The year 2020 will forever be etched in the memories of businesses and employees alike. Not only because businesses have gone tech, but also because the tech start-up ecosystem has proved to be resilient and emerged as the gamechanger. Equally promising is one of India’s most lucrative sector, namely, the Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs), which contributed around 30% to the GDP. The SMB base in India stands at 75 million, with the numbers expected to swell to 105 million by 2025 as per figures reported early last year. Out of this current base, only eight million are digital SMBs. Given the technology boom, this translates into a hotbed for tech companies to enable the remaining 67 million to go digital. Cisco’s 2020 Asia Pacific SMB Digital Maturity Study corroborates this fact too, on a much wider geographic landscape. Nearly 70% of SMBs across the APAC region were accelerating digitisation amid Covid-19. As of 2020, India formed a part of the league of Digital Observer, along with other South East Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. In a story by Zinnov, when Level 1 SMBs evolve from basic digital infrastructure to more advanced technologies, they are expected to stoke opportunities from other ecosystem players. Players such as aggregators, large enterprises, start-ups, NGO/NPO, government and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) will enable SMBs go tech. Also, mature tech players will help SMBs leverage the tech advantage by computing products, providing cloud and software solutions and personalised partnerships among others. While Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity technologies will be carried forward, here’s a list of the 10 tech trends that SMBs can look to adopt in 2021.
1 SAAS TO BE ON TOP OF THE GAME
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THE NAIL ENTREPRENEUR
“I’d like to see at least 100 The Nail Artistry salons operational across different countries around the world.”
The Asian Champion - CHATRI SITYODTONG, CHAIRMAN & CEO, ONE CHAMPIONSHIP
Chatri Sityodtong is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, Asia’s largest global sports media property in history with a broadcast to over 2.7 billion potential viewers across 150+ countries around the world. Through the power of media and the magic of storytelling, ONE Championship is on a mission to unleash real-life superheroes, celebrate values, ignite dreams, inspire nations, and change the world. Chatri Sityodtong has an estimated net worth of US$350 million and will be the star of the upcoming edition of The Apprentice where 16 candidates will be vying to be the protege of one of Asia's leading entrepreneurs. Here’s the Thailand sensation on his self-made journey and how he’s redefining the future of martial arts.
Entrepreneurship Is a Mindset
I cofounded LinkedIn, invest with Greylock Partners, and host the Masters of Scale podcast. Take it from me: Success in entrepreneurship must begin in your head.
Credit to SMBs Not A Problem DIGITAL and Faster
Basis, achieving a high level of sophistication, compliance and trust from SMBs
This Brand Is Your Brand. This Brand Is My Brand?
Can you create a product that references, parodies, or uses parts from another brand? Many entrepreneurs are trying…and then getting sued. But the law is far from settled. This is the story of one startup that fought back and might just help change the way brands are built.
This Platform is Enabling Peer-to-Peer Donation Seamless
Co-founded by actor Kunal Kapoor and Varun Sheth, Ketto’s motto is healthcare for all.
Will Startups IPO Be A Game Changer In 2021?
Securing Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the ultimate sought-after capital extension by startups. Successful IPO opens the floodgates for more capital and improvement in the overall startup economy. Despite the tumultuous times faced by the businesses in 2020 due to the COVID-19, the year 2021 saw some of the biggest runaway success listings so far, thanks to the high liquidity and solid investor sentiment.
Does Angel Funding Look Promising For Startups In 2021 Amid Ongoing Pandemic?
Ever since the world has been stormed by the coronavirus outbreak, economies across the globe have been in turmoil, with massive layoffs, shutting down of the businesses and cost-cutting measures have come into the light.
Rise of Social Commerce Startups During Pandemic
In recent years, India has witnessed a massive spike in the usage of social commerce platforms like Meesho, Shop101, GlowRoad and Bulbul
“Execution is Fundamental to Creating Value; Capital Cannot Substitute Speed and Innovation”
Learnability, having a strong organisational foundation, commanding leadership and thorough professionalism births legendary organisations
Reincarnation And Realpolitik
China, India, and the U.S. are vying to influence the selection of the next Dalai Lama
An Exclusive Interview With Nandakumar Narasimhan
The Little Red Train
A Room for Dad
Before Mom passed, I made a promise to her
THE DANGAL IN THE JUNGLE, PART 1
YOU KNOW YOU’RE SOMEBODY WHEN YOU’VE APPEARED ON AN INDIAN DANGAL POSTER — IN OTHER WORDS, IN A WRESTLING ADVERTISEMENT.
WOUNDS AND THE WOMB
JULIE PETERS explores how to heal a relationship with the sacred womb, a place of death, life, and possibilities.
BE SQUIRRELY
Giant squirrels, giant lessons? Animal chaplain SARAH BOWEN explores what squirrels can show us about mindfulness.
E8 Caste and the Indian Tech Ivies
IIT grads are highly sought after in Silicon Valley. Are they bringing deep-rooted prejudices with them?
Life Changing
I was happily married, happily employed, just plain happy. Until the accident
IN SEASON Chickpeas (GARBANZO BEANS)
Chickpeas appear in early recordings in Turkey well over 5000 years ago. India produces the most chickpeas worldwide but they are grown in more than 50 countries. An excellent source of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, B vitamins, and some minerals, they are a nutritious staple of many diets. The name chickpea comes from the Latin word cancer, referring to the plant family of legumes, Fabaceae. It is also known by its popular Spanish-derived name, the garbanzo bean. Kidney beans, black beans, lima beans, and peanuts are other familiar foods found in this legume family.
When the Signal Goes Out
Government-ordered internet shutdowns are becoming more frequent