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- Niraj Jawanjal, Founder at India Intimate Fashion Week
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Niraj Jawanjal : I am into business of fashion & retail since 2004. We have also shot more than 400+ commercial projects for Indian & International clients. On a particular lingerie brand's shoot when client's expectations and figure of Indian models were not matching, this challenge brought my attention of lack of Indian Lingerie / Beachwear models who can compete with International models. Also, on the Lingerie & Beachwear side, we have very few or almost no brands to compete with the quality, comfort and appeal like international brands. This triggered the idea of creating a dedicated Fashion showcare Platform in India to launch New brands, New styles / lines, New Designers & an Entry point to International brands to India. & That's how IIFW ( India Intimate Fashion Week ) took birth. Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by India Intimate Fashion Week Niraj Jawanjal: We are the only Fashion Week platform in entire Asia which is dedicated and designed for Intimate Fashion that includes Lingerie, Beachwear, Swimwear, Lounge wear, Gymwear/ Athleisure. We act as a Launch Pad for New Entrants ( Brands & Designers ), Reputed brands collaborate with us to unveil their new product lines, Numerous Manufacturers, Distributors and Supplier of the Intimate Fashion Industry look at us as a networking platform to reach out the brands & designers to offer their service and participate in the EXHIBITION during our shows. Great Companies: What makes India Intimate Fashion Week different from hundreds of other similar platforms? Niraj Jawanjal: We, IIFW started in 2016 as a one of a kind fashion platform exclusively designed for Intimate Fashion Sector but later we started getting very interesting offers and approaches from across the globe. High Commissions, Trade Offices representing various Embassies / Countries started approaching us to to offer Distribution and Franchise of some of the finest brands from their countries. This lead to the launch of our another promising venture called Candy Shop India, in which we offer Distribution, Franchise, OEM/ODM services to brands & designers across the globe. As a Fashion Week company we are exclusively unique as we have IIFW ( an Intimate Fashion Showcase & exhibit platform ), Black Magik ( our iconic Intimate Fashion Calendar ) and Candy Shop India is our dedicated distribution and franchise arm. Also, we now initiated our charity initiative " Indian BRA Project " which is aimed at helping underprivileged girls and ladies by offering them basic under garments & personal hygiene products which are donated by Indian & International brands in this segment. We have now specially designed Show platforms for LGBTQIA+ / Queer talents in Fashion & Modeling called India Queer Fashion Fest ( IQFF ) and a dedicated platform of Sports & Fitness fashion called India Fitness Fashion Fest ( IFFF ), these both the formats were due for launch in 2020 but got delayed due to COVID 19. Also, I must mention that we are the only Fashion Week brand in India who dared and successfully executed India's first ever plus size Lingerie Show in association with American Lingerie brand Parfait in 2019 which brought the attention in the global fashion arena. Now, we are gearing up again. I hope, this much information is enough to understand how different we are from the similar hundred others. Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Niraj Jawanjal: The biggest challenge we'hv been facing is the TABOO around Lingerie, Personal Hygiene in the Indian Society and Mindsets. Yes, discussing and seeking information, putting choices and raising voice is a still big taboo in India even if its 2021. Since our launch of IIFW, we always stood by girls and their rights. IIFW has its own mission called #BOOTHETABOO and we would always stick to it. We always raise our concerns through thought provoking short films, promotional videos and initiatives. Now, we can proudly say after 6 years of our relentless efforts, support from media fraternity and intellectual corporates we could see changes happening in the mindsets. Many brands and ventures started entering in this field to support and stand by girls & women to support them in these issues. Now girls started raising their voices, started choosing their careers and professions, talk about sexuality, body shaming, inclusive fashion, periods and their preferences etc. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for India Intimate Fashion Week? Niraj Jawanjal: Our first priority is to add motivation to the Fashion Industry which is silent since Dec 2019 due to Covid. The entire talent pool across the fashion sector went through a very disheartening time for last 2 years as the industry wasn't operational. Many lost jobs, projects and also hope to get back. We wish to begin all our pending projects first so that the industry gets the re-energization push and we all can be back to the RAMP. In the future, we have plans to global with global partners and take Indian Intimate Fashion its associated Talent to the global level through Shows, Shoots & Exhibits. We are also gearing up to get into Intimate Fashion Education Sector ( which is absent in India right now ) and offer International Standard Intimate Apparel Design Courses to Indian / Asian students. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Niraj Jawanjal: Our advise is to simply dare and stand by your choice if you are passionate about. Many people told me to not to get into this sector as its associated with TABOO and some suggested that it may be illegal to do intimate fashion shows in India, but we never stopped. We went down to the depth of the matter, discussed with influential lawyers, understood the market size, and tried to grab everything we could during our preparation time and the we dared. Today, we are an Indian Entity but globally known. We have international audience and appreciators because we are passionate about our work. So, don't stop, chase your dream with passion. Cheers. Webiste : www.iifw.co.in
- Manoj Raikar, Founder at Acoustix The Music People
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Manoj Raikar: Coming from a family of musicians, music has always been in my blood. But it took almost 7 years of corporate 9-5 to realise my true calling. I started teaching part post my work hours initially and later quit my job to start teaching full-time. Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by Acoustix The Music People? Manoj Raikar: Acoustix TMP is aimed at providing for all your musical needs. Apart from music education for Piano, Keyboards, Guitar and several other instruments, we also have Karaoke Studio. We do composition and arrangements for original music. Great Companies: What makes Acoustix The Music People different from hundreds of other music education institutes? Manoj Raikar: Acoustix TMP was established to provide the best quality music education at affordable prices. We've spent hundreds of hours in research designing content for a variety of instruments and for all ages. We are also one of the very few music schools across the country who specialise in music for Preschoolers. Our Music Foundation Program is aimed at providing a wholesome music experience to young beginners (age 4-6 yrs) exposing them to the three dimensions of music - Melody, Rhythm and Vocals Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Manoj Raikar: We live in a country where music is still considered purely as a hobby. We have a hard time convincing parents the possibilities of looking at music as a full time career. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Acoustix The Music People? Manoj Raikar: Next 5 yrs look exponentially promising for Acoustix TMP. We are currently working with three centers and associated with 3 international playschools. We are looking at setting centers across the city and increasing our school associations. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Manoj Raikar: Keep the passion alive, work with empathy towards your students, and success will be inevitable.
- Siddharth Gundecha, Founder at Uprise Education
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Siddharth Gundecha: Most of the successful companies were started out of some personal experiences. The start of Uprise Education was a similar decision-based out on my failure to succeed in my career. It took almost 9 years for me to figure out which is the best career for me. In these 9 years, I have failed in different exams, changed careers multiple times and even got rejected by numerous companies. A few years ago after being confused with my career, I started obsessing about what actually makes people feel good in life. After almost 5 years of self-experience and thorough research, I realized Career accounts for 80% of our life. Starting with what is a career, I unfolded all the myths and facts related to a career. This led me to become a career counsellor who specializes in helping students choose the right career. I have found that nothing satisfies me more than meeting students, solving their career issues and contributing to the overall development of students. I know what works well and what doesn't in a career and with the kind of career journey I have gone through, I don't want students to reinvent the wheel which I have already invented. I don’t want the students to face the same problems which I have faced in my career. This was the reason, cause or belief I decided to start my enterprise to help students. Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by Uprise Education Siddharth Gundecha: We are an educational services provider with career and education counselling as our niche. We want to transform the way career decisions are made. And for this, we provide various services like Psychometric Assessments, Career Counseling (One-to-One, Group and Parents), Profile building, Skill development, Career planning and CV writing to students from class 8th till Post Graduation. Great Companies: What makes Uprise Education different from hundreds of other Educational service Providers? Siddharth Gundecha: The ability and expertise to go above and beyond to help our client and provide "the right and best information". We have a career for every student no matter what the marks. We believe that every student is unique and must have a unique career path. Our research-based counselling approach and the willingness to bring a change in students life is what makes us stand apart. Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Siddharth Gundecha: The biggest challenge for our business is to convince parents that career counselling is the need of the hour and it's necessary to take guidance from experts and professionals. It has become extremely difficult for businesses in this highly competitive and uncertain world to manage resources. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Uprise Education? Siddharth Gundecha: As of now we are serving students mostly from our city only. But in the coming time, we would like to go beyond regions and spread our wings by providing services and expertise to students from other regions. Also, we have plans to provide abroad education consultancy to students. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Siddharth Gundecha: It's very easy to start but along with courage it takes patience and discipline to continue what you started. Entrepreneurship is an adventure and hence it's obvious to get excited. In this adventurous journey, you will fail, people will laugh, and the only thing you have to do is remember "Why you started". No matter how hard it gets don't ever comprise your values and don't ever hesitate to ask for help. There are people ready to help, all you have to do is ASK.
- Nalini M, Co-Founder at Farm Fresh Bangalore
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Nalini M: In the year 2004, Tsunami hit most of the agricultural costal lands of Tamil Nadu. In the same year, after completing my post graduation in Agriculture, I worked as a volunteer in a Tsunami Rehabilitation project. This project helped me to understand about natural farming as well as real time problems faced by farmers. Support to sell their produce, assured price for their produce, sustainable market throughout the year; these are all the three major support needed by farmers. The Fractal Entrepreneurship Foundation’s incubation helped me to transit my passion towards pesticide free/poison free farming into an innovative and sustainable business model. Here we used ‘’IDEIN’’ Innovation Process and made an innovative, sustainable and highly scalable business model. We at FarmFreshBangalore.com designed ‘’Doctor Recommended Whole Food Nutritional Packages’’ for our urban clients. These packages include pesticide free vegetables, fruits, greens and groceries based on per person consumption rate. These packages come with fixed quantities and costs which in turn help the farmers to follow need-based production. Need-based production would reduce marketing stress to the farmers and help them to get sustainable income. Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by Farm Fresh Bangalore Nalini M: ‘’Doctor Recommended Whole Food Nutritional Packages’’, is our innovation. We designed packages which includes chemical free vegetables, fruits, greens and groceries. These packages are designed based on per person consumption ratio. That is each person should consume 400grams of Fruits, 150 grams of vegetables and 120 grams of Leafy greens per day to meet out their daily nutritional needs. We have packages starting from a single person upto 10 members family size. We also have packages for people with special needs like diabetic, weight loss, Pregnancy, recovery from major surgeries etc. We give priority for locally grown, seasonal vegetables and fruits. These subscription-based packages help consumers to get the right quantity of vegetables, fruits, greens and groceries on a daily basis, at fixed nominal prices. This also helps farmers to go with need-based production. Need-based production gives sustainable income for them and restres their marketing stress. Great Companies: What makes Farm Fresh Bangalore different from hundreds of other online stores? Nalini M: We are providing whole nutritional solution to the consumers in a very cost effective manner. Our consumers will get the additional benefits of fixed subscription cost throughout the season, irrespective of market fluctuations. This also helps to save time as it is done through a digital process for consumers and their purchase is door-delivered. On the other side, this model helps farmers to follow need-based production which reduces marketing stress to the farmers. In the whole process, we are empowering agricultural diploma holders and skilled workers to become social entrepreneurs as well. Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Nalini M: 1. As a young startup, it’s a challenge to bootstrap our idea with our own resources and funds. Further financial support and grants might help us to scale up further, as educating farmers needs time and resources and changing soil fertility of already damaged soils costs money. Through grants we would be able to help more and more neighborhood small and marginal farmers to get sustainable income. Finding markets is relatively simpler. 2. We uphold sustainability at all costs. We have the idea and knowledge to use renewable energy in the processes of cold storage and transport, which needs more initial investment. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Farm Fresh Bangalore? Nalini M: In 5 years time, Farm Fresh Bangalore will provide direct marketing support to 500 small and marginal farmers to sell their produce. 5 fractal units will be started in Bangalore city to provide food to 12000 subscribers. We also hope to start a Foundation, which would help small and marginal farmers to shift to Natural farming from chemical farming. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Nalini M: Your business should be a Fractal, Social enterprise which solves problems in the society, elegantly and effectively. Website : https://www.farmfreshbangalore.com/
- Vikas Mishra, Founder at 360 Degree Digital Marketing
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Vikas Mishra: Starting at the age of 21 in college was a major challenge and a great learning experience. Self believes and knowing your own potential are important for your career. Teaching school students and doing internships always provides me new opportunities for learning and improving myself to become a better version. While doing the internship, I got some the small task of digital & I even understand tools which are used in marketing. Learning about digital marketing is always interesting for me. So, I started learning online through videos, blogs, case studies etc... Learning and then implementing it online and I used to get good results helps me to explore more about digital marketing. After a few months, I found that there was good demand in the market for digital marketing and then I started my agency 360Degree Digital Marketing on 24 Dec 2016. Starting something is always putting your 100% effects to make it successful. I know the journey is not easy and starting working on it day and night while I was in my college. After a few months, I got a few clients and then I started getting clients and then setting up a team and everything started. 1 year I have worked in a college and then after graduation, I continue to expand my agency Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by 360 Degree Digital Marketing Vikas Mishra : Website Design & Development: We design all types of websites including Blogs, Informative websites, E-Commerce, Customized, etc. Search Engine Optimization: Ranking websites and websites pages on search engines are now like a quick process of getting business for us. We are one of the best in SEO as per our results and strategies Social Media Marketing: Social media is like creating your brand & sales Paid Ads: Running paid ads to increase sales Content creation: Creating marketing content like a blog post, video production, marketing campaign Google My Business Influencer marketing Digital Marketing Strategies Great Companies: What makes 360 Degree Digital Marketing different from hundreds of other Digital Marketing Firms? Vikas Mishra: As our name suggests 360Degree Digital Marketing means all Digital Solutions under one roof. Result-oriented digital marketing solutions: We understand which digital solutions or services are effective and can give the best results. Quality Services: Quality is what we are always focused on when we work for our clients Cost Effective: We are an affordable digital marketing agency ROI Focus: we always provide better ROI to our clients Experienced Team: We are an experienced team who has worked with more than 300+ brands Branding: We focus on brand building concept Automation: Our 360degree automation helps clients to track digital performance Industries: Our focus industries are Hospital, Real estate & Education Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Vikas Mishra: Stating something new is never easy with taking it all way to success is like building a road. According to my struggles and challenges create an opportunity for me to move ahead and I always took it as an opportunity to do something new Today I must say that I am still learning and upgrading myself to bring new opportunities in market. Starting at age of 21 without any experience or knowledge is never easy but, yes it not impossible from 1st day I know when I started in 2016. Awareness: On 2016 there is lack of awareness in the market. So, in order to create awareness, I have started taking seminars, lectures, talks, etc. Team: Creating a good team was difficult. So, I trained my team Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What do 5 years down the line look like for a 360 Degree in Digital Marketing? Vikas Mishra: We are an innovative digital marketing agency who has proved themselves in the market. Now, we are proving 360degree solutions for Hospitals, real estate, and education this is our major targeted sector. In Digital Marketing we need to upgrade as per industries Our Future targets: Digital Branding for clients Automation digital marketing setup Work on performance marketing Looking for funding to expand our presence all around the globe Increase our market values Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Vikas Mishra : Know yourself better in terms of your skills, passion, and interest R & D before startup of any business plan or venture. Give your 100% and never fear of failure
- Suraj Bikkannavar, Founder at Sol Sports
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Suraj Bikkannavar: I was a former National player and had to stop because of an injury, so started coaching just for fun and realized that am good at it. I did my ITF coaching certification and topped it. So I got confidence to start Sol Sports Academies. Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by Sol Sports Suraj Bikkannavar: We provide tennis and fitness solutions. Great Companies: What makes Sol Sports different from hundreds of other Tennis Academies? Suraj Bikkannavar: We have international standard structured tennis program for every age group, and we have separate specialized fitness program. Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Suraj Bikkannavar: India has a lot of potential to make it big in tennis but majority of the kids don't have a good diet routine. So that's a major challenge to convince parents. Also most give preference to academics over sports, so there is still no belief system which has developed that we can make it big in sports too. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Sol Sports? Suraj Bikkannavar: We have already been producing results in National level. We are hopeful that in couple of years we will have students performing in International level. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Suraj Bikkannavar: Knowledge, Hard work and Passion are the three things which are very important to start out anything and find success.
- Anil Jain, Founder at DESIGN DECISIONS INC
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Anil Jain : After completing graduation b.Arch. In 1984 I was in job for almost 5 years handling projects on behalf of the company. During that I was offered small small projects by my friends and some companies for which my employer company was working, that gave me confidence to start my own firm/ business. Great Companies: What are the various services provided by design decisions inc Anil Jain : We are mainly architects and interior designers, providing design consultancy, including engineering services like structural, electrical, hvac, public health, landscaping and energy efficient designs. Great Companies: What makes design decisions inc different from hundreds of other architect companies ? Anil Jain : We focus on clients requirements and on personal interactions and take up limited assignments on selective basis so that I can personally look after the project and not pass on to third party. Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Anil Jain : People in India have this notion that if you hire an architect then the cost will get inflated. This myth has been created by those who are not really qualified and mislead the clients by saying these things so that they can get the work. I personally experienced many such hurdles. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for design decisions inc? Anil Jain : I have a good experience of 37 years in the profession and done projects from hotels, hospitals, schools, collages, embassy building, palace on wheels and many private bungalows. So looking forward to some interesting projects and not the run of the mill kind of work. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Anil Jain : Before starting one's own venture I would advise that one should get good experience in a medium size company to get exposure and then start so that you don't make mistakes and loose a valuable client. Always communicate with the clients on regular basis with updates to have a satisfied client.
- Jeffin Ani Johns, CEO- Asia Pacific at Ace Pro Factor
Great Companies: What is the idea or concept for the business, Ace Pro Factor? Jeffin Ani Johns: Ace Pro Factor is an organization created with an aim to promote skill based education and employment on a global basis Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by Ace Pro Factor Jeffin Ani Johns: The major services provided by Ace Pro Factor are recruitment services, skill education & certification Great Companies: What makes Ace Pro Factor different from hundreds of other similar service providers? Jeffin Ani Johns: The mission of Ace Pro Factor is to create not just Ace's or Pro's but to create much beyond. We provide international standard skill training, globally recognized skill assessments & certifications and recruitment services in over 4 countries Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Jeffin Ani Johns: The major challenges that we face in business are direct and indirect competition, lack of acceptance and awareness of consumers etc Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Ace Pro Factor? Jeffin Ani Johns: Ace Pro Factor is targeting to spread its services to over 20 countries by 2025 and be a true global brand is skill assessments, education and recruitment's Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Jeffin Ani Johns: Have a PLAN before you start, once you have a PLAN don't hesitate to TRY the PLAN, if the PLAN fail, never hesitate to TRY again
- Sameer Subhash Sawarkar, CEO at Neurosynaptic Communications Pvt Ltd
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Sameer Subhash Sawarkar: Access to basic healthcare is very big challenge in Rural India and most Developing World. 70% population in Rural India gets just 20% doctors, 25% dispensaries, and 40% hospitals. Very little Insurance, severe gender skew in access and many challenges. It’s pushing tens of millions of families below poverty line annually. Health is the largest non-productive debt in rural areas. However, it has been impossible to take Doctors to the Rural areas, and the only way to provide a good quality healthcare access seems to be with help from technology. Further, there are several gaps in the primary healthcare system in India, which include Broken Healthcare Information System, Severe gaps in Infrastructure, Inadequate Human Resources at all levels, and Insufficient diagnostic and pharmacy services, resulting in huge inefficiencies in the system. Its not just a big challenge, but a huge market too! However, this is a viable market only for the solutions which can cost-effectively connect the entire ecosystem. We got introduced to this challenge through the work done by the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. While it was initially thought of as a technology related solution, we soon realized that it needs to link up the whole ecosystem. NCPL’s journey is about putting this ecosystem in place through various partnerships / collaborations, and the associated challenges. In recent times, the Indian Telemedicine market has been estimated to be 5.5 Bn USD. Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by Neurosynaptic Communications Pvt Ltd (NCPL) Sameer Subhash Sawarkar: NCPL has deep experience in the field of Remote Healthcare Delivery. We are committed to make quality and affordable healthcare available to masses through our ReMeDi® telemedicine platform and Managed Healthcare Services. NCPL has three basic offerings: a. ReMeDi® Integrated SAAS based Telemedicine Platform for access to affordable healthcare. This includes both Software as well as intelligent medical devices. This can be used for Telemedicine Clinics, Home care / Community Screening or Direct to Home Teleconsultation models. The platform and devices are able to provide 40 point-of-care diagnostic tests, which can be carried out by a nurse / health-worker. The software offers entire Remote OPD workflow, electronic medical records, audio/video conferencing and integrated devices. Additional devices also have been integrated, and are offered based on the needs. b. End-to-end Managed Telehealthcare Delivery Services, which include components like feasibility, installation, resource mobilization, operationalization, project management, impact assessment, etc. at the last mile. c. ReMeDi® Medical Devices with communication & control interfaces, allowing strategic partners to build their own workflows. This is a suite of 40 point-of-care diagnostic tests, including Blood, Urine & Physiology, and the Interfaces for integration. These are lightweight and portable, with rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth / BLE communication interface, Indigenously developed and Certified Devices. The set can be used effectively for Maternal & Child Health, Non-Communicable & Communicable Diseases, and horizontal primary healthcare. Customized configurations are also possible. Great Companies: What makes Neurosynaptic Communications Pvt Ltd different from hundreds of other Healthcare Firms? Sameer Subhash Sawarkar: The very first differentiator is a Proven Product, Delivery and Partnerships – NCPL has developed a significant brand and reputation of quality and affordable healthcare solutions and delivery on the ground, which very few companies may be able to claim. This platform has enabled more than 2600 telemedicine centres till date in India and 12 other countries, and has brought access of healthcare closer to over 50 Mn population. The second differentiator is the Diagnostic Devices. The range of diagnostics offered at the point-of-care, the amazing ease with which these can be operated, the possibility of tracking each usage, the direct storage of readings in the medical record without manual intervention, the streaming data from the devices, and remote controllability of the devices from the doctors’ end are all are very significant differentiators. Moreover, these Certified products are indigenously developed with support from BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The third significant differentiator is the grounds-up development of the ReMeDi® platform, being a pioneer in this field. The feature sets, workflows all have originated from the field requirements directly. Further, the solution is highly configurable, and accommodates several aspects that vary across projects, thereby providing a significant time advantage. Several features like Management Information System (MIS) allow tuning of the delivery parameters to optimize the programs. It is highly scalable. We are taking the best-in-class product ReMeDi® to the customer, based on the deep expertise of last mile healthcare delivery. We provide an end-to-end solution to the telemedicine and remote healthcare delivery needs. NCPL has been recognized at several National and International fora for its pioneering work and impact in this domain: Finalist at REME-DIY Innovation Grand Challenge (final results awaited) 2021 Innovators Appreciation Award by Universal Health Coverage Conclave 2018 Inspire Innovation Award 2017 Frost and Sullivan Emerging Digital Healthcare Service Provider of the year 2017 Business Line Emerging Social Enterprise Award 2017 Millennium Alliance award in 2016 ASME Innovation Showcase 2015 NASSCOM Social Innovation 2014 as Jury’s Special Choice Award Fastest Growing Social Enterprise in the Healthcare Category by Action for India Forum in 2013 Global Indus Technovator in 2006 by IBC at MIT Boston Finalist at the Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2012 Award by Jubilant Bhartiya Foundation and Schwab Foundation Finalist at Inclusive Innovation 2013 by Indian Merchants’ Chamber Grand Challenges Canada Stars in Global Health Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Sameer Subhash Sawarkar: There are several types of challenges that we have faced in the past. First kind of challenges are lack of bandwidth, qualified healthcare resources, infrastructure (both medical and non-medical) at the last mile. These were quite significant in the earlier part of our journey, but are progressively and rapidly subsiding. The second kind of challenges that we have encountered are the lack of regulatory and legal frameworks and standing for telemedicine. These become very significant in customers’ / investors’ view, and are starting troubles, which stunt the growth of business. With the release of the telemedicine guidelines by MCI last year, as well as certain developments on the regulatory front, these challenges are getting addressed as well. Indeed this easing has resulted in a significant growth for the company in recent past. However, regulatory aspects vary with geography, and hence still pose a significant challenge which needs to be addressed for further growth. The next set of challenges are related to the context and business models – as the ecosystem is disconnected, it still remains a major challenge to provide last mile access. There is also severe healthcare financing challenge, which we hope will ease in the future due to public and innovative private group health insurance models. While we have successfully tackled many of these challenges in projects; each one poses a unique aspect of the challenge. This is where expertise in the domain has given us a significant advantage. Acceptance of technology based remote healthcare delivery by the providers has been an important achievement of recent times. For the Company, of-course being an impact based for-profit organization, and taking up the toughest rural-healthcare problem, where healthcare financing mechanisms are scarce, presents another unique challenge. There have been several challenges, but we have been able to successfully tackle those. We have achieved significant growth in the past couple of years, and are rapidly growing. Present challenges for the company are to raise the required financial resources for growth, and put together structures to propel it. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Neurosynaptic Communications Pvt Ltd? Sameer Subhash Sawarkar: Having achieved over a 115% revenue growth in the previous financial year with 68% more customer acquisitions, the Company has significant contracts at hand with a forecast of 260% revenue growth in the current financial year. It is going to be an extremely busy and important year for the Company. With increased acceptance for the Managed Healthcare Services, and strong partnerships in multiple geographies, the Company is looking at large growth in both domestic and overseas business, and intends to make investments into appropriate Teams, Delivery and Product Development for local regulatory requirements. We plan to raise funds to propel this growth in the near future. NCPL offers an excellent investment opportunity due to its strong Foundations and Team, Capable Leadership with decades of industry experience, Proven Product, Delivery and Partnerships and the accelerated growth path that the Company is traversing. We see ourselves becoming a significant Global player in the remote healthcare delivery market, especially in the developing world, where affordable and quality healthcare delivery is a significant challenge. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Sameer Subhash Sawarkar: Well, there are numerous things that one needs to look out for, but one thing I would like to suggest is adaptability during the entrepreneurial journey. There are several things that usually may not go the planned way, in spite-of best-of-the-planning. Quickly Learning from the experiences and course corrections are extremely important.
- Atul Jain, Founder at Cybez
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Atul Jain: Over the last few years, we realised that D2C is a rising and promising business trend in India, but there was a lack of E-commerce specialised marketing agencies in India who could consult these D2C brands and help them with solutions to drive online sales. Thus, we started the company Cybez as a niche E-commerce Marketing & Consulting company to help brands setup and scale their E-commerce business. Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by Cybez Atul Jain: We are proving a host of services to help websites improve their online sales. Our services include E-commerce Website Development, E-commerce Website Management, E-commerce SEO, Performance Marketing, Retention Marketing and Conversion Rate Optimization. Great Companies: What makes Cybez different from hundreds of other similar consulting firms? Atul Jain: Our core expertise and experience in E-commerce, Analytics, User Experience, etc. helps us bring out opportunities for our clients to optimise and improve their E-commerce business metrics. We are not a horizontal agency or consultants but focus only on our niche, that is E-commerce. Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Atul Jain: The biggest challenge in our industry is finding and retaining the right talent. We don't just hire anyone who knows digital, but we always look for passion and dedication in the candidate, before hiring them. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Cybez? Atul Jain: We are currently offering our services to clients in India, US, UK, Canada, Singapore, Kuwait and Australia. Over the next few years, we plan to expand to other regions as well. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Atul Jain: We would like to advise companies to stick to their niche and expertise and not try to do anything and everything to grow their business. Future is about being a specialist and master of one, and not a jack of all trades.
- Sahana Rai, Founder at Glocal Brand Solutions
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Sahana Rai: I am an accidental entrepreneur, entrepreneurship happened by chance. I have worked for 13 years in corporate world and when motherhood came calling, I decided to take a break with the idea of going back to my corporate career. But like they say, “life happens to you when you make other plans”, I was blessed with twins and going back full time didn’t seem like a great option. I started exploring various options, dabbled for a bit with digital marketing and then when a friend suggested to try my hand in PR, I found my calling. From March 2016 I went full-fledged into PR and there has been no looking back from thereon. Thus, Glocal Brand Solutions was born. Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by Glocal Brand Solutions Sahana Rai: Currently we are core PR services boutique agency in which we provide services like Press events, media interactions in print, digital, tv etc. So, If I must put it in short, we are brand custodians responsible for bringing out each story in as authentic way as possible. Great Companies: What makes Glocal Brand Solutions different from hundreds of other similar service providers? Sahana Rai: We bring lot of love and passion to our work and the proof of it is in the outcome of the work we produce and almost 80% of clients who we have right now have been with us from inception. Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Sahana Rai: As a boutique start-up and being solopreneur challenges are many, working on tight timelines, delivering more than what client expects are some of the problems. The list is big, but these are some key issues. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Glocal Brand Solutions? Sahana Rai: In next 5 years there are couple of things that we are aiming to achieve – • Customised solutions for start-ups in form of software or something of the likes. • In boutique PR agency category, we want to be counted as one of the top 5 agencies. • We also want to build a strong reputation in start-up PR category. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Sahana Rai: Don’t underestimate your potential, you will be pleasantly surprised by what you can do when you put your heart and mind to a goal. Also put your heart and soul in what you do, don’t do things for the sake of it, fall passionately in love with your work.
- Amano Dhyan, CO-Founder at MYSTIC ACTS
Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Amano Dhyan: While I was casting for some well known shows, I came across students who did Acting courses from well known Acting Institutes, but were not able to perform in front of camera and deliver dialogues at the auditions. From 2007 itself, I had a vision to train and guide Actors keeping in mind the final outcome and expectations from any Student, who performs Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by MYSTIC ACTS Amano Dhyan: Mystic Acts is an Acting and Theatre School. We have Certificate courses in acting, production based theatre workshops and also special workshops for Art of auditioning, Meditation for Actors Great Companies: What makes MYSTIC ACTS different from hundreds of other similar service providers? Amano Dhyan: We at Mystic Acts believe in creating actors inside, out. We give a handholding, guidance to our students for a life time. They all are like a family from the day they step in Mystic Acts. Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face? Amano Dhyan: We love challenges as that makes us improve and grow better. In our industry the challenge is the students coming from outside mumbai with some learnings, here we need to help them first unlearn few things and mis concepts and then we help them learn the right way. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for MYSTIC ACTS? Amano Dhyan: With the trends changing, we plan to change and deliver as per what the audiences will want to see. 5 years down the line we plan to launch our own students, under our budding production house. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Amano Dhyan: Be consistent. Whatever the type of business or your career you are into, you have to be there in it, at all the times. Do not quit or give up.Becoming an Actor is also not different. Learning is a lifetime process.












