identity with relevant guidelines in place. We look forward to maintaining this image and providing consistency so our customers easily identify with our brand as we continue to appreciate their loyalty and support.

    StartupTalky: Repeat purchase is one of the most important parameters on which most e-commerce brands are betting. How do you keep your customer engaged to stop churn?

    Navin: Modern customers are very conscious of the quality, comfort, and value they get from the products they purchase. They are more focused on getting an enhanced all-around experience with the products they buy. Happy customers make repeat purchases and are most likely to help the brand grow organically. By creating, innovative, high-quality, comfortable, and competitively priced kaftans and other dress items for women, kids, and men, we have managed to deliver on
    all these parameters.

    StartupTalky: What are the different strategies you use for marketing? Tell us about any growth hack which you pulled off.

    Navin: We are an eCommerce platform specializing in fashionable kaftans. We use social media marketing and search engine marketing to promote the products. Further, our most significant focus is on content marketing. We have a high-traffic website where we regularly publish fashion blogs, daily wear guides, and information pieces about innovations and new developments in the world of kaftans.

    Further, we leverage influencer marketing by collaborating with celebrities and
    social media influencers. A key growth hack for TKC has been the focus on quality which has led the brand to a more substantial repeat clientele and word-of-mouth publicity.

    StartupTalky: What are the important tools and software you use to run your business smoothly?

    Navin: We use the latest eCommerce, digital design and printing tools, and various relevant software to keep operations lean, eco-friendly, and smooth.

    StartupTalky: What opportunities do you see for future growth in your industry in India and the world? What kind of difference in market behavior have you seen within states in India?

    Navin: India has vast market potential, and as awareness about sustainable, comfortable, and high-quality fashion grows, we are witnessing a rapid growth in demand for kaftans. When we started in 2016, there were only a few options to buy kaftans in India, and they were usually uninspiring and costly.

    The Kaftan Company was the first brand to formally retail kaftans as its core offering in the country, and the growth has been spectacular. The market is rapidly growing in India and globally, and kaftans have become the core upon which loungewear, maternity wear, beach wear, etc., is now based. India is a vast country with diverse cultures and fashion sensibilities in each.

    Some regions are very warm to kaftans, and others where we see very little awareness about the kaftans. However, the market is opening up through sustained content marketing and user experience for kaftans. Several new brands have come into the arena. Even though they don’t match our kaftans in quality or creativity, these brands are helping build a competitive and national market for kaftans.

    StartupTalky: What lessons did your team learn in the past year, and how will these inform your plans and strategies?

    Navin: Our team has learned to handle adversity and change in the past year. The continued impact and uncertainty of current times combined with the continuous change in the digital landscape means no two days are ever the same. The team has understood that sustaining through the current business environment isn’t easy, and one must always be ready to embrace change in order to continue to grow.

    StartupTalky: How do you plan to expand the Customers, SKUs, and team base in the future?

    Navin: We regularly introduce new designs and have been expanding our presence in the domestic and international markets through the eCommerce channel; we have also introduced a wide range of product categories such as kaftans pants, maternity wear, kids wear, and menswear, etc. The team is also steadily growing in sync with the rise in demand after the pandemic. We currently
    have more than 500 SKUs, and the numbers will keep increasing as we go along.

    StartupTalky: With so much hype around D2C brands spending on ads, what will be your growth strategy, organic or inorganic? How to plan to work around SEO and content marketing?

    Navin: SEO and content marketing are two of our key marketing channels. The Kaftan Company has benefited from content marketing, and it will remain pivotal to our brand. Consumers not only want to browse through the diversity of products but are also keen to know why they should choose a product like a kaftan. They want to know about the various options, the manufacturing process, and the quality of the dresses on offer. Through regular usage of content marketing, we
    advise our audience on what kind of dresses or kaftans they should wear on different occasions and in different seasons.

    StartupTalky: One tip that you would like to share with another D2C founder?

    Navin: Embrace the changes in an uncertain business environment, and always be aiming far ahead while also learning from the past.

    We thank Navin for spending his valuable time and sharing his learnings with all of us.

    You can read other Recap’22 Interviews here.

  • Sasha Revankar, Founder, One Minute Saree, Pioneers Easy-to-Wear Sarees to Transform the Saree Industry

    StartupTalky presents Recap’22. This is a series of interviews in which we conduct in-depth discussions with founders & industry leaders to understand their growth in 2022 and their predictions for the future.

    The saree industry is a significant sector in the textile industry of India and other South Asian countries. It encompasses the production of raw materials, such as cotton and silk, as well as the manufacturing and distribution of sarees. The industry provides employment to millions of people, particularly in rural areas, and generates significant revenue.

    However, the industry has been impacted in recent years by increased competition from fast fashion and other modern forms of clothing. Nevertheless, the saree remains a popular traditional garment, and the industry continues to thrive.

    The online saree market provides a platform for saree retailers to reach a wider audience, both domestically and globally, and offer a more convenient shopping experience for customers. The Indian saree market size is expected to grow by USD 4.14 billion during 2021–2025, progressing at a CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period.

    For this Interview, we invited Sasha Revankar, Founder of One Minute Saree, and we talked about the growth, challenges, insights, and future opportunities in the saree industry.

    StartupTalky: Sasha, what products does your company sell? What was the motivation/vision with which you started?

    Sasha: We sell the saree of the future. It is designed in-house and so easy to wear that anyone, anywhere can order and wear it without any hassles.

    StartupTalky: What other products/features have been added in the past year? What is/are the USP/s of your products?

    Sasha: We launched this year itself and we have introduced blouses as well. The USP of our sarees is that they maintain the look and feel of traditional sarees but are so easy to wear, it’s a no-brainer! Other ready-to-wear sarees are like dresses, we use real sarees and maintain the feel and elegance of the 6-yard saree.

    StartupTalky: How has the saree industry changed in recent years and how has your company adapted to these changes?

    Sasha: We originally planned to launch in March 2020 and of course, those plans got put on hold and we finally launched in Jan 2022. The good news, however, is that during this time our customers adapted more to purchasing ethnic clothing online, so it made our launch all the more impactful.

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    Sasha: It’s important to talk to other people in the industry and share experiences, as well as listen to your customers. Relevant industry publications and tracking the industry leaders are also important.

    StartupTalky: What key metrics do you track to check the company’s growth and performance?

    Sasha: We track our month-on-month revenue growth as well as our repeat customer rate and return on ad spend and conversion rate as key drivers.

    StartupTalky: What were the most significant challenges your company faced in the past year and how did you overcome them?

    Sasha: As this was our first year we faced many startup challenges, many of which had to do with our product and achieving consistent quality since we launched as a made-to-order product. We compensated customers whenever there were issues and worked towards correcting them. To get full control we set up our in-house production unit.

    StartupTalky: Repeat purchase is one of the most important parameters on which most e-commerce brands are betting. How do you keep your customer engaged to stop churn?

    Sasha: Proper customer service is very key, answering the customers and providing useful solutions. Keeping communication on new launches and engaging them through social media is also effective.

    StartupTalky: What are the different strategies you use for marketing? Tell us about any growth hack which you pulled off.

    Sasha: We target niche customers and this has given us a loyal customer base to build from.

    StarupTalky: What are the important tools and software you use to run your business smoothly?

    Sasha: We use a collaboration calendar to get our marketing/catalog/social teams in sync. We also have various in-house tools to help with our order flow.

    StartupTalky: What opportunities do you see for future growth in your industry in India and the world? What kind of difference in market behavior have you seen within states in India?

    Sasha: We have just started and the opportunity is vast. Although we are online and D2C, there is huge scope and value in bringing our products to stores.

    StatupTalky: What lessons did your team learn in the past year and how will these inform your plans and strategies?

    Sasha: We have to get granular when it comes to the user experience, it’s the number one thing you can’t take for granted.

    StartupTalky: How do you plan to expand the Customers, SKUs, and team base in the future?

    Sasha: Since dealing in sarees we are planning to source more diverse types of sarees and also design in-house exclusive collections.

    StartupTalky: With so much hype around D2C brands spending on ads, What will be your growth strategy organic or inorganic? How to plan to work around SEO and content marketing?

    Sasha: Long-term SEO is essential. Relying on paid ads is a long road to profitability.

    StartupTalky: One tip that you would like to share with another d2c founder?

    Sasha: Research your product demand and competitors especially using free tools that Google offers. Get enough info to work out where you may have an advantage and estimate your realistic price point. This can help estimate your ad spend needed for your target conversion and investment requirements.

    We thank Sasha Revankar for spending her valuable time and sharing her learnings with all of us.

    You can read other Recap’22 Interviews here.

  • Want to Save Youtube Shorts? It’s Easier Than You Think

    People need more time to engage in long videos for entertainment. So instead, you can escape the work blues and spare some time from your busy schedule to cheer up by watching YouTube Shorts.

    After the popularity and success of TikTok videos and Instagram reels, you cannot afford to miss the short video clips of YouTube, aka YouTube Shorts. Instead, content creators across the globe create a video clip of 60 seconds or less to entertain and provide you with valuable information on the go. Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t offer the provision of downloading these Shorts on your devices.

    But this should not let you compromise on your entertainment. Rather you can rely on a sturdy and secured YouTube Shorts Downloader for Mac to enjoy your best-chosen content on your terms.

    Let’s explore the best options to download and save the YouTube Shorts to enjoy offline anytime and anywhere.

    SYC PRO: Best YouTube Downloader for Mac

    SYC PRO (or Softorino YouTube Converter PRO) can be your best-chosen solution that works pretty well as a YouTube Shorts Downloader for Mac. Using it, you can download, convert and transfer YouTube Shorts videos as MP4 files on your Mac and other devices smoothly. Instead, SYC PRO is the safest and fastest way to download and convert your best-treasured YouTube Shorts at a six times more rapid speed.

    Noteworthy Highlights

    • Provides ease of use to beginners and experts
    • SYC PRO supports 4K UHD 60 FPS
    • Saves subtitles with the videos
    • Downloads multiple videos from various platforms like Vimeo, SoundCloud, DailyMotion, and of course, YouTube
    • Saves videos in MP3 and MP4 file formats
    • Features a blistering 6x faster speed to download, convert and transfer the videos
    • Downloads your videos entirely ad-free for delivering a smooth and seamless video-watching experience
    • Quickly share videos on iOS and Android devices
    • Supports iOS-friendly formats that guarantee the best quality output
    • It helps you edit metadata information before completing the download

    Steps to Download YouTube Shorts

    Downloading YouTube Shorts using SYC PRO takes little time. Simply follow the below-mentioned quick steps to get started with saving your best-cherished videos right away.

    Step 1: Download and install SYC PRO on your Mac

    Complete the installation of SYC PRO software and launch it. Provide your email address to get the trial key and begin your trial session for 24 hours.

    Open YouTube web on your Mac and find your chosen YouTube Shorts video you wish to download. While the YouTube Shorts play, you must copy the video link by clicking on the share icon.

    Step 3: Visit SYC PRO and customize the video output

    Now open the SYC PRO app, and the copied video link will appear automatically on the app’s interface. In addition, you must repeat the process to download multiple YouTube Shorts videos until all your chosen videos are queued.

    Select the audio and video format to convert and transfer your YouTube Shorts to the required place. You can also select a video resolution of up to 2160p. Also, choose a destination folder like MacBook, iPhone, music library, Apple TV, etc., to save your Shorts videos.

    Step 4: Save your YouTube Shorts videos

    Finally, click the transfer button to save your YouTube Shorts as MP4 files on your device.

    Other Ways/Online Tools to Download and Save YouTube Shorts

    Multiple options come in handy to download and save your YouTube Shorts and other videos. Apart from the best YouTube Shorts Downloader for Mac, there are online tools like ShortsNoob and YouTube SaveTube that you can try to save your videos and Shorts on multiple platforms like tablets, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.

    ShortsNoob

    ShortsNoob is a fast and free online tool to save YouTube Shorts in high quality and original quality. You need not provide your login details to save videos to your mobile devices, PCs, or tablets. Moreover, you can download unlimited videos using the ShortsNoob online tool.

    Step 1: Visit YouTube and find your YouTube Shorts video, click the share button and copy the link.

    Step 2: Visit the ShortsNoob website and paste the copied video link in the input box on the homepage.

    Step 3: Hit the Download button to process your video.

    Step 4: Once the new screen opens up, click the three dots and tap Download again.

    Step 5: Find the downloaded video in your gallery to watch and cherish it anytime.

    Drawbacks

    ShortsNoob is a third-party website. So you cannot rely on its authenticity or security. Moreover, the downloading speed might not give you a binge-watch experience.

    YouTube Shorts Save Tube

    YouTube Shorts Save Tube is an online platform to help you download and save YouTube Shorts. It can download unlimited videos at an ultra-fast speed and is entirely secure, too. The user-friendly app is free to use and lets you select the video quality before downloading your file.

    Step 1: Find and copy the link of your chosen YouTube Shorts by clicking on the Share icon.

    Step 2: Visit the SaveTube page and paste the copied video link in the provided space.

    Step 3: Click on Get Video.

    Step 4: Select the quality of the video, like format and resolution.

    Step 5: Click Download. The downloading will start automatically and will save in your downloads folder.

    Drawbacks

    While online tools come in handy, there is always a risk of potential spyware and malware that can pose a threat to your security.

    Why Can SYC PRO Be Your Best Bet?

    The online tools provide reliable and handy support to download and save your treasured videos and YouTube Shorts. Also, they don’t even occupy your precious storage space on your device. But they cannot be trusted in the long run due to security reasons.

    Instead, choosing a powerful software like the SYC PRO should be your wise decision, as it:

    • Guarantees privacy and complete security
    • Creates download links that you can add to online tools
    • Offers blistering speed to download your desired videos
    • Quickly downloads, converts and transfers your videos without lags or freezes

    So definitely, the SYC PRO app clearly stands to win the race of being the best YouTube Shorts Downloader for Mac.

    Final Thoughts

    While multiple options exist to save YouTube Shorts videos, SYC PRO can undoubtedly be your best bet. It provides complete security for your data and privacy. Could you ask for anything more than customizing your videos on your terms? SYC PRO takes care of your entertainment needs to offer you fun-filled enjoyment. Moreover, using SYC PRO, you can download multiple videos at a flash speed to enjoy anytime and anywhere.

  • Software Giant Playtech Takes Center Stage

    Gaming software providers play a vital role in the online gambling industry, powering some of the most popular online casinos and game platforms. One such provider is Playtech, a company that has established itself as a leader in the field through its innovative technology and wide range of games.

    Founded in 1999, Playtech has grown to become one of the world’s largest publicly traded gaming software providers. The company has a diverse portfolio of products and services, including casino, poker, bingo, and sports betting software, live dealer games, and mobile gaming solutions.

    One of the key strengths of the company is its ability to deliver high-quality Playtech gaming content consistently. Its portfolio of games includes hundreds of titles, ranging from classic slots and table games to more modern and innovative offerings.

    Its most popular games include Marvel-branded slot titles, such as The Avengers, Iron Man, and Thor, and progressive jackpot slots, like Jackpot Giant and Beach Life. Playtech is also known for its live casino games, which feature real dealers and offer a truly authentic gaming experience.

    Features of Playtech Casino Games

    Playtech-powered casino games are known for their impressive features and high-quality graphics. One of the most notable features is the animation, which brings pulse-pounding entertainment direct to your screen, and adds realism and immersion to the player experience. Playtech’s games feature smooth and fluid animations designed to capture the player’s attention and keep them engaged.

    Another critical feature of Playtech’s games is their use of 3D graphics. The 3D elements add a surreal visual component to the gameplay and also enhance the overall player experience. For example, in slot games, the reels and symbols are rendered in 3D, giving the games a more realistic and aesthetically-appealing look.

    Playtech’s games also use overlays, graphics or animations that appear on top of the game’s main interface. These overlays can be used to highlight special symbols or indicate winning combinations. In addition, they can add an extra level of excitement and engagement to the action. Playtech games also include a variety of special symbols that are commonly found in slot games.

    These symbols include wilds, which can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations, and scatters, which can trigger bonus rounds or free spins. For example, the wild symbol can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations and scatters that trigger the bonus rounds or free spins and give the player an extra chance to win big.

    Free spins are also a common feature in Playtech-powered slot games, allowing players to spin the reels for free. They can be triggered by special symbols, such as scatters, or through a bonus round. In addition, free spins usually have extra benefits like higher payout multipliers, sticky wilds or special symbols.

    In addition to these features, Playtech’s games include a range of bonuses and unique features that can increase the player’s chances of winning. These encompass multiplier symbols, bonus rounds, and gamble features, which allow players to double or even quadruple their winnings. These features can increase players’ winnings, making the gaming experience more exciting and rewarding.

    A Powerful Gaming Platform

    In addition to its gaming content, Playtech is also known for its powerful platform technology, and its stock exchange listing. Its software is built on a flexible and modular architecture, allowing easy integration with other systems and enabling operators to customize the platform to meet their specific needs. The company’s platform also features advanced security measures and full compliance with industry regulations.

    Playtech’s commitment to innovation and technology is evident in its investment in research and development. It has a dedicated team of developers and engineers who work to improve and update the platform and constantly add new features. In recent years the company has also expanded to providing services beyond gaming, such as financials, retail and entertainment.

    Another essential aspect of Playtech is its focus on partnership and collaboration. The company works closely with various partners, including operators, suppliers, and industry organizations, to drive innovation and growth in the online gambling industry. Its business model is centred on being a B2B provider that helps its customers grow.

    Leading the Way: Innovation Par Excellence

    In conclusion, Playtech is a clear leader in the gaming software provider industry. With a wealth of experience, a diverse portfolio of products and services, and a commitment to innovation and technology, the company has established itself as a reliable and trusted partner for operators looking to power their online gambling platforms.