Introduction
Want to know more about startup culture and beyond? Today, we have Mr. Nitish Anand, the founder and CEO of Vebsigns Technologies, with us to share his experiences and advice. In a world filled with numerous startups and CEOs, how do we decide who to listen to, and who is offering the right advice?
Why should people choose to listen to an individual among many startups?
Mr. Anand talks about the vision of a CEO, emphasizing that what truly matters is the value a startup provides to society. He notes that many startups fail due to having the wrong vision or being driven by greed. He stresses the importance of nurturing our ecosystem and society.
Vebsigns Technologies
At Vebsigns Technologies, they work in both software and IoT. For example, they have collaborated with ONGC, installing IoT devices in oil wells to provide real-time data on well operations, helping track growth.
Indian Railways
In collaboration with Indian Railways, they implemented street light automation where lights operate at 30% capacity when a train approaches and remain off at other times, helping to save energy and benefit society. Their mission is to build a stronger country and ecosystem.
3 startups that failed with reasons
When discussing failed startups, Mr. Anand highlights Byju’s, Dunzo, and Urban Company. He explains that Byju’s failure stemmed from its overly aggressive approach, assuming that acquiring smaller companies would result in profit. An example is WhiteHat Jr., which faced challenges because teaching programming to 10-year-olds is difficult. Additionally, Byju’s online model didn’t provide quality education but instead pushed services on students.
Golden period for startups (2020-21)
Mr. Anand refers to 2020-21 as the golden period for startups, noting that many startups emerged and thrived during this time. Afterward, a recession began, but people started trusting new companies more due to a strengthened ecosystem. He advises that for people to trust you, success is necessary.
What is the actual work of Vebsigns Technologies?
What exactly does Vebsigns Technologies do? Mr. Anand explains that the company focuses on web development, application development, and IoT (Internet of Things), which involves connecting hardware to software via the internet. This is becoming more widely known.
How is his company different from other web developers?
Vebsigns sets itself apart from other web developers by focusing primarily on IoT development. He also stresses the importance of a company's USP (Unique Selling Proposition) and how it manages sectors to increase brand value.
Funniest/most memorable incident at Vebsigns Technologies
When asked about the funniest incident he experienced in the company, Mr. Anand recounts a story about a client from Dubai who had a bad experience with previous IT companies after investing 2-3 Cr in a product. The client, speaking in a Middle Eastern accent, started the call with, “All IT companies are frauds,” due to his past experiences. He only attended the meeting because of his manager's insistence.
Revenue generated in 4 years
Regarding revenue, Mr. Anand explains that Vebsigns recently split into two companies: Vebsigns Technologies, which handles software and mobile apps, and Automatics, which focuses on IoT automation. Together, the companies have completed 2 Cr worth of projects, with 3 Cr more in the pipeline. They have served clients in countries like Mexico, the USA, Dubai, and Singapore. Technology, he points out, has no boundaries, which makes scaling less of a challenge.
This or That?
We also had a fun "This or That" session with Mr. Anand, which you can watch in the podcast.
Why college life?
When asked whether he preferred school or college life, he chose college life. He explained that the connections you make in college are precious because they are formed without barriers.
Funny incidents from college life
Mr. Anand shared some college memories, such as a time when his hostel mates tampered with the water coolers, causing the warden to lose access to water. He also told a story about how they always asked one friend for treats, but he never gave one in all four years.
Why and how did digital marketing come into trend in the last 2-3 years?
With around 2-3 lakh websites created daily, and India having the highest number of web developers, digital marketing and social media marketing have become trends over the last 2-3 years. Mr. Anand believes this is because people want to be recognized for their work and uniqueness, whether through startups or social media. More people are stepping out of their comfort zones, making this a golden period for brand building.
About hackers
Regarding the rise of hackers, such as the recent hacking of the IRCTC site, Mr. Anand explains that some people seek easy success through unethical means. To counteract this, he suggests enhancing security audits.
Is the internet safe and good for a common man?
Is the internet safe for the average person? Mr. Anand thinks so, citing examples like ChatGPT, which saves people time. However, he advises that people need to learn to use the internet effectively and wisely.
3 regrets of Mr. Anand
Lastly, Mr. Anand shares three regrets from his past and gives advice to the audience. First, he emphasizes the importance of carefully choosing who to associate with when building a company. Don’t hesitate to ask hard questions and stick to your decisions. Second, process management should be established and followed from day one to save time and prevent future issues. Finally, trust between your team and company is crucial.
Outro
To learn more, watch the full video on our channel and check out the book Standout from the Crowd by our CEO, Aryan Gupta, available on Amazon and Flipkart. Thank you!
