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Our Unforgettable Experience at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023

I am continuously seeking out new avenues to explore what lies beyond the familiar, eager to discover perspectives and insights for digital transformationAs a marketer at Nineleaps, I was exploring networking opportunities for us to grow and be known for the values ingrained in each one of us, and I came across the biggest tech event, the Bengaluru Tech Summit! This year with the theme “Breaking Boundaries” and promoting sustainable designs in technology.This was a global phenomenon that Bengaluru hosts every year. With the Honorable Prime Minister being the chief guest and over 400 multinational companies in attendance, the stage was set for an unforgettable experience. For our marketing and sales team, it was a chance to shine and grow professionally and personally.The thrill of being there, in between the ambitious businesses, with a perfect professional setup was a sign to not to let go of this opportunity and set up our very own booth!With all the procedures done and the great support of our team, we were there, rocking our booth setup, live demo, and exciting pitches, with our Sales Director’s guidance, and managerial support.My colleague Sakshi Bahl and I being novices to such a setup were constantly supported by our respective managers Biplob Das & Hari Krishnan Prasath, and the presence of one of our founders there was particularly motivating, reminding us of our significance at the summit.We were ready to hit the crowd and engage the audience to not just be passers-by but take an interest, and have mutually engaging and profiting conversations. Our mission was simple: create as many connections as possible.It was Day 1 at the summit and our hands were shaking with nervous energy as we witnessed the mull of the overwhelming crowd. It was a dynamic crowd filled with delegates, embassy leaders, students, C-suite personnel, and visitors. Amidst this crowd, the anticipation to engage and build a network was the opportunity. As we begin to hit the ground and initiate conversations, talk about Nineleaps, understand the profile of the visitors, and help them understand how we can help them grow. By the end of the day, we had understood there was no one correct way, what worked best was to engage in mutually beneficial conversations and create a connection for Nineleaps to be known in its authentic form.To our surprise, it became easy, clear, and fun just after 5–7 conversations. I particularly remember talking to a DRDO delegate. With that energy and experience, he had very specific questions and his approach was direct.“What will you do for product engineering?”“What is your company’s take on this?”At the end of it, it became a rapid-fire but it was amazing! If my confidence being a Nineleaper was a 10 it became 100, he was testing us and our confidence and we were not the ones to give up. I felt the rush of representing my organization. That was the beauty of orchestrating conversations of such a crisp level spontaneously.Other memorable encounters were with Government Representatives seeking networking opportunities. The brief conversation we had, filled with their polite and humble words, was an experience in itself.Wrapped up day 1 and it was day 2, time for us to explore what the summit had to offer, experience the other presentations, learn about countries and businesses, and do our research!The setup of this summit at the Royal Bengaluru Palace was a testament to sustainability, encouraging the theme of ‘Breaking Boundaries’ with technology. The layout was divided into multiple segments, conference arena, startup zone, business booths, and a special “ISRO dome” quite literally!Moreover, the sustainable design of Bangalore Terminal 2 airport, showcased as a booth, was a personal favorite. Its innovative use of eco-friendly materials was a great visual, adding an extra layer of appreciation for environmental consciousness.We encountered an array of exhibits from countries like Korea, Australia, Russia, Thailand, and numerous others. Immersing ourselves in each country’s booth, we learned about their visionary initiatives for digital transformation and gained invaluable inputs about their perspectives, outlooks, and eagerness to seek global opportunities.When you are in business seeking out connections the drive and hunger to prove yourself works as the best motivator, something that was exhibited perfectly at the “Startup zone” ranging from budding entrepreneurs to unicorn startups, they were all there. The more I talk about it the more inspired I feel. There were Holograms, brilliant exhibits of inclusive prototypes, and next-generation marketing and business ideas displays, all with enthusiastic speakers! Our next stop was the Chandrayaan ISRO- Space Industry Pavilion. As a proud Indian the work of ISRO always moves me, the one stop where every Indian unites and feels the pride of every mission being held irrespective of the outcome. The displays in the dome were testimony to those moments. In-depth information about the major projects, models of the spacecraft, and life-size Vikram lander model.It was an exhilarating experience knowing Bengaluru was a host to so many countries with us pioneering digital transformation. With day 2 coming to an end, it was time to prepare for the last day.We didn’t rely on flashy displays or aggressive sales tactics but made genuine connections through our conversation and lasting memories and a unique booth concept we pulled off with great success was the Lucky Draw.After collecting business cards all 3 days, the fish bowl finally decided the lucky winner on the summit’s final day. Winning a Fender Guitar put a huge smile on Mr. Satya’s face, & the thought of how much his son would appreciate the gift, his eyes filled with tears!It was a perfect end to a brilliant experience.After 3 days, 21 hours, and with 4 of us, along with more than 1000 conversations, we were proud that Nineleaps stood out!We firsthand realized, learned, and witnessed as Nineleapers what IMPACT truly meant to us and how our principles were distinguished.We learned that the answer to every question isn’t always technical and isn’t always what the visitors are looking for. It is the relationship, spontaneity & genuineness we built in a short conversation. What helped us were the values and our passion for technology that has sustained us over the years.Three exhaustive days of interacting with country leaders, founders, business owners, students and so many more led us to not only a successful exhibition but also an intensive learning program. As the saying goes, “You don’t truly understand until you’re in the thick of it.”Bengaluru Tech Summit provided us with the perfect battleground to make our mark with our considerable and powerful impact.In the end, being recognized with the ‘Feather on the Hat’ award was a testimony to the hard work we put in for over a month.

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IWD 2024 Round Table Discussion

In an impactful roundtable discussion held on International Women's Day 2024 on the topic - Strategies to Build a Diverse and Inclusive Ecosystem in the Tech Sector , esteemed professionals from diverse backgrounds converged to illuminate strategies for fostering inclusivity and diversity within the tech sector. Anchored by Agrimika Joshi, Marketing Executive at Nineleaps, the panel featured Akshita Sachdeva, Co-Founder of Trestle Labs; Anuja Kokrady, Manager of Product Data Science at Atlassian; Abhirami Prakash, Manager - Sales Whatfix; and Prachi Gupta, Associate Project Manager at Nineleaps.Their conversation highlighted various facets, the transformative power of inclusion, the inherent strength of diversity, and the imperative of addressing systemic barriers. From advocating for holistic assessment in hiring to championing mentorship and empowerment initiatives, these leaders underscored the vital role of inclusive practices in driving organizational success. Strategies to Build a Diverse and Inclusive Ecosystem in the Tech SectorThe discussion began with Agrimika putting forth the topic along with a comprehensive introduction to why it is important in the tech sector.Akshita began by stressing on the significance of inclusion, emphasizing that it should permeate every aspect of organizational functioning. She highlighted the importance of accommodating individuals with diverse backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives, not only as a means of meeting diversity quotas but as a strategy for driving innovation and problem-solving. “As leaders, we need to shift our lens from the perspective of diversity to a perspective based on merit to make a difference. Inclusion will follow”She also emphasized the need for organizations to adopt inclusive practices that go beyond surface-level diversity initiatives, encouraging genuine collaboration and mutual respect among team members.Anuja elaborated on the tangible benefits of diversity, stressing that it is not merely a moral imperative but a strategic advantage for businesses. She shared examples of how diverse teams are better equipped to tackle complex challenges, offering fresh insights and innovative solutions. “It is a universal fact that the loudest voices in the room are the ones that shape outcomes. We must amplify our voices, making them resonate with such force that they cannot be ignored or silenced.”Anuja also underscored the need for organizations to actively seek out diverse talent and create environments where individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.Building on the discussion, Abhirami delved deeper into the systemic barriers that hinder inclusivity in the workplace. She highlighted the need for organizations to address unconscious biases in hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation processes. “Societal norms have shaped our sense of self-worth. We need to learn to be confident without fear of ridicule and stand up for things that amplify what we our worth.”Abhirami emphasized the importance of accountability at all levels of the organization, urging leaders to actively challenge discriminatory practices and create opportunities for underrepresented groups to thrive.Prachi underscored the importance of shifting hiring paradigms to focus on attributes such as attitude, adaptability, and creativity, rather than solely on technical skills. She emphasized the role of educational institutions in fostering diversity by providing equal opportunities and exposure to students from diverse backgrounds.“Systems in place need to change to empower all voices while remaining transparent across avenues.”Prachi also highlighted the importance of mentorship programs in supporting the professional development of women and other marginalized groups, enabling them to navigate and succeed in male-dominated industries.In her role as moderator, Agrimika facilitated a nuanced discussion by posing these critical questions, allowing the panelists to share their insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for promoting gender equality and empowering women entrepreneurs in Bengaluru's vibrant startup ecosystem.Addressing Challenges Head-OnIn addition to gender pay gaps and biased hiring practices, the speakers discussed other challenges, including workplace discrimination, lack of representation in leadership roles, and cultural barriers to inclusion. They emphasized the need for organizations to adopt comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategies that address these challenges holistically, including training on unconscious bias, implementing flexible work policies, and establishing employee resource groups to support marginalized communities.They also emphasized that leadership is critical in driving organizational cultural change. They discussed the importance of visible and committed leadership in setting the tone for inclusive practices and fostering a culture of belonging. The speakers also highlighted the need for leaders to undergo training on diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure they have the skills and awareness to champion these initiatives effectively.Empowerment and MentorshipIn addition to providing open forums for transparent communication, the speakers stressed the importance of mentorship and sponsorship programs in supporting the career advancement of underrepresented groups. They highlighted the role of mentors in providing guidance, advice, and advocacy to help individuals overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. The speakers also emphasized the need for organizations to invest in leadership development programs that prioritize diversity and inclusion, ensuring that future leaders are equipped with the skills and awareness to drive meaningful change.In conclusion, the speakers reiterated that achieving a harmonious work-life balance requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of the organization. They emphasized that organizations must move beyond tokenistic diversity initiatives and commit to creating cultures where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. By embracing diversity and fostering inclusive practices, organizations can unlock the full potential of their talent pool and drive sustainable success in an increasingly global and interconnected world.

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Meet Divy Shrivastava, Co-Founder & CEO, Nineleaps

Divy Shrivastava has over ten years of experience as an entrepreneur and leader in helping enterprises and ventures build software technology products.What is your top priority while making decisions to improve tech infra in your organization?There are several factors that we take into account to decide on improving the technology infrastructure at Nineleaps.Productivity Benefits are one of the critical parameters that drive a decision for technology adoptions. The benefits in productivity can be in terms of staff-hours saved, faster response time, higher / improved quality of services, lesser maintenance, etc. Sometimes we also have to undertake proof-of-concept or a pilot to determine the tangible benefits to productivity.We also use Return on Investment (RoI) to build a business case for investments, where possible. We also need to consider the changing technology dynamics, and how that calls for upgrades to the systems, example with Micro-services and prevalent use of containers during software development, we were prompted to upgrade our development systems to ensure things work faster.Some infrastructure investments also are based upon the competitive advantage or potential advantages that we can gain in the future. These, we might not be able to justify immediately on productivity alone. Some investments are also for R&D and learning like Wearable Devices, VR Headsets that can have potential revenue opportunities in the future.Critical to our business success is teamwork and close collaboration with our customers. The need for closer cooperation drives a lot of technology infrastructure investments. Even how a given technology impacts collaboration plays a crucial role in decision making.Systems today do not exist in isolation. Every system is interacting and interfacing with other systems within the organization to provide a complete solution. The integrations and the ability to integrate with the existing systems is key to adopting a new system.When evaluating options and choosing between alternatives, we take into account the total cost of ownership (TCO) from the system.Finally, as laws around data evolve, customers have started putting a premium on data security and privacy. The compliance of products on data aspects is critical.Challenges you face in driving digital transformation?Regarding the challenges that we face while driving digital transformation, one of the critical factors of achieving success is visualizing a customer’s digital journey. If one is clear about that, then the rest of the variables start to fall in place. To come up with the customer’s journey requires significant investment from senior management and substantial decision-making power. Many times digital transformation is done without the right empowerment or without having clarity on end outcome, this leads mostly to stalled investments or suboptimal outcomes. The business processes also have to evolve to make the transition successful.Another aspect is ensuring you have the right team. People who can think of digital. We are not saying that you need to change the entire team but having the right people in the key places who can influence decisions is very important. Also, how empowered the team members play a critical role in ensuring that your digital transformation will be successful or not.The third aspect is ensuring the right culture. What we have seen about teams that have successfully transitioned into the digital space is that they are mostly agile, operate independently, and are given autonomy. The organization culture also has to evolve for them to transform successfully.The autonomy has to come with accountability, bringing in the right performance KPIs is essential. Setting digital KPIs is where a lot of organizations need help. Once you have set those benchmarks, then you would need to empower your teams by giving them the autonomy.Do you feel that freshers in the industry come with only basic knowledge but don’t have the right skills to fulfill job requirements? If yes, your suggestion to students and colleges?Technology and the industry that we are in is changing is very rapidly, and it can be quite hard to keep pace with it, with new frameworks coming every year or two, there has been a paradigm shift in technology over the last 10–15 years.The job roles and expectations have also evolved substantially, the breadth of knowledge required today, even at a starting level is higher. Today, we expect developers to be full-stack they need to know development, testing, deployment, and have the ability to understand nuances of business as well. These used to be very separate roles just a few years back. The need for a broader skill-set is due to reduced time to market, and faster response times that are needed by the businesses today.Another significant shift is the systems are very interconnected now, the teams are becoming smaller, but the need for collaboration is much higher, this requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills.The expectation also is that an individual would be able to work independently, with minimal supervision, should be able to make decisions and handle ambiguity.Anyone entering this system has a substantial bar to cross, and freshers are no exceptions.Good programs for onboarding talent can be designed that help them transition into a productive workforce. Even though we see skill gaps, there are also positives on the behavioral aspects. They have a willingness to learn, improve, and make an impact. Many people I interact with are quite passionate and hardworking.Now what we as Nineleaps do is that we have a program that takes freshers through the process and the centerpiece of that process is doing things by yourself. So instead of coming to a classroom and teaching you, we will give you set objectives. And you work on those set of objectives with some guidance, a lot of courses are available on-demand, we can mentor you, but you will have to do things on your own and learn. Experimentation is the key to learning, you have to experience and learn by doing.To the students, I would say find projects and do it, think of some problem that you face that technology can solve and then build that system. The learning would be immense. Simple everyday things, you do not need any big company, or professor to give you a problem.Today it is not at all difficult to develop a mobile app or any application as such. Almost everything is open source, and a lot of free content is available. The only thing that you need to do is think of a project or idea and do the work to ensure you complete it. The project will give you a lot of exposure and experience and most importantly, the breadth that you need to survive today. Expecting a traditional classroom setting to deliver this breadth is not feasible.What’s your mantra to become successful in life?I think for me it is about finding the purpose, or my calling, the passion that I have towards technology. That acts as a strong motivator and keeps me going. I have also been lucky to have great teachers, mentors, colleagues, and friends. I do mostly what my heart says, that brings a lot of passion, and there is no substitute for hard work.What would you like to give back to society?I truly believe that tech can change society, that it can transform society for the better. It can drive efficiencies, enhance the reach, and improve the effectiveness of any program or initiative. If I can facilitate and build technology that can act as a catalyst for a broader social impact, I believe that is the best way I can make an Impact in the society.I can use the skills that I have acquired in building scalable product and platforms, and apply them to social platforms that I can create a small impact.We already work with various organizations that are building large platforms for social impact. We work with Wadhwani Foundation, Arghyam, Socion, and Skill Train on their social platforms. These platforms work towards skill development, employability, vocational skills, and job creation and discovery.Your favorite book and what are you reading now?My reading these days is mostly about management and self-development. At present, I am reading Exponential Organizations by Salim Ismail. I enjoy reading non-fiction and biographies; one of the most influential books for me has been Made in Japan by Akio Morita.What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?I am very enthusiastic and passionate about cars. I follow other car enthusiasts on YouTube, watch some car shows, and I like going on long drives.Achievements (Awards & Recognitions)APAC CIO Outlook Top 10 Agile Solution Provider 2018APAC CIO Outlook Top 10 Agile Solution Provider 2019LinkedIn Top 25 Startups in India 2018ExperienceOver the last ten years as an entrepreneur and leader in helping enterprises and ventures build software technology products that can scale, perform, and integrate well with the tech ecosystem.First Job — My first job was with Tata Motors, I was involved with Manufacturing Planning of Stamping Shop.Education — Bachelor of Technology in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras in 2005Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode in 2009 This article first appeared on https://www.ciol.com/cxo-week-divy-shrivastava-co-founder-ceo-nineleaps/

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Nineleaps – A Place Where Tech Expertise Dances with Limitless Creativity!

Divy Shrivastava and Vivekanand Jha shared a love for coding, software products, and technology platforms. Their drive to know and do more led the techie duo, both IIT-Madras graduates, to establish Nineleaps, a software product tech startup, five years ago.The startup aims to enable digital transformation and help partner companies become future-ready. With a focus on problem solving combined with a unique approach to precision engineering, Nineleaps helps improve and develop new tech products. Divy and Vivekanand founded Nineleaps in 2014, with a focus on creating software products. Today, the startup has customers from diverse segments, including a global retailer, national health insurance infrastructure, cab aggregator, stock trader, and even a chess tournament! Nineleaps has been working with Bay Area startups and Fortune 500 companies, providing highly scalable and performance-driven applications in web, mobile, big data, and analytics. The bootstrapped venture has remained profitable throughout, except for the first year.The seeds of the startup were sown way back in 2008 when the duo reunited through a friend after each had brief stints in the corporate world. They had graduated from IIT-Madras in 2005.“We decided to build something in 2009, but had no clue what to do. We would just code (then) and be happy,” Vivekanand says.One day, a common friend asked for help in creating a technology product, and they successfully created one. This started the Nineleaps journey, where initially they got projects through referrals. Despite the lack of domain knowledge in a few cases, such as a stock exchange and a global chess tournament, their expertise was sought after.“We had no clue about these subjects but decided to take a shot (at it). We were good at solving problems,” Vivekanand says.A learning experience Essentially coders who were problem solvers, their start was rocky as a founding member was poached by a client, and three-fourth of their revenue also went along. That was when Divy and Vivekanand decide to dig in and fight. The years from 2009 to 2013 were a learning experience that cemented the foundation for creation of Nineleaps.As a bootstrapped venture, Nineleaps began with the idea of being hands-on while creating products, and doing more with less.“There was an assumption at that time that firms in India were getting work because of (charging) lower costs but we never believed in that. It became a major pivot for us as our billing rates went up with a change in employee profile,” Vivekanand says.The business model of Nineleaps depends on the type of project. In some cases, it is a one-time payment; in others, they charge a royalty for each product built.Banking on expertiseHaving worked for five years on different projects, Nineleaps has stuck to its fundamental principles. According to Divy, three fundamental blocks help Nineleaps create effective software products - algorithm stacks, data engineering, and services.The expertise in these three areas has helped them create innovative products that are scalable. As a software product creator, the startup remains sector-agnostic yet has an emphasis on segments like retail, mobility, and education. However, it does not have a long list of clients.“Most of our customers come to us through referrals. At any given point, we have four to eight clients who we work very closely with, and build deep relationships,” Divy says.Today, around 60 percent of Nineleaps’ clients are international; the rest are from India. The founders believe they have been honest about their expertise, made no false promises, and have a hunger to learn.“In many cases, we admitted to not knowing a technology to our clients, and that we were willing to learn as we were good at what we do,” Vivekanand recalls.This included programming languages like Java and Python. Hiring the best talentThe tech startup, which has a 450-strong team, as made it to LinkedIn’s list of 25 hottest Indian startup to work for in 2019, the second year in a row . The founders are also proud that many of their employees have been placed in established companies and leading startups. In a way it is also testament to their human capital resources. Attracting and retaining key talent is a key factor in growth, which is why the founders created their own software product that identifies key talent in engineering colleges beyond IITs.“We always wondered if there was a way of knowing the best four individuals in every engineering college,” Vivekanand says.This tech platform conducts aptitude tests, video analytics, etc. It has already completed 21,000 assessments for the core team.“There is a lot of demand for our services, and we look for people who have a product mindset. We need talent aligned to that philosophy,” Divy adds.The future is brightThe founders believe that there is a great opportunity to further sharpen their skills in terms of quality and engineering design.“We have competed against the big guys in the industry and won. Our challenge lies in the discovery of new things,” Vivekanand says. Divy adds, “We understand the market dynamics. We know if we do good work, more will come our way.”The founders are clear about not seeking external funding right now."We are generating enough demand while being cash rich. Even for a presence in a foreign location like Europe or North America, Nineleaps can fund it through internal accruals," they say.Their plans are big, but the logic is simple.“We have always enjoyed what we do and will continue to work that way,” Divy says.This article first appeared at https://yourstory.com/2019/11/tech-product-startup-nineleaps-bengaluru 

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