Business Description:We are in the business of empowering close to 2 million people each year with knowledge transfers, be it in the form of books, CD's, in school and college programs, web based games, training and quiz shows.
The core strength of our business lies in the fact that we have achieved this growth and deployed our concepts built on the Gandhian philosophy of "self sustained business enterprise model", wherein we have generated revenues out of the business to foster growth.
Industry:Knowledge Transfer & Education Tools
Founded in:2005
Source of idea:
Significant Competitors:Times of India (NIE - Program) and Derek O Brien & Associates
Company Details :
Company Name:Greycaps India
HeadQuarters:Bangalore
Stage of the company:Scaling up
No of Employees (2006):6-15
No of Employees (2007):16-25
Office Locations(2006):2-5
Office Locations(2007):6-15
No of companies promoted:Yes (1)
Profits (2006):
Profits (2007):
>Partnerships:We are proud to have a partnership for the last four years with over 25,000 school children across India, (12 cities), who are part of our unique Global Awareness Program. We also have over 1000 Management Students enrolled to our "on campus" Global Business Review Program.
INDIA SPECIFIC:
Since 2004: With Tata Sons, to create and implement 'Tata Crucible'. This property has grown to become India's most credible business quiz and the biggest reaching across 16 cities of India.
Since 2007: With Infosys Technologies as part of 'Campus Connect' initiative to develop confidence and enhance empoyability in Engineering graduates in B & C cities of India. Implemented in 18 locations across Andhra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Since 2005: With Aditya Birla Group (Grasim) to build confidence and market awareness amongst Civil Engineering students.
Since 2007: With Cognizant Technology Solutions for campus engagement across metro cities of India.
Since 1999: Partnered with The Economic Times to build business awareness in B-schools with the ET in Classroom initiative. The same is held annually across 10 locations of India.
Since 2000: With the Government of Karnataka, Dept of IT to enhance IT awareness in rural areas across the state, since 2000. This event attracts over 12 lakh participants each year.
Since 1999: With Tata Consultancy Services to create comfort levels to IT amongst urban school children across 12 cities.
Note: * The above three tie-ups were part of the previous startup and the same continues to this day and moved with us when we started Greycaps.
OVERSEAS: Since 2005: With The Times of Oman, the leading daily of Oman to create properties for entertainment based education through quizzes for general and IT awareness.
Since 2007: The success of Tata Crucible in India, promoted the Tata's to take this property overseas, starting with Singapore in 2007. This year (2008) the same would be held at Singapore again and will be extended to London.
Initial Funding:Personal savings
Addl Funding:Family & friends
Institutitional Capital:No
Revneue Model:The school and on campus programs are subscription based paid by the individuals as an annual fee.
The corporate programs and solutions are contractual with defined annual growth in revenue.
The properties and solutions we create specifically for client needs (eg: Infosys) are based on the reach and manpower allocated and billed accordingly.
Our products and research publications including quiz books are sold on a retail model or on royalty model.
Awards & honors:Previous Nominations: 1) Global Innovator Award 06-07 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA for successful implementation of programs to improve the knowledge and confidence of people.2) Devang Mehta Award by Ministry of Information Tech , Govt of India for Rural Initiatives for enhance IT Awareness.3)- Invited to the Bangalore round of LEAD INDIA, TOI initiative.4)- Internet Oscar at Global Internet Awards Singapore for Innovation in Education and usage of alternative education tools.5) Featured by The British Broadcasting Corporation in a documentary on the Rural IT initiative started by us with the Karnataka Government.6)Dr. Edward DE BONO witnessed our innovative quiz format. 7)Received appreciation and personal audience from thought leaders like Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam, Prof.C.K.Prahalad, Mr.Narayana Murthy and Dr.Vinton Cerf on our visionary work.8)Hold 7 entries in the Limca Book of Records for pioneering initiatives in the field of quizzing and knowledge tools.
Promoters Details :
Promoters Name(s):Giri 'Pickbrain' Balasubramaniam
Age:37
HomeTown:Bangalore
Education:
No of companies promoted:Yes (1)
Family Background:First gen entrepreneur
Job:Vice President at Indiainfo.com
Ex-Job Description:Strategy
Favorite Book/Movie:The New Age of Innovation (CK Prahalad, MS Krishnan)
