Looking to have presence in ten countries: Rajesh K

HERALD: What is your field of specialty?

RAJESH K: We are a bunch of blockchain enthusiast finding ways to leverage the power of shared ledger. We are developing couple of blockchain products. We had incorporate blockchain into this product purely because of the transparency in brings out, which was lacking in the segment. Our core competency is technology particularly blockchain. Although we have developed our own blockchain codes for other products, for Programmed V we are using IBM.

HERALD: How is it different from competitors?

RK: Technology is the key differentiator along with co-create module and Blockchain Payment Module. Co-creation helps connect different stakeholders/ companies for a single initiative through the platform and Blockchain Payment Module brings in the transparency. DSCI is helping on legislation and policy aspect of blockchain in CSR dispersion.

HERALD: How does your company help Goans, specially start-ups?

RK: For one, there is no dearth of talent in Goa, our co-founder/ CTO and all our techies are from Goa, past and recent Goa University students. They have good aptitude to learn and get hands on. As for other start-ups, at this stage it is restricted to exchange of knowledge (we have small team). At this stage, we would like to work with interns from Management Institutes in Goa on the research and go to market aspect.

Also, with the Programmed V platform, we are seeking at starting our pilot here in Goa, with core focus on eradication of hunger, education and Swachh Bharat.

HERALD: Who are your major customers?

RK: Companies who come under the purview of mandatory CSR implementation, any company who wants to execute a developmental program who just want to help a cause.

HERALD: What issues did you have to face when you thought of launching this company? Any help from government /CIBA?

RK: Finance was the biggest challenge particularly during the platform development stage. Getting an experienced CTO was a huge challenge too. In fact D S Prashant, the GM at CIBA connected me to our CTO who is now the co-founder of Programmed V. Most important contribution from CIBA was funding. We got seed funding from CIBA which has really helped us focus from ‘our bills’ to the ‘product’.

Being part of Nasscom 10 K also helped in connecting with key people in the ecosystem and the regular session on various aspects of ‘starting up’ has helped a lot.

HERALD: What made you work from Goa? 

RK: Although being a much sought after tourist destination, Goa is a good place to be seen in formals and trying to crack a deal. It feels good.

I think, the support system, talent, accessibility of key government officials and low expenditure is the key to that decision. Goa is a good market to test out a product like this and fine tune it.

HERALD: How do you see the Goan market? Are you planning to spread out? 

RK: As mentioned, we would like to fine tune the product in Goa market, pilot it here and simultaneously work in the Bangalore market(with Nascom and Nasscom Foundation support) before moving pan India.

HERALD: Where do you see yourself and your company in next five years from now?

RK: We would like to explore international markets particularly the US market with support from ESRI. In the Western countries, giving back to the society is a well accepted concept so we have an important role to play. We have set our eyes on having presence in 10 countries and supporting 100,000 developmental projects during the next five years.

We want to make Programmed V synonym with transparency and efficiency backed with data when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility.