The 2021 Titans Of The World Of Tech
Industrial revolution 4.0 is already in swing, with data-based decision showing the way for businesses across the value chain. There is no doubt that India has been an information technology (IT) hub and has seen massive growth in its technology industry over the last decade. The pandemic has only underscored a trend and highlighted the potential technology has to enable and vitalise communication, mobility, accessibility, and cost efficiency.
This year BW Businessworld, in association with BW Disrupt, hosted the third edition of the Techtors Summit. The event recognised and celebrated visionaries in India who took on the challenges of these times of crisis. Never has the technology industry been so much in the public eye. While the pandemic has debilitated us in many ways, tech entrepreneurs have risen to the occasion and tapped into their creative and problem-solving skills. From banking and finance to communication and education − this year’s Techtors have created a myriad unique and necessary innovations.
“We started the BW Disrupt Techtors, three years back to celebrate and recognise tech company founders who are building tech products and companies that solve the unique problems that India has had, at Indian price points,” said Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-In-Chief, BW Businessworld and exchange4media group. The one-day virtual event was streamed live on all BW Businessworld websites, as well as on other social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. The links to the event are still available online and can be streamed freely.
Entrepreneurs and veterans of the technology industry discussed the future of deep tech and its socio-economic impact with BW Businessworld correspondents at eight panel discussions. Each panel comprised at least four experts on technology. The event concluded with the award show, at which entrepreneurs, chosen by a counsel of jury members from various subsectors of the tech industry, were honoured.
The jury members included Nikhil Vora, Founder and CEO, Sixth Sense Venture; Dr Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, 5F World Lighthouse Communities Foundation | PCC, Sanjay Mehta, Founder and Partner, 100X VC, Barnik Chitran Maitra, Managing Partner and CEO, India and South Asia, Arthur D. Little India, Deepali Naair, Director Marketing, India and South Asia, IBM, Murali Krishna V., Head Investment and Strategy, Kolte Patil Group, Ajay Arora, Associate Vice President, Strategic Planning Projects, Hero Corporate Service and Krishnan Venkateshwaran, CDO and CIO, Titan. Also on the jury panel were Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-In-Chief, BW Businessworld and exchange4media group, Hoshie Ghaswalla, CEO, BW Businessworld and Noor Fathima Warsia, Group Editorial Director, BW Businessworld. Heading the panel as the Jury Chair was Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Info Edge.
The parameters used by the jury members were simple, comprising technology impact, financial performance and individual and technology accomplishment. In the words of Santosh Bohra, CFA and Partner, Corporate Finance and Deals, Mazars, “Finding the most innovative, top emerging software and product companies has been a very detailed and rigorous exercise. Out of more than 150 entries, the team selected 40 candidates for the final presentation, covering more than 15 technology subsectors.
While technology, innovation and disruption were the most important criteria in choosing the awardees, the candidates who made an impact were the ones who showed clarity, passion and commitment in running their business.” As jury member, Ajay Arora pointed out, “What makes these awards distinct from others is the high quality of applicants and rigorous process followed to screen them. While shortlisting the candidates we looked at the innovation as well as the impact created by each of them.”
Impact was a decisive factor in a year overwhelmed by a pandemic. The jury members were keen on results and not just potential. “The quality of entrepreneurship we are seeing now never ceases to amaze me,” said Nikhil Vora, also a member of the jury. “It’s amazing what companies are trying to do, what products they are trying to build, the disruption they are trying to create in the market for the next generation,” he said. Many awardees were at the helm of businesses started during the pandemic to help society, offer medical assistance, assist local businesses or even help grow wealth. The Techtors of 2021 were above all, problem solvers.
While there is no shortage of entrepreneurs, startups and ideas in the tech industry, not all ideas have the potential to succeed in terms of outreach or financial opportunities. BW Businessworld scouts out unicorns and gives them a platform to reach larger audiences. Santosh Bohra aptly summarised the aim of the Techtors Summit. “It is a great platform for tech entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and innovations, making best use of the technology,” he said. “Through a reputed brand like BW Businessworld, they can reach a much larger audience,” Bohra added.
The event is intended to not only benefit entrepreneurs, but also communities who may be overwhelmed with app ideas or may not have any knowledge of the solutions available to them. BW Businessworld Techtors Summit serves as a platform for knowledge, awareness and opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors and the community, enabling them to attract an audience, build scale and even attract potential investors. We will pursue with this tradition in the years ahead.
