Welcome to Eli (Entrepreneur Lounge of India), your daily dose of inspiration for entrepreneurship! Today, we have Chirag Jadhav, the Co-founder and CTO of Tablesprint. Tablesprint is an innovative AI-powered SaaS platform enabling businesses to build custom enterprise applications within minutes, not months.Chirag shares his journey (00:47) starting as an engineer (University of Pune graduate), his early product inclination leading him to build RainCan (India's first subscription-based daily essentials delivery service), its acquisition by BigBasket (becoming BBdaily), and the insights gained from scaling operations there, especially during the challenging COVID period (03:56).Discover insights into:The Genesis of Tablesprint: How experiences at BigBasket during COVID, needing rapid system changes, sparked the idea for a platform allowing quick app modifications, even by non-technical users (04:41).What Tablesprint Does: An AI-first, no-code/low-code platform for building intuitive apps and workflows across business verticals like HR, sales, operations, supply chain, education, and pharma (00:03, 06:15, 06:58).The Role of AI: How Tablesprint uses AI as a consultant, allowing users to build apps, forms, and workflows using natural language commands, leveraging models and proprietary embeddings (08:42).Platform Features: Building complex workflows (e.g., education sector attendance, parent notifications via WhatsApp/calls), seamless integrations (e.g., Shiprocket), reusable components, and templates (10:17, 07:28, 08:18, 21:22).Target Audience & Market: Serving global clients of varying sizes, with a strong focus initially on the US market due to higher platform adoption tendencies (05:28, 14:11, 14:54).Business Model: A SaaS platform where apps are built and run on Tablesprint's infrastructure (on-premises for Tablesprint), with options to hire developers hourly and partner programs (12:17, 13:22).Customer Acquisition: Using social marketing, Google Ads, and a partner program (16:34).Future of AI & Development: Chirag's view that AI will augment developers ("super developers") rather than replace them, making development faster and more robust (17:47).Tablesprint's Roadmap: Focusing on enhancing AI capabilities (especially in workflow creation), adding more templates, and increasing platform simplicity (20:06).User Onboarding & Support: Utilizing video materials, help documentation, in-app annotations, and a Tablesprint developer certification program (22:50).Tune in to learn about building a cutting-edge AI SaaS platform, the future of app development, and Chirag's entrepreneurial insights.#EliPodcast #ChiragJadhav #Tablesprint #AIAppBuilder #NoCode #LowCode #SaaS #EnterpriseSoftware #RainCan #BigBasket #Entrepreneurship #TechStartup #India #Podcast

Welcome back to Eli, your source for entrepreneurial inspiration! In this episode, we chat with Joy Sharma, Founder & CEO of EZ Works, a unique service business leveraging AI across offerings like graphic design, market research, video production, and more.Joy shares his fascinating journey (00:55) from engineering (Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology) and working at STMicroelectronics, to manufacturing, an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, consulting with McKinsey & Company in the US and Dubai, working with governments, and finally launching EZ Works in 2018.Dive into insights on:The "Services Factory" Concept: How EZ Works applies assembly line principles and internal frameworks (like the mentioned "BAT" framework) to deliver consistent, high-quality services at scale across 70+ offerings (05:10, 08:33).Embracing AI Disruption: Why EZ Works deliberately chose services ripe for AI disruption and how they've thrived by adopting AI early (13:08, 14:10).AI as an Assistive Tool: Practical examples of using AI to enhance productivity and quality in translation, graphic design, and digital marketing, empowering employees rather than replacing them (20:17, 21:34, 22:08).Building a Future-Proof Service Business: Joy discusses the critical importance of organizational culture, hiring adaptable generalists, retaining talent through responsibility, and continuously evolving processes in the age of AI (25:12, 26:23, 34:24).Talent & Culture: The challenges and strategies for hiring the right people, fostering a culture of service and accountability, and reaching a "critical mass" where culture becomes self-perpetuating (28:52, 29:49).Entrepreneurship Insights: Joy emphasizes resilience, the necessity of complementary skills within a team, and the importance of showing up every day (36:59).Learn how to navigate the AI revolution in the service industry, build scalable processes, and foster a resilient company culture with Joy Sharma.#EliPodcast #JoySharma #EZWorks #EasyWorks #AIServices #FutureOfWork #ServiceBusiness #Entrepreneurship #DigitalTransformation #AI #BusinessStrategy #Podcast #McKinsey #STMicroelectronics #MichiganRoss #NSIT

In this episode of ELI, host Priya welcomes Ashish Goyal, Co-founder of Fibe (formerly known as Early Salary). Fibe is a leading fintech app providing quick micro-credit and diverse financial solutions in India.Ashish shares his entrepreneurial journey (00:47), transitioning from a finance career to founding Early Salary in 2015 (01:41). He discusses:The market need and research behind launching Early Salary to serve young Indians needing access to credit (02:05).The target audience: young professionals, often migrating to cities, with high aspirations (02:56, 16:01).The rebranding journey from Early Salary to Fibe (Financial Vibes) to reflect a broader range of financial services (04:50).Fibe's diverse product offerings: skill upgradation loans, education financing (coaching, etc.), healthcare funding, solar panel financing, and personal cash loans (05:27, 11:52, 12:37, 13:26, 14:14, 14:33).The sophisticated risk assessment process, leveraging data analytics and AI to underwrite customers quickly and effectively, even those without traditional credit histories (09:06, 16:51).Real-world examples of AI application, including analyzing customer photographs for creditworthiness assessment and fraud detection (18:27, 20:10).Overcoming major challenges like demonetization and the COVID-19 pandemic, and how these periods spurred innovation (21:20, 25:12).Ashish's perspective on the rapidly evolving future of digital lending in India, emphasizing customer experience and the integration of technology (28:49).Tune in to learn about building a successful fintech company in India, the role of AI in modern finance, and insights into the digital lending landscape.#ELI #Fibe #EarlySalary #AshishGoyal #FintechIndia #DigitalLending #Entrepreneurship #AIinFinance #IndianStartups #Podcast

Dive deep into the world of insurance with Tarun Mathur, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Policybazaar.com!In this episode, Tarun shares his fascinating entrepreneurial journey, from his early days navigating India as a "Fauji kid" and working in call centers, to co-founding one of India's largest insurtech platforms.We explore the evolution of Policybazaar and get an exclusive look into the strategy, challenges, and vision behind Policybazaar for Business (PB for Business), their dedicated B2B wing serving SMEs and large corporates.In this conversation, you'll learn about:(00:40) Tarun's unique background and how early experiences shaped his approach to business and change.(03:03) The founding principles of Policybazaar and its core focus on customer protection.(03:50) The "Why" behind Policybazaar for Business: Extending protection to SMEs and corporates.(06:14) The distinct challenges of building a B2B brand within a well-known B2C company.(07:55) The complexity and breadth of corporate insurance products (Cyber, Liability, Fire, etc.).(11:26) Why Policybazaar's value goes far beyond sales: The critical importance of service and claims management (Detailed Cyber Insurance example).(16:19) How Policybazaar tackles unique and complex "edge case" insurance needs for businesses.(19:22) Addressing industry concerns: Data privacy and unwanted calls in the insurance sector.(22:30) The persistent problem of misselling: How Policybazaar uses systems and ethics to combat it.(25:40) Unpacking claim rejections: Understanding hidden clauses, waiting periods, and the roles of different stakeholders (insurers, hospitals, brokers).(32:29) The exciting role of AI at Policybazaar: Enhancing product development, fraud detection, and overall efficiency.Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader navigating corporate insurance, or simply curious about the evolving insurance landscape in India, this conversation offers valuable insights from a key industry player.About the Guest:Tarun Mathur is the Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Policybazaar.com, where he leads the Policybazaar for Business vertical.#Policybazaar #TarunMathur #Insurance #Insurtech #B2BInsurance #Entrepreneurship #AI #Fintech #IndianStartups #BusinessPodcast #InsuranceClaims #CyberInsurance #Misselling #DataPrivacy #PolicybazaarForBusiness

Ever wondered how massive university hostels housing thousands of students are managed in India? Go behind the scenes of Fretbox, the innovative SaaS platform transforming traditionally manual hostel operations into a streamlined, digital experience!In this episode of Eli, we talk to Ashish Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Fretbox, about his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Discover how Fretbox identified a critical gap in the market and built a solution to digitize every aspect of student accommodation management.Ashish shares the fascinating origin story of Fretbox, including crucial pivots from earlier ventures and how a personal observation highlighted the urgent need for technology in managing university hostels, which often relied on outdated manual processes, paperwork, and basic communication tools.Discover the core challenges Fretbox tackles head-on: streamlining complex admissions processes, simplifying fee collection, managing daily operations like attendance tracking and meal planning, resolving student complaints efficiently, enhancing communication between residents, wardens, and administration, and bolstering student safety and security.Learn about the Fretbox platform, structured around key functional pillars – Revenue, Communication, Student Tracking, and Assistance. Ashish explains their mobile-first strategy, providing tailored interfaces and real-time notifications for students, wardens, security, and even high-level university management via dedicated apps.Ashish discusses how Fretbox leverages technology, including biometrics for security and data analytics for better planning. He shares insights on exploring AI to further enhance automation, security features like attendance tracking, and optimizing operations such as mess menu planning based on student feedback.Gain valuable insights into the realities of building a B2B SaaS startup targeting the challenging education sector in India. Ashish candidly discusses navigating long sales cycles, dealing with multiple stakeholders, the critical importance of patience and persistence, and the rewards of building long-term customer relationships.Explore Ashish's perspective on the future of student housing in India, which is rapidly evolving into a 'hospitality industry' demanding better amenities and services. Understand Fretbox's vision to support this transformation in a market driven by India's large youth population and the increasing need for digitized, safe, and efficient living experiences for students relocating for higher education.About Fretbox:Fretbox (https://fretbox.in/) is a leading B2B PropTech SaaS platform providing comprehensive management solutions tailored for university and college hostels across India. It streamlines operations, enhances security, improves communication, and optimizes the overall student living experience, currently serving over 30 universities and tens of thousands of students nationwide.Ashish Gupta is the Co-Founder & CEO of Fretbox, driving the company's mission to digitize student accommodation in India.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Eli Podcast & Ashish Gupta(01:23) The Fretbox Origin Story: Pivots & Identifying the Niche(02:15) The Chaos: Problems in Traditional Hostel Management(04:30) Landing the First Customer & Iterative Development(06:38) Deeper Dive into Hostel Administration Pain Points(11:40) Inside Fretbox: Core Pillars & Key Features Explained(15:40) Serving All Stakeholders: User Roles & Mobile-First Strategy(18:27) Tech Innovation: Leveraging Biometrics, Data & Exploring AI(20:00) The B2B Grind: Challenges of Selling to Universities(23:30) Future Trends: Student Housing as Hospitality & Fretbox's Vision(25:32) Market Opportunity: India's Youth & Relocation for Education(26:40) Closing Remarks

In this episode, we talk with Manoj Dhanotiya, a serial entrepreneur and the Founder of Micro Mitti. Manoj shares his incredible journey – from starting a bootstrapped IT firm, building a successful e-commerce SaaS platform, to now revolutionizing the real estate sector with Micro Mitti.Micro Mitti is India's pioneering co-investment PropTech platform focused on making fractional ownership in potentially high-growth real estate accessible, transparent, and professional, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and villages. Manoj explains how Micro Mitti differs from traditional REITs and other fractional models by making investors actual partners in projects with institutional-level due diligence and technology-driven transparency.In this conversation, we cover:(00:44) Manoj's entrepreneurial background: From Mansour (MP) to the US and back, building GoWeb and AiTrillion.(05:50) Identifying the gap: Why Manoj shifted focus to the Indian real estate sector, particularly for the common person.(08:47) What is Micro Mitti?: Understanding their unique co-investment model, focus on Tier 2/3 cities, and use of SPVs.(15:00) Solving Real Estate Challenges: Tackling transparency, accessibility, and professional execution using technology and partnerships (JLL, IC Universal Legal).(20:30) The Role of Technology & AI: How Micro Mitti uses PropTech for live project tracking, document access, online investment, and future AI applications (price prediction, security).(25:47) Fractional Ownership Explained: Why it's gaining popularity and its potential compared to other asset classes.(28:15) Market Insights: Manoj's view on real estate appreciation in India, especially in non-metro regions, and the impact of infrastructure growth.(30:22) Real Estate Bubbles: Addressing concerns about market overheating and how to invest wisely.(35:23) Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: Manoj's key insights on building impactful businesses, especially from smaller cities (Hint: Read!).Tune in to understand the future of real estate investing in India and learn from a seasoned entrepreneur's journey!#RealEstateIndia #FractionalOwnership #PropTech #MicroMitti #ManojDhanotiya #Investment #Entrepreneurship #Tier2India #Tier3India #WealthCreation #IndianStartups #EliPodcast #RealEstateInvesting #FinTech #PropertyInvestment #AIinRealEstate

In this episode, we sit down with Manoj Adlakha, the founder of RedBeryl Lifestyle Services. Red Beryl is a unique, premier luxury lifestyle management company dedicated to curating exclusive experiences and providing unparalleled service to India's rapidly growing affluent class (HNIs and Ultra HNIs).Join us as Manoj shares his incredible journey:- From Chartered Accountant to a top executive at American Express and Visa.- His first entrepreneurial venture and the lessons learned from failure.- The inspiration behind launching RedBeryl (inspired by the rare RedBeryl gem).- Deep insights into the booming Indian luxury market – exploding HNI/Ultra HNI numbers (projected 1.7M HNIs & 20k Ultra HNIs by 2026), the shift towards experiences, and the rise of Tier 3/4 cities.- The unique challenges and desires of India's affluent population.- How Red Beryl differentiates itself from traditional credit cards and concierge services by offering a comprehensive suite of benefits under one roof – covering travel, dining, exclusive club access (3000+ globally), sporting events, concerts, wellness, bespoke requests (like sourcing vintage cars or arranging unique weddings), and more.- Red Beryl's unique value proposition, membership tiers (Red & Black cards), and high-touch service model with dedicated lifestyle managers.- How they acquired their first customers through an exclusive launch event featuring Grammy winners Stewart Copeland and Ricky Kej.- The power of word-of-mouth marketing in the luxury segment.- Discover how Red Beryl acts as the ultimate "go-to" resource, making moments of truth come true for its discerning members.Timestamps:(00:03) Introduction to Manoj Adlakha & RedBeryl(00:40) Manoj's background: Chartered Accountancy, American Express, Visa(02:15) First stint at entrepreneurship and lessons learned(05:00) Insights into the Indian market & opportunity(05:45) Role as CEO of American Express India(07:44) The decision to pivot and founding RedBeryl(08:30) Understanding the unique Indian affluent class(10:12) Exploding HNI & Ultra HNI numbers in India(14:30) Market dynamics: Private consumption, demographics, Tier 3/4 growth(18:10) What Red Beryl is (and isn't): Beyond concierge/credit cards(19:00) Membership Tiers (Red & Black) and Pricing(20:15) The Value Proposition: Focus on Service & Benefits(21:15) Pillar 1: Hotel Partnerships (e.g., Taj discounts)(23:50) Pillar 2: Dining Benefits (Standalone restaurants, free meals)(24:55) Pillar 3: Bespoke Travel Desk(26:30) Pillar 4: Sporting Events & Concert Access (Authenticity guaranteed)(28:55) Pillar 5: Exclusive Social & Golf Club Access (3000+ globally)(31:45) Pillar 6: Meet & Assist Travel Services(33:35) Concierge as a fulfillment channel & unique requests (Great Wall wedding, Ford Mustang)(37:20) The shift towards experiences over material goods(38:35) Proactive service: The "Dream Weavers" concept(39:20) Marketing Strategy: Zero ad spend, focus on referrals(40:39) Acquiring the first customers: The exclusive launch event(43:45) Building brand awareness organically (Insta, partnerships like Tata CLiQ Luxury, Kirchhofer)(46:10) Pillar 7: Wellness Partnerships(47:16) New Verticals: Wedding Planning ("With Red")(50:20) The meaning behind the name "RedBeryl" (Rarest Gem)(52:55) Flexibility and channel choices for members#ManojAdlakha #RedBeryl #LuxuryLifestyle #India #HNI #UltraHNI #Entrepreneurship #LuxuryMarket #ExclusiveExperiences #AmericanExpress #LifestyleManagement #ELIPodcast

Sonya, Co-founder of Imarticus Learning - India's leading professional education company, discusses bridging India's skill gap, the impact of AI, trending job skills (FinTech, Gen AI), her entrepreneurial path, and the future of the edtech industry. Essential listening for insights on education, careers, and entrepreneurship in India.Timestamps:(01:26) Why Imarticus Started(05:03) The Skill Gap Problem(14:16) Hot Career Trends(16:45) AI & White-Collar Jobs(21:08) Entrepreneurial Motivation(26:54) Finding a Co-founder(36:40) Future of EdTech#ImarticusLearning #EdTechIndia #SkillIndia #FutureOfEducation #AIJobs #IndianEntrepreneur