Pushing the Boundaries of Indian Tech Women on the Frontlines

EDITED BY Nisha Holla Annapurna Mitra © 2020 Observer Research Foundation and Global Policy Journal. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

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Citation: Nisha Holla and Annapurna Mitra, Pushing the Boundaries of Indian Tech: Women on the Frontlines (New Delhi: ORF and Global Policy Journal, 2020). Pushing the Boundaries of Indian Tech Women on the frontlines

EDITED BY Nisha Holla Annapurna Mitra CONTENTS

I. EDITORS’ NOTE 7

II. PERSPECTIVES FROM THE TRAILBLAZERS 11

Data-Centric Innovation and Digitalisation Will Catalyse India’s Growth 12 Nivruti Rai, Intel Corporation The Challenges and Opportunities of Innovating in India 16 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon Ltd Transforming the Biotech Innovation Ecosystem 19 Renu Swarup, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India Technology as an Enabler for Transformation 21 Vani Kola, Kalaari Capital

III. EXPERIENCES FROM WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES

1. FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY 25

Mabel Chacko & Deena Jacob, Open Financial Technologies 26

Jayalakshmi Manohar, Streak AI Technologies 28

Chaitra Chidanand, Simpl (formerly, now new stealth venture) 30

2. DATA PLATFORMS AT THE EDGE 35

Neeru Sharma, Infibeam Avenues 36

Neha Singh, Tracxn 37

Ashwini Asokan, Mad Street Den 39 3. SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER 43

Sri Sailaja Nori & Sowmya Balendiran, Sea6 Energy 44

Ezhil Subbian, String Bio 46

Kavitha Sairam, FIB-SOL Life Technologies 48

4. MEDIA AND CONTENT 52

Shradha Sharma, YourStory Media 53

Aditi Shrivastava, Pocket Aces 55

5. EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY 59

Divya Gokulnath, BYJU’S 60

Priyanka Subramanian, Uable 63

Charu Noheria, Practically 66

ehooy elw C-CAMP Fellow, Technology Annapurna Mitra Nisha Holla Nisha Fellow, ORF EDITORS’ NOTE are already success seeing across arange of ventures. showcase leadersof the tomorrow, women more journeys their started who recently but relatively field new in India and,thattime ina was far less welcoming to women. then We stories. We first meet fourtrailblazers, who started workinga when in it wastechnology deployment and toprofessional their highlightboth achievements and individual their This report aims to showcase women frontlinesthe on developmentof technology and of men (26.3)(4).Indian women are rising with clear aspirations. movement; last year for first the time, women’sgross enrolment ratiothat (26.4)exceeded US (about 25percent) (3).India’s education higher this directional system reflects also parity rate inSTEM graduates (2).This is farthan higher in Europepercent) (18 the and Women now make up 34percent of ITworkforce the inIndia. We are at also 50:50gender note that Indian women enter STEM fields infargreater countries. numbersthanpeer in boundariesthe respective intheir fields, but often from scenes. behind the It is to worthy many women and inscience today, technology inIndia—they particularly are pushing women, insariswith flowerstheir in hair, celebratingthelaunch. This is emblematicof captured millions of was hearts that of scientists the achievement—a the behind group of When India’s Mangalyaan mission was launched afew years ago, iconic the image that ORF report on ‘Women on Frontlines’ the showcases latter. the are increasingly pushing boundaries the of development. technology This Global Policy- of women Indian inthe economy, by platforms; boosted technology and two, women pivotal women-centric phenomena at time—one, this there is an unparalleled inclusion haswhich to led unprecedented financial and inclusion. digital India witnessingis two with developmentthe particularly of multilayeredthe network technology IndiaStack, T in value over (1).Technology last the decade has powered trajectory, this US and 50,000 startups Over China. have created north of US$500 billion housescountry third the largest startup ecosystem world, inthe afterthe is anechnology integral of part India’s socio-economic growth story. The

7 EDITORS’ NOTE 8 EDITORS’ NOTE potential areas of investment. Ashwini Asokan, of Mad Street to help venture capitalists and institutional investors identify Singh, of Tracxn, deploys data intelligence and research at scale payments, e-commerce, software and internetNeha services. across including arange of online services retailing, digital Infibeam, co-founded by Sharma,data Neeru uses platforms arewho harnessing infinite the potential dataof platforms. ‘DataOur Platforms at Edge’ the features section three women of use tothe technology assist previously groups. underserved manage credit risks. Acommon theme with our four features is purchases with cutting-edge machine learning to technology platform to provide temporary credit to users conducting investors. Chaitra Chidanand, formerly of Simpl, created a average retail investor, earlier available only to large institutional Manohar, of Streak, brings state of to technology the art the challenges inaccessing and managing finances. Jayalakshmi banking platform, help over enterprises 500,000small resolve JacobDeena world’s from the Open, largest neo- SME-focused fintech platformssolve to marketspecific gaps. Chacko Mabel and ‘Financial Technology’ have section developed proprietary all of innovation. The entrepreneurswho have contributed the to In field the of financialtechnology, India has emergedleader a value proposition. either platforms digital or for technology deep growth their and and management toon bear arange expertise of problems, using scientific innovation education.and They have broughttechnical across a range of segments—finance, data analytics, media, founded and built companies at cutting-edge the of technology ‘WomenOur on Frontlines’ the features section women have who fields.technology millionsthe have who inspired been to follow into them various of indigenous technologies.trailblazers These are role models to and deployment of early-stage risk capital development inthe managing director of Kalaari Capital, has pioneered role the development ventures country. inthe Vani Kola, founder and insetting up apipelinecrucial of early-stage scientific high-risk juncture critical the of and science governance and has been of and Science Technology, Government of India), straddles Swarup, of Department the of Biotechnology Secretary (Ministry boundariesthe of Indian research and development. DrRenu and brings her multi-dimensional product to pushing experience ranksthe of one of world’s the foremost companies technology space. Nivruti of head country Rai, Intel India, through has risen her company into pioneer aglobal biopharmaceutical inthe India’s fewwomen self-made billionaires, has fearlessly steered chairperson and managing director of Biocon Ltd. and one of building India’s tech ecosystem. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder, The contribution trailblazersthe of invaluablebeen has in today as we hurtle towards an future uncertain of work. Priyanka making children inlove fall with learning relevant is particularly as world’s the most valued edtech highly company. Their aim of co-founded by Gokulnath, Divya has become ahousehold name study remotely during pandemic-induced the lockdowns. BYJU’s, gained aconsiderable amount of attention as children are forced to lastOur segment at looks ‘Education Technology’, has which quality. soil of farmland quantities with small of fertilizer, without degrading and Their health. nanofibre applications helplarge tracts fertilize solutions to two areas that are for ripe disruption—agriculture Kavitha Sairam is founder of FIB-SOL, a company that provides circular value chains for organic waste, methane and plastic. high-performance polymers for stents and sutures, creating creates alternatives to products from biodegradable plastic to on carbon-intensive forms of energy. Subbian’s Ezhil String Bio micro-algae to create ethanol and natural gas, reducing reliance areEnergy among charge. leading this those Their company uses energy, and SriSailaja Nori and Sowmya of Balendiran Sea6 to need make coming inthe will is to decades clean sources of relationship this when balances.The loses biggest shift humanity relationship nature between and humanity, and costs high the planet.COVID-19 The crisis has demonstrated fragile the has brought us technologies the of today, but threaten also our strong on focus sustainability. The innovation thelast of century ‘ScienceOur at Frontier’ the features have chosen with a been growing audiences. platformsdigital to connect to and create content for ever- their boredom’. entrepreneurs These data-backed use insights and India’s entertainment digital space, with amission of ‘alleviating Aditi Shrivastava from Pocket Aces has fundamentally altered to rising stars achievements whose merited greater visibility. extent, matches that of wanted series—she this to give avoice lens on women HerStory the via platform. Her to focus, agreat of aspiring changemakers and entrepreneurs, with adistinct Sharma of YourStory launched her platform to tell stories the trendthis to build thrivingdigital-only platforms. media Shradha showcasessection entrepreneurs have who advantage taken of models of traditionalbased ‘Media Our media. and Content’ access creating media, enormous challenges to advertiser- the monthper (5).This fundamentallyhas changedthe way Indians average the past decade; Indian today consumes 11GBof data Internet penetration exponentially has risen inIndia over the a varietyof market gaps. tech platforms to develop strong value propositions that address underlying is deployment the section theme inthis of extensive across cases with use arange of industries starting with retail. An is workingDen, intelligence to build artificial generalised scale, at Indians on Average Consume over Month: 11GBData per Report”, Mint, February 27,2020,https://www.livemint.com/ V Mohandas Pai, “Rise of Indian the Woman: Historical Shift in Education”, Higher (5) The Financial Express,October 18, 2019. (4) andita Mathur, “In India, 34%Women Are inTech Jobs, but AnitaB.Org Wants to Take This to 50%”, Mint,September 25, (3) of Commerceinistry and Industry, Government of India, https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/international/go- (2) (1) young population, largest the world, inthe is equipped to enter remain imperative evenafterpandemic,the to ensurethat India’s learning. High-quality, affordable and accessible education will successfully bridging gap the and digital between real-life augmented and reality virtual to provide interactive experiences, technologiesnew learning.use They like simulations as well as Practically, works to online use platforms to deliver experiential learner discovers and develops potential. their Noheria, Charu of challenge learning through environments peer to ensure every online learning can oftenbe alonelythis they meet experience, firstthe generationsthe in worldborn natives. asdigital While Subramanian, of Uable, on 6-14age focuses the group, one of institutions and incentives political interact to create suboptimal outcomes fiscal for Indian states. Institute of International and Development on Studies, macroeconomic focused Geneva, policy, looking specifically at how federal of Finance, and as then Deputy Head of Economics at British the High Commission Her inDelhi. research doctoral at Graduate the worked on economic diplomacy—first,withthe G20 theteam in InternationalEconomic Relations Division the at Indian Ministry Annapurna Mitra is aFellow at ORF. She Green heads the Transitions Initiative Research Foundation. at Observer She has earlier Consulting Editor at YourStory, Nisha producedscience India's innovation the deep country's first surveying report ecosystem. demographic growth, multiple facetsof India's readiness, technology and India's response to COVID-19 the pandemic. As articles andreports on several human capital development inIndia, comparative studies of India's states' economic and Nisha writes about and ideas shifts the intersectionat of technology,economics, policy.and She has co-authored numerous MellonCarnegie University. and process development at Applied Materials and Bloom Energy. Nisha holds aMaster's Engineering from degree inChemical Priorinfectious to diseases. that, San inthe she Francisco was based Bay Area working at cutting the edge of hardware product NishaBengaluru. was previously co-founder of Biomoneta Research, fordesigning technology prevention the of spread the of Nisha Holla is awriter, researcher, and engineer. She is Technology the Fellow at Centre the for and Cellular Molecular Platforms, About theEditors

industry/telecom/indians-consume-over-11gb-data-per-month-report-11582802282339.html https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/rise-of-the-indian-woman-historical-shift-in-higher-education-graph/1738889/ this-to-50-1569410199742.html 2019, https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/in-india-34-women-are-in-tech-jobs-but-we-at-anitab-org-want-to-take- employment-trends.html to-market-guide/indian-startup-ecosystem.html. “ T N “451 R M esearch -Women inTech: India Way”, the Leads 451Research, https://go.451research.com/women-in-tech-india- transformational steps direction. inthis in a variety of fields, theand brilliant womenwho havetaken provide into aview myriad the solutions has technology to offer surface, we of hope selection this essays and conversations will and work the have they done. While we have just scratched the inspiring it to read has stories the been of incredible these women thought, primary Our as we put report this into world, the is how entrepreneurs are redefiningthe way our youtheducated. is workforcethe as productive members of society. three These Nisha Holla and Annapurna Mitra

9 EDITORS’ NOTE

Vani Capital Kola, Kalaari Technology as an Enabler for Transformation Renu Swarup, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India Transforming Biotech the Innovation Ecosystem Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon Ltd ChallengesThe Opportunitiesand of Innovating in India Nivruti Rai, Corporation Intel Data-Centric Innovation and Digitalisation Will India’s Catalyse Growth PERSPECTIVES FROMTHE “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, TRAILBLAZERS you are aleader.” —John Quincy Adams

11 TRAILBLAZERS 12 TRAILBLAZERS Vice President &Country Head Data-Centric Innovation and Digitalisation Data-Centric InnovationandDigitalisation Intel Corporation Nivruti Rai (India) Will CatalyseIndia’s Growth attain its economy digital trillion-dollar goal. As intensifies, journey this there forare several technologiesthatbe crucial will India to It is exciting rigour this to and for see energy innovation and advancement. technology remain relevant and keep up with times. the across industries.and access segment Every digital to services is getting to digitalised are witnessing unprecedented momentum adoption inthe of remote collaboration tools accelerated adoption the and innovative implementation oftechnologies. vital these We COVID-19The pandemic the andscenario new geopolitical have remarkably solutions that are affordable,scalable and profitable. appetite makes it incumbent for on services digital tech the ecosystem to develop Moreover, India’s vast population is biggest the catalyst for tech adoption. Its immense 1600 of are which country. space(4),thrivinginthe technology deep inthe systemsglobal integrators are out based of India; and there are over 9000tech startups, revenues, with astrong of talent base 4.5million engineers majority (3);the of top the 10 interface transactions inamonth (2).India’s generates ITindustry US$191billion in and a thriving e-payment ecosystem, with an average of over 1 billionpayment unified largest identity digital programme (Aadhaar), with over 1.2billion people enrolled (1); growing market of consumers, digital with over 500million Internet world’s users; the economy by 2025.India powerhouse—it technology is arecognised has arapidly sets acompellingThis stage as India forgesbecome ahead trillion-dollarto digital a livesenrich the of people, optimise businesses andacountry’s boost progress. memory. There aretremendous opportunities to leveragepowerthe of to technology powerthe of data through solutions leading technology on compute, based storage and I focus onfocus human-centric applications and democratise AIfor world. the opportunity the maximise to drive world-class advancement technology and innovation, With potential the for population-scale AIadoption, India is inaunique position to diversity and talent. opportunity toand lead leverage our unique strengths of technology, data volume, data from it. We are now atpoint adefining inhistory. As we enterthe age of AI, India has an compute power and memory, can which of make sense that data and help us derive value fusion of two things—thevast vital amount of data available today, and availability the of aroundAI has been since 1950s, the but is only now becoming ubiquitous of because the transformation Population-scale Artificial Intelligencecatapult (AI) to digital use cases. This is beingpowered This cases. is use by a surgedata-centric in innovationsthat harness retail, with an explosion of smart and robust connected devices, applications and across sectors like critical healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing and ndia is transforming. Technology key the cause has ofbeen tectonic this shift enhanced diagnostics, drug discovery and discovery enhanced hospital diagnostics, drug workflow of applications spectrum wide like telemedicine, imaging, medical Healthcare: India and world the ingeneral. applicationstheir transform andwill sectors cases use critical As technologies these mature and create a wave of innovations, and techniques. us to adopt innovative and sustainable manufacturing practices country. Given India’s on thrust `Make inIndia’, it’s important for promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development inthe addition, 4.0has ahuge industry potential to catalyse and infrastructure and emerging edge compute applications. In key technologies like machine vision, robotics, smart energy 4.0. Thiswill require innovations theand advancement of competitive advantage. Digitalisation is at of heart the industry India atto needs be forefrontthe of 4.0 fordriving industry its automation rapid 4.0: CatalysingIndustry transformation through on the model specifications (6).” a 0.6percent to 2.8 percent increase in economic growth, depending 10-percent average increase in mobile broadband adoption causes economy.access to global the Research indicates that “ solutions and driving growth areas, enable inrural aswill this fabric. Therefore, it is important connectivity rural to on focus electricity, roads and water—as and of part economic our social The government to look needs at connectivity just as sees it developers, anchored by advances and inacademic research labs. generated through partnerships India’s between innovators and by an ecosystem of open source innovation. Disruption be will India, frontier new this incomputing capability driven be will that can support datathe requirements of 5G the ecosystem. In economydigital smart, needs robust and affordable systems India has an opportunity toin5Gtechnology. lead India’s compute power from cloud the to network the to edge. the computing and communications to create unlimited virtually to connect billions of 5Gconverges smart devices. worlds the of available where data is created. It far goes beyond smartphones 5G is enabler the for distributed computing, to make compute essentialforinfrastructure India Digital Next-generation communications: 5G (5). percent of India’s GDP— companies that AIcan use contribute US$67.25billion—or 2.5 Indian Economy,’ on average, aunit increase inAIintensity by According to NASSCOM the report ‘Implications of AIon the

In healthcare the space, has technology enabled a to Indian the economy near in the term for for an an

that areas children inrural donot miss out on education. to build acomplete end-to-end solution education inthe spaceso with access to quality content and instructors. It important is also become mainstreamecosystem will and empower masses the learning and tools to learning The design activities. e-learning learning, smart classrooms, and and personalised immersive adopters of technology, with an exponential growth inremote Education area. this consumption of produce. the be continued There will traction in valuethe chain, from farming to distribution, and delivery It is encouraging leveraged being technology across to see thereby improving farm yield. deterioration,soil geographical factors and vulnerability, pest drones can provide farmers with real-time information on crops, Intelligent technologies, edge-based data analytics, robots and important role intransforming sector. the on economy agricultural the where can technology play an Agriculture: About 50percent of India’s population depends risk stratificationand AI-based forpatients with comorbidities. coronavirus genome sequencing to understand epidemiology to help achieve faster and less expensive COVID-19 testing and International Institute of Information Technology are working of Scientific and IndustrialResearch theand Hyderabad-based in amulti-disciplinary collaboration, Intel India, Council the outbreaks using population-scale data and analytics. For instance, Technology playing is also arole inpredicting and managing from remote of parts and country. the rural timely, affordable and quality healthcare, particularly forpeople in telemedicine and tele-consultation, democratising access to current the During pandemic, we are asignificant seeing rise driving up adoption. with healthcare delivery, enable and will lower scale they costs, enabling better self-care. As technological innovations integrate and monitors glucose that data send straight to smartphones are conditions, heart diagnose sensors that monitor epilepsy attacks efficiency. The internet things of (IoT) and wearables can that n cloud, IoT, AI, autonomous driving and other disruptive in major role communications and governance, andplay will a of ouraspect lives today, including industrial, healthcare, retail, of such aspiration. Electronics and semiconductors touch every hub, manufacturing technology become an essential will pillar With India’s manufacturing on focus aglobal makingcountry the for vista new India’s competitiveness global Technology manufacturing ecosystem: a Opening :

The educationThe sectorbeen hasone the fastest of 13 TRAILBLAZERS 14 TRAILBLAZERS women at levels of all workplace the and economy. key to making quick progress towards participation equal the of collaboration government, the between and is industry academia concerted efforts to havethe desired impact. this endeavour,In to bridge gender the diversity gaps, it requires sustained and While there have interventions several been made inearnest require comprehensive change. adding US$770 billion to GDP the by 2025(8)—but will this opportunity GDP to by boost advancing women’s equality— participation of women in workplace.the India has a big growth,high it is essential for to country the accelerate inclusive At juncture, this India when on focuses attaining sustained augmenting gender diversity becomes vital. innovators and developers. In context, this role the of women and are designed,developed and applied by adiverse of pool real positive impact solutions can only these achieved when be intelligent edge and 5Gare transforming our lives and work, As emerging technologies like AI,machine learning, cloud, innovation Women in Technology: Inclusion for is critical leveraging its strengths consumption digital indesign, and skills. to develop arobust semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem by Given country’s the on focus self-reliance, it is imperative for India US$400 billion (7). onebe of largest the electronics markets world, inthe valued at It is estimated that bysegments 2025,India future. inthe will entrepreneurship. with national governments and local and as well policymakers, as collaboration with ecosystem players to enable innovation and cross-group efficiencies and execution for teamsengineering delivering global products androadmaps. leads engagements also She she providesBengaluru, overall engineering and business unit leadership and operations leads for site, the driving innovation, Rai Nivruti Author bio ispresident vice Data inthe Platforms Group (DPG) Head and Country Intel India at Intel in Corporation. Based wave of innovation. and world. the India should opportunity this seize next tothe lead technologies, and accelerate transformation digital the of India to advancement the of AI,machine learning, cloud, 5Gand other adoption of emerging solutions. tech-based lead efforts These will conducive geared policies towards creation seamless the and breakthrough cases, use research, intellectual property and disruptive innovations, compelling business models and and transform business for and better. society the It requires solutions topotential the unleash of data-driven technologies governmentthe to collaborate and work together to develop ecosystem comprising of industry,the startups, and academia entrepreneurship environment. The theneed of hour is forthe by arobust tech ecosystem, and aburgeoning innovation and ofpace adoption digital and core tech competencies supported India’s strength liesinits large population, growing economy, people. advancementtechnology and adoption to lives enrichthe of the andcountry is committed to accelerate innovation, research, workinghas been with vibrant the ecosystem technology inthe areastechnology like AI,5G and autonomous systems. Intel cloud/data center, client and IoT markets involving advanced 5Gnetworks,design, graphics, software and platform forthe edge engineering work areas inthe of System on achip (SoC) product leadership with its centres design engaged incutting- Intel India has contributed significantly to Intel’s and technology and development and innovation footprint country. inthe US$6 billion inIndia to date and continues to expand its research andfacilities in Bengaluru Hyderabad. Intel has invested over largest center design outside US,with the state-of-the-art design transformation and innovation journey. India is home to Intel’s Intel India an has integral been of part India’s digital advancement inthecountry and technology Intel India’s commitment to accelerate innovation The Power of advancingParity: women’sequality in Asia Pacific”, Electronic Systems in India Industry,” Sector -Electronic Devices (8) Invest India, https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/electronic- “How Ekholm, örje up Speed Growth”, Global 5GCould (7) Implications of AI on Indian the Economy”,(6) (5) 1,300StartupsOver Added in2019,over 8,900Tech-Startups inIndia Now: Nasscom”, Industry generates 191billion inrevenues; hires employees 205,000new 2020”,(4) infy UPI Crosses 1Billion Transactions 100Million Over Users(3) In October”, India:Digital Technology to Transform(2) Nation”, aConnected (1)

zero-based-budgeting-ex-3-online-1-1-1-1-1-1 agenda/2018/01/5g-mobile-speed-global-gdp-growth/ systems womens%20equality%20in%20India%202018/India%20power%20of%20parity%20report.pdf com/~/media/McKinsey/Featured%20Insights/Gender%20Equality/The%20power%20of%20parity%20Advancing%20 businessworld.in/article/UPI-Crosses-1-Billion-Transactions-Over-100-Million-Users-In-October/28-10-2019-178184/ “ “ B “ “ “ “ “ default/files/media_pdf/pr_nasscom_strategic_review_ntlf_2020_final_for_media_2020.pdf communities/emerging-tech/ai/implications-of-ai-on-the-indian-economy.html tech-startups-in-india-now-nasscom/articleshow/71925791.cms 2019, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/over-1300-startups-added-in-2019-over-8900- NASSCOM Community, World Forum Economic McKinsey Global Institute McKinsey Global Institute, May, 2018, https://www.mckinsey. BW Businessworld, July 24, 2020, , January 12,2018,https://www.weforum.org/ , 2019,https://view.ceros.com/mckinsey/ NASSCOM, The Economic The Times, October 28,2019,http://www. October https://community.nasscom.in/ https://nasscom.in/sites/ November 5, 15 TRAILBLAZERS 16 TRAILBLAZERS Founder and Executive Chairper Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw The Challenges and Opportunities of The ChallengesandOpportunitiesof Biocon Ltd Biocon son - Innovating inIndia Bharat.’ self-reliance, thus realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of an ‘Atmanirbhar businesses addvalue to will our economy long inthe and run help achieve country the future growth prospects. Enabling entrepreneurs to propel into ideas sustainable Incentivising innovation and intellectual property (IP)creation is important for India’s a better life for millions of Indians. entrepreneurship and innovation can bring multiple benefits the country to and usher in Companies like Biocon and Infosys have demonstrated how unleashing power the of percent to country’s the GDP. and has created 12million indirect jobs.Thetoday industry contributes as much as eight billion information that industry technology employs over four million people directly Just as Biocon pioneered biotech inIndia, Infosys of sowed India’s seeds the US$180 businesses it ancillary reliesseveral on or supports. over having 12,000direct jobsbesides amultiplier effect on employment through the making ahugeBesides impact onhealthcare, global Biocon has, over years, the created catering for need to unmet the global affordable life-saving medicines. Research Assistance (DBT-BIRAC). Council Bugworks is among few companies the Karnataka government and Department the of Biotechnology-Biotechnology Industry andCellular Molecular Platforms with support (C-CAMP),Bengaluru, from the Contrast of to this experience the Bugworks Research, incubated at Centrethe for consistently ranks first worldwidecutting in edge innovation. how innovation is and respected encouraged country. inthe It explains also why US the that The fact being is fetedModerna the US by president alot himself about speaks and Human Services. of Operation Warp USgovernment Speed, the project by led Department the of Health human inarecord trials 63days.possible This wasbecause Moderna’scandidate part was to public. the Moderna took its vaccine from lab the inCambridge, Massachusetts, to promising coronavirus vaccine candidate and is one step away from bringing product the In US,Moderna the Therapeutics recently initiated fortrials III Phase clinical its leavediscussed, alone celebrated. In India, there is alot about of talk ‘innovation.’ But ‘Made inIndia’ innovations are rarely The importance of innovationencouraging I Today, we are an innovation-led biopharmaceuticals global company that is as agaragejourney startup with atotal of three employees, including myself. era where innovation and entrepreneurship were unheard of. Biocon beganits mystarted company Biocon in1978as country’s the first biotech startup in an

vaccines and therapeutics space. The thatones risky,thetake operate and generic diagnostics, low-risk in the services Take biotech for instance. Most biotech companies inIndia people inIndia investing inreal innovation. risk,Indians which high are averse to. As aresult, you donot see community here. innovation Real has an inherent element of of its kind, and thus untested, findtakers no amongthe investor otherOn the hand, business models that are innovative, truly first assured returns. models and me-too products, wherehave they visibility the of Also, investors inIndia prefer predictable, imitative business most of itspeers. global one percent of its GDP on research and development, lower than thatThis mindset is thefact in reflected spends India less than kindofthis innovation not does get due recognition at home. providers. research for pharma global companies as contract research service innovation West. inthe Often, we end up doing innovative andpockets enabling the ecosystem that drives most of the While India has scientifictalent, the we do not havethe deep The missing link in India is at world. par inthe with best the our borders and convince people that quality the of research done But first, we must the credibility build of Indian innovation within level. global and derive value from our innovations by monetising atthem a India to needs domore ifwe are to retain IPwithin our borders index in 2019. Index; we ranked 52nd compared to China’s ranking 14th on the continues to languish Innovationin Global the behind peers India to park IPrights their outside country. the As aresult, India Thelack fundingof supportthe country in forces innovators in Corporation, Japan; and Acquipharma Holdings, South Africa. by University the of Tokyo Edge Capital, Japan; Brain Global to US$7.5million came from investment aglobal syndicate led of therapies. experimental Thelatest round fundingof amounting has had to outside look of India for funds to advance its pipeline pandemics and result inmillions of deaths globally. Yet, Bugworks pandemics as as COVID-19-like candeadly be viral Bacterial worldthe economy. resistance, has which seriousimplications for and health global solutions to growing the problem global of antimicrobial worldwide working on addressing a big ofunmet need finding We donot aim for breakthrough innovation because list on Nasdaq the was MakeMyTrip in2010. market route is uncommon inIndia. Thelast Indian start-up to investments IPOroute. the via However, exiting capital the via VCs invest will inIndia can cash ifthey out of start-up their in India there because is no attractive exit route for Many them. Venture capital funds are not comfortable investing ininnovation many promising startups doing innovative research get stunted. from privatethe sphere is ready to come forward. As a result, venture funds usually step inwith ‘accelerator funding’, nobody But evenat proof-of-concept the stage and beyond, where forward to ideas proof-of-concept their the stage and beyond. capital. It is investing instartups and funding efforts their take to government has come forward to provide capital seed and risk playing role the of aventure for fund biotech the industry. The funds. In it fact, is Indian the government that is basically Biotech startups donot even show up on radarsthe of venture innovation inIndia. Today, neither venture capitalists (VCs) nor market the value innovation from lab the to market—like Biocon—are ignored. time-consuming of journey bringing breakthrough medical that neither appreciates nor encourages breakthrough innovation. are they because constantlyglobally thwarted by an ecosystem scientists country, inthe we donot making them amark see Thoughthere is alot innovationof good being done by women transform of pace the value-added growth Indian inthe economy. innovation and an unleash entrepreneurial avalanche that would ablebeing to raise capital with greater flexibility would spur of accessingEase a market, and primary both secondary, and intervention backed by venture funding. incubation funding and to taken then market through business to proof of concept through government-sponsored and seed on and science based technology,those are which incubated in place afinancing cycle—academia generating especially ideas, What India is needs a national innovation ecosystem that puts dream. ecosystem, innovation inIndia continue will afar-fetched to be flight.take Until we are able to createfunding-financing a capital, most eventhe transformative can ideas diebefore they to flourish, ideas funded mustbe takenand to market. Without byideas unshackling our entrepreneurial spirit. For innovation come will to naught good social unlesswe monetise innovative driver of progress. India’s ability to generate wealth and create In today’s knowledge-driven economy, innovation is primary the What India needs 17 TRAILBLAZERS 18 TRAILBLAZERS ensure abetter life for its billion-plus citizens. that able India be to powerwill the unleash of innovation to embracing entrepreneurship as an economic of model growth waiting tapped. to be It is by investing inbreakthrough and ideas Today, alarge of reservoir entrepreneurial inIndia energy is Conclusion highest French distinction -Knight of of Legion the Honour. honouredalso with Order the of Australia, Australia’s Highest Civilian Honour inJanuary 2020. In 2016,she was conferred with the She is proud the recipient of two of India’s highest civilian honours, Padma the Shri(1989)and Padma the Bhushan (2005). She was philanthropist. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneeringpassionate and a biotech entrepreneur, ahealthcare visionary, influencer aglobal Author bio

She is apioneer of India’s biotech and industry founder of Biocon. Atmanirbhar Bharat. combine ‘Make both inIndia’ and ‘Innovate inIndia’ to deliver an ablebe to garner alarge share value of chain global the and to innovativetake markets. to ideas global In doing so, we will operations, able India be to create will acompelling opportunity grow from and small medium enterprises to large industrial scale enormous impact. By global encouraging technopreneurs to and businesses but that locally have think potential the to make The government must enable and support innovative startups Department of Biotechnology, Government of India Transforming theBiotechInnovation Renu Swarup Renu Secretary To scientific take researchfrom thelaboratory the endto user,the DBT has built an Moreall. than 1000startups and entrepreneurs supported with be under BIRAC. wish roots to that build deeper inso benefits the of innovation-driven research reaches a significant boost to discovery research and a shift to development, product we an area country.the Through variousfunding programmes, we havethat noticed there been has competitive funding indiverse areas of biotechnology that have become abenchmark in inour short history,learning curve we have able been to consolidate efforts the to support supportingexcellence while bio-innovations benefit. forThrough societal anexponential and nurture avibrant startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem. BIRAC aims to foster The Biotechnology Research Industry AssistanceCouncil (BIRAC) set was up to promote India.Skill Academic have and experts industry successfully delivered to country. the Ayushman Bharat, Swatch Bharat, Poshaan Abhiyan, Start-up India, Make inIndia and agenda and developing innovative solutions for national the missions of Swasth Bharat, DBT made has significant also contributions aligningby its work the to national growth resource base. life and science biotechnology centres have helped build an employable human skilled researchers and startups to research take and innovation across country. the Vigyan Skill created, which through DBT’sthe SAHAJ scheme has now made accessible been to all research fellows and students annually. World class state of has infrastructure art the been institutes and laboratories supported, DBT supports nearly 10,000biotechnology of national and international partnerships. With more than 15,000scientists and 800 ecosystem across and country the has built strong foundations, leveraging strength the lastthe DBT three Over decades, has created strong a very research and translation innovation inIndia. spectrum collaboration to knowledge translational clusters; DBT has transformed scientific the research to translational research, from to academia startups, from institutional challenges on with afocus ‘Make inIndia.’ Today, as we are positioned from discovery Since its inception, DBT committed has been to delivering solutions for societal breaking biotechnological research. for national nutrition and needs aclean environment, DBT is leadingway the for path- challengesthe of improved agriculture productivity, to developing innovative solutions country. From research spanning prevention and cure for major to addressing diseases, DBT has made significant andeconomicstrides the in growthaided social andthe of nutrition, healthcare, environment the and industrial growth. As field the has progressed, Biotechnology today has played amajor role inimpacting and food agriculture, T Ecosystem in spearheading innovative solutions for developmental challenges. biotechnology departments up set by any government, acatalyst has been and Technology, established in1986 and among first the dedicated he Department of Biotechnology (DBT) inIndia’s of Science Ministry

19 TRAILBLAZERS 20 TRAILBLAZERS our effort is to ensurethat our innovations continue to on focus healthcare by challenges COVID-19 the exposed pandemic, As world the for looks quick solutions to huge the meet philanthropic organisations indiverse areas of biotechnology. and development programmes countries with several and epitomised value this by initiating multiple collaborative research contribute progress. to global The DBT and BIRAC have are at core the of self-reliance. India’s progress undoubtedly will a self-centred India. International cooperation and collaboration It is imperative that we donot conflateself-reliant a with India institutional partnerships and governance models have emerged. innovationindustry-academia research and translation. New to multi institute projects, and from only research academia to investigator to multi-investigator projects, from single institute agrowingseen trend over years these of moving from single- extramural research projects have contributed to We this. have four bioclusters, two public and undertakings over sector 5000 translationthe phase to commercialisation. The 16institutions, ecosystem that allows for movement seamless of research from awarded Agriculture the Research Leadership Award 2019. P. Sheel Memorial Lecture Award 2018’ by NASI and TWAS the Regional Office SciencePrize on Diplomacy in 2018.been She has ‘BioSpectrum Person of Year the Award’ in2012, ‘National Entrepreneurship Awards 2017,’ TiE WomENABLER Award ‘Dr. 2018, Organization for Women a Member of the for inScience Developing the World she was awarded and the (OWSD), (TAAS) National Member the of Trust for Academy Advancement of (NASI) Sciences A Fellow of of Agricultural Sciences India, A Life onEnterprise focus Start‐ups with special and SMEs. (BIRAC), aPublic Company Sector incorporated by Government the to nurture and promote innovation research Biotech inthe of Biotechnology for over 30 years, she holds the position also of Chairperson, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council Swarup,Renu Author bio PhD is presently Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. Having served inDepartment ‘ impact-driven innovation. This is to key our march towards an on importance the of indigenous research and development of As we prepare ourselves for world, anew our must focus be India’s growth story. work and envisions to continue to doso, of part and acritical be and as away technology of rather field thinking thanof asiloed innovation with national development. It has promoted science importance of walks oflife inall and science has integrated scalability. The DBT has consistently brought the to forethe research and translation but base to ensure sustainability and Moving forward, our challenge is not just to strengthen the US$100 billion biomanufacturing hub. US$150 billion bioeconomy by 2025and to India becoming a forward to prepare to our meet ambitious target of achieving a science, researchclinical and engineering is sciences, way the and emerging technologies, biological linking with data science scalability, sustainability and replicability. The integration of new Atmanirbhar Bharat Atmanirbhar .’ Founder and Managing Director Managing and Founder Kalaari Capital Kalaari Vani Kola Technology asanEnablerfor Transformation sati sati She championed cause the of female suffrage and fought against marriage,child bigamy, life. We know of Naidu and nationalist, as apoet but she an was ardent also feminist. ushering more people into an inclusive economy, can pave path: the our startup ecosystem, is which defining and expanding on India’s goals of inclusion and Indiadecade, can emerge as an innovation hub standards. setting global Thevibrancy of thirdthe largest startup hub in world,the behind only US the and InChina. next the less than Indian the adecade, tech and startup ecosystem has shed that yoke to become Therewhentime was a India was merelyback-office a the for rest the of world. in But economic impact through inclusion and driving jobcreation. many interests, including of part being New the India story, entrepreneurship, creating course, circle the me back led to India and venture capital as away to engage with my and technology. Eventually, to led this my initial forays into entrepreneurship. Later, of education enabled me to move to Silicon Valley to engage with cutting edge innovations studying engineering and computer science, came which naturally to me. early This schoolmathhigh teacher inspired me to pursue mathematics. Ifollowed up this by Education and have technology always closely interlinked for me. Growing up, my despite many the there barriers, are ways to break them. leaders powerful has always given me inspiration and strength, making me that believe ultimately brings lasting progress and transformation. radical India’s strong tradition of Technology is an enabler. It provides means the to create and make adifference, which This is like how technology.view I For me, is nottechnology the norgoal the end result. and how pushed they boundaries the of innovation own intheir ways. may have disparate led lives, but are they fabricsimilar inthe of leadership weaved, they showed how visionthe of even one or two people could have a long-lasting impact. They ranging accomplishments were intune at needed with what that society time. They None of people were these stalwarts,and technology that’s only wide- their because stalwart known for her diplomacy. of Assembly, UNGeneral the one of India’s first womenparliamentarians political and a someonereflected in like Vijayalakshmi Pandit,whothe was first woman be to president I had awonderful education and cherish still values the I learnt there, values that I see Madapativisionary Hanumantha Rao, was who astaunch inwomen’s believer education. I studied inone of first the schools forgirls in Hyderabad established in1928 the by India’s first womaneducator. Naidu, Savitrabai Phulepath, had a defined school a opening for girls inPune,becoming W (widow immolation) always admired—Sarojini Naidu. rereading Ihad been about her recentthe debates on diversity and gender, but to awoman Ihad ecosystem for women intechnology, my mind went back not to hen Iwas asked to write keynote this on current the Indian startup and for women’s education during tumultuous times. Before

21 TRAILBLAZERS 22 TRAILBLAZERS (5). How much of isof this because unconscious bias, cultural for only 13percent of employed engineers, according to US the of women engineers STEM inthe workforce, women account still percent for years. Despite increase the over past the few decades women receive has remained relatively static, hovering around 20 In US, the by contrast, percentagethe of engineering degrees that degrees (4). technology that women received over 31percent of engineering the and STEM field incollege (3). the AISHEIn 2018, also found report with 57 percent of high-performing women having studied ina India’s STEM education map is encouragingly more diverse, On its website, McKinsey notes that many unlike other countries, engineering degrees, but numbers their have grown since then. In 1980, Indian women received less than two percent of all progressthere good has been over (2). last the few decades encourage more women to continue pursuing education, their and 42.50percent for females. While more done to needs be to females; and for integrated levels, it is 57.50percent for males for PhDs, it is 56.18percent by and males 43.82percent by enrolment are by and males 49percent by females across India; institutions. At undergraduate the level, 51percent of student has 993universities, 39,931colleges and 10,725standalone of HigherSurvey Education (AISHE) 2018-19, India Report from engineering courses inIndia. year, Every then. on an average, 1.5million students graduate only women seven doing course. the Times have changed since map. When I was doing my engineering in 1980s, the there were Globally, men dominate STEM the workforce and educational better gender diversity intechnology. participationequal from women too. There is an urgent for need itthen more the becomes all relevant that it is developed with weretechnology backbone the to be of our existence as a species, made up be and of technology will parts physiology. equal If machines by 2045,he says, pointing to afuture where our biology about how shape will future. the technology We merge will with Kurzweil has made it ahabit to make remarkable predictions Technology matters, now more than everbefore. Futurist Ray n n n n n n ese areese encouraging figuresthat showthat tech startups has 207‘soonicorns’ndia also that are on verge the of n India, sixcompanies have achieved unicorn status in its website, Startup India states that numberthe of he 50,000+startups inIndia, around 9,300are ndia’s startup to grow ecosystem is expected at an annual Th I I On Of t I few years. years. few have alot funneled of India’s economic growth last inthe estimates achieving and hyper breaking scale out, on Tracxn based of total the tally 2020, taking unicorns to 37 women entrepreneurs is 14percent (1) startupstechnology-led rate of 12-15percent According India to All the

technology fromtechnology as early school. as middle Therealready is much We to need encourage more and girls to code dream of encouragement. and that policies are women-friendly spotlight the need and Corporate rewards that highlightprogress inobjective hiring to any erase unconscious bias inhiring or promotions. gender diversity core the to We hiring. must work diligently therefore, important to expand talent the pipeline and make for women to enter into STEM careers and stay there. It is, for to them achieve that. We to need create clearer pathways STEM and create platform the and avenues that make it easier We should inspire more women to pursue globally careers in lead toa will firms,broaderset of innovations gettingfunding. figure will But as more women enter world the of entrepreneurship, that percent of total the investment of US$188billion worldwide (8). The total investment in women-led startups is only about 17 startups often receive markedly funding. reduced transforming ideas, their process. inthe Yet, society women-led from venture capitalthat firms offer funding the them torealise startups to that obtain struggle capital from banks have benefited companies may well GDP the exceed of some countries. Young valuation of some of world’s the biggest venture capital-funded achieveideas product-market fit, scaling and in up. The combined plays akey role by investing ininnovative helping ideas, these enables wealth creation. The venturecapital ecosystem in India encourage such innovation. It typically creates disruption and balance to amale-dominated industry. Venture capital will and more women offer intech will that vital and much-needed Technology has always brought out far-reaching innovation, workforce that comprises 60percent women at senior the level. in leadership roles (7). It nearly firms the half expects to havea Indianthe is ITsector recruiting and retaining more women NASSCOM’s Women and IT Scorecard 2018report shows that technology, play and will role they a critical in nextthe decade. I am positive that more therebe will opportunities for women in create dramatic success stories. an INR6.5 billion company. Women have shown that can they is iconic,story growing from an INR 89 enterprise in1959to to family beneficial society andlarge.at The Lijjat Papad success are many examples that show that women empowerment is outpacing of those men’s it when comes jobs.There to high-skill of computing-related jobs(6).Positively, women’s earnings are researchers worldwide are women, and women hold 26percent But there are positive changes. Today, about 30 percent of more? These are questionsthat do not haveeasy answers. complex balancing of act women, being mothers, daughters and stereotyping, and inherent the performing in difficulties the certainly change.certainly Women, as ininvestment partners greater interest inSTEM subjects. ofease Internet access, more of India’s young women adopt will and 5cities and towns embrace rapid innovation. digital With With India Digital the initiative, we are India’s seeing Tier 3,4, enable women empowerment, education, safety and healthcare. to highlightcompanies and startups that are using to technology products that adapt to technology women’s contexts. We need Apart from education, we to need support effortsthat offer But there’s for scope more initiatives. schoolgirls withmiddle STEM-related workshops and activities. STEM fields. In India, we have IBM’s STEM4Girlsthat empowers encourages which Who Code, women to pursue an education in progress on path this with non-profits likeReshma Saujani’s Girls ené Teare,”2018 All-Time High Sets For Investment Dollars Into Female-Founded Startups,” (8) itter “India’s Sohini, is ITsector recruiting more women and giving leadership them roles: NASSCOM,” Sam, “Womenaley In Tech Statistics For 2020(And How We Better),” CanDo (7) ureau of Statistics, Labor “Labor Force Statistics from Current the Population Survey,” https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11. (6) of Humaninistry Resource Development, Government of India, (5) li Jaffer and Mona Mourshed, “How to US attract womensciences,” the to (4) epartment of Higher Education, of Human Ministry Resource Development, Government of India, (3) tartUp of India, Commerce Ministry and Industry, Government of India, (2) (1) believes insustainablebelieves living and grows enough organic produce inher garden to her meet family’s needs. leadership. Outside of work, Vani enjoys spending with time her family, practicesyoga and meditation heartfulness devotedly. She Powerful Women inBusiness. She is actively involved invarious organizations on fostering focused entrepreneurship and women Cure.fit, Snapdeal, Myntra among others. Vani is profiled in numerousbooks been identified and ashas one ofFortune’s Most minds and mentoring to them growth build high enterprises. Some of Kola’s notable venture capital successes include: Dream11, investorfocused with many of her investments having now successful, validating becomeher very aptitude for picking young best the development of entrepreneurs and her conviction that Indian companies are players. to become poised global Vani is atechnology investor and known a visionary for identifying emerging markets. Her leadership at Kalaari centers around her commitment to the Vani Kola is Managing the Director at Kalaari Capital, an early stage ventureBangalore. capital in based firm She is a renowned Author bio

Education 2018-19,(New 2019),http://aishe.gov.in/aishe/viewDocument.action?documentId=262 Delhi: gov.in/content/sih/en/women_entrepreneurship.html www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/how-to-attract-us-women-to-the-sciences# htm. https://news.crunchbase.com/news/2018-sets-all-time-high-for-investment-dollars-into-female-founded-startups/. G M D US B M A D S roles. 2018, https://yourstory.com/2018/03/nasscom-says-indias-it-sector-is-recruiting-more-women-and-giving-them-leadership- women-tech/women-in-tech-workplace-statistics. stronger, more sustainable innovation economy inIndia. create apath for change inour society. Together we can build a longOur tradition of dynamic leadership and will meritocracy everyone, adiverse tech environment standard. new the be will Once advantagesthe of diversity become more apparent to always done—radically changing way the we live. women indifferent areas doingof technology what women have technopreneurs we and are AIexperts, slowly remarkable seeing From quantum physicists and innovators digital to more change follow. will Progress happen will inits wake. discussion going. The more conversations we have the overthis, and inclusion are broad buckets, but we to need keep the world differentOur be will with more women in STEM. Diversity All India Survey on Higher Education Women Entrepreneurship, https://www.startupindia. McKinsey &Company, Builtin , March 13,2020,https://builtin.com/ Crunchbase September 1,2013,https:// All India Survey on Higher YourStory , January 15,2019, , March 13, 23 TRAILBLAZERS

FinTech platforms inIndia. With multiple vectors converging, here are four inspiring entrepreneurs that are developing and deploying proprietary excluded groups women, like rural and others. segment of Indian consumer financial –retail business traders, small operators, startup entrepreneurs, previously proliferation and payment of banking services gateways has morphed into innovation that aims at reaching every FinTechin the space. What as started world’s the most massive one-sweep identification exercise (Aadhar) and a I WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES and save way the digitally India is. The JAM architecture has paved way the for unprecedented innovation Few other major economies are re-engineering and optimizing how over abillion citizens can spend transact, (Jan Dhan +Aadhar +Mobile) trinity, has accelerated inclusion financial over country inthe last the decade. ndia has emerged as one of world’s the most compelling FinTech sandboxes. India Stack, developed on JAM the 3. 2. 1. FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY

Jayalakshmi Manohar -Co-founder Manohar and CPO Jayalakshmi Chaitra Chidanand –Co-founder and President (former), Now new stealth venture Simpl: Platform for simplifying payments and credit wallet Streak AITechnologies: Democratising stock markets with retail intelligence software Financial Technologies:Open Asia’s first neo-banking platform for SMBs and startups Mabel Chacko -Co-founder Jacob and COO, Deena 1 -Co-founder and CFO

25 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY 26 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY workflows. Currently, more thanserving is 500,000+ Open SMEs programming interface (APIs) to integrate banking into business thereby automating book-keeping. It offers also application payouts, auto-reconcile and categorise income and expense, platform enables businesses payments, to collect doseamless helps SMEs automate and finances their run effectively.The offersOpen a business accountpartnership in that withbanks happened for businesses. small of building things people want to change way inthe banking cross-section of businesses and we were by guided principles the businesssmall owners, wethat realised exists this across awide doing driver payouts. to Speaking other entrepreneurs and and volumes, managing finance was a sure in pain, especially hailing startup TaxiforSure and back then, evenwith growth their me “privileged benefits”. wasDeena leading finance for a cab- startup,a small my banking didnot partners value ingiving see to doindividual transfers fund for eachmerchant. Since mine was a payment gateway, to make Iwas settlements struggling as Ihad of and running managing startups. While I[Mabel] was running Weactivities. saw challenges these ourselves inour previous stints there is alack of online tools to help plan them day their to day interfaces for accounting, payment gateways and payroll, and account receivables and payables.with todeal They need multiple tracking and forecasting cash-flows, effectively managing and medium-sized enterprises ( groups, but most businesses small are deprived of Small these. enterprises enjoy privileges of special transaction banking Business banking was broken for businesses. small Large building financial tools for your entrepreneurs.fellow businesses and startups.sized Tell us how you are of lack infrastructure financial forand medium- small inyour venturesyou previous hadexperienced the with At you together Open, came to aproblem solve of both Open FinancialTechnologies: Asia’s first neo-bankingplatformfor Mabel Jacob Chacko -Co-founderandCOO,Deena SMEs) facealot of difficulty SMBs andstartups exciting developments you do foresee? other majorcapabilities vis-à-vis andeconomies, what What on are India’s your views ecosystem financial and are they which able to put back to growing business. their SME businessOpen, owners can save at least two hours of aday, and processing US$14billion intransactions annually. Using financial infrastructure beingfinancial infrastructure built to enablepayments digital and startups are perceived and kindof the available, technology to the past many the decade, Over things have changed. From way the ago? adecade even inways Open thatbuild not would possible have been How hasIndia’s ecosystem you enabled to technology themes to watch out for coming inthe years. various platforms and point of commerce would key the be credit with 360-degree customer underwriting interaction on on connected banking focused commerceDigital and age new a customer-need financialecosystem. and experience-focused customersthe are a leap all towards nextthe level of evolving into conglomerates foraying into providing afinancialecosystem for proliferationthe of entrants new lending indigital as well as as neo-banking and open credit, account aggregators and is key shift the underway. The creation segments new of such customer and needs not only as an enabler of money movement for amore holistic financialecosystem that on focuses broader wave of open banking and other changes in regulation needed are far better compared to evendeveloped economies. The new adoption, of transactions ease digital the and options available wayin the abillion plus people In transact. banking and digital (Unified Payments Interface) have definingbeen disruptions compared to many of world the economies. Systems such as UPI It is fair to say that India has an evolved financialecosystem -Co-founder and CFO

previous experiences. previous experiences. we should not doing, are be those because learning from our We not will say but we know we everything, surely know what There is alot trenchesthe learning of deep in the of startup world. have contributed to Open’s success? you brought along from your ventures previous that ofBoth you areentrepreneurs. serial What have lessons account. APIsexposing for fintechs on top services to bank the of build real transactions. time have too Banks increasingly opened up to andwhat defines we stand for. And inmany this ways has brought inaculture that’s Open truly instead we eachopportunity use to and learn grow collectively. own before. We donot punish our teams for making mistakes, not settle, we for look people have who done something of their teammates—we for look self-starters, we for look people do who team. We have some guiding principles by our we which select same time, we could not have achieved what we didwithout our working towards betterment the that inall of we Open do. At the we isof trust have this the all ineachother that we are constantly of us contributes and what we are accountable for. And core the built on and our sets brings skill inalot of clarity on what each operations and Ajeesh manages technology. the This structure is lending and wealth management. Mabel handles marketing and CEO and he manages business strategy. manages Deena finance, fourAll of us have aclear operational area we manage. Anish is the and open lines oftransparency communication? founding team to deliver optimum results with As four co-founders, how have you your structured 27 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY 28 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY no longer blindsided by market moves but is equipped to handle execute strategies these markets. inthe With Streak, is atrader charts, to backtesting strategies their andbeing finally able to from able being on to strategise see trading they the ideas We wanted to provide traders with an end-to-end platform— value ofa traded over US$1 billion. million over 4.3 Streak, retail traders have over 35 run million backtests, deployed marketin the with pre-defined and exit entry strategies. On quick trading decisions able being while to positions track their traders canRetail now access Streak’s intelligence layer to make simple interface easy-to-use that requires no knowledge. coding sophisticated state of that art technology the a via wielded can be and empower traders by equipping with them landscape Streak was founded to democratise retail the trading positionscalculated to risk and minimise profits. maximise large teams and advanced tech that infrastructure help take them hand,On the other institutional traders have financial resources, making aloss. trades We out traders lose see markets, inthe with over 90percent of with sophisticatedtrader tools to make timely trading decisions. retail traders have order eased placement, donot they equip the quickly. However, although trading the applications available to marketsthe have at been forefront the of adopting technology accessible by brokers’ software applications on your mobile phones, orders telephone, via and now terminals made trading via inception. From trading the floors at exchanges, to its placing since The stock marketevolved has thanks to technology proposition. value unique trading experience. Tell Streak’s us how you developed Streak is revolutionising retail investor’s the daily Streak AITechnologies: Democratisingstock markets withretail intelligencesoftware strategies and orders placed that have generated Jayalakshmi Manohar -Co-founderandCPO Manohar Jayalakshmi challenges you will face? youchallenges will aplatformcan Streak like change this?What are the compared to otherminuscule major How economies. The average Indian’s participationequity in markets is commodities, currencies and future contracts on go. the market movements across multiple assetclasses like equities, of demat accounts opened nearly doubling last inthe quarter. are investing ineducating time their themselves, with number the have aphenomenal seen growth uptick among who millennials traders have our used platform, We with most millennials. being retail traders are quickly adopting our technology. Over 380,000 We that believe strategic trading is future the of stock markets and platform. some of issues these and measures are inherently built into the wipe-outs. platform Our inaway designed is also to address people have, causes which huge and losses sometimes to leads The other challengetrading is behaviouralbiases and that biases havewho not previously participated markets. inthe aspaper training trading,act for wheels novice traders or those offering. Several features the of product, suchbacktesting as and positive change by addressing issue this within our product that we have faced. With Streak, we want to bring about aradical that prevails country, inthe biggest the has which been challenges The predominant behindthis lackreason isa of financial literacy problem that hand goes inhand is traders drop off. or swing traders. To addto low the retail participation, another The number dropswhen drastically you look at activeday traders retail participation stock inthe markets is afeeble two percent. highest household savings ratios world inthe (30percent), India’s In with apopulation acountry of 1.2billion and one of the research, where you spendmost of will your getting time to know multiple touch points. This processwill require a differentof kind it is to vital deliver consistent aseamless, across experience the journey. UI/UXis how gets auser to know your company and For products, digital UI/UXplays multiple roles crucial inauser’s marketthe and sometimes question your own beliefs. nature. It require will you to build prototypes, and betas test it in alternative. part Thisis often the hardest and most iterativein solutionThe be to needs betterat least 10x thancurrent the ittackle inaway that produce will asimple yet solution. powerful first to need put yourself in your consumers’ shoes then and and flock to your users will product. solveTo a real problem, you With functionality, you have heard it before—solve a real problem experience. product building process into two and parts—functionality user to. you However, break downthe simplified can this be when the by geographies cultureand they are exposed influenced by afterpeople’sall, millions of users globally; behaviour is It overwhelming can to be build aproduct that accepted can be people around globe. the country,the even from town a small quicklycan be adopted by We now live inaworld where aproduct built inany corner of has transformed how product building thought to needs be out. We are at cusp of the globalisation and connectivity, digital which think global. Think scale, products to domestic and international customers? wantwho to Make inIndia and deliver quality digital What you do lessons share for fellow entrepreneurs of trading multiple instruments inasimplistic way. forefront, making it go-to the platform for traders due to ease the where markets 24/7across run has globe, put the Streak at the The advent of agenew tradable assets such as cryptocurrencies, evolved further when you when evolved hit further one million. necessarily work for of 100,000and ascale it might to need be product something that scales, works for stage might beta the not not stack only but agood design keep toevolving also it as your due to poorly architected tech infrastructure. It is imperative to well architected. Great and ideas market research most often fail Finally, stack you the tech to use build your products to needs be that might work may locally not necessarily work globally. what kindof UIyour is already user familiar with and UI/UX the equally passionateequally about your mission. find team memberswith complementarywho are skillsets day. It is imperative to discover your unique strength and then only companies that light the can execute of see well them will startup is team the you out start with. Ideas are dime adozen but Third, discover your unique strength. The foundation ofa great abundant resources at your to from. learn disposal failed. If you are contemplating astartup of your own, you have you around see you, from ones the that have as well succeeded as and fail. also There are lessons startup be learntthat every to in welast three decades, have startups technology boom seen rise, Second, from learn mistakes the of other entrepreneurs. In the battle.is the half that you are passionate about and creates ahuge impact insociety obstacle that may come your way. Therefore, picking a problem dedication, determination will, and to overcome zeal every make world this abetter place for of all us to live in.It requires not acareer path, it is amission to solve real world problems to First, make sure entrepreneurship is for you. Entrepreneurship is starting out on an entrepreneurial journey? recommend are to who contemplating those or just Streak to what you product experience users, would all As entrepreneur aserial on delivering focused astellar 29 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY 30 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY this happen.this However, like with any and of tool, will skill the the approaches, thinking to design deep are available all to make in customer interactions. Tools and frameworks, from surveys around corners, lines the readand between hear what is not said that requires extreme attention to detail, ability the to look of your product and design acontinuous experience—is process Human-centric design—or placing your customer at center the centric and design man+machine intelligence systems. computer smartphone)—using (the pocket inevery human- re-imagining payments for stack—internet, new the cloud, super- We saw an opportunity to payment disrupt legacy the stack by perspective). flexibilityand(from sacrificed ease user experience and a more layers to old the system. This increased cost and complexity, was achieved byonline legacy Repurposing adding case. use built for offline transactions new the were serve to repurposed With commerce shifting paymenttheonline, systemsthat were (LTV) of customer. the loyalty, enhances revenue (RPU)and user lifetime per value customers. it simply Because makes business It sense. cultivates commonly offersthis convenience tab of a their to regular any merchant to providing acustomer services high-frequency vendors,fruit the regular customers. Neighbourhood men, local grocers, milk khata Simpl derived its inspiration from age-old the tradition of a issued and extremely friendly). user Simpl is effectively credit a digital card (no plastic, instantaneously experience? the customer at thecentre of your and productdesign What was your thesis for Simpl and howyou do place Simpl: Platformforsimplifyingpaymentsand or of tab (book accounts) by used merchants their to serve sutta Chaitra Chidanand -Co-founder and President (former), Now new stealth venture (cigarette) guy outside an office, basically credit wallet vent anger their on cashier. the up and people get restless, and customers both and managers duringstressed, hour rush especially since causes this aline build apaymentwhen didnot method work, cashier the got incredibly stopwatch and recorded my findings. This that made merealise of mode paymentstakeholders. every Itimed discreetly using a made. Ipaid specific attention the emotionsto the various of howto transactions observe happened and payments were stores,grocery coffee shops, restaurants fruit and vendors payment system. As of part my research, Ihung around various First is criticality the of cashier the adoption inthe of anew pilot would have failed: nuancesthree crucial that have Iwould otherwise missed, and the understand problem. the By following approach, this Iunearthed and follow money’ the framework as my guideto thoroughly Towards end, this Iapplied ‘observe, the interview, immerse five minutes thinking aboutsolutions.” problem, I’d spend55minutes about thinking problem the and it inside out. Einstein As Albert said, “If Ihad an hour to solve a extraordinary amount of time with problemthe and understand The first order of business in human-centrican is design spend to daily essentials) as target the to with. start case use for top-ups (used grocer yogurt, inonI zeroed milk, local the of mortar stores—to khata replace book-based the payments product for offline merchants—to inused brick be and In mid-2019,Iwas exploring potential the for building adigital year. such framework conceptualising while product a particular last illustrateI will with an example of how I went about applying one wielders determines end the results. of merchant. the rendering inconsequential. them have us, blessed priests the would have blocked blessings, the priests crucial these store owners and built beautifulproducts for them—missing we would have on obvious—the the focused end consumer and our pilot would have different. looked very Out of sheer habit, ‘observe,the interview, immerse and follow money’ the process, Had Inot discovered little these details by meticulously following opposed to customer facing product elements. merchanteasy-to-use dashboard was numberthe one priority, as or large, was deducted from cashier’s the wages. This meant an store. And any inexplicable discrepancy, no matter how small reconciliation was done manually, day before every closing the flow questions,that I ina realised brick and mortar store, stakeholders these By interviewing and focusing on money- merchant dashboard tool. existed as asecondary managed by computers back-end APIs via and not humans; the convinced to that believe reconciliation function was acritical With of experience the building Simpl’s online product Iwas accounts with orders and inventory. Any inexplicable of tallying discrepancyinthe payments system donotthey become unhappy. What could make unhappy? them torespect role this was not to keep person happy the but to ensure purelyunearthed by following money. the thingwith The crucial stakeholder,was acritical invisible otherwise to any observation, Thirdthe invisibleis accountant. back-office The accountant perspective. instead ensured we built aproduct that was 10xfaster from their did not inadvertently addany complexity to cashier’s the life, and entry, minor seemingly this unearthing ensured detail that we product prototype we built required to them make some data flow theand increased chances of mistakes.making the Since make. Shifting to a mouse unwelcome added delay, broke their Keyboard shortcuts were to any crucial had to they data entry hour,rush at rely they time which heavily on muscle memory. cashier’s life. Ilearnt that acashier’s most stressful is time the first-hand to experience a while how money flows through the intoto digdeeper role. their an Ibecame undercover cashier for Once it was clear that cashier the was akey stakeholder, Idecided is roleSecond the of keyboard-shortcuts product inthe prototype. to dissuade its use). cashier was naturally inclined to champion it (and have no reason priest.the If our product was to succeed,to we ensure needed the made me that realise although customer the is god, cashier the is customers to cards use and during cash,hour. rush especially This handed over to it time the was returned). And so, cashiers urged payments took 45-50seconds (from card/cash the time the was If internet the worked, cards took about 32-35seconds; and cash paymentsDigital took longest the (90-120seconds) to process. in the middle. And though the gods might middle. And inthe thoughgods the might four weeks since launching at store. anew percent to 25percent of store’s the payment volume inamatter of purchases happen during time, this we were able to capture 20 our product was unknown to customer). the Since bulk of the during hour rush (astep that early inthe was critical days when Thecashiers promptedcustomers to use our product, especially prototype itself to led alignment of stakeholders all early on. Unearthing nuances these and solving for product inthe them I can say confidentlythat there’s alot left to come. towards first thinking principles-based are all promising vectors. to off. take Open architectures, unbundling data,of an mind open is palpable.energy Entrepreneurship spaceis inthis just starting fintech the I believe sector is goingthrough asimilar moment. The long denied,to started become celebrated. atremendousunleashed among energy people; entrepreneurship, long harboured asuspicion of markets and private the sector. This capitalism where and inacountry policymakers intelligentsia The success of IT, morethan any other change, helped legitimise parallels to envision fintech the boom’s impact and effects. are obvious, indirect the effects are more noteworthy and offer it While to boom direct ITboom. effects led the the the IT of sector. Thelast thistime happenedearlythe was in 1990s and of Bank India toReserve listen and collaborate with privatethe openness from government both and like the regulatory bodies What inIndia Isee that is great is that there is an unprecedented most of it. happens or it not; does it when inyour does country, make the cannot which will, political transported be as a‘learning’. It either that cannot displaced or be evenedited easily. It requires strong is adeeplyin eachcountry entrenched lobby, system alegacy There are no ‘learnings’that canbe deployed globally. Banking usage and advancement of financial technology. afterthe other,each as a acting forcingfunction for acceptance, experiment catastrophepolitical and global afreak happening one and COVID-19 happening inquick succession? Technology, a you get events like Unified Payments Interface, demonetisation going hard, to be given noise. the especially But how often do not mean it isor easy that success is agiven. To is still succeed is an unprecedented time, for ripe entrepreneurship. That does India of is ahead entire the world it when comes to fintech. This globally? and we whatdeploy can learnings How you do envision the FinTech revolution in India My vision is to create coalition of aglobal women thinking, India. What isyour for vision this? improvefurther inclusion financial among women in It isgreat to that hear your next venture endeavours to 31 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY 32 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY entrepreneurs, or conventional wisdom—do not accept it blindly. 1:WhateverLesson source the of successful wisdom—books, My hard-learned lessons are: for entrepreneurship?skillsets share for on technologists buildingmultidimensional to to mid-size large conglomerates. What you do lessons You have worked acrossfrom company startups scales, relationshiptheir with money. an irreversible generationalwhen shift it comes to women and apparenteven be to us today. We have opportunity the to create entirethe household at and large society inways that may not households’ interest. best Empowering women thus benefit will When women manage money, invariably they co-opt their statement is ‘organising money lives inthe of women, globally’. and managingspeaking, money for themselves. My mission Chaitra Chidanand. remind yourself from this to time time. This lesson is courtesy of life, not destination. the The destination is death; to it is useful emotion of delight or disappointment. thejourney The is purpose learnings that you can lap up only ifyou are not caught up inthe delightthey or disappoint is immaterial; invariably they offer up choices. at Look asthem ofa collection Whether experiences. not 3: Do straitjacketLesson yourself inyour career or life This lesson is courtesyCharlie Munger. it works. Consistently avoid stupidities the and you succeed. will upside down. at Look it backward. This may cool,not seem but intelligent. To doso, always invert. Turn asituation or problem 2: Lesson courtesy Lee. Bruce what worked yesterday maybeirrelevant today). This lesson is unlearning and relearning newercontexts (because truths evolve; Continue your to seek own and truth, continue to test it; keep Try not stupid, to be highly to instead be of trying cinema giant launch inIndia. of library their repurpose content for distribution digital to (led creation of helped Crackle), aMexican systeminspection that was deployed on Apple’s manufacturing lines, moved Sony Pictures Television to controlthem over how money flowsthrough their lives. Previously, in careerher she has built an AI venture she intends to move much needle the farther. Her next venture on women is focused and giving firstthe step;through which believesshe she scratchedonly her. Simpl was the surface. With her next archaicto be and intimidating inmost people’s lives. Making money simple alife became mission for her realize that despite shiftsthinking, money paradigm in and technology design matters continued Stanford. The bankingwiththe challenges dealing andshe financial experienced system the US in made engineer by training, she she started coding when was 9 years old. She went on to get an MBA from Chaitra Chidanand on toEngineering teams lead and played role acrucial shaping User the and User Experience Interface. learninga deep AIsolutions company that was later acquired by an e-commerce start-up. She went then institutional investors, hedge funds and HNIs. Her she beganin2015, when journey co-founded TrialKart - retail traders and investors by giving state-of-the-art them technology, far was which so only accessible by productsnew has now her to led stock markets. At Streak, she out has set to bring financial inclusion to positions inEngineering, Marketing and Product Development. Her passion for creating and launching and up taken leadership startups two is an entrepreneur has who co-founded Jayalakshmi Manohar top 100CFOroll of honour by CFOIndia category inthe management controls in2017. Institute of Management Accountants) Most Influential CFOs Award in2016 the in andalso chosen was and with TaxiforSure and Zansaar.com as Head the of Finance. She awinner of has CIMA(Chartered been business owners on focus core their business. Previously, was associated Deena with Tapzo as CFO, the SMEs automate business their payments, banking and accounting to help functions inoneservice unified offersfor service aSMEs neobankingand startups. is Open Asia’s firstneo-banking platform that helps JacobDeena is co-founder, the CFOand Head of Revenue and Growth afintech of Open, startup, which as one recognised of been has ‘Wonder also the Women inFintech inIndia’ by Medici. of Year’ the Award of from Electronics &Information Ministry the Technology, Government of India, and waswhich later acquired by CitrusPayments in2015.Mabel recipient the has been of ‘Startup the Leader Neartivity Wireless in 2009 and Zwitch, was which India’spayment first developer focused platform, a business banking platform to SMEs and startups. She co-founded her first CashNxtstart-up in2007, is afintechMabel Chacko innovator theand co-founder bankingthe of neo platformthat Open offers About theAuthors About was the founder of one of the most popular fintech startups in India, Simpl. An An India, Simpl. founder the of one of most the popular fintech startups in was

33 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY 34 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY D multi-market technological plays starting with e-commerce, the venture investment, and retail spaces. Here are three energizing entrepreneurs recognize who exponentialthe advantage of technology, data and AI,and are deploying deep either address niche gaps with afirst-mover advantage or develop multi-market strategiesthe B2B, in B2C and B2B2C spaces. WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES 3. 2. 1.

Ashwini Asokan –Co-founder and Asokan CEO Ashwini Mad Street Building Den: generalisableIntelligence Artificial architectures scale at Neha -Co-founder Singh and CEO Tracxn: Data intelligence platform for investments and corporate development Neeru Sharma -Co-founder and Director-CorpDev Infibeam Avenues: One-stop forpayments, infrastructure digital and platforms around world,the including India, are capitalizing on force-multiplierthe effects and buildinglarge data platforms to intelligence,artificial machine learning, databig analytics, and becomingothers increasingly mainstream, entrepreneurs platforms and innovatively multiple utilize data unlocks sets business new models. With frontier technologies like ata oil, is new the and platforms are engines new 21st-century the economy. inthe digital The ability to integratedbuild DATA PLATFORMS AT THEEDGE 2 35 FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY 36 DATA PLATFORMS AT THE EDGE portfolio for customer globally. needs and infrastructure. Today we offer all-in-onean integrated specific areas like e-commerce platforms,payment technologies spaceby technology the catering with tosolutions need this in It hastoday. becomeneed the Infibeam has made its mark in and innovation sector, inthe widely shiftbeen this accepted. has to way digital the of transacting and, owing to pace, scale the B2B customers across private and public sectors were introduced operations and influence consumerbehaviour. Both B2C and wayin the technologies digital are to disrupt used business last the India decade, Over has transformation witnessedawide Infibeam)? developments you do foresee for (both India and you capitalise on this acceleration and what exciting How did ecosystem in the lastdecade. technology Infibeam’swith theacceleration coincides rise of India’s company offerspaymentsboth adigital softwareand platform. and shareholder value. Thisthe rareis combinationa where revenue has model enabled us to significantly enhance business capabilitiesinfrastructure and profitable transaction-based and abroad. assetlight Our business model,scalable highly to enable businesses and governments to online transact inIndia Infibeam Avenues offers digital payments and software platforms today. conglomerate thisadvantage how Infibeama hasused intoto expand costs and near-infinitemarginal scalability. us Tell Technology an exponential carries advantage of low Infibeam Avenues: One-stop for payments, Infibeam Avenues: One-stopforpayments, digital infrastructure andplatforms Neeru Sharma -Co-founderandDirector-CorpDev the fintechthe space. to lead increased opportunitiesand will digital and innovation in government Financial dealings. transactions becoming cashless and ensure pace, transparency and for increased trust their all The empowerment usage, ease of citizenswill the digital space in is infrastructure enableddigital need. citizen for for every every empowered society. sectorbe as There opportunitieswill every in in e-governance that are bound to transform India into adigitally As of part India digital the movement, initiatives several we see governance initiatives? opportunities new How intech-enabled you do view Infibeam isinvolvedwith thegovernment e-marketplace. needs forneeds problem the techpreneur the intends to solve. initiation of of ajourney tech innovations over changing business business cannot idea asnapshot be intime, instead it should an be market researchdimension. aglobal Also, should carry atech and techpreneurs should Business this. realise insights and today.need in termsscale The of geography or size is unbounded journey. Technology is aplatform-agnostic enabler and abasic to. This realisation and exposure me led on my entrepreneurship aware toneed be of what is happening around and what it can lead we areI think citizens all economy ofdigital aglobal today. We ventures? backgroundsto tech their own build their technical youand what can share lessons for to leverage people Infibeamearlier. and What prompted you do this, to You have many donned hats inyour career, at both terms of venture capital funding, only behind USand the China. Indian ecosystem. technology India is ranked in third globally tremendous seen past Thehas decade growth and progressthe in ecosystem over decade? the Indian thepast technology trends you within sectors and leading have unearthed What sectors. are sometechnology of thefascinating Tracxn hasbuilt avast databaseof companies and coverage.global exponentially while expanding degree ofa high our accuracy intelligence (AI)plus human-in-the-loop has helped us maintain for next the level of curation. This combination of artificial and make precise recommendations to our team of analysts to analyse market that signals can innovative identify companies across more than 30 geographies. We have algorithms designed one million companies operating inover sectors 300technology companies emerging inthe sectors. We technology track over is building world’s the largest platform track private to globally Thisthe informationis gap we want to bridge. Today, Tracxn region. in aparticular investmentthe professional, for instance, finding all EV startups information required for sourcing must manually be curated by activity and number the of inevitable companies. But the still markets have become sizable, interms both of investment information about years seven ago. In last the private the decade, firms—there were hardly any platforms providingthe required as private market investors—in venture and private equity variety of platforms providing required the information. But When you are looking to invest inpublic markets, there are a data approach? analytics investing thattechnology space Tracxn a with issolving What isthegap you intheventure studied and investments andcorporatedevelopment Tracxn: Dataintelligenceplatformfor Neha -Co-founder Singh and CEO market fintech leadersinthe thelast in space few years. and Scripbox are some of companiesthe that have become PolicyBazaar, Pine Kredx, Labs, Rupeek, Lendingkart, Zerodha and are to continue expected doing future. inthe so PayTM, of startups have made significant disruptionsthe in market payments to insurance and personal investments, a huge number rest of last pack inthe From the decade. lending marketplaces and FinTech is third the promising segment that above has risen the segment that have recognition. gained global like Freshworks, and Zoho are Druva afew of players the inthis (forfocused instance, Companies healthcare, services). legal (for instance, CRM,customer support, HRtech) and industry out of India catering client to aglobal These base. are horizontal companies like AWS), we now many see great products coming democratic to launch software platforms (thanks to infrastructure notablehas seen growth incompanies. As it has become more SaaS products catering clients to global is another segment that Practo. as Flipkart, Ola, Oyo, BigBasket, Swiggy, Delhivery, Rivigo and from multiple and verticals includes many success stories, such segments. The consumerboasts of nine industry unicorns models anddelivery transportation are among leading these businesses such as e-commerce, e-commerce enablers, hyperlocal years—consumer businesses, SaaSand global fintech.Consumer are to continue expected upward their trend coming inthe Three marketsegments havestrong especially seen growth and startup ecosystem is maturing at astaggering pace. and 19unicorn companies created Indian the during period, this With total the year-on-year funding amount increasing ten-fold to drive thenext of era private market investing? How you do envision using Tracxn’s valuable data trove 37 DATA PLATFORMS AT THE EDGE 38 DATA PLATFORMS AT THE EDGE and Asia-Pacific. We havethat seen customers, includinglarge zones across Americas, Europe, the and Middle the East Africa we havesales, an team inside that sales works invarious time emerging sectorsglobal and technology companies. For global 70 Fortune 500organisations. Thisbacked is by our coverage of We have customers in40different countries,which include over manyand inso and target geographies? segments roster a such varied with product experience of clients How you do and approach a provide stellar sales global industries. in their samethe time, we help corporations track upcoming innovation models—making it actionable for investors and corporates. At about companies, teams, their stage, sector, and business analyst teams, we organise data the around private companies— startups across India. Using and technology sector-focused agritech, we want to make it for easier to them discover agritech all to bridge gap. this For instance, ifan investor wants to invest in amount of and time effort infinding right the investors. We aim interesting companies, founders while spendadisproportionate Investors spendadisproportionate amount of inscouting time for precisely match mandate their requirements. source and track companies across sectors and geographies to coupled with tailor-made products and features allows clients to unprecedented level. extensive Our database of global companies customisation and personalisation to eachindividual client at an powered human-in-the-loop system. This enables us to provide centralOur philosophy on of idea isthe based creating an AI- developers can who skilled build aworld-class product platform. products. This has helped Tracxn a build strong team of highly quality engineers are who able to build and deliver world-class in India has resulted availability inthe inasharp rise of high- corporationstechnology Microsoft such as Google, and Amazon establishment of product development offices by large global in qualitythe and quantity of its talent technology The pool. At same the time, India atremendous has seen improvement geographyin every we serve. without centrally in Bengaluru team sales needing to build a local through remote meetings. Hence, we can build ourteam sales organisations, have become more open about buying software just implementation the of readymade solutions. disciplines are who vested creation inthe and of design AI,not literate, AI-native talent and force of people across avarietyof In anutshell, our motivation and ambitions are to build an AI- do not hinder growth is extremely important. ways to remove processes inthose and friction create systems that companies, for infrastructure new and country the more. Finding There’stalent immensethat the country in is ready to build new nationa surveillance is not what we should focusing on. be to finance, healthcare, lifestyle and more. Racingbecome to AI toway inameaningful use to help its citizens get better access thatdecades have gone by, or becomepowers the that have put talent powering companies and inChina US,replicating the the game.this We have achoice of ahead us—either become like the US at its heels. India really to needs sit up and ask where it is in and infrastructure. obviously China right this leads now, with the option. And there is aracefor access to trained talent, experience industries about to think change as anecessity and not as an wreaked havoc, of its but pushing purpose it served has also storm. Andperfect market the is ready. pandemic This has of smart systems are where exactly for weto them be need the infrastructure,the hardware, cloud, software, and knowledge our natives’ entrepreneurs has always ‘helping been people become AI- The centralthesis for our company and journey as our must excited be about AI. sharePlease your thoughts on why theaverage Indian to participate intheArtificial Intelligenceeconomy? (AI) What isyour contrarian about enablingthinking people Mad Street Den:Buildinggeneralisable . There is a distinct milestone coming up, There whereone all Artificial Intelligencearchitectures Ashwini Asokan Asokan Ashwini at scale - Co-founder and CEO about AI? How arrive you atdid personally your unique thesis be inaworldbe with AI. on consciously designing apath for AIand apath for humans to we now have, Idoubt we have made a lot of progress as humanity AI inaworld of humans. full movies the Beyond and shows the aboutthinking would who why this, use and how, or placethe of pushing envelope the on why the and how. the We were hardly fundamental to trajectory, this but it was always at cost the of and performance and more. This is undoubtedly critical and approaching AIas abunch of as pushing specs, hard on physics It clear became to me that and academia both corporations were building some versions of it at Intel. developing my own point of on future view the of and technology growth and while inacademia I was inindustry observing in neuroscience and neuromorphic engineering inacademia. husband and now cofounder Dr. Anand Chandrasekaran’s work that had some ‘smartness’. At same the time, Iwas privy to my about how humans would interact with sensors, with technology for where we are today. They were askingecosystemthe think to other Intel fellows like Nachman Lama were laying ground the ofahead us by putting people at centre.the For she decades, and way corporations were about thinking technological the change a wonderful anthropologistand was who challenging leader the disciplines working while at Intel Valley inthe for Bell, Genevieve ofI was part an interdisciplinary team across of these experts accelerated everything. than 50years the before that. Mobile, data and internet the and more. And last inthe ten years, mobile the has evolved faster neuroscience, interface, user understanding of human behaviours to breakthrough on hardware, software, architectures, silicon, largelystill about all early experiments. We have trying been ago,From latterAI the was ofhalf 2000s the until a few years

39 DATA PLATFORMS AT THE EDGE 40 DATA PLATFORMS AT THE EDGE automate can on processes focus their they performance so and contactless photography, or helping merchandisers and teams it is processing contactless payments, enabling retailers to do pandemic. We are AIat seeing centre the of change. this Whether department, faster than we have before everseen of because the retail is disrupted being industry piece by piece, department by outindustry spacefor there makes perfect the disruptors. this The thatwith fact the consumer the buying today is nothing like the is amongRetail industries most the there ‘legacy’ is today. Coupled change of theface theretailindustry? Howfocus. you do solution envision will an AI-backed Mad Street Den spunwith aretail off its first vertical This is pathour at Mad Den. Street n n n wanted to build company this to on focus three things: This pretty bedrockbecamethemuch of thesismy aroundI why nd enable us to recruit people into worldthe of building evelop and AI-powered design solutions that made uilding AI architecture new that allowed us to deploy AI A D B and designing AI people’s work and lives better inways could not they foresee real needs acrosson scale arange of applications motivated by people’s to adopt it as well. to embrace run globe the change this and enable employeestheir for AI is huge. And we are officers chief seeing all experience over value generation rather than doing manual opportunity tasks, the and replicate that. country. We have done it with Vue.ai and we are to grow set all are invested increating community this and growing it across the demand and supply and not just as a tool to solve problems. We buildingbe This this. is our goal. We look at AI as a problem of important to on focus talentthe and communitythe that will enough to just on focus industries that help, need it is equally asthis ademand and supply problem at Mad Street It Den. is not developers participate creation inthe of solutions. these We see shipping and much so more. Therethe also is problem of making disruption. There are problems infinance, insurance,healthcare, looking to expand. be certainly we The will market ripe is for domainthe and organisation building. In coming the years, Westart. have learnt discipline, rigour, mechanics of business, the ambitions stretch far beyond retail. Vue.ai, our is the retail vertical world over is incredible. At Mad Street our in retail Den, the We have from global get-go. the been Opportunities for growth it? markets with global Street Den platform solution, and you how do approach areWhich sectors you focusing on theMad next with AI and mobile products. she Mobile led Innovation efforts applied meaningfully and made accessible to exploringbeen howIntelligence Artificial canbe her startup, which she founded with her Intelligence company. Ashwini returned to India Neeru Sharma is CEO&Co-Founder the of Mad Street aComputer Den, Vision and Artificial Asokan Ashwini featured inFortune 40under 40in2018and 2019. was byrecognized Business Today as one of Most the Powerful Women inBusiness in 2019 and was Stanford and holds B.Tech and M.Tech degrees inComputer engineering from Science IITBombay. She Neha Singh is an ex-VC from SequoiaCapital and Consultant. a former BCG She didher MBA from segments. She has played apivotal role Infibeam inscaling to multiple business models, geographies customerand where sheexperience has worked with conglomerates like Amazon before starting with Infibeam Avenues. is Director,the Platform Business at Infibeam Avenues. She has over a decade ecommerceof About theAuthors About

a s part ofs part Intel in drivingCalifornia, Labs research and development of

h usband, Anand Chandrasekaran, aneuroscientist. Ashwini

p eople across Prior globe. the to starting her own company,

f rom Silicon Valley after more thanbootstrap to adecade

b rought out ofand Science the Tech labs of world, the

h as as 41 DATA PLATFORMS AT THE EDGE 42 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER A implementing farsighted visions to make world the amore sustainable and energy-efficientplanet. Here are four innovators science deep with started scientific who firstprinciples, developed validated and their products, and are go-to-market strategies. sustainability. These breakthroughs hinge on extensive research, intellectual property generation, product validation, and compelling fundamental areas and developing inspiring breakthroughs to change way the India and world the with significant can deal issues like WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES SCIENCE AT THEFRONTIER 3. 2. 1.

Kavita Sairam –Co-founder and Sairam CEO Kavita Fibsol Life Technologies: input Redefining agri via nanotechnology efficiency Ezhil Subbian –Co-founder and CEO String Bio: Integrated methane platform for next-gen sustainable ingredients SailajaSri Nori -Co-founder and Dir-R&D, -Co-founder Balendiran and andSowmya Dir-BD World’s Energy: Sea6 firstocean operating system for bio-sustainable products seen the rise of but rise asmall the seen community determined of researcher-turned-entrepreneurs science deep working inthese research and development with long gestational and validation timelines. India, over particularly last the has decade, many other fundamental of citizens’ aspects lives. Scientificinnovation often constitutes extensive early-stage high-risk pillarvital forscientific aflourishingis innovationsociety to advance sustainability, energy,agriculture, health, and 3 43 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER 44 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER tropical Traditional red on seaweeds sea. while the systems SeaCombine The designed harvest to efficiently seedbeen has and of operate any intheworld.can inthemiddle ocean biomass buildingaproprietary journey that harvester Tell usabout operating your ocean unique platform and future product portfolio. of four granted patents and three additional patents for filed the biofuels on biomass. has ocean based aportfolio Energy Sea6 of developing ingredients, food solutions, feed bioplastics and cause huge to losses farmers. We are currently in process the for agriculture to enhance growth and control attacks viral that andscalable sustainable. We have developed novel also products years, we have developed farming to technology make it robust, and using a versatile product range from plants. sea the Over apioneer became Energy farming inocean technologies Sea6 gave to possibilitythe rise of automated large-scale farming. This circumventedthe issues theof fuel vsdebate’ ‘food and We turned to oceans the as apotential source of biomass. scalable there for was aneed solution. aradical our growing population and limited resources, we understood involvedalso This an enormous amount of water. But considering largevisualised areas of land farmed for to be producing biofuel. scarcity of land and fertile water. Most of biofuel the technologies scalability of raw material (biomass). India has always had a possible, real the issues were economic the feasibility and we quickly that realised thoughsolutions the were technically Madras focusing on producing biofuel from microalgae. But Initially, we started as a group of students and professors at IIT grow your productcatalogue? youhow did differentiateSea6’s value proposition and At on biofuels, world wasfocused atime thewhole when operating platformforbio-sustainable Sea6 Energy:World’s firstocean Sowmya Balendiran -Co-founder Balendiran andSowmya Dir-BD Sri SailajaSri Nori -Co-founder and Dir-R&D products quality biomass production. square meters day. per This providessolution a forscalable high- compared sea the to earlier systems, allowed which less than few enablesystem will farmers to effectively hectaresseveral in farm quite robust and can work across sites and This seasons with ease. versionsmake several of our designs. However, is design final the just alittle differently at various sites seasons,which andus led to difficult consideringespecially thatseaweed the behave would plants.sea We different several had tried approaches, and it was yet versatile enough to handle variation the different between build asolution that was robust enough and to on use sea the journeyThe has noteasybeen an one as we were looking to to farm much larger areas of sea. the increasingon sea, the labour productivity and allowing farmers our proprietary equipment, we can do a lot of farmingthe while waterthe during process, the to leads which loss of quality. Using only seaweed the unnecessarily this, spends alot of outside time increases transport the and time cost involved process. inthe Not require alot of farming the done to activities be on land, which farmers, wethat realised there for is aneed scientifically proven focusing started onWhen interventions Sea6 that can impact scarce. been to research on quality high organic/biological formulations has products that farmer. could benefitthe local Also, the impetus innovation by Indian companies to produce and molecules new to enhance farm production. However, there limited has been innovations from West the and introduced it farmers to local Traditional Indian companies agrichemical have always imported market your patented productsinternationally? youproducts, how did turn theproposition around to In an area where India patented imports traditionally minimal orminimal in agriculture no experience and animal the sciences, stress inshrimp, and livestock. poultry For of those us with at Sea6 applications plant of sea to improve extracts and health alleviate researchscience institutes to develop Energy enabled also Sea6 biostimulant and plant products. health The access to animal incrop-specific specialised research of evaluate to the efficacy network and sponsor research projects with ICAR institutions in agricultureextracts in 2014, we were able to leverage this started exploring Energy When applications Sea6 ofplant sea ofCouncil Agricultural Research (ICAR). to agricultural and animal research sciences under Indianthe India has an extensive network of research institutions dedicated and solutions leader providerintellectual in thefield? government must invest infor an to become thecountry and what are your thoughtsstructures on the thenew research. Howagricultural were you this able to leverage India hasbuilt extensive around infrastructure to manyexport countries, including US. the and our partnered with to them sell products globally. We already like FMC Corporation and Summit Agro (Sumitomo Group) With attributes, these all we approached market global leaders anduse of efficacy our products. product. We built also strongevidence scientificto supportthe institutes and contract research organisations to validate the conducting multiple across trials world the with leading research an Indian company had won award. inthis We continued products category at Agrow the Awards, marking first the time We were awarded also mention Biological aspecial Best inthe biostimulant. company in worldthe today to have a patented a seaweed-based product Agrogain, enhances which plant growth. We are only the research field inthis for fiveyears then and launched our patented organic productivity-enhancing products. So, we continued our startups are not also available. startups to commercialise technology. their Grow-out spacesfor government, however, growth funds are focused not available for policy. Access to funding for is available idea initial from the technological practicesat farm the level has pushed to be through an interdisciplinary approach. The implementation of modern and could on academia focus solving relevant problems using The government should create clusters/centres where industry amazing learning experience. interactions with scientists from institutes these have an been health. products on sustainable focused ingredients food and animal plastics production at pre-commercial We scale. launch also will farmingocean operations and demonstrate biodegradable expand next the three to will Over fiveits Energy Sea6 years, SeaCombine technology. raw material and would this enabled be by our proprietary and manufacturing requires them millions of tonnes of Biodegradable plastics and biofuels are large volume applications plastics and fuels. demonstrated processes that can convert plants sea to feed, food, available from traditional cultivation we methods, have also (biostimulant and plant products) health with raw material While we have commercialised applications the from plants sea potential plants of sea to create asustainable bioeconomy. for multiple industrial applications. vision Our is to harness this annumper and represent they and ascalable versatile raw material plantsSea have tonnes/hectare yield potentials exceeding 100dry that massive quantities utilise of raw biomaterials? core proposition to expand into themultiple markets this what isnext you forat How leverage scale, Sea6? will Having for theprocesses perfected producing biomass

45 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER 46 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER that are economically, and environmentally socially sustainable. circularity inliving; and enabling transition the to value chains enabling safe, organic and natural alternatives; enabling inherent carbonthe ingreenhouse to gases build strong value chains; that provide economically competitive alternatives; leveraging to living. impacts Our are manufacturing inenabling localised sustainable and solutions scalable insectors that are fundamental missionOur is simple: to leverage power the of to biology enable return balanceto ecosystems. simple solutions to complex problems that leveraged can to be in our understanding of biology. We that believe presents biology efficiently. The decades last few seen have massive advancement ways of living are enabled by leveraging biological advances manufactured in a sustainable manner, where cleaner and better String’s vision is aworld where raw materials are locally andhealth enhance crop yield). derived, chemical-free, natural biostimulants that can restore soil quality and and scalable), productivity agricultural (methane (fermented microbial proteins that are clean, safe, traceable, high- areasfocus are alternative proteins for and feed the market food raw materials for living everyday from methane. products Our Integrated Methane Platform) that allows us to produce essential intellectual property (IP)protected technologies (String raw materials that can deliver such solutions. String has built are urgently String’s needed. enables technology next generation us. Solutions that can address growing this demand sustainably is ahuge negative impact on life and environment the around consumer products of agrowing population. The result this of ecosystems as we raceto demands the meet for and feed food, Thelast have decades risingfew a seen toll placed on our sustainable future? What isString Bio’s comprehensive for vision a String Bio: Integrated methane platform for String Bio:Integratedmethaneplatformfor next-gen sustainableingredients Ezhil Subbian -Co-founder and CEO rooted inIndia? keeping your research and developmentwhile pipeline How you do envision expanding markets into global than everbefore. solutions for markets global from India should now easier be and travel are significantly Thismeansrestricted. that delivering evenifface-to-face interactionsbusinesses globally run can be efficiency and Thisproducts. highlightedyear (2020)how has continuing to support clusters the with advances intechnology, We envision research the and development up set inIndia relevant for that market. to enable clusters of gas-manufacturing-product supply chains on marketbased demand for products. long-term Our vision is onboth supply the and market the sideindifferent geographies markets, we are building relationships with strategic partners To manufacturing enable localised and consumption indifferent always Thisbeen global. hasourdriver rightfrom been initiation. research and development work is inIndia, our end markets have manufacturinglocalised and consumption. Hence core the while String’s vision is to enable supply chain through efficiencies only two incubators supporting biotech startups city, inthe and When String operations started in2014,there were inBengaluru change last inthe five years in India. and for infrastructure biotech startups have adramatic seen early-stageThe innovation support system, funding primarily promote astronger innovation-driven environment? Indiasolution? could strengthen And what policies to systems you enabled to theString develop Bio platform How have India’s early-stage innovation support

and strong environment legal to support IP protected innovation. to market; of ease bringing FDI to support next phase of growth; regulatory clarity required to bring home-grown new products testing facilities; plug and play commercial manufacturing parks; thatenablingpolicies truly can be are pilot manufacturing/ scale phase of innovation driven growth. Some of requirements/ the and companies mature, there are dire requirements for next the effort to enable innovation in India. ecosystemtheevolves As hopeOur now is that government the not does slow down its incubation facilities before moving into our own premises. for our work. initial We have extensively also leveraged the funding from BIRAC as well as from Karnataka state government innovationthe ecosystem has evolved. We have leveraged grant We inBengaluru. time have fortunate been wave tothe ride as String has benefited alotfrom starting operations the at ‘right’ stage innovation. level funding schemes, is which another key driver enabling early The Karnataka government has mirroredthe effort state with for biotech ventures has change the catalysed ecosystem. inthe numerous funding schemes to makerisk capital high available government’s Department of Biotechnology’s BIRAC and their initiatives from central the and state governments. The central One of key drivers the for massive this change is funding accommodate more incubatees. Center and C-CAMP, are expanding infrastructure to their And some of bigger the facilities, such as Bangalore Bioinnovation required infrastructure high-end for early stage biotech work. if notBengaluru, more. Theforfocus them isprimary providing at least ten different incubation facilities for biotech companies in However, it is acompletely differentscenario in2020. There are operations. and research. String was lucky to find a in place one to start of areas focus the inaddition to core their presence ineducation was focus nottheir exclusively on incubation. Incubation was one real world can needs attract huge funds for research. academic research atreasure can be trove for and industry tuned being into Bridging can this make adifferenceboth sides—academic to and biotech inthe industry sector. There is a vast gapright now. to enable better collaborations/partnerships academia between Another opportunity for exciting research and development is companies can come together to build support this network. metros As like Bengaluru. startup the ecosystems evolve, perhaps other ecosystems that Ihave worked in.This is a clear gapeven in paternity leave have made ahuge difference to support women in caregivers made available through work and encouraging within technology/incubation parks, pre-approved emergency increase. Enablers such as quality daycare centers, daycare centers difficultstay to the in workforce once family responsibilities driven current inthe environment inIndia. Women find in in difficulty the having diversity onteams that aretechnology easier.in making this Another that aspect requires attention is levels toall explore learn, and dabble can make ahuge impact Changes education inthe system that encourages students at However, has this made aclear difference to growth.our responsibilitiestheir with passion and was efficiency easy.not attitude to make right the judgement and calls can who drive spirit as we grow innumbers. Finding folks the have who the necessity we when were team. a small We have kept same the to execute on work the that are they responsible for.a This was String’s operating culture to provide has been folks freedom the and development more exciting and products market relevant. driving effort the is one the factorsof key to make research The attitude, aptitude, and diversity thoughtof the on teams innovation, amajor can this be challenge. ofsome type roles. But requirementthe when and is technology make aliving working inbiotechnology. This is not an issue for room, unfortunately, majority the donot know why want they to have entire the seen gamut of folks through interview walk the andinterviewing hiring for roles at String. While it feels like I One day Ihope to about write abook my with experiences research andmaking development more exciting? development what experience, you share lessons can for Given your extensive technology and global 47 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER 48 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER they arethey supplied by mixing with inorganic carrierslike lignite, Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK) for long. However, Biofertilizers have supplied been by universities agricultural like and organic farming ismicrobe soil the or biofertilizers growth. Hence, Iidentifiedthat the missing both in chemical link phosphorus and potassium (or NPK), plants the which for need play an important role in converting organic manure to nitrogen, appropriate absorption of plant nutrients. soil The microbes also content soil. microbes inthe These are essential forthe Indiscriminate of use chemicals has reduced microbial the attributed couldwhich be to deprivation soil the of microbes. that has soil the lost its nutrient utilisation efficiency,of most whenThis exploring I is started I agricultural found practices. issues inagriculture. insisted that we should develop some technologies to address Thatwhen is my PhD guide and mentor Prof. Chandra T.S. many including ideas, development the of assays for biomarkers. to my start own business to and science pertaining was exploring metabolite production systems. infungal At that time, Iwas keen was working on stress transduction signal to improve secondary to me afew years ago, Ihad when just completed my doctorate. I The idea of entrapping importantagriculturally microbescame assimilate nutrients inabetter way. increase nutrient the also utilisation efficiency,allowing plants to demand for live that bacteria could rejuvenate soil.the It could or irrigation modern practices.The product addressesthe soluble inwater and applied can be on field the using conventional inputs. agricultural based The product is a five-gram fibre is that FIB-SOL is currently developing and commercialising nanofibre- solution? youdid arrive at thismuch-needed FIB-SOL isrevolutionising industry. the fertilizer How FIB-SOL LifeTechnologies: Redefiningagri input efficiencyviananotechnology Kavitha Sairam -Co-founder Sairam Kavitha and CEO most of inputs agri redefined be usingthis technology. will product new when pipelines are added, we that believe some day some research and development as be and needed effortwill available for exploitation the of varietyof inputs. agri Although entrapped.can be Thus, theis a versatiletechnology platform is that varietyof organic awide both molecules, and inorganic, improved substantially. The advantageother the of technology of organism the was improved, also the in field efficiency the savings on for logistics distributors and users. Since stability the thousand-fold. carrier the The advantage offered be would huge This would bring downthe bulkiness the of material by reducing increase payload of the also cells/unit area using technology. this further.this We understood that stabilisation besides we could working on nanofibre technology, and partneredwe to explore asolution.be My junior and co-founder Dr. Anant was Raheja Alternatively,them. electrospinning and encapsulation could to media stabilise stabilisers bacterial inthe added could be Hence, Ithought of exploring stress biology, where some stress were but technologiesexpensive. it drying, like freeze is very asolution. be will that There to bacteria stabilise amethod these notpeat and which does support talc, existence. their Irealised important. important. problems, an alternate solution to redefine inputs agricultural is constantly eroded be of its natural biota. Considering these increasefor with population will food growth.soil Thecannot to make safer them and more efficientnecessary. is The demand returns on interests associated with it. But improving inputs agri much research and development added, due has to been low Agricultural inputs long as has asector been ignored and not market further. of nanofibres, and how you envision expanding this Tell ushow youup India’s set largest production in-house that our concerns are addressed. panel discussions on formulating guidelines and these ensuring up guidelines. Anant these actively in the part has been taking has contributed significantly by registering its inputs forsetting formulations. In context, this we are proud to say that FIB-SOL formulating and setting up guidelines new the for nano based agricultural institutes, researchers, agricultural startups—in Hence, it is responsibility the of stakeholders—the all government, safety of products these must tested guidelines. be under specific nanoparticulate formulations. This is a nascent market the and are widely explored, also andproducts several are developed as plant yield. FIB-SOL’s is to close Nanoparticles technology this. entrap effective microbe consortium to improvesoil quality and inputs. Today micro encapsulation is to widely technology used Agricultural inputs are broadly classifiedsolids as and liquid shift? to thisparadigm accept Whatsegment. are thechanges scale required at aglobal input agricultural market new expanding awhole also Not but only product, are you youanew are deploying bottlenecks. optimal production of our products, removing any production for tomethods customise machinery the industrial scale Apart from indigenous machinery, we have identified also country.the that we now have largest the for scale water soluble nanofibres in for process the were built internally and assembled insuch away Various conditions were optimised and components the needed extrapolated to large-scale the machinery. to produceneeded biological entrapped nanofibres were development.to on focus machinery the parametersbasic The companies and hired had an also engineering team internally to existing the methodology. Fib-SOL partnered with engineering have pivoted it to produce biologicals, with some customisation largely for used making filtration membranes. At FIB-SOL, we up. thata technology scaled can be Currently, electrospinning is like agriculture, where volumes the are huge, there for is aneed four it decades, has not explored been on biologicals. In amarket electrospinning and nanofibre existed technology forpast the controlled process of electrospinning innanofibres. Although sophisticated of technology stabilising through a bacteria It iscontext inthis to that offer FIB-SOLthe is trying most participate and activities educate inthese also farmers as well. and society.why This is it is important for all stakeholders to benefitsbenefit thebe a farmerto the to also butwill environment such technologies at ground the not level will only increase the that are currently developed. being Facilitating usage the of community is aware of benefits the the of technologies new to happenA similar shift is expected globally, the since farming agricultural sectors,agricultural and commercialising successfully. these India see innovatingwill invarious ways healthcare inthe and With platform this that Ibelieve we set, next inthe decade technologies for benefit the society.the of appropriate safety practicesas well as an early launch of new up with clear guidelines for regulations. these ensure Thiswill human life, it is responsibility the of government the to come stringent regulations sectors, given inthese importance their in system always faceregulatory hurdles. Although we need achallenge.still New products and agricultural inthe healthcare At same the time, handholding the on regulatory the issues is benefitsthe coming in years. for early stage innovations reap is and well will set country the its become more aggressive next inthe The decade. support system andagricultural healthcare sectors is currently at and its will peak In context, this it appears that futurethe for research in the due to combined their efforts. The innovations are nurtured scientificby institutes startups and research and development, financial and regulatory guidelines. that innovations the are provided facilities, including with all business incubators that are up set across ensure country the into ideas their acommercially viable product. The technology incredibly supportive for researchers to validate and develop and innovate. Government schemes like BIRAC have been many opportunities for and industry the institutes to partner environment more has never been conducive, with there being and fields agricultural is hugegiven theknowledge base. The country’s the I believe potential to innovate medical inthe pursue? thecountry should early-stage innovation, and what exciting developments research, and support systemsand agricultural for What on are India’s your views strengths in medical 49 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER 50 SCIENCE AT THE FRONTIER Sri Nori Sailaja for developing product the and process. the scaling created sufficient business tractions and hasplayed crucial a role in raising Government and Angel funds, numerous accolades through her excellent project role the management of CEO, skills. Playing she has platform technology. She is a first-generation entrepreneur. As a founder, she FIB-SOLhas led to receive co-founded FIB-SOL Life Technologies Private limited, on is which astart-up nanotechnology based as a with multiple scientific projects to her credit inaddition several publicationsto patents. Kavithaand has through her formal training at programs. JIPMERduringand MSc BSc She researcher is an experienced Madras in2012.In addition to microbial biochemistry, she biochemistry inclinical has immense experience Kavitha Sairam, PhD has field inthe of Microbial expertise Stress and Biology receivedfrom her PhD IIT University,Sciences Oregon. from Anna University, from inMolecular India Oregon &Biochemistry Biology and a PhD Health and in Industrial Biotechnology B.Tech has a India Award 2018 from United Ezhil Nations/NITI Aayog. biobased product development. Her work was most recently with Women recognized the Transforming bottlenecksthat plague brings to String and first-handknowledge solutionsof that work Ezhil IPOs. development at three different companies insector. Allthe biobased three companies have had successful experience in development and up of scale various products. Ezhil was bio-based of part early technology She has 15+ years of solutions for worldreal problems. cost-effective to deliver sustainable and passion is Ezhil’s co-founded String Bio and as CEO. the currently serves SubbianEzhil , PhD received mentionalso aspecial inForbes “30under 30”-India edition. accredited awards. with several She featured has been “Top inthe 50women inBiotech” inIndia and has has over 10years of inInternational experience &Marketing Sales been across various domains and has on to pursue an Executive Management program from Indian the Institute of Management, She Calcutta. operations for products their globally. She has graduated with aMajor inBiotechnology, and later went fields of Agriculture, ingredientsFood andRenewableSowmya chemicals. currently the heads Business of Bangalore, on focuses developing Energy India, Sea6 technologies using Tropical the Red Seaplants in Sowmya Balendiran is aco-founder and Director the of Business Development Energy. at Sea6 out Based on seaplant derived products. India “30under 30”list, 2018. She is aco-inventor in5patents (2granted) and co-author in5publications in “Science and Greenin 2010. Sailaja Tech featured has been as special mention category” in Forbes Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India (B.Tech & M.Tech) Degree with Dual inBiotechnology graduated Energy. Sailaja from the Indian overseesalso corporate the governance and finance at Sea6 She chemicals. ingredients, food animal feed, biofuel and other renewable agricultural biostimulants, She research the leads team is which developing into novel Ltd. Pvt processes to convert macroalgae About theAuthors About is a co-founder and Director of Research and Development division of Sea6 Energy is aco-founder Energy and Director of Research and Development division of Sea6 51 DATA PLATFORMS AT THE EDGE 52 MEDIA AND CONTENT M unique Indian startups. media Here are two galvanizing entrepreneurs have who successfully deployed digital-only models injournalism and entertainment to build building partnerships and revenue generation. waysnew of content but novel delivery unlock also models for consumer engagement, content creation, connectivity, media social WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES 2. 1.

Aditi Shrivastava -Co-founder and CMO Pocket Aces: India’s entertainment leading digital company solving boredom -Founder Sharma Shradha and Editor-in-Chief YourStory: India’s premier destination for entrepreneurship journeys houses have and adirected digital- mobile-first strategy.strategies These enable them to notonly optimize and find Indians consume entertainment, news, Cognizant of inbetween. shift, paradigm this andnew-age media everything consumes month. 11GB+of data every Access to affordable internet anddata fundamentallyhas altered the way obile and internet penetration inIndia has exponentially increased over last the five years. The average Indian MEDIA ANDCONTENT 4 live by and find answers these to questions: How do you spread and ignite change. For more now than adecade Ihave to tried than 100,000 stories—stories that inspire hope and innovation Still, I persisted. And over pastthe 12 years, we have told more “How you will evermake money telling such stories?” important question that many people from across industries had: in stories of such And unknown of people?” course, very the YourStory not will work. They told me, be interested“Who will I remember many the naysayers at time, the told who me inspiringthem, many so more across country. the storiesthe of young dreams their doers, and hopes, and through to do thatI bystarted journeys. their started they when telling belly, an unending drive to andlittle dogood, yet means very statusthe quo, people had who ahunger afire inthem, their in entrepreneurs and innovators—people wanted who to change Naturally, stories the Ibegantelling were of those changemakers, other. and create a culture of listening, valuing and learning from each make people’s stories matter. that So we listen to people’s stories Thatwhy is I started YourStorythatso in2008, canwe together and entrepreneurs. an overwhelmingto need give avoice to aspiring changemakers wanted to tell stories the of big brands and people, successful Ifelt Isawwhen early on inmy career that traditional firms media only I have always a strong been power in the believer of stories. But house? media How youof did anew-age envision idea thispowerful related stories, resources news, and research reports. most definitive platform for startups and entrepreneur- YourStory as is often‘India’sdescribed biggest and YourStory Media:India’s premier destination for entrepreneurship stories Shradha Sharma -Founder Sharma Shradha and Editor-in-Chief trying to live bytrying and find answers withto YourStory. are questions the inmy mind and that heart Iam consistently These werethe questionsthat me led to start YourStory these and matter? werethey not enough? successful How story doyou make every you give a voice to stories people whose were never told because are as only the seen operating models for firms? media How do model, at sensational when atime and headlines negative news inspirational storytelling asustainable, revenue-making business rampant dowe make and positive like hot sells and cake? How positivity in our thoughts and in our lives, negativity when is of ongoing the COVID-19 pandemic and normal new the of with acceleration the particularly adoption indigital on account become household names across world.the Going forward – too of Indian entrepreneurs who’ve built companies global that have of and increating technology media digital agrowing number In Indian the startup ecosystem, Ihave first-hand seen power the technology. many millions of people ifnot for democratising the power of wouldI too not have able been to create YourStory and reach so to domore could than imagine they pre-tech inthe era. Ibelieve opportunities for of people from walks life all to aspire and go on credited cantechnology be for, it is of an being equaliser, creating of togive set anew challenges. rise But ifthere’s one thing that opportunitiesnew to innovate. At same the time, can this also have many strengths, creating many avenues for growth and and technology else internet the thatI believe like everything entrepreneurship? democratizing to access paradigms are new these asatech-entrepreneur?journey In your view, how your enabled media and digital How hastechnology 53 MEDIA AND CONTENT 54 MEDIA AND CONTENT from the clutter. the from But most importantly, to cut through jargon the try and stand out things, but is open inbeing to trick the change. you thatsignals; realise come signals will the from simplest the of to continuously You learn. must constantly and pick alert be up afford in rigid yourbe to skills or your way of operating. You have era.Youdigital cannot not evolve as ajournalist. You cannot capitalise on opportunities new that continue to emerge inthe I would urge budding journalists and enthusiasts media to era? the digital enthusiastsmedia on capitalising opportunities new in youWhat would budding give journalists and advice flat truly in this world we live in today. country, thanks to removal the of physical and barriers challenges allow turnfor will more entrepreneurs to emerge from across the play will media amore important role than everbefore. This in contactless interactions that –Ibelieve and technology digital technology andtechnology other areas. an unprecedented growth number inthe of women successful in provided, once is infrastructure the made available, unleash it will intoentry playground; the once that access to playground the is continue. We have first-hand seen that women only an need making amark space. technology And inthe trend this will Already, we have had prominent and Indian successful women science, technology, and arts, inbusiness and entrepreneurship. moreto see and more women to prominence rise fields inthe of for improvement area,in this thatbelieve I firmly continue will we chronicled and celebrated on HerStory. While there scope is still women to prominence. rise Many of stories their we have past we the decade, haveOver agrowing seen number of Indian Indians make proud? that space will technology trends inthewomensome powerful you in observe you feature many rising stars of our time. What are YourStory HerStory where called segment has a special wherever want they entertained. to be even to screens incabs! This ensuresthat the us audience find as television, in-flight entertainment, telecom companies and and SonyLiv, welicence our also content to other mediums such and platforms on OTT such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, MXPlayer platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, In addition to building astrong media presence on social all arethey spending time, across different platforms and mediums. Second, continue to grab audience attention minutes wherever presence on. content genres to launch and what platforms new to develop a This helpswhat us decide new formats to create, what new and gather insights on evolving their preferences and behaviours. principlesthinking to audience the to talk on an ongoing basis that fact the is atwo-way digital medium. We apply design audiences at We scale. remain to close our audience by leveraging First, continue to remain relevant highly for various of types inarobustthis manner, we to need dothree things: month.and clocking over every To views 700million video grow on mobilefocused video, Today we are India’s largest entertainment digital company towardsfocus audience satisfaction. how we as acompany and think decisions, take with astrong is that it unabashedly is so audience centric.what This is defines missionOur is to solve boredom. What Ilove about mission this as you continue scaling? youhow do retain theIndian consumer at of it theheart entertainment. What isyour overarching mission and of Indians hundreds of with hours of relatable Pocket Aces hascaptured of millions thehearts entertainment companysolvingboredom Pocket Aces:India’s leadingdigital reaching over 50million people aweek Aditi Shrivastava -Co-founder and CMO revenue streams, capturing value across value the chain. a fundamentally strong business having diversified offerings and quickly. To build to last, we are creating an ecosystem play with inIndia, itindustry so isto easy become redundant or irrelevant are inextremely exciting for times and media the entertainment Third, continue to experiment, reinvent and stay diversified.We edge technologies. One example is our low latency live streaming On our gaming app Loco, we have cutting- developed several predict virality of the content. tech tools to monitor trending content from across world the and more expensive, longer-form content. We proprietary use also with micro and short-form content before investing increating to testsets concept themes, plot ideas, points, actors and like the basis.time We leverage also our access large to these audience content and that feed data back into our creative process on areal basis. We tools to these monitor use performance the of released usage behaviour and preferences of our audience on an ongoing For our non-gaming content, we tech use tools to capture the and deliver week after videos viral week. creators, we have proven that we can reliably repeat success the By utilising insights from data and creating afeedback loop for preferences personal the of creators, but cannot this work at scale. Content has always considered been a‘hits driven’ business by led Data and are technology at of heart the how we create content. ‘viral’. low cost.whata very This is inherently makes a piece of content content that audience the share, thus distributing it organically at contentOur creation philosophy is to create relatable highly to drive it? youhow technology do utilise What isPocket Aces’ content creation philosophy and 55 MEDIA AND CONTENT 56 MEDIA AND CONTENT n n n n boredom as well as our philosophy of shareable content: You how see our will channels with our align mission of solving are nascent still interms of behaviour creation. have done quite abit of work to gaps the identify and areas that has avarietyof entertainment and needs preferences, and we of our audience-first mindset—India’s diverse internet audience mobile-first audience. This manner ofexpansion is again a result content genres and languages on TV, we are building for these a Just way the atraditional company media has channels across We of think ourselves as anew-age conglomerate. media digital spectrum? whole into thegaming world aswell. How you do manage the andweb-series, you ventured have recently successfully broad, from short animation memes to multiple-season Pocket Aces’ range of content isastonishingly segments form of session and times retention rates. buttons are another feature that ensure engagement high inthe gamingpersonalised content. Loco’s reward system and social driven recommendation engine that populates timelines with app in2018,second only to Hotstar. We have also an AI- users. With we this, India’s became largest live streaming thattechnology can support more than amillion concurrent ur animation channel Jambo aims to eventually create ur infotainment channel Nutshellthe Indian fulfills ur lifestyle channel on Gobble focuses content across the lterCopy (short fiction) video and Dice (multiple-Media and sensibilities their tier 2 the on and 3 focused beltspecifically Hindi audience for adults is abig gap inIndia, and with Jambo we are O O O Fi the the share movies, and technology other topics that Indians love to and ‘how it’s made’ kindof across videos history, sports, other, evenifit is on WhatsApp. We on focus ‘did you know’ behaviour of continuously sharing knowledge with each generated content. and consuming it, but creating also a huge amount of user- genres where audience the is not just searching for content travelfood, and home genres. These are engaged highly storytelling lens a broad Indian audience, maintaining while aprogressive focusing on relatable everyday situations and emotions of are webseason series) large general entertainment channels, Family Guy Family or or South Park South of India. Animated content n been possible even a decade ago? adecade even possible been Pocket Aces and scale build inways that not would have How hasIndia’s ecosystem you enabled to technology marketing campaigns. advertisers, thus of making us partner the choice for kinds of all audiences empowers also us to offer a diverse suite solutionsof to areand HR, shared. Having different types ofcontent and otherteam, all functions, such marketing, as sales, talent, finance eachchannel as well—while perspective has its own creative Having channels several is extremely synergistic from abusiness minutes day. by entertaining every everyone, everywhere, Pocket Aces is solving boredom this and attention earning these money. show offtalents,their in keep touch friends with even andearn nowthey want personas, share to build social their opinions,their evolving quickly. In addition to just passively consuming content, are for hungry entertainment. And nature the of boredom this is minutesseven each—that is 4hours aday. They arebored, they An average Indian is picking up phone their 35a times day, for consumption is happening mobile the via phone. and media is for entertainment, social and 75percent of this to internet. the show Reports that 45percent of internet usage Today, there are over 480 million people in India that have access becoming angrowth in the equaliser of India and Bharat alike. quality smartphones and almost data—the free internet is quickly two huge and technology advances—cheap infrastructure high- mainly by used people living inmetro and 1cities. tier But with Until afew years ago, data easy access was considered aluxury, oco is ouroco most ambitious since it vertical is an L minutes. of solving boredom and capturing maximum attention play it thousands of It times. directly feeds into our mission watch it but afewas times best, ifyou like agame, you will of its repeat high value—if you like amovie or show, you will interestingGaming very is also as acontent genre because to shape behaviour this and becomeplatform the of choice. This is a brand-new contentsector, and hence possible it is and data, free Indians are finallygaming their on phones. independent app/platform. With fast, cheap smartphones and Mumbai (where she currently resides) home. Member. Aditi is passionate about problem solving, dance and travel. SheKuwait calls (where she grewup) holder, aShaper World inthe Economic Forum Shaper Global Mumbai Hub, and aTiE Mumbai Charter in New York, aftergraduating laudecum magnafrom Princeton University. She is aCFA (USA) charter Aditi Shrivastava of is part founding the team at Pocket Aces. Aditi spent over five years Goldmanat Sachs LinkedIn’s list of influencers, powerful afterPrime Minister NarendraModiactor and Priyanka Chopra. award and FICCIthe Flow Young Women Achiever Award, among others. She featuredwas twice on 40 under 40entrepreneurs inIndia for three years inarow. In 2018,she won Forbes the Power Trailblazers something that mainstream was not media ready to do at time. the Shradha was on Fortune’s list of best the company, solely India’s she because believed new-age entrepreneurs to have stories deserved their told, platform for entrepreneurs and startups in2008,leaving alucrative behind jobat atop national media Shradha Sharma Shradha About theAuthors About is Founder the and CEOof YourStory. Shradha founded YourStory storytelling as adigital 57 MEDIA AND CONTENT 58 MEDIA AND CONTENT A Here are three spirited entrepreneurs are who training India’s future generations by deploying proprietary platforms digital at scale. and frontier technologies intelligence, like artificial machine learning, and others. human capital development, it more the is all essential to ensure our young population has access to and are sciences trained indeep platforms can help leapfrog for need the building physical infrastructure. Two, with future the hinged on knowledge the economy and WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES 3. 2. 1.

Charu Noheria –Co-founder and Chief Business Officer Delivering immersivePractically: learning and classroom 3Dvirtual experiences –Chief Learning Subramanian Officer andPriyanka Founding team member Uable: Creativity-focused development skill 6-14age inthe group for next-gen leadership -Co-founder Gokulnath Divya BYJU’S: World’s most valued ed-tech and highly learning digital company largest young populations like Bihar and Rajasthan, have lowest the college and teaching infrastructure. The use of digital Indian child and youth. One, is this apromising way to educate and upskill India’s large young population. States with the and mobile penetration, India is at cusp of the utilizing platforms digital to enable three pillars all of education for every world-class education system has three pillars –quality, affordability equityand of access. With unprecedented digital EDUCATION TECH 5 59 EDUCATION TECH 60 EDUCATION TECH effectively. effectively. from app,the on we what focused studentsthe to need learn Instead of focusing on how teachers teach or what parents expect quality learning accessible for form in the everyone of an app. 2011 to 2015, we worked and of developed idea the making product, BYJU’S-TheLearning App, in Between August 2015. on K-12segment. the Consequently, we launched our flagship parent company of BYJU’S) was launched in2011with afocus foundation for lifelongPvt Learn Ltd & learning. (the Think fundamentals, are years as these that crucial the lay strong the we tolearn, early—when need start students are grappling with We understood that to make areal impact on way the students exams instead of alove for learning. environment and learning instudents driven being by fear the of content, lack the of personalisation inatraditional learning challenges—the lack of access to quality teachers and quality we that realised our education system waswith faced three major tocountry make quality education accessible students. to all Soon phase, this During team the at BYJU’S travelled across the 20,000 students. up100 students, to stadium scaled sessions further which for over grew to wo rkshops for 100students to auditoriums with over exponentially. BYJU’S took shape the of test-prep classes that BYJU’S classes operated at an offline premise, its popularity grew help become them active and self-sufficientlearners. when Even to leverage and technology intrinsicthe of curiosity students and effective, engaging personalised andfor all students. We wanted missionwith Our real needs. was to make learning accessible, For us at BYJU’S, it was aclear of case passion intersecting a decade? company (edtech) in the span of education-technology classroom for test prep to theworld’s valued most highly How gofrom physical a25-person BYJU’S did BYJU’S: World’s mosthighlyvalueded-tech and digital learning company and digitallearning Divya Gokulnath -Co-founder Gokulnath Divya long way to go before it we arevolution call learning. However, we have just scratched and surface the have a testament that to fact the students are enjoying BYJU’S the way of and an annual renewal of 85percent. These numbersa are 64 million app downloads, 4.2million annual paid subscribers space is valuethe it adds to livesthe of its students. Today, we have The behindkey reason BYJU’S ‘relative’ edtech thesuccess in and style, pace their as sizeof per learning. have to designed adapt been to learning the of needs eachstudent learning requirements are unique; our learning programmes for learning experiences personalised students. student’s Every most valuable edtech company, we are working on building Today, as India’s most loved schoollearning app and world’s the The rightThe blend in of our systemstechnology enables us to onlearning individual the based capability of eachstudent. like math and are science being taught, and personalise learning app, we have able been to innovate way the subjects We have come along way since With then. help the of our as an technology enablerused to help our operation. scale This was a revolutionary step for us andthe was first time thatwe launched learning for online video-based CAT through VSAT. stadiumswith enthusiastic filled students. In 2009,BYJU’S teamOur would travel across and country the teach classes in making quality learning accessible to students across country. the shapethe of an offline test-prepclass, our biggest hurdle was current endeavours. our During days, initial BYJU’S when took to success and it continues to great take precedence our inall Technology has played role acrucial inshaping our journey BYJU’S is and a digital-first has company been for now. a decade ago? here adecade even inways BYJU’S that not would possible havescale been How hasIndia’s ecosystem you enabled to technology enabled learning system allows you to reach students inevery Unlike aconventional classroom learning environment, atech- explain concepts contextually and to visually students. made for students across age groups. We leverage to technology unique movie-like and videos gamified contentthat aretailor- learning. BYJU’S has managed to integrate avenues these through internet are some of most the dynamic mediums that aid achild’s children movies, to from. learn television videos, Books, and the across ages, Ihave that realised there are limitless avenues for years that Ihave spent creating for learning experiences children is Learning mostthe integral definingpart of the Inchildhood. At BYJU’S, our vision is to make students inlove fall with learning. straight to their eyeballs? next generation and deliver premium content learning using platforms digital to capture themindsof the teacher world, inatech-enabled you how do envision is yourbusiness these philosophystrategies? with As a of content models new delivery.and unlocked What collaborations that have its massivelyreach expanded of aseries strategic hasmade acquisitions BYJU’S and students across geographical locations. distribution medium that so quality high content is accessible to is by using as an technology enabler with smartphones as a access to quality education. chance best Our to solve at this scale schools and teachers good majority the good while do not have hurdle to solve. Just of section students a small has access to disparities that exist physical inthe world are amuch bigger achallenge,While divide digital is the still inequities the and world. the opportunities along with access toteachers best the from around towns by providing withand them learning equal personalised disparity students between from metros and from those smaller tablets and computers naturally. Smartphones reduce also the youngthe generation now who technology, use smartphones, have of mode become content primary the consumption for smartphones ahousehold In device. addition to screens this, students across India. The affordability useease and of have made and an incredible opportunity to impact learning outcomes of increase exponentially. Smartphones have an infinite reach India have access to asmartphone and to is this only expected According reports, today to several 70percent of students in have growth the boosted and adoption of online learning. The increasing smartphone and internetpenetration in India students. and behaviour and drives reactions certain and outcomes from principlesdesign that are about fundamental human psychology challenges. other Our important to game use has focus been relevant recommendations, predict and solve ‘real’ their learning create learning paths personalised for our students, offer highly education through integrated learning platforms. and proficiency levels, studentsbe able will to access quality irrespective of geographical their location, schoolinfrastructure backbone,the we can create ‘real the classroom’ global where of best the physical both and worlds. digital With as technology to blended one-on-one providing learning experiences, students us a take leap see fromwill traditionalthe one-to-many approach students to cross over from passive to active learning.future The of tomorrow’ have will at technology core, their empowering frombest traditional and classrooms. virtual The ‘classrooms of internet the tobring lead blended learning, will which the will proliferation of coupled smart devices with democratisation the one-stop solution for students, teachers and parents alike. The createtechnology an integrated learning platform an that be will strongly that believe future the of education essentially see will As ateacher, has technology empowered me better. to be And I games and present learning content same inthe medium. samethe format (screens) that for kids use entertainment and firstalphabets and fromnumbers screens.the At BYJU’S, we use smartphones, tablets, and computers naturally. their learn They there are no backbenchers. This new generation technology,uses studentevery has afront row classroom seat virtual inthe and of content consumption for young the generation. With ascreen, In addition to today, this, screens have mode becomeprimary the to watchvideos or tests to take. gaps and addresses gaps those by recommending of next the set adapts to level their of understanding, understands learning their more convenient form on mobiles or use they tablets. The device brought 1:1teacher-student ideal the classroom to a experience learning patterns inlove andfall truly with learning. We have recommendationspace, get personalised on previous their based time.allows This students to access our content their at own concepts or information on what based are they learning at that learning ofthe journey astudent by pointing to them relevant the of how different concepts are related eachto other andcan direct system, makes more this effective. graphicalIt is a representation and assessment. ‘Knowledge Graphs,’ brain the of our learning learning patterns of students allows for feedback personalised nook and corner of country. the The availability dataof the on online own learning. Our research showed that over 75percent of Additionally, we witnessed a mindset shiftparents in in favour of over students 15 million new using BYJU’S inApril and May. students completely dependent on online learning, we witnessed opportunity to innovate and adapt to circumstances. new With bigger impact. The ongoingpandemic has presented withus an disrupted our own business and model strategies to create an even We are an extremely organisation. agile We have constantly and collaborations? ongoing of and series strategic pandemic acquisitions How are you constantly the with at evolving BYJU’S, 61 EDUCATION TECH 62 EDUCATION TECH school learning solution for students across country. the With India, launched we also BYJU’S acomprehensive Classes, after- Given fragmented the nature of private the tuition in sector kindergarten. learning programs for students inupper kindergarten and lower languagevernacular country. inthe We recently also launched have made our learning programmes available inalmost every learning programmes for history, civics and geography. We lives of our students during lockdown.the We have launched also valuewe the of realised bringing such learning scheduled into the inApril.free While it was launched initially to be later year, this products, such as our live classes, were which made available for acceptance of online learning, we accelerated launch the of new in love with learning remained intact. With acceleration inthe ourterm goals,long-term while vision of making students fall We proactively responded to situation the and adjusted our short- continue evenafter toschools do so reopen. parents children whose turned to online learning wanted to them and creating something better for our learners. process. has focus the always about Overall, been coming together by students. Thisthe is fundamentalmost part of evaluation our ask ourselves to students useful is be ifit will and used be ifit will catered to our mission and long-term vision. The one question we abig component been also of our strategy. acquisitions Our have Increasing engagement and making students enjoy learning has have now acquired popular the platform coding White Hat Jr. Osmo, aPalo Alto-basedlearning games company and we onexperiences asingle platform. Early last year, we acquired to strengthenbeen our offerings and create holistic learning The of focus our acquisitions and collaborations, too, always has efficiencyofthe India’stech-enabled ecosystem. ourwith all teams working remotely from home is a testament to safety of homes. their that Thelaunches fact these could happen guidance from dedicated mentors, from all comfort the and India’s teachers, best instant doubt resolution and one-on-one studentsthis, now have access to online scheduled classes from intelligence. We are doing by this creating: that to development lead the and harnessing of one’s creative Uable learning product is asocial that builds real world skills creative intelligence. build aconnected community that learns, creates and celebrates is inherently in nature. social Hence, we are using to technology pathways that webelieve personalised, to also learning need be maximumtheir potential. While we that recognise learning engage with learning the process learner can achieve that so every learners various opportunities and pathways personalised to learning differently. We on focus using tools allow to tech-based Research has proven child learns and that expresses every their with peers. whereare they experiences creating, exploring and connecting content. learners Our are engaged inactive, immersive learning not have a learner sit in front of and a device passively consume beyondexceed expectations. AUable does learning experience understanding and enable creation that pushes learners to learner’s imagination, of build asense wonder, develop deep We unique the use power of to technology provoke a celebrates creative intelligence. aim to build an online learning playground that exercises and and naturally fascinated and comfortable with technology. We ages the between ofall sixand 14years, are natives, they digital all to leverage to technology enhance learning. Uable’s learners are vision is not to just to technology make use learning but scalable Uable inalearning company that is enabled by technology. Our this. to achieve technology leveraging of thenext generation.the leaders Tell ushow Uable is Uable’s on focus the6-14agegroup aims at developing Uable: Creativity-focused skill development Uable: Creativity-focused skilldevelopment in the 6-14 age group for next-gen in the6-14agegroup fornext-gen Priyanka Subramanian -Chief Learning Subramanian Officer andPriyanka Founding team member

leadership leadership n n n this audaciousthis cannot achieved undertaking without be looking geared towards ending education inequality in country,the but nine-year-olds in a Mumbai municipal school. Teach for India is started off as a class teacher to an enthusiastic bunch of eight- and profit organisationthat part is the of Teach for I network.All offered an opportunitybe a to fellow at Teach For India, a non- Myfrom shift educationvisual design to happenedwhen Iwas learning-by-doing practical, through very experiences. grewstrongerwith technology and most of my understanding is vision with world. the As Igrewprofessionally, my connection understanding how it can enable sharing the of one’s creative advertisingin the industry, beganby with technology my tryst hasto technology alwaysme. afriend As been designer avisual Yes, Idonot aformal possess degree intechnology, but others endeavouring thesame? you do path have and whaton advice for thetechnical platforms. technology Howof scalable you did embark theuse with creating experiences learning 360-degree You come backgroundbut from are anon-technical n synchronous DIY tech-based challenges activities, and ive learning online environments peer where learners n online connected community where learners can eative intelligence assessments skill-based and A L A Cr learning pathways, and develop amplify further skills their their quests that enable learners to continue on learning their ready engage inreal life roles and buildto skills become future experts from acrossexperts fields showcase creations their to educators likeminded peers, and and measure creative intelligence across various domains benchmarking, to designed objectively benchmark, track 63 EDUCATION TECH 64 EDUCATION TECH consumer no matter how fast you or how scale large you become. My strongest that learning has been one to needs stay to close the lot. the but approach deep to product building is what us apart sets from multiple and cases, use that cater to various This needs. diverse products that can work invarious unpredictable conditions, suit As entrepreneurs in India, we are put through to grind the build slowly but surely becoming arepresentation market. of global the world has to offer. India has such adiverse demographicthat it is privileged to have some of greatest the and sharpest minds the is this agloriousI personally think for time Make inIndia. We are customers? to experiences learning domestic and international want to Make inIndia and deliver world-class digital What you do lessons share for fellow entrepreneurs who learning increative and inventive ways. much learning is retained being and how are they applying their something, what are they learning, how are they learning, how stage of learning the processevery from why to need learn they are faring on evaluation their but and to innovate digdeeper at its maximum potential. We aim to not just atlook how learners aim to harness creative the intelligence inachild and grow it to one of most the ignored problems inK12learning today. We We at Uable are 360-degree the product taking approach to solve our were learning experiences impacting learner achievement. for improvement inlearners, and we were able to showcase how helped teachers, parents and students strengths identify and areas and summative assessments to tagged Blooms the Taxonomy product at Pearson India. approach Our formative to tech-based myall learning Iworked when on building K12assessment the various facetsof tech driven learning and assessments. Iapplied My with educational experience initiatives introduced me to the made decision the to move into education-technology the space. can only achieved throughscale be technology.I when This was handledcan inatimely be manner. Addressing problem this at is how challenges to these identify early it on child so for every and one of challenges the by faced most education institutions fromeconomic low-income spectrum, to high-income schools, education fieldthat was learning gaps across existall socio- the One of my strong takeaways from my first few yearsthe in and some went evenbeyond expectation. my students’ learning levels and bringing up them to level grade learning standards. Thisgreat led to achieving success in pushing and what done can be to bring students at par with expected helped which instruction, where identify learning gaps existed tools. Iwas introducedbased of data to driven methodology the learning the was measured,all tracked and gauged using tech- at solutions. scalable While Iwas a teacher inphysical classrooms, moving at through thickand thin. Having an approach agile and agrowth keeps mindset me single day brings learningsevery innew and perspectives. new early inmy very I am still entrepreneurial with Uable journey but andpartners thought acatalyst leaderscan be company. for every breaks any company. Working with thought people can who be Having astrong, diverse and ambitious team is what makes and company can achieve is driven by people the you work with. Another learning that has stuck with me is that alot of what a important to your take customer along on of journey this change. moreand and services more sticky, usable and scalable, it’s While we as entrepreneurs keep innovating to make our products about his/her creative intelligence: is developmentally informed and ensures that achild has clarity aware career decisions selecting pathways. while own strengths and interests, eventually leading to making more converge inaway skills their that help will their identify them pathwaylearner with apersonalised to explore, develop and and grow achild’s creative intelligence. We aim to provide every At Uable, we have aframework designed that can access, measure geared towards achieving success future. inthe and differentiating factors inensuringthe learners of today are creative intelligence is going one to be of most the fundamental flexible, and, of course, enjoyable.” validationThe NEP isa of how driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, make education more holistic, experiential, integrated, inquiry- until now.neglected The NEP notes, “Pedagogy mustevolve to problem-solving andreasoning, logical have which been building important such skills as collaboration, creative thinking, prepare children for life outside classroom the and on focus It aims to bring creativity and innovativeness to learning to bring inamore progressive and holistic approach to learning. Education Policy (NEP) lifting the off ground. to TheNEP aims greatestOur joy inrecent India’s seeing has times been New appears progressive taking to be steps to address it. have highlighted for years are now and recognised, being India likeand Sir Ken experts Robinson (in his famous TED Talk) percent at age the of sixto two percent by we time the are 18) concludes(which that creative genius of humans from fall 98 The gapsthat so many studies like NASA’s creative genius study beyond? tometric drive human capital development inIndia and How you do envision using creative intelligence asa where era routinea new jobs are automated. becoming theadvent with intelligence of artificial and especially Uable of creative advocates theidea intelligence, This approach uring this stage,uring this Uable’s programmes and progressions n s is age the cognitive when development is manifesting n

and aportfolio of work with ownership and autonomy. accelerated/advanced pathways to develop interests those help children on focus interest certain areas, up take D explorationdeeper towards interest development) Stage-2: 10-12years (Themid-years: and skills Advanced fundamental skills. experimenter, inventor or coder, on with afocus developing various real life roles like an being artist, author, performer, development and exploration. At Uable, explore they to from learn diverse which is essential peers, for holistic and development. skill whentime Thisthe is children start and about to hit and its children peak, are ready for exposure Thi development) Stage-1: earlyExploration 6-9years (The years: and skill n entrepreneurial youth future. inthe result will inconfident,active learning pedagogy self-aware and building astrong of sense and self community through our social, intelligence and development skill through real life roles, and We that believe our approach of building achild’s creative as achild enterss soon eighth the or ninth grade, they

their owntheir likes and dislikes well. connect with mentors areas selected to inthese understand projectsdeeper to build astronger portfolio of work and roles that suit creative their potential. engage They with stage,this children go through advanced programmes on pivotal indefining how life unfolds hereon forDuring them. paths, universities and entrance exams. Thiscan prove be to at age this are likely to orient towards them career certain and changefurther pathways, but some decisions taken Uable, we should everyone believe always tofree explore be and others—“What career path doyou want to pursue?” At are confronted with same the question from parents, peers A internships) Stage-3: 13-15years exploration, (Career mentoring, 65 EDUCATION TECH 66 EDUCATION TECH Practically uses reality uses technologiesPractically like ARand VRto bring life learners such experiencing get is activities mind while blowing. back like apuzzle inan ARsimulation. The adrenalinerush apart bones the of all alife-size skeletal system and putting them itsee into blown full were Imagine trees, they thrilled. breaking of pickingthem any and throwing seed it into garden the to then Practically’s When Middlein the East. used they VRexperience not apple seen and mango orchards are as they not grown locally I was inDubai earlier year this and students there have generally (VR) and others to exciting? learning make intelligence (AI),augmented reality reality (AR),virtual How are you using artificial frontier like technologies classvirtual that doinaphysical they classroom, only better. online. Teachers can ‘practically’ inaPractically doeverything helps teachers conduct most the engaging and classes experiential generation of learners to forge future the of India. also Practically be foundationalon learning. Thiswill experiential forthe next Nationalplace new inthe Education Policy, emphasises which approach and philosophy towards limitless learning found a Wemake and learning fun sticky. are that to see pleased our reality content and reality virtual progressive to learning sets delivers interactive like simulations, experiences augmented using traditional of methods teaching and learning. Practically aftertwo weeks of learning as compared to aboutpercent 30 examples increases retention the of concepts by over 90percent intertwinedLearning with immersive storytelling and real-life around is all Learning us, it has no limits and is effortless. learning app that on focuses delivering experiences. learning via is an Practically perspective. immersive practical from avery As you can tell from our name, approaches Practically education delivery? of changing education How theparadigm isPractically Practically: Delivering immersive learning Practically: Deliveringimmersivelearning and 3D virtual classroom experiences and 3Dvirtualclassroom experiences Charu Noheria -Co-founder and Chief Business Officer energetic. teacher,the to make sure class the is engaged, interactive and classroomlevels inavirtual for instantaneous feedback, alerting knowledge. We AI to use constantly also monitor attentiveness powerhouse covering range a wide of topics academic and general a study buddy. Our chatbot is conversational and is aknowledge on to assist learningteacher intheir the when is not around, like to learning. We have also an AIchatbot that learner can the count molecule bymolecule molecule.Imagine teachers and students being guiding students through of an experience creating apolymer, zero cost. Imagine teacher at from comfort the of house their Imagine learners doing physics lab and experiments chemistry pandemic? reality, digital new theCOVID-19 with particularly How are you helping teachers and parents step into a there for is aneed content inanother language. globally, we are exploring also with incountries partners where near-term plan is to expand into other countries English-speaking content into any localised easily can be language. Although the ourand operations. scale Practically’s immersive animated video regionCouncil is turning out agreat to be place for us to invest brands as customers and regional TheCooperation partners. Gulf and have onboarding started also school some large prestigious West inthe Practically well Asia and Southeast Asia markets as mega hit with teachers. Building on success, this we have launched classroomin India. virtual experiential Our solution a has been well receivedproduct very by has category been all of schools launchedPractically in India amidst lockdown the in April. The initiative, and what isnext on your agenda. aMake inIndia driving innovation markets while Tell into ushow you expanded global have successfully have enabled teachers to continue teaching during tough these have enabled teachers to continue of using for technology learning At activities. all Practically, we for phones and tablets thrown to be away but are now proponents and easy is both Teachers fun. and parents are no longer fighting is unique inmany ways and demonstrates that ‘school from home’ par or more than a physical classroom. experience The Practically platform adigital connected via where engagement the level is at experiential methods. experiential andwith ease experimenting with newer ways of teaching, using Practically, new-age these teachers are embracing technology guide, entertainer, innovator, counsellor and much more. With teachers are stepping into shoes of the a facilitator, mentor, Thetimes. teacher’s role is thanks the redefined to pandemic; 67 EDUCATION TECH 68 EDUCATION TECH Divya Gokulnath examinations inIndia, leading her to switch five engineering disciplines inthree engineering colleges. education stems from incompetitive of of qualifying her experience part personal being rat the race for University the MBA degree from of Illinois-Urbana passion Champaign. Her for Bangalore, and has an and Corsalite. She did her bachelor’s inengineering (computer science) from RV of College Engineering, space--3rdFlix edtech co-founded two companies inthe has entrepreneur, Noheria and Charu is an creating 360 driven, degree technology engaging highly learning solutions. company that is deeply invested ingrowing Creative Intelligence inyoung learners across world the by countries. As of part founding the team and OfficerPriyanka Learning Chief a at Uable, aims to build scalable, quality learning solutions to positively impact field the educationof in India and developingother on ed-tech, workingfocused with companies like Educational Initiatives and Pearson Education to create organisation aimed at ending education inequality inIndia. years the Over she moved from non-profit and K-12, ed-tech sector. non-profit She herineducation started journey education with Teach for India, an educatorPriyanka Subramanian been has for past the 10years, focusing on especially enhancing the working towards reinventing concept the of learning among schoolstudents inIndia. tomorrow. Auniversity rank holder from of RVCollege Engineering, Bangalore, is continuously Divya thatbelieves it and iscuriosity this to willingness explore that can make better learners for abrighter Voices inEducation (India and is astrong Divya Global), advocate of cherishing childlikecuriosity. She and Brand Marketing. Winner of Business Today’s Most Powerful Women 2019award and LinkedIn Top Apart from on being board the of BYJU’S, she teams functional leads across Content, User Experience to createher has focus been unique and for learning experiences personalized students across grades. About theAuthors About is Co-Founder the at BYJU’S, world’s the most valued Edtech company. Since inception,

India is witnessing two pivotal women-centric phenomena at this time: the unparalleled inclusion of women in the Indian economy, and their growing role at the frontiers of technology development. This report aims to showcase women at the cutting edge of developing and deploying technology and to highlight both their professional achievements and their individual stories.

We start with four trailblazers, who started working in technology when it was a relatively new field in India and, in a time that was far less welcoming to women. The women we include have led the development of technology, as well as the enabling ecosystem of governance, policy and finance. We then showcase the leaders of tomorrow, women who have founded and built companies at the cutting-edge of technology across a range of segments—finance, data analytics, media, scientific innovation and education.

20, Rouse Avenue Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110 002, INDIA Ph. : +91-11-35332000. Fax : +91-11-35332005. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.orfonline.org