Stories - Founders Club

Sarvam AI: Building Generative AI for India

Sarvam AI is an Indian startup on a mission to revolutionize the way generative AI (Gen AI) is developed and applied in the country. Their focus lies in creating efficient large language models (LLMs) specifically designed for Indic languages and contexts. About the Founders Sarvam AI is led by two accomplished individuals: Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar. Raghavan boasts experience advising the Indian government on projects like the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) and the GST portal. Kumar is a researcher with experience at firms like IBM and Microsoft, and also the founder of an open-source Indian language AI initiative, AI4Bharat. About the Startup Founded in July 2023, Sarvam AI has garnered significant attention in the AI landscape. Their approach centers on creating domain-specific generative AI models, believing that smaller, focused models can deliver superior performance for specific tasks. Their initial efforts target training AI models for diverse Indian languages and developing voice-based interfaces. Additionally, they collaborate with Indian enterprises to co-create custom AI models leveraging their unique data sets. Vision Sarvam AI’s vision, aptly reflected in their name (Sarvam translates to “all” in Sanskrit), is to make AI accessible and impactful for everyone in India. They aim to bridge the language barrier and empower a wider range of users to benefit from AI solutions. Funding In a significant development, Sarvam AI secured a whopping $41 million in Series A funding in February 2024. This round, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, included a previously undisclosed seed capital investment. This funding marks the largest ever for an Indian AI startup, propelling Sarvam AI to the forefront of the country’s AI revolution. Latest about the Startup Sarvam AI recently announced a collaboration with Microsoft to make their Indic voice LLM available on Microsoft Azure. This partnership signifies a major step towards democratizing AI in India. The initial focus will be on Hindi language support, with plans to expand to other Indian languages while ensuring compatibility with colloquial speech patterns. By working together, Sarvam AI and Microsoft aim to empower developers to create real-time, voice-based generative AI applications at scale, specifically tailored for the Indian market. This collaboration extends beyond just the LLM. Both companies are actively researching ways to enhance Microsoft’s Generative AI models for Indian languages and facilitate their large-scale deployment. This initiative underscores Microsoft’s commitment to fostering an “AI-first” India and empowering individuals across the country to leverage the power of AI solutions in their native languages.

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The story of 7 Eagles & Ashkar Gomez

Founders Stories / Team FC

Meet Ashkar Gomez, a seasoned Growth Marketer and SEO expert with over a decade of experience in the field. Besides his expertise in marketing, Gomez is also an entrepreneur, having founded and built 7 Eagles, Fincareplan, and Ficodo. Over the years, Gomez has worked with over 200 clients globally, providing services in Growth Marketing, SEO, Performance Marketing, Content Marketing, LinkedIn Marketing, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads. On LinkedIn, he shares his entrepreneurial journey, mindset, SEO tips and strategies, marketing campaigns, growth marketing hacks, and financial tips. The Journey What started as a solo venture, 7 Eagles has evolved into a team of over 25 visionpreneurs ( They hire people who have entrepreneurial mindset), excelling in SEO & Growth Marketing. In 2023, they achieved a revenue of $400K ARR. But let’s take a step back and look at how it all began. Four years ago, Gomez started 7 Eagles as a side hustle in a small space. At that time, the market lacked a dedicated agency focusing solely on SEO services. This gap in the market sparked Gomez’s dream to build an agency dedicated to SEO services. Gomez learned SEO on his own, spending countless nights building the website and creating content. Until November 2020, he had no idea about hiring, but he continued doing what he loved – training people in what he had learned. That’s when his students turned into his team. Today, 7 Eagles provides world-class services in SEO & Growth Marketing. But their journey doesn’t stop here. They have started investing assets into building products and are on a mission to build a community of financially knowledgeable entrepreneurs through their ‘FINtrepreneur’ Newsletter. They are heading towards a day when every youngster breaks the stigma of dependency. About the Company 7 Eagles started as a bootstrapped marketing agency and grew from scratch to $400K ARR in just four years with a team of over 25 members. Now, they are transitioning into a technology company where they are building products that could solve problems of marketing agencies, Healthcare & hospital, Fintech, D2C, and Real estate sectors. 7 Eagles is a leading Growth Marketing Agency, specializing in SEO services, and Performance Marketing with a Growth Hacking Strategy. They are based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. They are a team of marketing professionals from different sectors, joined together to provide the best business solutions to their clients. Their company was founded by Gomez in 2019 as a digital marketing agency. Recognizing that “Riches are in the niches”, they decided to focus on one service – SEO. In just three years, they became one of the leading SEO companies in India, working with 200 clients across 10+ countries. During the initial days, Gomez built the team by training every individual to become a pioneer in SEO through an internship program. This led to the birth of the 7 Eagles Academy, offering an SEO course at their office. With a vision of expanding, they have started an online SEO course with the goal of creating more SEO freelancers and agency owners. In the last year, they have been focusing on Growth Marketing and Performance Marketing as their next set of services. Key Learnings Focus on Specialization: Ashkar’s success is attributed to his specialization in Growth Marketing and SEO. By concentrating on a specific niche, entrepreneurs can establish themselves as experts and stand out in a competitive market. Continuous Learning: Ashkar’s commitment to continuous learning is a key takeaway. Entrepreneurs should prioritize staying updated on industry trends, acquiring new skills, and adapting to changing market dynamics to maintain a competitive edge. Provide Comprehensive Solutions: Entrepreneurs should aim to understand their customers’ pain points and offer tailored solutions that add significant value, fostering long-term relationships and business growth.

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BlackBuck Startup Story: Revolutionizing Trucking in India

Startup Stories / Team FC

Embarking on the journey of trucking in India poses numerous challenges, from governance to digitization and the matchmaking of shippers and truckers. Amidst these complexities, BlackBuck emerges as a visionary solution, redefining the logistics ecosystem with its comprehensive and streamlined approach. In this article, we delve into the world of BlackBuck—its founders, business model, growth trajectory, and impact on the industry landscape. About the Founders BlackBuck was founded in 2015 by Rajesh Yabaji, Chanakya Hridaya, and Ramasubramaniam B. Rajesh Yabaji, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, serves as the CEO and brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at ITC Limited. Chanakya Hridaya, also from IIT Kharagpur, serves as a co-founder, leveraging his background in mechanical and manufacturing engineering. Ramasubramaniam B, the Product Manager, contributes his expertise from roles at Miebach Consulting, reflecting the diverse skill set driving BlackBuck’s success. About the Startup: Redefining Trucking with Technology BlackBuck is India’s largest trucking platform, revolutionizing the logistics landscape with its tech-driven approach. By providing shippers and truckers with transparent pricing, efficiency, and trustworthiness, BlackBuck ensures a seamless experience powered by data science. The company’s product offerings cater to both shippers and fleet operators, delivering value through instant availability and fair pricing. Current Status and Growth As of 2023, BlackBuck boasts over 1.2 million trucks in 2000+ locations on its platform, with a significant reduction in idle time and increased earnings for fleet owners. Recognized as a unicorn startup since July 2021, BlackBuck has secured over $230 million in equity funding, cementing its position as India’s top-funded logistics startup. With a collaborative network comprising 250,000 trucks and 10,000 shippers, BlackBuck continues to expand its operational footprint and drive transformative change in the logistics sector. Conclusion BlackBuck’s mission to simplify and reinvent trucking in India underscores its commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of truckers and shippers alike. With a focus on data science and engineering at its core, BlackBuck continues to pioneer digital solutions for the trucking ecosystem, empowering millions of truckers across India. As a trailblazer in the logistics industry, BlackBuck’s relentless pursuit of innovation and efficiency sets a new standard for the future of trucking in India.

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Suresh Krishna : A Chennai Entrepreneur Making AI Accessible (Wolfers Tech , TalkSmart)

Founders Stories / Team FC

“I Even get bullied during my school days. But those experiences taught me something valuable – when someone treats you wrong, the best response is to treat them right. Life always gives me two choices that, I could sit and blame my circumstances, crying on what I didn’t have. Or I can think and change the things with what I have now, to get what I want.” – N.a.s.suresh krishna The story of N.a.s.suresh krishna stands out as a testament to perseverance and innovative spirit. Born into a world filled with challenges, Suresh’s journey from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success is marked by resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of his dreams. Early Challenges Growing up, Suresh faced his fair share of obstacles, including teasing at school and familial financial struggles. However, instead of allowing these challenges to deter him, he used them as fuel to propel himself forward. Despite the adversities he encountered, Suresh remained steadfast in his pursuit of success. Entrepreneurial Ventures In 2019, Suresh took the bold step of founding WolfersTech, a venture dedicated to harnessing innovation. This marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey, where he sought to leverage technology to address real-world problems. Subsequently, in 2020, he ventured into ecommerce with Pocket Friendly, further expanding his entrepreneurial portfolio. Literary Contributions Alongside his business endeavors, Suresh found creative expression in the literary world. He authored several books, including “சில்லறை கவிதை,” “சிறகுகள்,” and “Scribble Thoughts,” showcasing his versatility and passion for storytelling. Social Impact and Initiatives Driven by a desire to make a positive impact, Suresh established the “Hope Community” to address societal issues such as hunger and suicide prevention. This initiative reflected his commitment to giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of others. Collaborative Ventures In 2022, Suresh co-founded TalkSmart, an AI speech coach, in collaboration with members from WolfersTech. This venture exemplified his vision of democratizing technology and empowering individuals through innovative solutions. Moreover, his advocacy for equity-based opportunities underscored his commitment to diversity and inclusion. Multifaceted Achievements Suresh’s journey was characterized by a diverse array of accomplishments, including modeling, cinematography, ethical hacking, and mentoring. His multifaceted talents and achievements served as a source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. Inspirational Reflections Through platforms like Josh Talks, Suresh shared his personal experiences and insights, offering valuable lessons and inspiration to others. His reflections on resilience, community support, and self-belief resonated deeply with audiences, encouraging them to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Final Thoughts In conclusion, the journey of N.a.s.suresh krishna is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and innovative thinking in overcoming challenges and achieving success in the entrepreneurial landscape. His story serves as a source of inspiration for individuals seeking to embark on their own entrepreneurial endeavors, reminding us that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible.

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The Journey of Flexiple: From Chennai to Global

Startup Stories / Team FC

In the dynamic world of startups, the story of Flexiple stands out as a testament to vision, resilience, and strategic innovation. This article delves into the entrepreneurial journey of Karthik Sridharan, the Co-Founder & COO of Flexiple, tracing his path from Chennai, India, to Dallas, USA. It explores the company’s bootstrap success, strategic pivots, meticulous screening process, and plans for future expansion. Join us as we unravel the story of Flexiple, a company that is redefining the freelance landscape and empowering businesses and freelancers to thrive in the digital economy. Bootstrap Success Karthik Sridharan, a BITS Pilani EEE graduate, started Flexiple with Hrishikesh Pardeshi and Suvansh Bansal in 2016. They invested Rs. 25 lakh from their savings to bootstrap the company. The initial focus was on the Indian market, but they quickly pivoted to the US due to the higher salaries that attract top talent. Strategic Pivots and Market Expansion Flexiple’s strategic pivot from software to Google Sheets marked a significant shift in its business model. This move propelled its success in contract and permanent hiring. Under Karthik’s leadership, Flexiple expanded its footprint from the US to India and Europe. Thorough Screening Process Flexiple’s meticulous screening process ensures quality matches between freelancers and companies. This process involves a Skill Test, a Live coding Task, and an Onboarding Call. Karthik’s unwavering focus on customer satisfaction has fostered strong relationships and fueled business growth. A Visionary Founder Karthik’s entrepreneurial journey began as an Investment Banker, where he worked on M&A transactions. He then pursued an MBA at IIM Ahmedabad and embarked on the journey of building Flexiple. His father, Sridharan, played a significant role in inspiring him to start his own business. Building a Global Community Flexiple’s community boasts over 200 freelancers from seven countries. These freelancers include veterans from renowned companies like Amazon, Adobe, and Microsoft. Its diverse talent pool caters to a wide range of clients, from startups to enterprises. Future Plans Having established a strong foothold in India, Flexiple is now eyeing international expansion. With a growing product-market fit and a roster of international clients, Flexiple is poised to become a global leader in the freelance marketplace. Conclusion The story of Flexiple is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and strategic innovation. Led by Karthik Sridharan’s unwavering commitment, Flexiple continues to redefine the freelance landscape, empowering businesses and freelancers alike to thrive in the digital economy. This journey, from a bootstrap startup to a global platform, is a shining example of entrepreneurial resilience and strategic vision.

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Keka Story : How Keka Serves 10K+ Businesses

Automating HR Processes: How Keka Serves 10K+ Businesses in India & Abroad

Startup Stories / Team FC

Efficient HR operations are crucial for businesses, especially in today’s dynamic landscape. Keka, a SaaS startup, has emerged as a key player in automating HR processes for over 10,000 businesses across India and beyond. Let’s explore how Keka navigated challenges and positioned itself as a reliable HR management solution. 1. Market Dynamics The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the need for HR automation, with remote work becoming the norm. Keka recognized this shift and positioned itself as a provider of comprehensive HR management tools, catering to businesses of all sizes. 2. Market Gaps Founded in 2016 by Vijay Yalamanchili, Keka identified a gap in the market, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While larger players focused on serving big enterprises, smaller businesses lacked accessible and tailored HR solutions. Keka aimed to fill this void by offering user-friendly HR software. 3. HR Solutions by Keka Keka’s platform offers a wide array of HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and performance management. Its cloud-based infrastructure ensures accessibility and scalability, catering to the diverse needs of businesses across industry verticals. 4. Market Challenges Breaking into the competitive HRMS space posed challenges for Keka. Established players like Darwinbox presented formidable competition. However, Keka differentiated itself through personalized customer service and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of its clientele. 5. Navigating the Pandemic Landscape: The pandemic presented unforeseen obstacles for Keka, disrupting customer acquisition efforts and revenue streams. Despite these challenges, Keka remained resilient, utilizing the downtime to enhance its offerings and upskill its workforce for the post-pandemic era. 6. Key Features of Keka’s HRMS Platform Keka’s platform boasts advanced features, including an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for efficient hiring, streamlined payroll processing, and intuitive performance management tools. Data security measures ensure compliance with regulations, safeguarding sensitive employee information. 7. Growth Prospects and Market Outlook Looking ahead, Keka aims to expand its customer base and enhance its offerings with advanced technologies like AI and big data analytics. With the global HR software market projected to grow significantly, Keka is poised to capitalize on emerging trends and evolving customer needs. Conclusion In an era of digital transformation, Keka has emerged as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to streamline their HR operations. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Keka is well-positioned to shape the future of HR tech, catering to the diverse requirements of businesses worldwide.

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Guvi: YouTube channel to a ₹150 crore e-learning platform

Startup Stories / Team FC

In the ever-evolving startup ecosystem, Guvi emerges as a compelling example of adaptation and growth, transitioning from a modest YouTube channel to a ₹150 crore e-learning platform. Let’s explore Guvi’s journey, from its humble beginnings to its current stature, focusing on its founding principles, challenges overcome, and key performance metrics. Mission Guvi’s inception stemmed from a desire to democratize technology education in India. Founded by Arun Prakash, Sridevi, and SP B, the platform aimed to break down language barriers and provide accessible tech education through courses in local languages like Python, Machine Learning, and Data Science. Challenges with Tenacity Guvi faced its share of challenges on the road to success, including funding constraints and skepticism about the viability of vernacular education. However, through unwavering determination and innovative problem-solving, the team persevered, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. Recognition and Metrics of Success While Guvi garnered recognition for its innovative approach to tech education, including several awards, its success is also measured through key performance metrics: In conclusion, Guvi’s journey exemplifies the transformative potential of innovation and adaptation in the startup landscape. Through its commitment to accessible education and perseverance in the face of challenges, Guvi continues to redefine success in the e-learning industry. Also read : Pepul Story

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Nirmal Kumar : Govt Laptop to Own ventures with Mentor

Founders Stories / Team FC

Nirmal Kumar’s story is nothing short of inspirational, showcasing a journey from a simple background to achieving lakhs in the digital marketing world. Born to a family where his mum sold flowers in front of a temple and his dad ran an old TV repair shop, Nirmal’s early life was grounded in humility. Despite the financial struggles, he was a bright student with dreams of becoming a doctor, but fate had other plans. After facing a personal setback when his dad met with an accident, Nirmal had to drop out of his engineering course, a decision that hit him hard. However, he didn’t let this deter his spirit. Switching his path, he joined an arts and science college. It was during this phase that Nirmal’s curiosity led him to a book that changed his outlook – “Rich Dad Poor Dad”. This book made him realize the importance of skills over traditional education. His interest in digital marketing sparked when he came across a YouTube video and expressed his eagerness to learn in the comment section. To his fortune, Arun, a seasoned professional in digital marketing, replied, offering to mentor him. This was the turning point. Under Arun’s guidance, Nirmal started grasping the basics of digital marketing. Despite only having a government laptop to work on, he saved enough to enroll in a digital marketing course, determined to make the most of his resources. Nirmal’s break came through a networking meet where he landed his first freelance gig. This opportunity was a game-changer, setting him on a path of professional growth and financial improvement. Years later, Nirmal, together with his mentor Arun, ventured into specializing in securing the high-paying clients for B2B services. Their journey from interacting through a YouTube comment to strategizing business together is truly remarkable. Nirmal Kumar’s tale is a powerful reminder of how determination, coupled with the right guidance, can help overcome barriers, making a mark in the digital space. His story resonates with many, illustrating that with hard work and perseverance, achieving one’s dreams is indeed possible, regardless of one’s humble beginnings.

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Started with Rs 500 Now Making in Lakhs : Story of Sudhan

Founders Stories / Team FC

Meet Sudhan, a young lad from Theni district whose journey into digital marketing is truly inspiring. When he was 17 years old, one day, he learned about a word called digital marketing on YouTube. So he decided to start learning about that using Google and YouTube. After that, he decided to start a small drop-shipping business to practice digital marketing using that. Starting Digital Marketing A few months later, he started with his two friends and 500 rupees. He mentioned that in the beginning, they were so confident that they would get lots of clients, but nothing happened. He decided to tweak their approach a bit. After reaching multiple business owners in person, none of them converted. So he decided to create a small marketing plan for them while meeting, and that worked well. That was how he got his first client, and he also started creating content on Instagram about how he was running his agency. Their efforts on Instagram started paying off too. Sudhan’s talent for creating engaging content became their superpower. Now, their Instagram reels get lots of attention, bringing in clients without them having to do much extra work. Now he is studying 2nd year in college. Doing college as part-time and running a digital marketing agency full-time. Giving Back In another part of Sudhan’s story, when he was a kid, he, along with his brother and mother, had a tough time and had to live in an orphanage for five years because of family problems. After Sudhan started making money, he gave some of it to the orphanage as a way to say thank you for helping them when they needed it most.

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How A2D’s conquering the PC market in TamilNadu

Startup Stories / Team FC

A2D might ring a bell if you’re from the South, boasting over one million YouTube subscribers. While many see them as content creators, they’re actually savvy entrepreneurs dominating the PC building segment. Their secret? Building trust in their brand and a solid distribution network. Through their YouTube channel, A2D has gained a loyal following who trust their advice. This trust has propelled them to the top of the PC building industry. Additionally, A2D has made sure their products are easy to find through smart distribution strategies. By excelling in both content creation and business, A2D has become more than just YouTubers – they’re leaders in PC building. Their success highlights the importance of trust, distribution, and entrepreneurial drive in business growth. Founders Profile A2D was started by two brothers named Nantha Kumar and Shanmugam. YouTube for Business Growth: A2D’s Approach Content Marketing Content marketing is all about delivering value to your audience. A2D, led by founders Nandha (PC Doc) and KK, understands this well. Instead of bombarding viewers with direct promotions, they focus on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content. Whether it’s through videos, or social media updates, A2D aims to educate, entertain, and inspire their audience. By doing so, they build trust, credibility, and lasting relationships with their viewers, ultimately driving profitable customer action. Visual Storytelling A2D excels in visual storytelling, recognizing its power to captivate audiences and convey narratives effectively. Through images, videos, and graphics, they craft compelling stories that resonate with viewers on an emotional level. This approach transcends language barriers and engages multiple senses simultaneously, making it accessible and memorable. In today’s visually-driven society, where attention spans are short, A2D’s emphasis on visual storytelling ensures that their message cuts through the noise and leaves a lasting impression. Distribution Content creation is only part of the equation; distribution is equally important. A2D understands the importance of reaching their target audience where they are, which is why they leverage platforms like YouTube to distribute their content effectively. By utilizing YouTube’s vast reach and targeting capabilities, they ensure that their valuable content reaches the right people at the right time. This strategic approach to distribution maximizes their content’s impact and drives engagement, ultimately contributing to their business growth. Final Thoughts In summary, A2D’s success on YouTube can be attributed to their commitment to content marketing, visual storytelling, and strategic distribution. By consistently delivering value to their audience through compelling content, they have built a loyal following and achieved significant business growth under the leadership of Nandha (PC Doc) and KK

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