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Deepak Ravindran: A dropout who is now his college’s biggest hirer
If high-adrenaline action is the surest sign of transmitting a message, Deepak Ravindran is sending out one loud and clear. His Bengaluru-based startup Lookup, which has Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and Infosys’s Kris Gopalakrishnan as investors, is in the final stages of closing its latest round of funding. And the CEO and founder of the hyperlocal messaging app, that allows businesses to connect with local consumers, reveals the announcement can be expected within a week.
Inspiration for Lookup struck Ravindran while visiting his hometown of Kasargod, Kerala. “I saw my mom chatting with her grocer over WhatsApp and placing her order. That was an eye opener about the way people use chat,” Ravindran says, in a telephonic interview from Bengaluru.
With WhatsApp, he noticed one needs to save the number for ease of communication. Once that is done, you can see each other’s frequently changed display pictures, which may create privacy issues. He addressed those with Lookup, ensuring consumers do not have to worry about chatting with storekeepers they’ve never met before.
The messaging industry has been this 30-year-old serial entrepreneur’s core strength, with this being his third venture in the space. Keeping an eye on the shifting tech landscape, he has morphed the form to suit changing needs. His 2007-launch student startup Innoz for example, was an SMS-based search engine. “It was a time when mobile phones were becoming popular. But internet was still not so common. We saw the potential for an offline search engine,” says Ravindran.
But by 2014, with data lording over voice, Ravindran realised the rules had changed again. To meet the challenge, he decided to merge the two big trends of messaging (chats) and apps. Lookup was born out of this union.
Fashioned after Steve Jobs
Ravindran’s story at 18 wasn’t typical of the average Indian science student. He took his medical and engineering entrance exams, securing ranks in both. He liked computer science, so he picked engineering.
He had discovered the internet just a few years before at 15. Logging on via a dial-up connection, he was fascinated by the worldwide web. He says, “I started looking for inspiring stories and read about Steve Jobs and a few others. I read how he started a company at a very young age and that idea stuck.”
By the time he entered Lal Bahadur Shastri Col lege of Engineering in Kasargod in 2005, Ravindran had decided that he would use it as a fertile ground to found his own company. He did so in 2007, with three classmates. When his startup was picked by IIM-A’s iAccelerator program that promised funding of Rs 3-5 lakh, things came to a head. The founders had to shift base to Ahmedabad, which meant a choice between college and the accelerator.
The quartet made their choice. They dropped out of college. “Dropping out is a fad now. But it was extremely risky back then. The only reason we did it was because we were getting funded for the first time,” says Ravindran, disclosing that they did worry about getting good placements if things didn’t work out.
For a month, the families of Ravindran and his friends believed they had quit college to pursue an MBA at IIM. “It sounded all fancy,” he said. It eventually worked out, as from dropouts, they went to being the largest recruiter at their erstwhile engineering college, taking on over 100 students within a couple of years — first at Innoz and later at Lookup.
From competitors to partners
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone was Ravindran’s competition at one point. After Innoz plateaued in 2013 and the team failed to sell it off, Ravindran decided to move to US for an MIT incubator program. He founded a Q&A platform Quest, that competed with Quora and Stone’s Jelly.
Stone was interested in acquiring Quest for a possible expansion into the Asian market. But Ravindran managed to raise just $50,000 over a year, falling way short of the $500,000 target. That’s when he decided to wind Quest down and return to India
Incidentally, Stone’s Jelly failed too. In an interview with Mashable, he even admitted that today, a small group of dedicated users is the only thing keeping the app alive. But a previous failure didn’t hamper Ravindran’s prospects according to Stone, who came on board Lookup after a San Francisco meeting in April.
Undoubtedly, things are looking up for Ravindran at Lookup.
source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / ET Home> Magazines> Panache / by Masoom Gupte, ET Bureau / September 03rd, 2015
First Annual Convocation of Music Varsity on Nov. 30
• Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali to deliver convocation address
• Hon. Doctorates to be conferred on Prof. Ra. Visweswaran, Pt. Indudhar Nirodi and Natyacharya C. Radhakrishna
Mysuru :
The First Annual Convocation of Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysuru, will be held on Nov. 30 at the Crawford Hall of Mysore University here from 4 pm.
Governor Vajubhai R. Vala, who is also the Chancellor of Universities, will preside over the event. Minister for Higher Education T.B. Jayachandra, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the Universities, will grace the occasion.
Actress and Bharatanatyam exponent Padma Shri Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali will deliver the Convocation address.
The Music Varsity, as part of its first Convocation, will confer Hon. Doctorates on renowned Veena artiste Prof. Ra. Visweswaran, Hindustani vocalist Pt. Indudhar Nirodi and Bharatanatyam artiste C. Radhakrishna.
Music University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sarvamangala Shankar, Registrar Dr. A. Rangaswamy and Registrar (Evaluation) Dr. M.S. Shekar will be present on the occasion.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – November 26th, 2015
Houses pay condolences to Hebbal MLA, adjourn
The Legislative Assembly was adjourned for the day on Tuesday after paying condolences to Hebbal MLA R Jagadish Kumar who passed away on Monday evening following a cardiac arrest.
The cremation held in the afternoon was attended by a host of BJP State leaders among others.
As soon as the Assembly met, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa read out a condolence message and stated that the demise of Kumar was an irreparable loss to the State. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he still could not believe Kumar was no more.
Sudden death
Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar recalled that Kumar had participated actively in the proceedings of the House just hours before his sudden death.
The Legislative Council too was adjourned for the day after making an obituary reference. Expressing shock over the sudden death of the MLA, leader of the ruling party S R Patil said Kumar was a good politician with immense knowledge and experience.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / DHNS – Bengaluru , November 25th, 2015
Karnataka hot contender for top slot in pepper production
Increase in pepper prices from Rs. 200 a kg to Rs. 700 a kg serves as incentive for farmers to take up its cultivation.
2014-15 estimates point to State overtaking Kerala
Spices Board of India Chairman A. Jayathilak said that estimates for 2014-15 suggest that Karnataka has overtaken Kerala as the largest producer of pepper in the country.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Pepper Community’s 43rd session and meetings here on Monday.
Dr. Jayathilak said a large number of coffee and arecanut farmers from Karnataka had taken to pepper production as an “adjunct crop”.
The increase in pepper prices from Rs. 200 a kg three years ago to around Rs. 700 a kg had served as an incentive for farmers to cultivate the spice that enjoys huge demand in the international market.
According to estimates, the State last year produced around 5,000 tonnes over Kerala, which used to occupy the numero uno position by accounting for 40 per cent of the country’s pepper production.
Pepper production in the country had dipped to 37,000 tonnes in 2013-14 owing to unfavourable weather conditions. However, the situation was looking up with estimates suggesting a production of 70,000 tonnes in 2014-15.
Earlier, while delivering the presidential address at the session, Dr. Jayathilak appreciated the contribution of farmers from Karnataka in the turnaround. The spices board chose Mysuru as the venue for the annual meet to honour pepper growers in the State, he said.
He cautioned that importing countries were coming up with stringent quality standards that were “practically difficult” to achieve, particularly in case of pesticide residues.
Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, New Delhi, in his keynote address, said the wellness industry and health tourism had provided enormous potential for the growth of the spice industry. He urged the industry to further explore the medicinal and nutritional value of pepper.
Pratap Simha, MP, claimed that Kodagu accounted for half the pepper produced in Karnataka.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Laiqh A. Khan / Mysuru – November 24th, 2015
Sydney pathway named after Indian victim
Bengaluru :
About 9,000 km away, Bengalurean Arun Kumar helplessly heard his wife Prabha, 41, crying for help on the phone when she was being stabbed inside the Paramatta Park, Sydney , on March 7.
Eight months on, Arun, his 11-year-old daughter Meghana and in-laws visited the park on Sunday as the pathway was named after the 41-year-old techie who was killed when she was walking through it. It was an emotional moment for the family of the Bengalu ru techie to witness the nction where memorial function where plaque was unveiled in the memory of Prabha. The New South Wales (NSW) government had made arrangements to fly Prabha’s family members to attend the ceremony . “This shouldn’t happen to anyone else and it shouldn’t have happened to my wife either,” said Arun Kumar, in his address to the media.
Prabha would have turned 42 on Saturday. The pathway links Argyle Street and Amos Street. Prabha’s killer is still at large. Arun Kumar made an appeal to people to come forward and share information with the investigating authorities.”She was very caring; she sa crificed many things, especially by staying away from family , for us. But we are happy that she will be remembered here,” he added.
When asked how their daughter was coping with loss, Arun said: “She is moody but we are taking care of her.”
The investigation into the case has not yielded any result so far. NSW police have not been able to ascertain the motive behind the murder. According to them, the case is open and all angles are still being probed.
“We are happy that the lane way has been named after Prabha and a plaque has been installed at the site where she was senselessly murdered, but our community is disappointed that culprit(s) have not yet been found. We urge NSW police to put every effort in finding out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. Our true tribute to Prabha will only be fulfilled when perpetrators are arrested and charged,” said Dr Yadu Singh President, Federation of Indian Associations of NSW.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / TNN / November 24th, 2015
Rohini Mohan Bags Shakti Bhatt Prize
Bengaluru :
Writer Rohini Mohan’s ‘The Seasons of Trouble’ has won the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2015. “The shortlist this year was diverse and spectacular, but we unanimously agreed to award the prize to Rohini Mohan,” said judge Samhita Arni, who, along with authors Mohammed Hanif and Krys Lee, chose the winner.
The award will be presented in New Delhi on December 22. The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize carries a cash award of `2 lakh and a trophy. It is funded by the Shakti Bhatt Foundation and Apeejay Trust. ‘The Seasons of Trouble’ focuses on the Sri Lankan conflict.
Arni said, “Mohan’s book is the stark, brutal, often unsparing portrait of three desperate lives, struggling to navigate the realities and brutalities of war and peacetime in Sri Lanka.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / November 25th, 2015
A cab service for the disabled
But funds crunch stalls an entrepreneur’s dream
Millions of differently-abled Indians are technically qualified with the necessary skills to be employable.
But most remain jobless since there are no vehicles to take them. A Bengalurean’s effort to bridge this glaring gap with a fleet of vans modified to accommodate wheelchairs has been grounded for long. Reason: No one wants to fund this initiative, even if the brains behind it is a startup activator himself.
The irony can’t be starker: Wheelchair-bound V Shakthi has been an inspiration for dozens of startups, linking them up with venture capitalists and startup activators. But he has been struggling to realise his vision for five years. Shakthi commutes in a modified cab, a prototype of sorts that could be replicated.
Shakthi explained the rationale behind a modified cab service: “Forty-eight per cent of the estimated 20 million differently- abled people in the country have the necessary skill sets needed to land a job. There are not even 100 of them employed across Bengaluru. Even the employed are stuck at one level, they never go up. Potential employers are ready if this commute issue is addressed.”
But modification is a costly affair. “If the vehicle cost is Rs 7 lakh, you ought to spend another Rs 6 lakh configuring it to accommodate three to four wheelchairs. Add the cost of engaging a driver who is sensitive to the needs of the disabled, maintenance and fuel, and it gets heftier,” said Shakthi. The total cost per vehicle could exceed Rs 12 lakh.
The project plan is modest: A fleet of two to three vehicles, which could be scaled up later. But no one wants to invest the Rs 25 lakh required to get it going. Investors, said Shakthi, insist on a mobile-first, app-based version. Some have even declared it impractical without giving it a thought. Others say it is a service line and not worth an investment.
Undaunted, Shakthi wants to go ahead even if it means hard self-financing. “Even if it takes five to six years, I want to do it for the differently-abled but skilled people,” said the man, who is also the most followed differently-abled Indian on the Internet. He has 1.65 lakh Twitter followers.
Buildings and public infrastructure in Bengaluru are notoriously inaccessible to the disabled. Footpaths, bus stops and other public spaces pose mounting challenges to the visually challenged and the physically disabled. Access audits have repeatedly drawn attention to these glaring lacunae with little effect.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States / by Rasheed Kappan, Bengaluru / DHNS – November 19th, 2015
‘Black Velvet’ all set to ‘Make A Difference’ with their charity gig on Saturday
Mangaluru :
This weekend, Namma Kudla’s own rock band Black Velvet will give Gen Next a chance to literally ‘Make A Difference’ (MAD) at Benefica, a fund raiser at Alvares Farmhouse at Vamanjoor. Courtesy MAD, a youth-driven, non-profit organization, music loving youths attending the charity gig will not only ensure that they get full paisa vasool grooving to some chill-worthy sound tracks, but also ensure their contribution helps MAD financially.
Together with MAD, Mangaluru, Black Velvet aims to make Benefica an event like no other. Benefica is a huge departure from humble fundraisers that MAD, Mangaluru has organized before. “Benefica is bigger, bolder and better than anything before,” noted Anna Crasta, city team lead for MAD, Mangaluru. Adding to highlight is a special performance by the dance crew Friction. There will also be food stalls to satisfy one’s gastronomic cravings, she assures.
Benefica is essentially an event dedicated to the community – an event to celebrate Mangaloreans as folks who are truly capable of giving back to the society. Gains of the charity will go to the children at risk in shelter homes across Mangaluru, Anna Crasta said. To gain entry to the fun-filled event, one may call 9886691940 to obtain advance passes. Early-bird tickets are priced at Rs.300. Tickets will also be available at the venue for Rs 500, she noted.
Rayan D’Souza of Black Velvet said band members consist of fresh-faced youths – Ria D’Souza and Danny J on vocals. Rayan himself plays the keyboard with Jill D’Souza on drums Joswin D’Cunha on lead-guitar and Floyd Pereira on bass. The band revives tracks ranging from pop, rock and funk to EDM. The proceeds will go to MAD, Mangaluru who are currently working with three shelter homes across the city, he said, adding the band is happy to do its bit.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangaluru / Jaideep Shenoy, TNN / November 19th, 2015