Nandha Kumar, Hakuna Matata; iPhone, Android, Flex Development & more

What is Hakuna Matata all about?

Hakuna Matata solutions focus on mobile enabling the business process. We have worked extensively on various mobile technologies and delivered successfully to clients across domains. We have 42 years of collective experience in Mobile platforms which includes iphone, Windows Mobile, Android, J2ME and Blackberry. We define, design, develop and deliver the applications.

What is your market differentiator?

We do not just build applications; we help customers to differentiate their application in addition to solving their business functional requirements. We differentiate in terms of great user experience and visual delight to the applications we build.

How did the idea for your startup come about?

Indian mobile subscriber base is second largest in the world with more than 827 Million. Yet, we do not see many applications targeting Indian Consumers. We saw huge opportunity to serve the Indian market with innovative mobile applications. We started very small in single bedroom apartment with few computers, which did not require much monetary investment. From place where we started to where we are now, is testimony of our belief in market opportunity and our skill sets.

Tell us about your background.

I did my engineering from SRM engineering College, Chennai. And, I had an opportunity to work for Virtusa for couple of years. I was working for one of biggest customers in enterprise java. I oversee day to day operations and handle KM team. Rajesh is another founding partner of the firm. He did his Engineering from PSG engineering College. He was part of R&D team in Virtusa. In him, I see perfect marriage of creativity and technology. As you might have assumed he heads our Creative and R&D team. Gengarajan joined us couple of years later. He did his MBA from NIT, Trichy. Before joining here he worked with Ramco Systems as techno functional consultant. He has good technical and market understanding which helps in suggesting correct solutions for customer. He handles our marketing team. Anand joined a year later than Gengarajan. He did his engineering from SRM engineering College, Chennai. His brings in rich ERP experience from CTS and iGate. He handles project delivery and project team. He has acumen for understanding business and suggesting appropriate technology solutions. Mathan is from diverse background from us. He was with Amsure and Max New York Life Insurance. He takes care of HR and Office Administration. He brings in rich experience of interacting with various kinds of people and forming a sales team. He helps us in bringing in best from our associates.

Let us know about the tie-ups that you have.

We have already started delivering applications to our customers which reinforces our belief & focus on mobile applications. We have recently developed a mobile application for a leading freight forwarding company to allow its customers to manage their shipments in mobile phones right from booking to delivery. We also have developed a meter & reading management system in windows PDA for Customer in Energy industry with integration with their CRM system.

Where do you see your start up five years from now?

Till now we are more a services company. We are focusing to build mobile products and application targeting Indian consumers in next two years. We want to be among top five players in Indian mobile applications industry. In the process we are looking at reaching revenues of more than US $ of 2 Million and strong team of 100 associates with experience of end of end mobile consulting.

What is your revenue model? Are you looking for funds?

At this moment, we are more a services company. Our Clients and track record have helped us to survive and remain debt free for all these years. We are in process of exploring couple of product ideas and debating on source of funds. Once we build product alpha version, we would certain have plans of looking at funding options.

As an entrepreneur, what are your joys? What are the challenges?

As an entrepreneur, your happiness, joys and challenges depends on ecosystem. Being a startup, our ecosystem has two prominent members my team members and clients. Bringing out best from people is always a challenge and self satisfying exercise. A success story of exceeding customer expectations is always a delight and it reinforces our belief.

How big is your team? Are you looking at hiring?

We are a 38-member team. Our core development & testing team size is around 26 mostly of engineering and Computer applications background. And we have a user experience team with four members, whose background is fine arts. We have business analyst team of four members, whose background is management studies. We are always on a look out for people who love to take up challenges.

Let us know about your expansion plans.

We have aggressive expansion plans. We are looking at opening sales offices in various parts of Countries, USA and Europe. We are also looking at breaking into catering large enterprises. In term of technologies, we are constantly looking at Cross Platform mobile development, which could ease pressure on our Customers. In terms of team members, we are on look out for people with project management experience and attitude to work in a startup.

Anything else that you want to tell us?

We had developed a Mobile application for our customer Shorthand. It’s mobile SMS browser which allows you to check friend’s updates in Facebook, Apply for jobs in Naukri, Check Horoscope forecasts all through SMS. Best part is that you do not have to remember Key codes and Short Codes. Shorthand was launched in India couple of months back. Response has been fantastic. We had few customers who have sent more than 15000 SMS within a month. After penetration of Smartphone’s and GPRS/ 3G, still SMSs are popular among teenage group. Shorthand recently with Strategic partnership with India times, launched India times Insta SMS browser.

Do check out http://www.hakunamatata.in/ for more details!