Robotic biz on the rise!!

Revolutionising the robotics industry with indigenous technologies and products in India is 'Gridbots'. In an interaction, Pulkit Gaur, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Gridbots Technologies Pvt. Ltd shares the expansion plans of the company via franchising

Namita Bhagat (NB): Brief us about the inception and growth of ‘Gridbots’. How unique is the concept in India?

Pulkit Gaur (PG): We started in mid 2007 with an idea to revolutionise the robotics segment with indigenous technologies and products. We were a team of three or four people with no product and no revenues at that time. Today we have grown into a team size of 40 plus people with an annual turnover touching more than Rs One crore.

The journey has been both rewarding and challenging. We have developed lot of products and have won a lot of customers as well.

The uniqueness is the personal touch and customisation as per the customer needs which are highly suited to Indian market as compared to any foreign product where the user has to adapt according to the product.

NB: What are the factors that have inspired the company to take up franchise model for its expansion?

PK: We being a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) have a limited presence in most parts of India but the products and service offerings which we have hold a pan Indian market opportunity. Thus, we decided to go with the franchise model where we can hold hands with likeminded people and then expand our bouquet of services and presence.

NB: What kind of products and/or services do you offer and what clientele segment does the company cater to?

PK:  Currently, we have three major offerings such as Consumer Robotics, Surveillance Systems and Automation Products and as end consumers, Businesses and Research Organisations are the clients we cater to.

NB: How many franchise and/or owned locations do you have at present in India and how many are expected in coming years?

PK: We currently have around 10 franchise locations and we plan to expand this to a good number in the coming years

NB:  What are the eligibility criteria for the selection of the franchisees in India?

PK:  We are looking for a typical franchisee profile which has to be a business person who comes   from a good reputed business house and has lot of contacts in the industry.

NB: What amount of initial investment is required in terms of space and money from the franchisee’s end to partner with you?

PK: This again typically depends on the type of franchisee model, the franchisee selects. However, it may start from around Rs 10 lakh and can go up to Rs 25 lakh approximately.

NB: What kind of support and training is provided to the franchisees by the Gridbots for starting a franchise business?

PK: We provide 100 per cent support to the business and help them in all the respects throughout the engagement cycle. We also train them from time to time.

NB: Share your present outlook for the ‘Robotics Industry’ in India and its prospects in the coming years.

PK: At present, the Robotics industry - especially consumer robotics is in its nascent stage and the industrial robotic segment is largely dominated by the foreign players. But there lies a huge opportunity in all the segments for domestic players. The main reason for the vast scope is the enormous size of the present market and potential growth aspects.