Hood Munaim

The disguised unemployment in India should be one of the highest in the world and a serious concern. While I understand this may be their only livelihood, I think we should do better. Unsure if we will ever be able to achieve in the current digital age, but what China has achieved in Manufacturing should be replicated sooner than before, or else we will continue seeing the same patterns. Multiple traffic police at a junction waving their hands. Multiple security guards to open the same gate. Multiple other jobs that increases the level of complacency. I hope we get a true sense of employment opportunities; otherwise, with the income inequality increasing with every quantitative easing, we would see universal basic income coming sooner, and I doubt if there ever will be a purpose post that.

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The Open Cloud Compute (OCC) initiative, spearheaded by People+AI and supported by industry visionary Nandan Nilekani, has brought together a diverse range of partners, startups, and AI enthusiasts to drive innovation and technological advancement in India. Through collaborative efforts, the OCC event showcased the transformative potential of cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) for India's digital future. Participants engaged in insightful discussions, explored cutting-edge technologies, and identified opportunities for leveraging AI to address societal challenges and drive economic growth. The event served as a catalyst for fostering partnerships between established industry players and emerging startups, facilitating knowledge exchange, and promoting collaboration to accelerate the adoption of AI-driven solutions across various sectors. Great from Tanvi Lall and Tanuj Bhojwani to make this happen. The brief impact of the OCC event has been profound, laying the groundwork for future initiatives that harness the power of cloud computing and AI to drive innovation, create employment opportunities, and propel India towards becoming a global leader in technology and digital transformation. #Mysore will host the next OCC event to bring more things to startups ecosystem and more partners SJCE Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) TiE Mysuru | Sudhanva Dhananjaya | Suresh Bhojraj | Arjun Ranga | Mahesh VK |

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I concur with all the points she raised about the various developments currently unfolding in Bharat, particularly the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Even after witnessing people, especially vendors, adopting UPI as a daily practice for over 5 years, I remain astounded by this remarkable progress. 🌟💡 The widespread adoption of digital payment systems like UPI has significantly transformed the way financial transactions occur, making them more convenient, efficient, and accessible. It’s a testament to the power of innovation and technology in shaping our everyday lives. 🚀📲💸 https://lnkd.in/gmq5MuTZ

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https://lnkd.in/gxQdVCxu Friends Here’s my conversation with Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan garu on elections, especially AP. This is a defining election! Let’s all think beyond caste, religion & individual biases & vote consciously for the progress & larger interest of the state.

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In Evam Law & Policy's latest public report, the brilliant Jai Vipra outlines a comprehensive strategy for India to boost its Compute capabilities. Jai specifically offers 12 recommendations to enhance the current policy approach and leverage India's distinct position in the global compute value chain. Do give it a read! #Compute #AI #India #Semiconductors #PLI #Design

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Today's Headlines in The Economic Times read that the demand for Chief #AIOfficers is on the rise as #India Inc. integrates the #technology into its #operations and firms like Harman International, Blackrock India, American Express, Swarovski, Dolby Laboratories, Netcom Learning, along with IT services and #BigFour companies are seeking talent for AI roles. (A Annapurna Roy Story) I also realized this while speaking to a few #startup #founders who are exploring AI. While #technology is already navigating various aspects like #chip shortages and #legal complications, #organizations are now navigating the complexities of integrating AI into their #ecosystems, not just technologically but also in #workforce development. And that's not just the case in India; this problem is the same globally. According to an Industry report, by 2028, 90% of companies plan to use AI, affecting not just IT but all departments, which puts a critical question. "Are we ready for this AI overhaul with so little specialized manpower at our disposal? Well, reality seems much hazy than clear. A study by Access Partnership and Amazon Web Services (AWS) that ➡ 73% of employers consider #hiring AI talent a priority, indicating that AI is becoming the most coveted skill in the #tech #jobmarket. ➡ 51% of employers placed AI development within their top five requirements for the next five years and estimate that workers who acquire AI #expertise could see their paychecks jump by 30% or more. But the transition to an AI-driven workplace is not without challenges: ➡ About 75% of employers prioritizing AI talent acquisition report difficulties in finding qualified candidates. This shortage is exacerbated by a notable #training awareness gap. ➡ Nearly 80% of employers admit to lacking #knowledge in implementing AI #training programs, ➡ 79% of workers are uncertain about available AI training opportunities. While all focus is on #chips and #legality, very less realize that #talent too could pose a challenge in AI adoption if #upskilling and #training is not in place at the right time. Clearly a gap which needs to be filled #AI #talent #training #skilling #upskilling #startup #earlystage #venturecapital

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#Aiforall resonating from #G7 summit... Honourable prime minister said and I quote : "This should not just be our desire, but our responsibility,” he said. For technology to be successful, it has to be underpinned by a human-centric approach, PM Narendra Modi stressed at the G7 outreach session on AI and energy as he cited India’s success in leveraging digital technology for public service delivery. “We must make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society,’’ he added. Read more here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gBZJhmXe My thoughts 💭 🔝 3 ℹ️The #Aicorridor is definitely the way forward ⏩ ℹ️The adoption happens at scale ( #AiChasm) and who so ever has the technology, 🇮🇳 has the scale 💡 ℹ️Time to #democratiseAi with the largest democracy 💫 What do you propose LinkedIn mention in comments below 👇

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Weighing the Risks: The Hidden Dangers of Raising Children in India As parents, our paramount concern is the safety and well-being of our children. My family's recent harrowing experience in #Hyderabad India has prompted me to share a crucial perspective for those indian origin parents considering raising their children in India, where safety regulations might not meet the standards you expect. Recently, my son, a US citizen being raised in India to foster close family bonds, suffered life-threatening injuries due to severe negligence at his grandparents' apartment complex owned by Vamsiram Homes / VAMSIRAM BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS PRIVATE LIMITED. The lack of basic safety measures like fencing and warning signs led to a devastating fall from ground floor podium to parking cellar, resulting in a dire medical emergency, including a Grade 3 Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI), kidney trauma, and multiple fractures. His fight for life in an ICU for over a week has been a grim wake-up call to the stark realities of systemic shortcomings. The eleven days he spent in the ICU were the most painful and terrifying of our lives. Every second was drenched in fear and uncertainty. The sight of my son, so small and fragile, connected to a maze of tubes and wires, underscored the precariousness of our situation. Sleep evaded us as we hung on to every small sign of improvement, each moment praying for his recovery. This incident exposes a broader issue: the perilous gaps in safety standards and enforcement in some overseas environments. Builder more focused on selling apartment than maintaining basic safety standards, lack of proper audits or corruption by Greater Hyderabad Muncipal Corporation before giving out occupany certificates are concerning issues. As much as living in India can offer enriching cultural experiences and family bonding, it also comes with potential risks that are often overlooked until tragedy strikes. With powerful builders such as Vamsiram involved, we can hardly expect any legal action taking place against them. For those contemplating a similar path, I urge you to consider not just the cultural and familial benefits but also the infrastructure and safety standards of the country. It's crucial to thoroughly investigate and continually advocate for the safety and security measures in any living situation abroad, ensuring that the environment is conducive to health and safety for our most vulnerable. US Consulate Hyderabad Government of Telangana T-Hub

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Webinar on Biggest opportunity on Earth is The Earth at 12 Noon IST on Sun Presenting plots opportunities in GOA DHOLERA AYODHYA JAIPUR CHENNAI NAGPUR PANIPAT Investment starts from 10 Lakhs. Click to join the webinar https://lnkd.in/gqD7dasM INVESTORS CLINIC INFRATECH PRIVATE LIMITED Anurag Saxena Rahul Verma #property #plots #realestateinvesting #realestateinvestment #realestate

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I absolutely loved this video! Such simple but impactful storytelling!! You accomplish and inspire more when your stories are powerful but delivered in way everyone can engage with! Do you feel inspired? May be your next investor pitch or board presentation could be this way? Find elements which connect with your audience and they will engage with your data even more! #storytelling #IndiaUS #communication #learn

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Celebrating 🥳 India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023-24 has grown at an impressive rate of 7.8%! The full fiscal year real GDP growth stands at a remarkable 8.2%. This growth is a testament to the resilience and dynamism of our economy, despite various global challenges. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) annual report projects a continued strong performance, with an expected growth rate of 7% for the current fiscal year FY25. As the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India is well on its way to becoming the world’s third-largest economy, following only the US and China. Let’s celebrate this achievement and look forward to an even brighter future! #IndiaGrowth #Economy #GDP #EconomicGrowth #Celebration #FutureProsperity #RBI #India

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You can't become a CEO in the US if you aren't Indian! Says by US Ambassador to India, Envoy Eric Garcetti jokingly. India has produced some of the world's top engineers and computer scientists, such as SundarPichai at Alphabet, Satya Nedella at Microsoft, Shantanu Narayen at Adobe, Arvind Krishna at IBM, and the list continues. From my point of view, Indians are self-aware of the fast-changing pace of technology. We know today's gadgets may be out of date tomorrow, so we passionately invent, innovate, and keep repeating the cycle. Indian cultural diversity and adaptability of Indian CEOs are decisive factors in their success. This ability to navigate diverse markets and understand customer preferences is a game-changer for companies operating on a global scale. Moreover, Indian culture emphasizes respect for hierarchy, strong work ethics, and a sense of collective responsibility. This cultural grounding enables them to build harmonious relationships within organizations, foster collaboration, and inspire their teams to achieve remarkable results. In the early stages of Tech, I heard a joke that you can't be a CEO in the US if you are Indian. But today, the situation is upside down. You can't be a CEO in the US if you aren't Indian. We are becoming the voice of change, and the world is listening. Let's make our noise until they hear us. Soorya Narayanan | AppLogiQ #AppLogiQ #Alphabet #Microsoft #Adobe #IBM #SundarPichai #SatyaNadella #ShatnauNarayen #Arvindkrishna #Indian #Pride #IndianCEO #EnvoyGarcetti #Skills #MakeDigitalLife

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Shashank Bijapur co-founder and CEO of SpotDraft, our portfolio company, ran a terrific panel at the Arkam Innovation Summit. He covered a lot of ground with Manish Jethani Co-founder and CEO of Hevo Data Data, and Gaurav Sharma Founder, and CEO of SaaSLabs .    Here are some key takeaways that stayed with me: Initial journey of identifying the problem statement and figuring out the solution during the early days at SaaS Labs and Hevo Data After selling his first company in the US, Gaurav returned to India. All he wanted to do was make $4-5 K living in India, so he started out by building tools for Shopify users. But when those tools rapidly grew to half a million in recurring revenue, Gaurav realized that he could build anything, be anywhere in the world, and sell it worldwide. Manish believes that your product has to solve a personal problem in addition to an industrial one. Once you start the journey as an entrepreneur, financial success will not satisfy you. “What one problem can you solve even if the financial outcome is not that great?” Deciding whether to validate the product in India and move to the US versus taking a US market-first approach Selling in India is hard, especially in the early days. As Gaurav said, "if you sell a $10 product, you must create an invoice, and then they’ll make the payment in 60 days. So, it became very hard to make a profit. From this, I realized that India is not ready to buy software yet, so the best model would be to build it in India and sell it across the world" Manish believes customer needs and expectations are completely different across India and the US. It's quite challenging to build a product for India and expect it to succeed in the US. So, from day one, he focused on the US market-first approach. Establishing product differentiation during the early days of growing in the US market? Initially, the number one challenge for Manish was to sell a product that their target audience could build themselves. Hevo Data needed needed financial and operational data from companies, which nobody shares easily. Most companies prefer to build a product in-house and work with that tool. So, Manish decided to find initial customers who meet three criteria: they should not want to build a product in-house, they should be fine with sharing the data, and they should be from the US. Aspects of the business that changed from 0-1 to 1-10 journey and beyond To get initial customers, Gaurav decided to integrate his product into larger companies to get more eyes on it. To sustain this growth, Gaurav bet on excellent customer service, which is “an unfair advantage for Indian SaaS,” as he says. His customer service and fast responses became the talk of the town amongst his customers. Here’s the full video video. Well worth your time to listen to three $10M+ ARR SaaS founders at the top of their game.   Arkam Ventures https://lnkd.in/gP_YT-gV

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Cognizant’s CEO Ravi Kumar Singisetti got $22.56 million or about Rs 186 crore in compensation in 2023, thanks to a one-time stock reward, making him the highest-paid Indian boss at a technology services company. This comes when Cognizant's revenue slipped 0.38% from $19.43 billion in 2022 to $19.35 billion last year, while operating margin declined from 15.3% in 2022 to 13.9%. The company let go of 3,500 employees or 1% of its workforce last year to shore up its profitability. Consequently, headcount declined 2.1% from 3,55, 300 at the end of December 2022 to 3,47,700 at the end of last year. https://lnkd.in/g4mZY_i8

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Meet the man who built a 22,000 CR baby care company. 1. Supam Maheshwari had become a father during his ed-tech startup, Brainvisa. He had to travel frequently to the United States and Europe. On the way back, he used to bring toys for his newborn daughter. After Brainvisa's acquisition, he began searching locally for toys, which frustrated him. 🤔 2. He didn't even have easy access to variety and good-quality products. The 50,000 CR Indian baby care products market remained unorganised, with 95% of sales offline. He wanted to revolutionise how parents shop for their children.🙌 3. Supam incorporated Brainbees solution to launch an online platform providing high-quality baby care and kids products. With his colleague Amitava Saha as co-founder and Rs 2.5 CR from friends and family, he took the first step. In September 2010, FirstCry was born. 🚀 4. Supam started with an inventory-based model, shipping products nationwide from its four warehouses in Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata. The idea lifted off as FirstCry scaled to 100 CR of Gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2011. But Supam knew that customer retention was key, so he came up with another idea. 👇 5. In 2011, he launched Goodlife, an online home and personal care product store. He also opened franchise-driven physical stores in tier 2 and 3 towns such as Bhilai, Dehradun, Haridwar and Bharuch. By 2013, FirstCry scaled to 250 CR GMV with 30% customer retention. ✅ 6. With stores touching profitability in three months, FirstCry had 100 stores, 600 brands and 25,000 products in 2014. Not losing focus on online sales, Supam launched his private labels BabyHug (apparel) and CuteWalk (footwear). FirstCry skyrocketed to 118.08 CR revenue by 2015. 📉 7. FirstCry had barely spent anything on marketing so Supam partnered with 6,000 hospitals to send a "FirstCry box" containing diapers, lotion, etc., from premium brands like Mamy Poko and Libero. The box was delivered to mothers on delivery. And the idea worked. 🙌 8. It delivered 2 lakh boxes and offered 90,000 items across 180 stores with in-depth product descriptions and online inventory status and order placement before a store visit. But the big news came On October 17, 2016.👇 9. FirstCry acquired its biggest competitor, Mahindra's retail 120-store franchise business, Babyoye, for 362.1 CR. It became FirstCry—A Mahindra FirstCry Venture. By 2019, it scaled to 283 stores and raised 1096.94 CR at a valuation of 6057.58 CR. 💰 10.By February 2021, it had expanded to 400 stores and scaled to a revenue of 1842.27 CR and a profit of 337.34 CR. It raised an additional 2120.5 CR from Tiger Global at a valuation of 8482 CR. FirstCry became the fourth Unicorn of 2021. 🦄 ➡️Today, FirstCry is a 22,400 CR company with over 5650 CR sales. 77% of its sales come online and it plans to list with an 1815 CR IPO soon. 💪 Supam Maheshwari still provides First Cry boxes—to 70,000 mothers monthly. 🙏 #startups #india #casestudy

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