IIT Delhi alumnus starts INVOXEL to innovate around smart interaction
Technological innovation is indeed important for economic growth and the enhancement of human possibilities. Driven by extremely young, diverse and inclusive entrepreneurs, the Indian startup ecosystem is rapidly evolving. One such innovation driven technological startup is Invoxel.
Who says every entrepreneur story starts with the dream of making money? Some might even start with the humble thought of making life simpler; as it did for IIT Delhi alumnus Sachidanand Swami.
It was at a tea table discussion with a friend on SCI FI products that Swami came up with the idea of smart surface, but there was still a long way to go. During his tenure at Denmark Technical University, he started connecting with various resources and made up his mind that he would come up with a prototype. He turned to India and turned up at the doorstep of an IIT Delhi professor. The professor agreed to keep him as a summer intern.
Swami’s startup Invoxel is an amalgamation of hardware and software technology to design and develop a multi user smart surface. Team Invoxel includes Chirag Gupta from the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata, and Mukesh Kumar from the Department of Computer Science, IIT Delhi. The three are avid travellers and shutterbugs.
Their very first achievement was winning the first prize at the Open house at IIT Delhi and TechFest IIT Bombay. This was followed by Grant from DST and then the laurels followed. They also won the Power of Idea (Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIM Ahmedabad -2012) and the AGM Innovation Award (IIT Delhi – 2012) in India; abroad they walked away with the Innovators Award (Russian Union of Youth, Chita, Russia-July 2014) and the Top 100 Innovators Award (Open Innovation Forum, Moscow, Russia - Oct 2014). The latest feather in their cap is the Top 6 Innovators Award (Alumni Day IIT Delhi, 2014).
Team Invoxel receiving Top 6 Innovators Award at Alumni Day IIT Delhi, 2014
Now they have started being noticed
Invoxel brought home the prestigious grant of Technopreneur Promotion Programme (TePP) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in 2013. This propelled the prototyping and shaping of as an innovating product. The first product sale worked as an investment and provided for mentoring. It then sold its first stage beta products and paved the path to various segments and clients like Oil India, Petronet LNG and Protiviti.
One of their first clients was AUDI India. The company was looking for smart surface installation for their Q3 Vendor Meet and team Invoxel made a prototype in two days and installed four units of the first stage product at a venue in Gurgaon. This gave them a burst of confidence and they took up Spark Minda Group project which is their first product installation.
Today, Invoxel is a pioneer in bridging digital communication gaps which it does by offering interactive solutions on digital multi-user smart surfaces technology. Its expertise is providing multi user interactive smart surfaces to groups of users. Invoxel Smart Surface is integration of hardware technologies and touch inputs through the smart glass surface. Multiple users can work simultaneously on smart surface table for intuitive interaction to make collaborative group communication. It has the capability to capture attention of users and they can ideate together. Invoxel’s digital landscaping is a tool for impressive corporate representation.
The team’s vision is to expand and provide technological sustenance to corporate houses, in the field of education, hospitality, the entertainment industry, tourism, infrastructure and real estate by using smart surfaces technologies.
Swami proudly shares, “It was indeed a challenging mile stone which we achieved when we completed our project with Spark Minda Group, an esteemed company in automobile component manufacturing. Team Invoxel was guided and led by Chairman Ashok Minda while support was provided by his management team to achieve the desired results. Team Invoxel took up this challenge with a lot of determination and worked towards this wonderful opportunity. This happens to be our stepping stone to such opportunities globally.”
Invoxel Product at Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group, Gurgaon
Spark Minda Group is utilizing Invoxel’s multi user smart surface for interacting and showcasing business setups, branding and futuristic discussions with their stakeholders. Invoxel’s multi user smart surface contains Spark Minda Group's company landscaping along with video representation of Ashok Minda, Group Chairman. Invoxel’s smart surface product is able to give the opportunity to groups of users to look into Minda Groups Company’s representation on global maps simultaneously and deep down into the information about their business with respect to customer’s base, size of operation, manufactured products, quality certificates and futuristic plans.
Swami adds, “Successful project implementation at Spark Minda Group gave strength, confidence and vision to entire team. Team Invoxel with their ‘never say die’ attitude has put up their best to take their startup ahead. Without support from team it would have been very difficult for Invoxel to achieve its first long interactive smart surface.”
Invoxel is open to technology product visionaries, advisories, investors and supporters to join the band wagon. Their belief is, “Innovation doesn't come just from giving people incentives; it comes from creating environments where their ideas can connect and grow into reality.