The Future Factory Forum, held on June 27 at Taj Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru, marked a significant milestone in India’s SME manufacturing digitisation journey. Drawing over 150 SMEs from manufacturing and allied sectors, the forum offered a powerful platform for learning, collaboration, and future-readiness. However, what stood out as a game-changer this year was the SME-StartX initiative—a parallel event designed to connect innovative tech startups with their ideal SME clientele through focused, curated, one-to-one business meetings. A Breakthrough for Startups – One Day, One Platform, Real Connections For most tech startups, the…
Category: Technology
From Machines to Intelligence: A Call for Digital Awakening in Indian SMEs
At The Future Factory Forum held on 27th June at Taj Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru, Zubin Jagtiani, Co-Founder and CEO of Think7, delivered one of the most transformative sessions of the day. His talk, titled “From Machines to Intelligence: Unlocking SME Growth with Industrial IoT,” was more than a presentation. It was a reality check and a wake-up call for SMEs navigating today’s competitive manufacturing landscape. With over 25 years of experience, Zubin brought a rare combination of entrepreneurial empathy and technological foresight. A former SME owner himself, he understands the ground…
The Future Factory Forum 2025 Arrives in Chennai – Empowering Indian SME Manufacturing for a Digital Tomorrow
After an overwhelming response from the manufacturing community in Bengaluru, where over 150 SME manufacturing leaders gathered under one roof, The Future Factory Forum 2025 is now heading to Chennai, India’s automobile manufacturing capital. Scheduled for 21 August 2025, this landmark event is not just another industry meet — it is a mission-driven movement to drive digital transformation, Industry 4.0 adoption, and smart automation across India’s SME manufacturing ecosystem. From Buzz to Breakthrough: The Bengaluru Momentum The first edition of The Future Factory Forum, held in Bengaluru on 27 June…
NASSCOM CoE Leads the Way: Helping SMEs Embrace Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation
At The Future Factory Forum held on 27th June at Taj Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru, one of the most enlightening and action-oriented sessions came from Vasuki Kashyap, who leads the SME Initiatives at nasscom SME Connect. His powerful session titled “Industry 4.0 Readiness for SMEs – Transforming Challenges to Opportunities through Digital Adoption” resonated deeply with the audience of over 150 manufacturing SMEs. Watch Video Vasuki opened his talk with an overview of the NASSCOM SME initiatives, a flagship program supported by MeitY Startup Hub and K-tech, with Centres of Excellence located…
Digitising India’s SME Manufacturing: The Fast Track to a Trillion-Dollar Economy
India’s ambition to become a $5 trillion economy—and eventually beyond—cannot be realized without unlocking the full potential of its MSME sector. Contributing nearly 30% to India’s GDP, 45% to manufacturing output, and 48% to exports, the SME manufacturing segment is the silent engine of the country’s economic growth. Yet, this sector remains largely manual, fragmented, and digitally under-equipped. If India is to take the fast track toward global competitiveness, digitising and automating this segment is not optional—it’s imperative. While large manufacturing corporations are adopting Industry 4.0 with smart factories and…
Revolutionising SME Logistics: A Mission to Empower SMEs with Tech-Driven Solutions
In the fast-paced world of e-commerce and logistics, efficient supply chain management is the backbone of business success. Lipjo Joseph, the visionary founder of Cloudone Logistics Pvt. Ltd, with platforms Shipdesk and Cargo99, is at the forefront of transforming logistics for SMEs across India. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises, he has built solutions that seamlessly integrate technology with logistics, enabling businesses to scale effortlessly. ShipDesk, a comprehensive SaaS-based logistics management platform, empowers e-commerce sellers by automating shipping, providing real-time tracking, and optimising…
Digital Domination: How SMEs Can Harness Online Platforms for Unstoppable Growth
In today’s fast-evolving digital marketplace, having an online presence is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Yet, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fall into the trap of believing that simply launching a website and relying on word-of-mouth will automatically translate into sales. The reality is far more complex. With millions of businesses competing for attention online, standing out requires a strategic approach, targeted investments, and continuous engagement. The digital landscape offers immense opportunities for SMEs to scale beyond geographical limitations, reach a global audience, and drive sustainable growth. However,…
Empowering Indian MSMEs: Key Value Elements for Strategic Technology Adoption
The rapid digital transformation of Indian MSMEs presents a golden opportunity for technology vendors, but success in this space requires more than just innovative solutions—it demands a deep understanding of what truly matters to these businesses. This article serves as a crucial guide for both MSMEs and technology providers, shedding light on the key value elements that drive technology adoption. For MSMEs, it provides a roadmap to selecting the right tech solutions that enhance efficiency, drive growth, and ensure long-term sustainability. For vendors, it offers strategic insights into aligning their…
Sales Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Small Businesses: Transforming Growth Opportunities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a game-changer for businesses worldwide, but its application in sales has truly revolutionised how companies interact with customers. Sales AI, which combines machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics, is designed to streamline and enhance the sales process. Originating from the broader field of AI research in the late 20th century, its commercial applications gained momentum in the 2000s as data-driven decision-making became a core business strategy. By analysing vast amounts of data, Sales AI provides actionable insights, automates repetitive tasks, and enables highly…
Understanding Digital Transformation: Simplifying the Concept for SMEs
Digital transformation is a term that has gained prominence in recent years, often perceived as a complex, costly, and unattainable process for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Many SME owners believe that digital transformation is reserved for large corporations with vast resources. However, this could not be further from the truth. In today’s fast-paced business environment, digital transformation is not just a buzzword but a crucial step for SMEs to stay competitive, enhance efficiency, and cater to an increasingly digital-savvy customer base. This article aims to simplify the concept of…