Met with some folks at TeNet and related companies at IIT Chennai. I think this group has some of the most amazing innovations sitting in there, with a vision to bring connectivity and applications to rural India. While the success of CorDECT and Midas is well known, its the vision in entirety which gets most compelling. The system revolves around nLogue (the operator — they have ISP license to run these services) providing a village kiosk, a multimedia PC, to a village entrepreneur, and starts building on top:
1. A 15000 rupee medical diagnostics kit, which in conjunction with videoconferencing, enables doctors to remotely prescribe (not just give general advise) for common ailments. Competitive products cost 5x or more.
2. A 50000 rupee ATM, which uses the kiosk, and builds on top, to bring banking to villages (ICICI is participating) — competing products cost 5x or more.
3. A 50000 rupee microGSM technology, which enables 100 rupee/month unlimited in-district service, based on softswitch which sits on the same kiosk — similar capex/line is otherwise achievable only at high subscriber density)
4. Using rural workforce for ITES/BPO services, allowing them to earn a livelihood.
5. A 5000 rupee thin client based computer/IPTV (monitor extra — through affiliated venture, novatium)
6. A local language word processing tool
The list goes on; collectively, something that could change the face of rural India. Audacious, and thankfully, audacious enough. The rural entrepreneur can start with the kiosk and keep adding modules (and revenues!) as business starts coming in.
The good part is that this vision is the core, and each of the companies mentioned above are then free to pursue their own commercial objectives as well (which might not be tied to just rural telephony).
- Promoters or Entrepreneurs – A choice for Private Equity players - August 3, 2019
- Startup Marathon Mindset - March 25, 2019
- What’s your Customer Culture? - March 4, 2019
vijay, will be happy to hear about your plans – do share either on a post or mail me
Hi Alok,
I have had the priviledge of visiting Dr. Ashok and in having a look at the products that the companies they are fostering are working on. As you say there are very interesting indeed, though I believe there are some different approaches that could have been taken in regards to some of the products.
I’d be interested in talking to you in regards to a project that I am trying to initiate. I am trying to build an IT infrastructure, on a small scale, that could be deployed provincially and nationally upon success of the smaller version named InfraNET (Infrastructure Network). I have been in touch with Dr. Ashok in regards to it, and have been getting a lot of positive feedback from other circles.
Let me know how and we’ll chat.
Vijay
Is Tenet for IIT-ians and alumni only ?
Not at the moment as i understand — more likely to turn out to be VC candidates, than BoA — they already seem to have sufficient angel support. The SEF sounds like a good idea, do keep us updated as you make progress!
Alok,
Are any of these VC candidates or BOA candidates ? I have met Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala. He is amazing. One of my classmates at IIMA – Vinod Reddy is part of Tenet. I think we need a “Social Elephant Fund” which can rapidly scale such initiatives. I think a $25MM fund where limited partners are foundations targeting a 3X type return may work. I am in early discussions to try and put this together. I shall reconnect with the professor and Vinod.