Khadim Batti, Founder of Whatfix, in conversation with Anant Vidur Puri, Partner at BVP

TL;DR

Indian SAS companies have experienced significant changes over the years, including the ability to cater to the global market, access to experienced talent, and a growing market for SAS products in India.

Transcript

and you know you're probably biased on this but uh you know what what's your outlook on SAS you know from India being built either for India or for the world and I want to specifically ask you that you know you're one of the early kind of starters in the SAS ecosystem in India you've been here you know you've been at it for a few years what has cha... Read More

Key Insights

• 🇮🇴 Indian SAS companies have shifted their focus from solely catering to the global market to recognizing the potential in the Indian market as well.
• ⚖️ The availability of experienced talent who have successfully scaled SAS companies has accelerated innovation and growth in the ecosystem.
• 🇮🇴 The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the efficiency and effectiveness of remote operations for Indian SAS companies and has opened up opportunities for Indian software products in various industries.
• 👨‍💼 Indian SAS businesses tend to be more cost-efficient and are capable of building multiple products early on in their journey.
• 😥 The exposure and experience gained from working in successful companies have helped Indian SAS entrepreneurs identify problem areas and build solutions that cater to specific pain points in the market.
• 💗 There is a prediction that global category creators and leaders will emerge from India, supported by the growing ecosystem and a focus on solving relevant problems.
• 🙈 The Indian SAS ecosystem has seen the emergence of numerous unicorns, which have provided valuable experience and exposure to individuals interested in starting their own companies.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the perception of the Indian market for SAS companies changed over the years?

Previously, Indian SAS companies focused solely on the global market, considering the Indian market non-existent. However, there has been a shift, and now Indian SAS companies recognize the potential in the Indian market and have started building dedicated teams to cater to it.

Q: What are the key changes in the Indian SAS ecosystem over the past five to seven years?

Some major changes include the realization that large enterprise markets can be catered to remotely, the availability of experienced talent who have scaled SAS companies, and a shift in mindset with Indian SAS companies now focusing on the Indian market as well.

Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of Indian SAS companies?

The pandemic has made remote sales and inside sales a level playing field globally, which has benefited Indian SAS companies. It has also highlighted the efficiency and effectiveness of remote operations and opened up opportunities for Indian software products in various industries.

Q: How do Indian SAS businesses compare to their global counterparts in terms of efficiency and product development?

Indian SAS businesses tend to be more efficient due to cost advantages and the availability of a large talent pool. They are also able to build multiple products early on in their journey and aim to become category leaders globally.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In the past, Indian SAS companies focused on the global market as the Indian market was considered non-existent, but now they can cater to large enterprise markets remotely.

• The availability of experienced talent who have successfully scaled SAS companies has accelerated innovation and growth in the ecosystem.

• There has been a shift in mindset, with Indian SAS companies now focusing on the Indian market as well, due to the changing landscape and increased acceptance of Indian software products.