Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
Anjan Pathak: Our idea for Vantage Fit was born out of a combination of personal experiences and market research. Me being passionate about health and wellness, along with my partner Partha Neog, observed a growing need towards corporate wellness programs. We saw an opportunity to leverage technology to make these programs more accessible, engaging, and effective for both employers and employees.
Through extensive research, we identified the pain points and challenges faced by businesses in implementing and managing wellness programs. We wanted to create a solution that not only addressed these challenges but also offered a comprehensive platform for promoting employee well-being.
Our concept evolved as we brainstormed ways to incorporate features like personalized fitness plans, team health challenges, customizable challenges, and data analytics into a user-friendly platform. We envisioned Vantage Fit as a holistic solution that would empower organizations to prioritize employee wellness and foster a healthier and happier workplace culture.
Our goal was to positively impact individual lives and organizational performance by promoting a proactive approach to health and wellness. And that vision continues to drive us forward as we further develop and refine our platform.
Great Companies: What are the various services provided by Vantage Fit?
Anjan Pathak: Vantage Fit is a comprehensive AI-powered employee wellness solution. It is a one-stop solution for corporates of all sizes looking to warrant employee well-being. It focuses on employee health and wellness by promoting and rewarding healthier lifestyles and habits. With Vantage Fit, users can track physical activity, such as steps and workout, and map their outdoor workouts and runs using GPS. Some of the services provided by Vantage Fit:
Holistic wellness challenges: Address all your employee wellness needs with state-of-the-art features, all in a unified corporate wellness platform. This has helped corporates provide an all-in-one wellness solution for their employees.
Flexibility to create dynamic fitness programs: Encourage healthy lifestyle habits among your employees with weekly step challenges, walkathons, distance-based contests, and health campaigns.
Focusing on individual challenges: It helps you create a sense of belonging and care by introducing your employees to a community of wellness leaders and experts. Vantage Fit has updated a feature called Journey Challenge, where the users can monitor and keep track of their own journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
Global Corporate Virtual Walkathon: Vantage Fit hosts the global corporate walkathon for corporates across the globe. The Global Virtual Corporate Walkathon has allowed various organizations to embark on a wellness journey and inspire others to promote healthy living. It presents a platform for organizations of all sizes and backgrounds to come together and work towards a healthier and more sustainable planet.
Great Companies: What makes Vantage Fit different from hundreds of other similar service providers?
Anjan Pathak: One of the most enticing aspects of Vantage Fit is its innovative
point-based rewarding system. We believe incentives drive motivation, so we've integrated a points system into our platform. With every task completed, employees earn redeemable points, encouraging them to actively participate in various wellness programs. We use Gamification, Incentivisation and Recognition as driving factors for building healthy habits in the employees which help the organisation in these aspects.
Seamless integration is at the core of Vantage Fit's design. We've partnered with various platforms, offering exciting gift cards and services. This integration ensures that users can effortlessly redeem their hard-earned points for rewards they truly desire, enhancing their overall experience. Integrations with almost all wearable devices allows everyone, with or without a wearable, to take part in the Vantage Fit challenges.
Empowering HR managers is another vital aspect of Vantage Fit. Our HR Dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of various challenge metrics. This tool enables managers to customize challenges to suit their employees' needs while gaining valuable insights from detailed reports. With Vantage Fit, HR professionals can make data-driven decisions to maximize wellness program effectiveness.
The Leaderboard feature serves as a powerful motivator. Users can track their progress, compare their performance with peers, and celebrate their achievements. This gamified approach fosters healthy competition and a sense of camaraderie among colleagues, propelling them to reach new heights in their wellness journey.
We have an AI-backed Squat tracking feature, which sets us apart from other wellness solution providers. Employees can accurately monitor their squat activities, enabling them to optimize their workouts and maintain proper form. This cutting-edge technology takes employee fitness to a whole new level.
In today's fast-paced world, mental well-being is crucial. Vantage Fit addresses this with an extensive range of mindfulness sessions. Our platform offers diverse meditation sessions, accessible at any time, helping employees find balance, reduce stress, and enhance their overall emotional well-being.
Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
Anjan Pathak: Being based out of small city from North East India, Guwahati, Assam, we encountered numerous struggles and challenges on our entrepreneurial journey. Operating from a tier two city posed its own set of challenges, including limited access to resources, talent, and funding compared to metropolitan areas.
One of the major struggles we faced was establishing credibility and gaining traction in the market, especially within the competitive landscape of corporate wellness solutions. Being a homegrown company from Guwahati, we had to work doubly hard to overcome the perception that innovation and tech startups only emerge from major urban centers.
Another challenge was attracting top talent to join our team. Many skilled professionals are drawn to opportunities in larger cities, and we had to devise creative recruitment strategies to attract and retain talent who shared our vision and were willing to work from Guwahati.
To overcome these challenges, we adopted a multifaceted approach. Firstly, we leveraged the unique advantages of being based in Guwahati, such as lower operating costs and a close-knit community, to bootstrap and grow our business organically. We focused on building strong relationships with local businesses and organizations, gradually expanding our network.
Secondly, we prioritized innovation and product development to differentiate ourselves in the market. By continuously refining our platform and offering personalized solutions tailored to the needs of our clients, we were able to carve out a niche for ourselves and attract attention from investors and industry stakeholders.
Lastly, we remained resilient and adaptable in the face of adversity. We embraced challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, constantly iterating on our strategies and staying agile in response to changing market dynamics.
Overall, while the journey has been challenging, our perseverance, dedication, and belief in our vision have enabled us to overcome obstacles and establish Vantage Fit as a leading player in the corporate wellness industry, proudly representing our homegrown roots from Guwahati, Assam.
Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Vantage Fit?
Anjan Pathak; Our growth strategy revolves around continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and expansion into new markets. In the next five years, we envision Vantage Fit becoming the leading provider of corporate wellness solutions globally.
One aspect of our growth strategy involves enhancing our platform with cutting-edge technology such as AI-driven personalization, advanced analytics, and integrations with wearable devices. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, we aim to offer unparalleled value to our clients and users.
Additionally, we plan to forge partnerships with corporate giants and wellness professionals to improve our product by understanding the on-ground issues of the corporates in general. These partnerships will enable us to tap into new industries and segments while leveraging their expertise and resources to fuel our growth.
On the global scale, we have our presence in Canada and we aim to expand our presence into key markets across other countries and continents, tailoring our offerings to meet the unique needs and preferences of diverse populations. By establishing a strong foothold in multiple regions, we can achieve sustainable growth and solidify our position as the go-to solution for corporate wellness.
Five years down the line, we envision Vantage Fit as the undisputed leader in the corporate wellness industry, serving millions of users worldwide and transforming workplace cultures to prioritize employee well-being. Our platform will not only be a tool for promoting physical health but also mental wellness, resilience, and overall productivity.
Ultimately, our vision for the future of Vantage Fit is to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals and organizations, driving positive change and fostering healthier, happier workplaces around the globe.
Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Anjan Pathak: My advice to someone just starting out would be to stay relentlessly focused on solving a real problem or addressing a genuine need in the market. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of entrepreneurship and lose sight of the fundamental purpose of your business.
By identifying a clear pain point or opportunity and developing a solution that effectively addresses it, you'll be laying a strong foundation for success. Stay committed to understanding your target audience, iterating on your product or service based on their feedback, and continuously striving to deliver value.
Remember that entrepreneurship is a journey filled with challenges and setbacks, but maintaining your focus on solving a real problem will keep you grounded and motivated even during the toughest times. So, my advice is simple: Find a problem worth solving, and then pour your heart and soul into solving it.