DearReaders,
Toourutmostdelight,wepresentbeforeyouourlatestmagazineissue, “Top 10 Inspiring Entrepreneurs To Watch In 2022” whichfeaturesbrilliantand visionaryentrepreneurswhoareleadingtheirbusinesseswithafearlessapproach.
Overthepastfewyears,entrepreneurshiphasbecomethetalkofthetown.Productivebusiness conceptsandimplementationtechniqueshaveinspiredthebirthofmanysuccessful organizations.Despitemanydifficultiesandchallenges,newbusinesseshavegrownduetotheir hardworkandconsistency.Today,suchbusinessesheavilycontributetotheeconomiesaround theworld.Amajorcreditbehindthesuccessofthesenewbusinessesgoestoentrepreneurswho arecontinuouslyonapursuitofexcellenceandinnovation.
Whenwestartedplanningforthismagazineissue,wewitnessedhowcreativeandinnovative entrepreneurscanbe.Overthelastcoupleofyears,entrepreneurialleadershiphasbecome paramountasbusinessesrequirecourageouseffortsandbriskpersonalities.Duringourresearch, wenoticedthatsomeleaders,withtheirclearvisionandabilitytohandleallthefunctions diligently,havesincerelyinvestedeffortsinstrategicplanningandcreativity.Forourmagazine issue,wehaveshortlistedsomebestentrepreneurswhoareleadingtheircompaniesto unprecedentedgrowth.Theseinsightfulentrepreneurshavedistinguishedthemselvesintheir respectiveindustrieswiththeirfreshapproachandremarkableskills.
Onthecoverpage,wehavefeaturedJavierGarcia(GeneralPartnerandPresident,Columbus VenturesPartners)—adistinguishedleaderwhoisleveragingsciencetoimprovelife.Javier continuestoseekpromisingscienceopportunitiestoconvertthemintoreal-lifesolutionsthat helppeople.ThismagazinealsoincludeseminentleaderslikeMohammedMubinMallick, AndreaCalcagno,SeemantSehgal,MalikKurdi,andAdamPetrilli.Allofthese entrepreneurshavebeencateringtothelatestmarketdemandsandprovidingthebestservices.
We wish you an insightful read!
Prajakta Zurale Project Editor
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MANAGING
UTKARSH
PROJECT
PRAJAKTA
ROGER
GRAPHIC
POONAM
AAKASH
T“We are lucky to have the opportunity where people instead of going to work and doing their jobs, are going to work to change the world.”
- Dr. Jude Samulski
heconceptofestablishingand runningasuccessfulbusinesshas significantlyevolvedovertheyears. Today’stech-drivenmarketplace requiresbusinessestobeversatileand stayup-to-datewiththelatest advancements.Businessleadershave tobeadepttocatertothemarket needs.However,factorslikepeople, capital,andskillarestillthekey attributestorunningasuccessful business.
Enunciatinghisviewsonthesecore attributes,JavierGarcia(General PartnerandPresidentofColumbus VenturePartners)says, “In my view, people, knowledge, and capital are always the main factors for success, and my role is chiefly to bring them all together. ” Javierisaseasoned entrepreneurandanexpertin investmentandbusinessdevelopment. Leveraginghisover25yearsof experienceinthepharmaceutical, biotechnology,andlifesciences industries,hehasbeenplayinga significantroleinthegrowthof ColumbusVenturePartners.
JavierisaMathematicianbytraining, havingcompletedhisBachelor’s degreeinStatisticsandOperational ResearchfromUniversidad ComplutensedeMadrid.Healsoholds anMBAfromUniversidadPontificia Comillas(ICADE).Alwaysdrivento transformationandcreation,Javier startedhisfirstventureasan entrepreneurrightaftercollege.He developedthefirstsoftwarefor pharmaciesinSpainusingpersonal computersin1986.
In1988,JavierjoinedEliLilly,wherehespent25years. Hehadtheopportunitytoleadthedigitaltransformation ofthecompanyintheareasofscientificandcommercial innovationatagloballevel.Later,hejoinedthe BusinessDevelopmentGroup,wherehelearnedthe importanceofexternalinnovationandhowtocreatean externallydevelopedportfolio.Hisprimary responsibilitywastochallengetheinternalmindsetwith newideasandpossibilities.Javiermentionsthatthejob atLillywasthebestjobinhiscareerthatshapedwhat heisdoingtoday
JavierfoundedColumbusVenturePartnersin2016with DamiaTormo Theideabehindtheestablishmentwas tocreateadifferentbusinessmodelwheninvestingin
biotechnologyandlifesciences.Thismodelenabledthe duotoleadseveraloftheinvestmentsandensurethat therighttechnologyandteamswereassembled. “We do not consider ourselves pure venture capital people but rather entrepreneurs who use venture capital to ensure capital is available for those projects we identify and are ready to lead,” addsJavier.
Javierisparticularlycommittedtoimpactthethingsthat thecompanydoes.Hebelievesthatsocialimpactis criticalasitrevealstherealpurpose,aswellasisa differentiatingfactorthatattractstalent.Thus,Columbus VenturePartnersrealizedthatmanyofitsprojectscould haveagreaterimpactwhichwouldgobeyondthe technologicalgoalandthereturntoitsinvestors.The companycreatedFundacionColumbusinSpainand ColumbusChildren’sFoundationintheUSA.
Thesefoundationsaimtogiveaccesstoadvanced therapiestochildrenwhosufferfromdiseasesthat nobodywouldinvestin—asthereisnoclear economicreturn.Theyhaveestablishedan ambitiousgoal(Target10:advance10ultra-rare diseasesin10years). Itisveryadvancedwithone ofthediseases(AADCdeficiencyalsoknownas infantileParkinson’s)andisworkingonfourother diseaseswithseveralglobalorganizationsand institutions.
Thetransformationthatgenetherapy–promoted bythesefoundations–isbringingtothelivesof thesepatientsisremarkable.Thisisthecaseof Irai,aSpanishgirlwithAADCwho “was a little rag doll” –ashermotherdefinedher–thatnow beginstowalk,talk,andevenattendsschool, somethingunthinkablebeforethesurgery “The Columbus Foundation has changed our lives. It has given us hope,” saysIrai’sfather.
Thecommitmentofthefoundationsextendsto otherraregeneticdiseasesthatarealsobeginning tohopeforacure.Today,blindpeoplecansee, deafpeoplecanhear,paralyzedpeoplecanwalk, andotherswhowerecondemnedtoashortand dependentlifeduetoageneticdisorderarefinding atransformativecure.
Toraisethenecessaryfundstocarryoutitswork, theColumbusFoundationorganizesbenefit concertswithinternationalrenownedartists. “We believe in culture as a tool for personal development and social cohesion,” saysJavier, “that is why we organize these unique concerts in emblematic sites around the world, the last one at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain last fall.”
Inadditiontoraisingfundsforthedevelopmentof promisingscience,themostimportantthing accordingtoJavieristhatColumbusisdirectly involvedinmanagingtheprojectswithknow-how andexpertisethatallowsittoconsistently maximizeeachproject.Thecompanyistargeting newscientificdevelopmentsthathavethepotential
tomakeadifferenceandcontributiontopeoples’ lives.
Columbusinitiallystartedfocusingontherapies, however,verysoonitrealizedthatmanufacturing offeredanewpossibilitythatwouldbalancethe riskoftheportfolio. “New scientific development is not possible without new ways of production. Therefore, for us, it opens a very differentiating option that makes us different from the other VCs in this space, ” mentionsJavier.
BeingatthehelmofColumbus,thethingsthat Javierenjoysthemostareseekingthemost promisingscienceandbusinessopportunities, developingthemoncetheyarevalidated,and turningthemintoreal-lifesolutionsforpeople. Learningfromgreatscientistsandbringingthe ideaintoactionarehisprimaryresponsibilitiesas theGeneralPartnerofColumbus.
Fromhisfirstcompanyrightaftercollegeandthe learningshereceivedtheretoaveryuniquecareer atEliLillythatallowedhimtolearnkey capabilitiesandgetwonderfulexperiences,Javier hashadnumerousgreathighlightsthroughhis career.However,themostprominentand successfulcareerhighlight,accordingtohim,is thecreationofViralgenin2017inSan Sebastian—acompanyfoundedasajointventure withAskBiotoproduceAAVforgenetherapy
AroundColumbusVenturePartners,Javierandhis partnerhavebeencreatinganinnovativeand cutting-edgeecosystemofbiotechandlife sciencescompaniestomeetthegrowingdemand forproductsforclinicaltrialsand commercializationofgenetherapytreatments.
Oneofthemostremarkableresultsofthisbusiness approachisViralgenandtheecosystemthathas beenconsolidatingarounditintheParke CientificoyTecnologicodeGipuzkoa(Basque Country,Spain),whichhasbecomeoneofthe
world’sleadingmanufacturingbiotechnology hubs.
“An interesting detail,” saysJavier, “is that in the street where Viralgen’s facilities are located, there are currently more gene therapy manufacturing companies than in other city in Europe.”
st Beinganentrepreneurinthe21 centuryisnot easy.Javierconsidershimselffortunatetohave greatmentorswhotoldhimtofocusonthelong run.Helearnedearlyonthat—whatmattersis notwhatyoudobuttheimpactofwhatyoudo.
“If you follow this, you will make decisions in your career that could be considered foolish by some people, but they are serving you well,” assertsJavier.Lookingback,hepredominantly valuespeoplewhohelpedhimandintroduced himtothevaluesthatwillbeapartofhisbeing fortherestofhislife.
AccordingtoJavier,idealentrepreneursare thosewhohavethevisiontoimproveothers’ lives.Headdsthatentrepreneursshould—have aclearvision,thinkbig,takeriskswithoutfear offailure,prioritizepeople,andlearnfromand listentopeople’sexperiences.Javieralso believesthatanentrepreneurshouldbealeader andshouldinculcateseveralaspectsof leadershipotherthantheobviousoneslike definingthevisionandempoweringthechange. Javiermentionsthattherearefourkeysto successforabiotechentrepreneur,which include,
• Avisiontoestablishadifferentialposition onwhattheywanttoachieve
• Leadershiptoensuretheyknowhowto drivethevisionandfacechallenges
• Couragetoovercomethebarriersanddeal withsetbacks
• Compassiontounderstandthepatient sufferingandurgency
Management-
URL-www.breachlock.com Founded-2019
Description-BreachLock
Management-
URL-www.cloud4wi.com
Founded-2014
Description-
Management-JavierGarcia(GeneralPartner&President)
URL-www.columbusvp.com
Founded-2016
Description-ColumbusVenturePartnersisan independentventurecapitalthatinvestsinearly-stage opportunitiesinthelifescienceindustry.
Management-KellyWeideman(Co-founder)
URL-www.evolt360.com
Founded-2015
Description-EvoltIOH(InternetofHealth)isa technology-drivenhealthandwellnesscompanythatis poweringconnectedanddigitalhealth.
Management-MalikKurdi(CEOandFounder)
URL-www.exemplarymarketing.com
Founded-2015
Description-ExemplarymarketingisaChicago-based digitalmarketingagencydeliveringaworldwide outstandingmarketingsolution Itofferscomprehensive solutionstovariousbusinessesaroundtheglobe
IG International Pvt ltd.
Management-TarunArora(Director)
URL-www.iginternational.net
Founded-2010
Description-IGInternationalspecializesintheimport, sale,storage,anddistributionofvariousbrandsoffruits acrosstheregion
Management-MohammedMubinMallick(CEO)
URL-www.kiransmart.com
Founded-2019
Description-KiranSmartisthefirstAIHumanoidRobot companyinKuwait.Itworksondeliveringsolutions globallyinthefieldsofRobotics,ArtificialIntelligence, DigitalTransformation,andFintech.
Management-AdamPetrilli(CEOandFounder)
URL-www.netreputation.com
Founded-2015
Description-NetRputationprovidesbusinesseswitha robustandpowerfulwaytoprotectanddefend themselvesonline.Itisleadingtheindustryby constantlyimprovingprocessesanddevelopingmore efficientmethodstoproviderobustresults
Management-CatherineHeald(Co-founder&CEO)
URL-www.remotelands.com
Founded-2006
Description-RemoteLandsprovidesmeaningful personalizedtravelthroughoutAsia Itspurpose, throughitsknowledgeandexperienceintheregion,is tohelpclientsconnecttothepeopleandplacesofAsia
Management-MichaelMikhail(Founder&CEO)
URL-www.strattonequities.com
Founded-2017
Description-StrattonEquitiesistheLeading NationwideDirectHardMoney&NON-QMLender thatspecializesinfastandflexiblelendingprocesses
CEO and Founder
CEO and Founder
Encouraging Brand Integrity with an Innovative Approach
Adam Petrilli
Areputationmanagement strategyinfluencespeopleand increasesbrandawareness. Experiencedleadersintheindustry constituteagreatimpactontheminds ofpeoplethathelpsinbuildingthe brand.Utilizingtheutmosteffortand creativity,theseleadersfleshout solutionsthatwillbuildintegrityfor eachbusinessandcreateapositive, trustworthybrandreputation.
Withsignificantexperiencehandling variousbusinessreputationneeds, AdamPetrilli(CEOandFounderof NetReputation.com)inspirespeople topursuetheirindividualand professionalgoalswhilecontributing tothelong-termgrowthandsuccessof thecompany
TheBeginning
Yearsofexperiencemanagingand operatingsuccessfulbusinesses inspiredAdamtoestablish NetReputation.PriortoNetReputation, Petrillihandledagrowingbusiness withanexcellentreputationfor customersatisfaction.Butdespite glowingtestimonials,hisbusinesshad todealwiththeconflictsontheweb, maliciousreviewsthatweresomehow surpassingtheextensivepositive feedbackhiscompanywasreceiving online.Regardlessofextensive commitmentsofeffortandtimemade tomanagethisfeedback,Petrilli’s companywasstrugglingtorecoverand protectitsgoodname.
Constantmonitoringandnumerous repairattempts,addsAdam,werejust notenoughtofixtheproblem. Moreover,Adamtooknoticeofother businessesfacingsimilarproblems withharmfulreviewsandbadnewson theinternet.Adamcametounderstand theimportanceandneedforastrong reputationprotectionmodeltohelpthe businessesnotonlyovercome maliciouscontentbuttoprotecttheir brandsoverthelongterm.Asaresult, Adamwasmotivatedtodevelopexpert reputationresourcesandsolutionsthat wouldhelpbusinessesgetresults,level thedigitalplayingfield,andprovidea solidcompetitiveedge.In2015, NetReputationwasestablishedto providebusinessesarobustand powerfulwaytoprotectanddefend themselvesonline.
Adamremarksthatmanagingnegative searchresults,newsstories,andfake reviewscanbeverydemandingand time-consuming.Forthoserunninga business,itcanputone’spatienceto thetest.ThroughNetReputation, companieshavetheprocessesand technologiesneededtoprotectonline brandintegritywithouttakingtimeand resourcesawayfromwhatmatters.The reputationrepairandmaintenance solutionsofferedbyNetReputation delivergreatresultswhileoffering entrepreneurs,executives,andbrands thepeaceofmindrequiredtofocuson thefuture.
Aprocessofthoroughonlineanalysis, comprehensiveprogramdevelopment, keywordresearch,contentcreation, multiplatformpublication,and advancedtechnology-alongwithan unwaveringfocusonclientsatisfaction -havemadeNetReputationagreat success.Thisprocessincludescontent removalandsuppression,reviewand socialmediamanagement,search engineoptimization,traditionaland digitalmarketing,andmuchmore.
NetReputationkeepsleadingthe industrybyconstantlyimproving processesanddevelopingmore efficientmethodstoproviderobust digitalresults.ItisNetReputation’s relentlesscommitmenttoinnovation, saysAdam,thatisthekeytothe company’ssuccess,andhebelievesit isalsothedrivingforcebehindthe company’sexcellentcustomer satisfactionrates.
Thecompanystaystruetoitsindustryleadingcommitmenttoresearchand development.Sofar,NetReputation hashelpedcountlessbusinessesthat haveexperiencedfailurewithother ORMfirms.NetReputation’steamof expertsisalwaysworkingand exploringnewoptionssoastoprovide uniquesolutionsnotpreviously exploredorconsideredbycompetitors. InnovationatNetReputationshapesthe approach,processes,technologies,and theabilitytodeliverthesolutionsas promised.
NetReputationisaresults-driven company.UntiltheNetReputationteam uncoversthetoolsandprocessesthat improveresultsandprovideclients onlinesuccess,itcontinuesthework. NetReputationprovidescomplete solutionsthatempowermore compellingbrandreputationsandhigher visibilityoverthelongterm.Itbuilds robustsolutionsthatprotectbrandsand ensurelastingconnectionswiththeir customers.
AsNetReputationCEO,Adamhas successfullysupervisedthecompany’s operationsformorethansevenyears. Asaleader,hespearheadsateamof professionalswhohelptomaintain leadershipintheORMindustry BuildingNetReputationintoan industry-leadingsuccessstoryisoneof hisproudestaccomplishments. Additionally,heisproudtosupportthe Be Like Brit Foundation, an organizationthathelpsneedychildren inHaiti.
NetReputationhasbeenblessedwithan excellentteam.Itispeople,anda cultureofcollaboration,thathave fueledthecompany’ssuccessand growthintoanexceptional,world-class ORMorganization.Asemploymentisa vitalaspectoftheorganization,ithires onlythebestandbrightestindividuals,
“OPPORTUNITIES COME INFREQUENTLY. WHEN IT RAINS GOLD, PUT OUT THE BUCKET, NOT THE THIMBLE.”
- WARREN BUFFET
thosewhounderstandandsharethevaluesofthecompanyandwhoare committedtoservingeachclientproperly.Thisteamofexpertshasdelivered excellentresultstothecustomers.
Asanentrepreneur,Adamunderstandsthechallengesofbuildingand defendinganorganizationfacingthethreatsofviralvideosandnegative remarksinthenews.Tobeasuccessfulentrepreneur,anindividualmustbe passionate,dedicated,andstrivingforinnovationthatneverstops. “One has to keep surpassing one’s achievements and raising one’s standards to be yourself.” saysAdam.
AccordingtoAdam,anopennesstolearning,thrivingforinnovation,and welcomingandencouragingthecontributionsofotherpeoplecanmakean idealentrepreneur.Leadershipisavitalaspectofanentrepreneur’sjourney
Anentrepreneurcanonlybesuccessfulifheleadsothers,communicates effectively,andinspiresothers.Newideascanonlybenourishedifagroup adaptswhatatalentedleaderhascreated.
A Powerful Leader Directing A Comprehensive Platform For Location Services CEO and Co-Founder
Deliveringanoutstanding customerexperienceincreases thecompany’srevenueand ultimategrowth.Strongleadershipis builtwitharobustfoundationof integrityandhonesty.Aleaderneedsto bereadytofacethedifficultiesinthe day-to-dayworkculturealongwitha strongandpowerfulcommitmentto theteamandthecompany’sclientsand shareholders.Witharemarkable leadershipstyle,AndreaCalcagno (CEOandCo-Founder,Cloud4Wi) remainsattheforefrontoftheindustry. “I believe that I bring a leadership style that is unique in the daily execution with example … show how to execute and not only ask your team to do it and bring them the confidence that you are daily at the front with them,” saysAndreaCalcagno.
Andreahasaneminentcareerpathand asplendideducationalandprofessional journey.Heholdsamaster’sdegree (summacumlaude-Highestdistinction degreeinLatin)intelecommunications engineeringfromtheUniversityof Pisa.Andreastartedhiscareerby joiningTelcomItaliaLabsinTurinand hasperformedadvancedresearchand developmentactivitiesonmobile accessnetworksandreceived internationalpatentsonmobile broadbandarchitectures.Hehas workedinretail,technologyvendor, andtelco-mediamarketsbuildinga primaryprofessionalconnectionwith
keyexecutivesonaglobalscaleinthe topFortune500.
Andrearealizedthatthereisa possibilityofbringingeasysolutionsto themarketthathelpunderstand customerbehaviorsinthephysical worldanddesignbreakthrough journeysthatresonatewithcustomers. AlongwithDavideQuadrini(CTO andBoardMember),Andreafounded Cloud4WiinFebruary2014witha groupoffewpeoplewhocontinueto remainactivemembersoftheteam.
Cloud4Wiwasinitiallyheadquartered inPisa,Italy.Laterin2014,afterthe Series A Financing roundfromUnited Ventures,thecompanymovedits corporateofficestoSanFrancisco.In October2017,thecompanycloseda dealof$11.5millionat Series B Financing round, bringingthetotal investmentinthecompanyaround $15.5million.Theroundwasco-ledby OpusCapitalandUnitedVentures.In 2019,thecompanymovedtoNew YorkCitytoexpandthebusiness globallyandboostgrowthintheUSA. Thoughthecorporateofficesare movedtoNewYork,tobuildlong-term relationshipswiththeSiliconValley vendors,SanFranciscoremainsthe headofficeofthecompany
DistinctivePlatform
Cloud4Wiprovidesacomprehensive
platformforlocationservicesthat helpscompaniesgaintrustandloyalty aswellasrevenuebydeliveringthe bestcustomerjourneys.With Cloud4Wiandacent-percentconsentbasedapproach,companiesgain visibilityovercustomerbehaviors, bothinsideandoutsideoftheir respectivelocations.
Thisenablescompaniestobuilda 360-degreeviewoftheircustomers, includingbehaviorsinthephysical world,andreachouttotheright customersattherightmoment–atthe rightplaceandtime.
Cloud4Wihasauniqueandholistic approachwhichmakesitdistinctinthe marketplace.Itunlocksnumerous mobile-focusedusecaseswithand withoutmobileapplications,insideand outsidethecompanylocations. Cloud4Wialsoprovides50+ready-touseconnectorsthathelpitsclients bringcustomerlocationdataintotheir existingmartechstack,anda comprehensivecomplianceframework, enablingcompaniestobecompliant withthedataprotectionregulationson aglobalscale.
Andrealeadsthecompanybyserving asacoachandguidingthestaffto accomplishthestrategicand operationalgoals.Duetoitsdaily execution,Cloud4Wiprovidesoneof
“Often any decision, even the wrong decision, is better than no decision.” —Ben Horowitz
thebestsolutionstothemarkettofill theonlineandofflinegapforenterprise businessesbringingacompetitive advantageforitscustomerjourney strategy.Thecompanyraisedmore than20MUSDfromVentureCapitals andFamilyoffices.Ithasexpandedthe businessworldwidealongwith100+ globallargeenterprisesand60K+ activelocations.Currently,ithasmore than150Mmobileusers.
Andreaconsidershimselfblessedto haveanexcellentteamthatbelievesin thesamevaluesandhasthesame commitment. “When you spend more than 12 hours working, you need to feel that you are part of a family and I hope that my team has this feeling,” he quotes.Heopensupwiththe
employeesandsharesbothgoodand badthingswiththem.Inaddition,he supportshisstaffindifficulttimesand ensuresthateveryproblemhasa solution.
Entrepreneurshipischallengingand leadersmustsurpassthedifficulties througheffortsandhardwork.Ideal entrepreneursmustfollowthemission ofbuildingandbringingvaluefortheir customersandstockholdersdaily. Whenaskedabouttheideal entrepreneur,Andreanames ‘Ben Horowitz’ andaddsthatthebook“The HardThingAboutHardThings”by himhasinfluencedhimalot.
AccordingtoAndrea,leadershipplays animportantroleinthedevelopment
ofthecompanyaswellasthe individualgrowthoftheleader Leadershipisthekeytobuildinga communityofpeopleandlong-term success.
Andreabelievesthatonemuststand aloneintheraceofbusiness.Thus,he emphasizestheimportanceofpartners inthebusiness.Abusinesspartnerisa sourceoftrustandhelpaswellas providesdirectionstothinkfroma differentperspective.Such perspectivesareneededtomakethe rightdecisionsatrighttime. “A good leader cannot pull himself to take fast decisions,” concludesAndrea.
Intermsofproductivityandcommuting,virtualofficebenefitsorganizationsaswellasemployeestoagreatextent.Since
theonsetofthepandemic,workfromhomehasbecomeanewnormandcontinuestobeimplementedbyvarious organizationsforefficientoperations.
Aftertheintroductionofcloud-basedservices,severalbusinesseshaveadoptedlatesttechnologiestostreamlinetheir operationsandincreaseprofits.Moreover,thepandemichasalsoledtoasurgeinremoteworkingmakingpeopleawareof thebenefitsofavirtualoffice.
AccordingtoresearchconductedbyPorch,itisconfirmedthatremoteworkersoremployeesworkingfromhomeare comparativelymoresatisfiedandproductivethanemployeeswhoareattendingoffices.
Avirtualofficeprovidesbusinesseswithaphysicaladdressandphonenumberalongwithotheroffice-relatedservices.As aresult,overheadoflongleaseandadministrativestaffisavoided.Moreover,virtualofficesallowpeopletoworkremotely fromanywhereintheworld.
Virtualofficesaretypicallybeneficialandidealforsmallbusinesses.Theycanalsoservegreatimportanceforlarge organizationswhereseveralemployeescanworkremotelyoroccasionallyfromavirtualofficespace.
Followingarethebenefitsofvirtualoffices:
1.
Sinceremoteworkallowsemployeestoworkfrom theirpreferredlocation,theydonothavetospend timeandeffortcommutingtotheofficeeveryday Thisallowsemployeestospendmoretimeonwork therebyincreasingproductivityandefficiency
2.
Virtualofficesprovidebusinesseswithmore flexibilitytohireworldwidetalent.Thereisno limitationfororganizationstohireonlyfroma specificregionastheiremployeescanworkremotely fromanywhereintheworld.Thisallowsbusinessesto hiretalentedstafffromacrosstheworldandhelps organizationstoincreasetheirefficiencyandprofitsin thelongrun.
3.LowerOverheadCosts:
Therearevariouschargesinvolvedinaphysical locationset-uplikerent,electricity,furniture,utilities, laborers,equipment,hardware,andmanyother amenities.Sincebusinesseswithvirtualofficesdonot requireaphysicalset-up,allcostsrelatedtotheset-up andmaintenanceofanofficebuildingaresaved.Thus, virtualofficesallowbusinessestosavetheirclient budgetandfunctionmoreeffectivelybypreventing themfrommiscellaneousexpenditure.
4.LessTechnologicalExpenses:
Aphysicalofficesettingrequiresalotofinvestment andexpenseontechnology.Someofthemost commonexpensesincurredarecomputers,headsets, softwareupgradation,hardwaremaintenance,system update,malwaresecuritytools,andothers.Incaseof virtualoffice,itbecomestheresponsibilityofthe employeestoarrangeandtakecareofthesethings. Therefore,thesecostsandexpensesgeteliminated
enablingorganizationstofocusmoreontheir operations.
5.IncreasedProductivity:
Avirtualofficeenvironmentprovidesemployeeswith moreflexibilityofworkandreducedstresswhich resultsinincreasedproductivity.Recentresearchby HarvardBusinessReviewconfirmsthatvirtualoffice improvesemployee’sproductivity Employeesworkingremotelyfeelcomparativelylow stressedandcanworkpeacefullywhileenjoyingtheir privacy.Thismotivatesthemtoputinextraeffortto achieveworktargetstherebyincreasingproductivity
6.
Virtualofficeculturereducestheinstancesof unplannedorunscheduledleavesasemployeescan adjusttheirtimeandsituationinaccordancetotheir workschedule.Sinceemployeesworkremotely,they canmanageminorhealthissuesorfamily commitmentswithoutimpactingtheirworkschedule.
Avirtualofficeallowsbusinessestoeasilyexpand theiroperationswithoutworryingaboutvarious factorssuchasofficespace,availabilityofresources, rent,andmanymore.However,businesseswith physicalofficesetupneedtoplankeepingallofthese factorsinmind–makingitatediousanddifficultjob.
8.
Operationofaphysicalofficeleadstowastageof resources,disposalofwaste,andcommutethatcan causealotofdamagetotheenvironment.Therefore, settingupabusinesswithvirtualofficescanreduce andeliminatewastageanddepletionofresources contributingtoenvironment-friendlypractices.
9.LowerAttrition:
Remoteworkallowsemployeeswithmoreflexibility andapeacefulworkenvironmentleadingtoincreased employeesatisfaction.Higherthesatisfactionof employees,lowertheattritionrateoftheorganization.
BenefitsofVirtualOfficeforEmployees
Avirtualofficeset-upnotonlybenefitsbusiness organizationsbutalsoitsemployees.Someofthe majorbenefitsofavirtualofficeforemployeesare:
1.ImprovedWork-LifeBalance:
Sinceemployeescanworkremotely,ithelpsthem focusonreducingstresslevelsbyallowingthemto workmoreefficientlyandspendqualitytimewith familyandfriends.Virtualofficebenefitsemployees byhelpingthemmaintainanoptimumlevelofworklifebalance.Anappropriatework-lifebalancehelps employeestofocusontheirdailyroutineandeating habitsmakingthemphysicallyfit.
2.IncreasedFlexibility:
Virtualofficesenableemployeeswithmoreflexibility ofworkbymotivatingthemandkeepingthem focusedontheirwork.Peoplecanchoosetheirown workspaceandworkfromanywhereinthe world–evenwhiletraveling.Thisflexibility encouragesemployeestobemoresatisfiedandstressfree,therebyencouragingthemtoworkmore efficiently
3.Mental&PhysicalWell-Being:
Virtualofficebenefitsthementalandphysicalwellbeingoftheemployeesbykeepingthemawayfrom workplacestress,bullying,andpolitics.Thisallows themtoworkpeacefullywithanincreasedfocuson workaswellasfamily
4.ReductioninExpenses:
Avirtualofficecontributestoreductionofextra expensesofemployees.Employeeswillnothaveto spendfortravelingtowork,havingfoodinthe canteen,etc.Therefore,avirtualofficereducesalotof extraexpensestobehandledbytheemployees.
SteppingintheDigitalEra
Virtualofficebenefitshaveenabledorganizationsto focusmoreontechnologicaladvancementand innovation.Variousorganizationsareinvestingin researchanddevelopmentenvisioningthefutureof virtualofficesreducingtheirunfavourableimpactand challenges.Onesuchresearchtitled“TheVirtual OfficeoftheFuture:AreCentralizedWorkplaces Obsolete?”hasbeenperformedbyMicrosoft.Virtual officeisnotjustaconceptbutthelatesttrendthatis beingadoptedbyalotofbusinessorganizations nowadaysincludingstart-ups.Italsomakesiteasier forstart-upstoestablishtheirbusinesswithlow investmentandcapitalandhelpestablishedbusinesses toincreasetheirprofits.
Founder and CEO
Thedynamicsofleadership
havesignificantlychanged overthepastfewyears.The traditionaldefinitionofleadership, whichisprimarilyencircledaround managingthecompanyandteam,is slowlybecomingobsoletewithtime. Today'scompetitivebusinessworld demandsleaderstobeproactivewhile alsokeepingtheireyesonthelatest trendsandopportunities.
Expressinghisviewsonchanging leadershipstyles,MalikKurdi (FounderandCEOofExemplary Marketing)says, “Leadership has changed over the years in a various amount of ways that being it has grown in ways where you have to make splitsecond decisions in a matter of seconds. If you are a leader, people look up to you and there is really no asking for help.” Malikisadexterous leaderwhohasbeenconstantlystriving forexcellenceandimmensely contributingtothecompany’sgrowth.
Sincechildhood,Malikalwaysdesired tooperatehisownbusiness.After completinganassociatedegreein computerscience,hedecidedtogoon hisowninthesecondyearofhis college.Realizingthatcollegewasn’t forhim,Maliktookariskand establishedExemplaryMarketingin 2015.Withtheestablishmentofthe company,Malikdesiredtobeincharge ofhisdestinyandaimstoprovidea
betterlifeforhisfamily.
ExemplarymarketingisaChicagobaseddigitalmarketingagency deliveringaworldwideoutstanding marketingsolution.Thecompany offerscomprehensivesolutionsto variousbusinessesaroundtheglobe. “Started in 2015 as a marketing agency, we gradually shifted over to the technological side of things,” says Malik.
Besidesmarketingsolutions, ExemplaryMarketingoffers outstandingserviceslikeapplication design&development,blockchain development,kioskdevelopment,etc. Thecompany’steamofexpertsis responsibleforeveryprovided solution’ssecurity,reliability,and efficiency.ExemplaryMarketingis morethanasolutionprovider.Itworks asatroubleshooterhubforitsclients’ everypossibleproblem.
ExemplaryMarketing’sservices includeeverysortofsocialmedia strategiesservices.Alongside providingservicesandsolutions,the companyalsofocusesonoptimizingits clients’performanceonsocialmedia platformssuchasInstagram, Facebook,LinkedIn,andTwitter.It alsodesignsanddevelopseye-catching andaestheticallypleasingwebsitesfor
itsclients.Fromday-to-daysocial mediamanagementtoadvertising campaignsandwebsitedevelopment, ExemplaryMarketingiscommittedto helpingitsclientsallthewaythrough. Herearesomeoftheprominent servicesandsolutionsofferedbythe company.
• WebDesign:
ThecompanycreatesuniqueUI/UX designsofwebsitesthatareattentiongrabbingandhaveauser-friendly interface.TheUSPofthesewebsitesis thattheinterfaceisresponsiveandcan beeasilyoperatedfromanysystem.
• SEOServices:
ExemplaryMarketingprovidestailormadeSEOservicesbyanalyzingthe clients’websitecontent,mappingcode, andkeyworddensitytoimprovetheir presenceonsearchengines.
• EmailMarketing:
Thecompanycreatesengagingemails thatenticetheclients’audience, ultimatelyhelpingthemaccelerate theirsalescycle.Italsodesigns newsletteranddripcampaignswith compellingtextsthatpromptreadersto clickontheAddToCartbutton.
• AppDevelopment:
ExemplaryMarketingprovidesits clientswiththemostcompetitive
applicationstomeetallIT-related requirements.Thecompany specializesinbothiOSandAndroid basedapplicationdevelopment.Its expertsworktirelesslytocodeand designauniquefive-screen applicationtolettheclientslead.
• ArtificialIntelligence:
ThecompanyhasateamofAI expertswhoarewell-versedinthe areaofmachinelearning,natural languageprocessing,speech recognition,etc.Itshapestheclients’ businesstoanastuteunderstanding ofmodernframeworksandbusiness.
• CRM:
ExemplaryMarketingprovidesits clientswithafullyintegratedCRM thatguaranteesafuture-proofdigital transformation.TheCRMletsthem handletheircustomersmore efficientlywithinapocket-friendly offer.
• SAAS:
Thecompanydeliverstheclients withthemostoutstandingondemandsoftwaretohelptheir businessgrow.Theclientsget softwarethatislicensedona subscriptionbasisandiscentrally hosted.
ExemplaryMarketinghasateamof skilledsoftwaredevelopers,UX architects,designers,andQA engineersthataredriventoproduce impactfulsolutionsfortheclients’ business.Theteamhastogether deliveredthousandsofsolutionsfor helpingbusinessesexpandatarapid scale.Thecompanyunderstandsthe challengesofworkingwitharemote teamandthusitfocuseson
providingtheemployeeswithan experiencethatfeelslikehome.
Asuccessfulteam,however,is incompletewithoutazealousleader. Alongsidesettingthecompany’s missionandvision,aleadermustset anexamplebyleadingfromthe front.Exhibitingtheidealqualities ofamodernleader,Malikhelmsthe teamofExemplaryMarketing. “As the CEO, my primary responsibility is ensuring the smooth running of all the operations from finance to workflow and marketing,” asserts Malik.Forhim,beingaCEOis joyfulandhereallylovesit.
TheonsetoftheCOVID-19 pandemicbroughtseveral disruptionstothebusinessworld, thankstotherapidshifttowards remoteoperationsanddigital-based businessstrategies.Whilesome companieswereseverelyimpacted bytheshift,somemanagedto successfullyadapttothenewnormal andthrive.ExemplaryMarketing wasamongthelatter
Unlikeseveralothercompanies,the COVID-19pandemicbroughtmore businessthaneverforExemplary Marketing.Thankstopeopleusing theirphonesandcomputers extensively,thecompanywitnessed morerevenueandclientsthanin previousyears.Headingintothe pandemic,thecompanyspecialized inmobileapplicationdevelopment anddesign.Enunciatingthe company’scurrentandfutureplans, Malikadds, “We are now getting into blockchain development and creating virtual reality.”
“I ASPIRE ALL YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO NEVER GIVE UP NO MATTER HOW HARD OR LONG IT TAKES. KEEP STRIVING. THE ONES WHO MAKE IT ARE THE ONES WHO NEVER GIVE UP.”
Mohammed Mubin Mallick Founder and CEO
Overtheyears,wehavebeen wonderinghowrobotswillbe performingmostofourtasks tomakeourliveseasier.Wehave alreadystartedlivingthisdreamwhere theworldisturningintoasmartworld. Turningourdreamsintorealityand bringingaboutaroboticrevolutionto theworld,MohammedMubin Mallick,avisionaryleaderandarobot enthusiast,foundedKiranSmartin 2019—thefirstAIHumanoidRobot companyinKuwait.
Throughself-motivationand determination,Mohammedclimbedup theladderofsuccesstoreachwherehe isnow.Beingborninavillage,hehad atoughtimecompletinghiseducation ashedidn’tknowanyotherlanguage excepthisnativelanguagei.e., Bengali.Hefacedseveralchallenges andobstaclesthroughouthis educationaljourneyashewasunable tospeakandunderstandEnglish. However,withhardworkand consistency,hegraduallylearnedto handlethingsandsuccessfully completedhiseducation,andwenton topursueMBAinMarketingfrom CardiffUniversity,UK.
Furtherexploringhispotentialand pursuinghisinterestinthefieldof
technology,Mohammedstartedhis professionaljourneyinInformation Technology.Despitehavingno educationalbackgroundrelatedtothis field,hecontinuedtoworkharderand prosper.Bygraduallygainingmore experienceandknowledge,heis currentlyaninnovatorandworkson providinglatesttechnologicalsolutions worldwidethroughhiscompany
KiranSmartworksondelivering solutionsgloballyinthefieldsof Robotics,ArtificialIntelligence,Digital Transformation,andFintech.The companywasestablishedwiththe mainintenttocreatejobsandprovide financialassistancetopeopleand donatesomeoftheprofittopoor people.Prominentlyworkingon providingITInfrastructureSolutions, KiranSmartprovidesservices includingnetworking,WiFi,security, structuredcabling,andrentalservices. Additionally,withsuchrapid advancementsinthefieldof technology,thecompanyhasalso startedprovidingsolutionsindigital transformation,ArtificialIntelligence, Robotics,IoT,fintech,andvirtual reality.Moreover,duringtheCOVID19pandemic,KiranSmartserved disinfectionrobotsthatprovided
disinfectingservicestothemarket.
Beingatthehelm,Mohammedhasa majorresponsibilityandcontribution towardsthefunctioningofthe company.Playingtheroleofaleaderis atoughchallengeandnotaneasytask. However,henurturesthecompanyas hisownchild—contributingtoits immensegrowthandsuccess.Asapart ofthisrole,Mohammedconstantly conductsresearchonthelatestmarket trendsonadvancedtechnologythat helpsKiranSmartstayupdatedandbe aheadofitscompetitors.
Additionally,astheCEO,heensuresto lookafterhisemployees,customers, distributors,manufacturers,and partnersandkeepeveryonehappyand satisfied.Heisanexceptionalleader whotreatsallhisemployeesequally withrespectandkindness.Hesolves theirproblemsatpriority,shareshis knowledgewithotherstohelpthemto grow,andalwaysprovideshissupport. Mohammedhasreceivedseveral awardsandachievementsfor portrayinghisexcellencethroughout hiscareer.Someoftheprestigious awardswonbyhimincludetheMost AdmiredGlobalIndian2020,Global ChoiceAwardforbeingSerial Entrepreneur,Top10pioneeringCEOs
tofollowin2021,andDynamic CEOs2021amongseveralothers.
Mohammedspearheadsadiverse andsmartteamoftalented individuals.Theteamisamixtureof differentnationalitiesandexpertise combinedwithskilled,semi-skilled, andnon-skilledemployees.“Kiran Smart team is really smart and that is the reason the word smart is attached to our company name”, saysMohammed.Hehasgreatlove andrespectforeveryoneinthe companyandtreatseverymemberas apartofhisownfamily.
Tomakethemfeellikeapartofthe family,hetalkstoeverymember personallyandasksthemabouttheir familyissues,financialandpersonal issues,healthissues,andalsoabout theirfamilyvacationsandouting plans.Heisalsoconsiderateabout givingextraholidayorearlyleave forthedayifrequiredsothatthe employeesfeelwelltreated.His teammembersalsovaluehisefforts andcontributionsandtreathimwith equalloveandrespect. “They love me so much which make them call me as ‘Brother Mubin’instead of Sir or Boss”,addsMohammed.
Throughouthisentrepreneurial journey,Mohammedhasovercome numerousobstaclesandchallenges throughinnovativestrategic planninganddedication.Inhis opinion,entrepreneurshipisa challenginganddemandingfield wherenewentrepreneursare constantlyemerginginthemarket
everydaywithnewinnovative techniques.
However,heconstantlyworkswith histeamtointroduceinnovative productsandservicesasperthe latestmarkettrends.Hisideologyof entrepreneurship, “Take the Challenges and Win it with a Smile,” makeshimauniqueandinspiring entrepreneur.
Mohammedbelievesthatleadership isoneofthemostimportantskills andcharacterthatshouldbe possessedbyeveryentrepreneurto growandbecomesuccessful.Agreat leaderisabletohandlehisteam muchmoreefficiently.Healso believesthatanefficientleader spearheadstheteamandhelpsthem growbyavoidingorsolvingalltheir problems/issues.Sincealeaderhas experienceindifferentscenariosand problemsrelatedtothebusiness environment,itmakesthemmore efficientinsolvingcomplex scenarios.
Mohammedfurtherbelievesthata leaderalwaysguideshisteamtothe correctpathleadingtosuccessand ensuresthattheydonotfail.Agood leadermusthaveaproper understandingofteampsychologyto strengthenhisteamandprovide propersupport.Anothermajorrole ofaleader,asperMohammed,isto choosefutureleadersamongthe teamandpreparethemtoleadthe futureforsuccess,andtohavea betterlifeintheprofessionalaswell asonthepersonalfront.
“ONE MUST HAVE PATIENCE AND NEVER GIVE UP UNLESS THEY REACH THEIR GOALS.”
A Zealous Leader with an Innate Entrepreneurial Spirit CEO and Founder
Seemant Sehgal
Inthepresenttimes,categorizing leadershipintodifferentstylesis verymainstream.Leadersare oftendistinguishedbasedontheir uniquestylesorpersonality To understandleadership,bothnature(the geneticcomponent)andnurture(the environmentalinfluences)mustbe considered.
“Inmyopinionleadershipisnot aboutpickingoneoranotherstyle. It’saprocessofcontinuousselfdiscovery,”assertsSeemantSehgal (CEOandFounderofBreachLock). Asaleadingentrepreneur,Seemanthas builtseveralhigh-performingteams cuttingacrossculturesand geographicalboundaries.Duringthis process,helearnedthatleadershipisas simpleasempoweringothersto succeed,whichcancomefrom definingaclearvision,articulatingitin aneasy-to-understandformat,and facilitatinganenvironmentwherethe teamcanexecute.
Speakingofhiseducational background,Seemantrecallsnever beingfascinatedorexcitedbyformal education.Withthatbeingsaid,hedid, however,gothroughtheeducational processandpursuedanMBAdegree fromarecognizedIndianB-School. However,heexperiencedacomplete turnaroundwhenhestartedhis professionaljourney.Duringthetwo decadesofhiscybersecuritycareer,he workedwithsomeofthemosttalented peopleintheindustryandearnedthe opportunitytobecoachedbythe
brightestgloballeaders.
In2019,SeemantstartedBreachLock afterrecognizingthattheindustrywas spendingfarmoreonaddingmore securitytoolingthantestingtoconfirm ifanyofitdeliverstheexpectedROI. Theautomatedsolutionstotest securitywerenotpreciseandthe consultingapproach,thoughprecise, wasnotscalable.Seemantbelieves eachprocesshasitsmeritsand weaknesses.Hebeganwonderingifit waspossibletocombineboth approachesforbetterresultsandwent ontodoso.BreachLockcreatedPen TestingasaService(PTaaS)that combinesthecreativityofhumanswith thescalabilityofmachines.
BreachLockisapioneerinthe PenTestingasaServicespace.The companyoffersacloud-basedsecurity platformtogivecustomersthe optimumspeed,accessibility, scalability,andcost-effectivenessfrom itscontinuouspentesting.BreachLock standsoutinthecrowdedsecurity marketwithitsfollowingexclusivities:
• Cloud-basedPlatform:
Withinhisdecades-longexperiencein thecybersecurityindustry,Seemanthas witnessedanacceleratedshifttothe cloudandhasalwaysbelievedthat cybersecuritymustadapttothis change.Cloud-basedsecurity platformslikeBreachLockmakeit possibleforcompaniestosecuretheir assetsasfastastheydevelopthem
• Providesautomatedandmanual securitytesting:
Mostsecurityvendorseitheruse scannerstocheckforvulnerabilitiesor havehumanconsultantsevaluatean attacksurfaceusingachecklist.Ifthey discovervulnerabilities,theydonot followup,assumingthecustomer’s securityteamfixedthosebugs.Unlike legacyvendors,BreachLockhas combinedautomatedtoolslikeAIwith securityexpertsandre-testsattack surfacestoensurethatthecustomer fixedanyexistingbugs.
“It’s crucial for an entrepreneur to listen to the market and respond to what people need. BreachLock was created with customers in mind,” remarksSeemant.
Atthehelm,Seemantfocuseson buildingagreatteam,empowering themtosucceed,andcastingaclear visionthatispracticallyexecutable.He alsoensuresthatthecompany maintainsitspromisestoclients, employees,andvendors.
UnderSeemant’sstewardship, BreachLockhasearnedwide recognition.In2019,thecompanywas pickedfortheIndustryInnovator awardbySCMagazine.Despitethe pandemic,thecompanyhasgrown 100%YoYandcurrentlyservesover 600clientsacrosstheUSandUK.In addition,thecompanyhasalsobeen recognizedasamarketdisruptorby severalleadingindustryanalysts.In 2021,itwasacknowledgedbyGartner
“Success is a factor of your relentless pursuit, opportunities, guidance and experiences life presents to you. Don't forget what you have is a blessing. Share it and let it last beyond you.”
– Seemant Sehgal
asasamplevendorinthePen esting asaService(PTaaS)space.
Astheleader,Seemantspearheads theyoungteamofmission-driven professionalsatBreachLock.The company’shiringprocessis exhaustive,Seemantadds,searching forprofessionalswhoareexcited aboutBreachLock’swork.
Theteamisambitiousaboutits missionofchangingthewaythe industryperceivespentestingand aimstomakeitsimpler,easier,and morescalable.Astheleader, Seemant’sfocusisonsharinghis experiencewithhisteamwhile givingthemtheautonomytosolve real-worldproblemstheirownway
Seemantbelievesentrepreneurshipis apaththatpresentsyouwithone challengeafteranother,andinmany cases,multiplechallengesatthe sametime.Theonlyway,he recommends,toovercomethose challengesistotrulyunderstandwhy onechosetobecomeanentrepreneur inthefirstplace.Atthesametime,it isalsoimportanttobeself-aware,he says.Self-reflectionandawareness arepivotaltothesuccessofany entrepreneurandwithoutthat,course correctioncannotbeachieved.
Furtherelaboratinghistakeon entrepreneurship,Seemantexplains: “Entrepreneurship for me is scaling your abilities in a way that it transcends yourself and becomes an institution that can operate
seamlessly, independently, efficiently, and ultimately beyond you.” Headds thatanyentrepreneurwhoisfully committedtobuildingsuchan institutionandiscapableofinspiring otherbrightmindstojointhemin theirpursuitisanidealentrepreneur Thescaleofthepursuitmaychange withthegoalsandpotentialofthe peopleinvolvedwithit.However,the processtoachievetheoutcome remainsthesame.
Lastly,Seemantbelievesthatifone exchangestheirtimeformoney,they arenotanentrepreneur
Entrepreneurshipisaboutcreatingan enterpriseoraninstitutionthatcan functionwithorwithoutthefounder
Thissuggeststhatanindividual needstoworkwithotherindividuals andcontinuouslyinspirethemto contributetowardsacommon goal—whichisleadershipinaction.
UnderstandingtheCruxof EntrepreneurshipwithSeemant
