Innovative minds find a path for growth even in the darkest of times. They use the creative nerves of their brains to come up with solutions that benefit the society around them. They see an idea behind problems that might seem redundant to other eyes and amaze those same eyes with their wonderful product, addressing that issue. Here is an entrepreneur transforming everyday problems into an opportunity and blending in the latest modern technology to these ideas as he ideates another useful product for the market. In conversation with Rahul Mohan, founder of Machbee Innovations.
Brief us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures. What were you doing before this startup?
I am Rahul Mohan, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Machbee Innovations Pvt Ltd. I completed my graduation in B. Sc Physics from Sree Sankara College, Kalady in April 2018. I’m versed in AI and Hardware designing. I have started my entrepreneurial journey just after graduating and started Machbee in May 2018. We got incubated in Adi Shankara Business Hub (which later became Adi Shankara TBI) under Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, where I met my Co-founder, Harikrishnan M, and Mentor, Ajay Basil Varghese (Nodal Officer, Adi Shankara TBI).
Could you tell us the story behind Machbee Innovations? What motivated you to start it?
Machbee Innovations was founded in 2018 as a partnership firm to create innovative solutions to overcome the day-to-day problems faced by common folk using technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Embedded Systems, Internet of Things, Augmented Reality, and BlockChain. I started with FueGo Intelligent Gas Hobs and inductions, which allows the user to cook any dish without supervision. The product was designed from the inspiration from my own kitchen. Likewise, every product of Machbee is inspired by the common issues faced by people around us. We later expanded to different sectors like BioMedical, Aerospace, and telecommunication.
Could you tell us the tale since its inception? How has the growth been for the venture?
In 2018, Machbee became one among the ten startups recognized in Global Ayurveda Summit 2018. In April 2019, Machbee became the best social impact startup selected by AIC IIITH in Pitchfest 2019 Kerala.
We launched beta versions of our product Fue-Go Intelligent Gas Hobs in April 2019 and successfully filed International patents. As of now, Machbee has five patented products. We expanded our operations to Bangalore by getting incubated in AIC JITF, Bangalore, in July 2019. We are currently in talks with leading Kitchen Appliances companies (TTK Prestige, Stovekraft, Butterfly Gandimathy, etc) for industrial collaboration. In April 2020, during the lockdown, Machbee started manufacturing low-cost medical ventilators. We named it JV50 and have supplied numerous units across India. We got our ventilators calibrated by NABH accredited agency for each and every ventilator we have deployed. Also, we manufactured automatic hand sanitizer dispensers (more than 4000+ units across India) and sanitizing machines as a part of the fighting of the Covid 19 pandemic.
In November 2020, Machbee was converted to Machbee Innovations Pvt Ltd and started hardware and software services across the globe.
In December 2020, Machbee was selected for Gitex 2020 by Kerala Startup Mission, which is one of the largest startup events in the world. Our products got internationally recognized in the fair especially the FueGo Intelligent Kitchen Appliances.
In July 2021, we got selected to finals of Nidhi4Covid 2.0 conducted by DST (results not yet published).
Brief us about a few products and services that you deliver. How do you reach out to your customers with these products?
We have developed the following products: Intelligent Gas Hobs & Inductions (patented & world’s first in the segment), Smart Diabetes Device (patented), Dementia Care System (patented & world’s first in the segment), JV 50 Medical Ventilators (filed patents for JV100, AI-based Medical ventilator), Droplet Automatic Hand Sanitizer Dispensers, Hash App (FinTech Neo Banking app, piloting Stage).
Our Product Design House offers end-to-end design and manufacturing services to customers in a wide range of industries, such as Telecommunication, Bio-Medical, Automotive, Healthcare, Consumer Electronics etc. Our expertise provides an end-to-end turnkey solution for companies seeking full product development services from a single source. Our capabilities cover the complete life from concept to design through manufacturing and life cycle management. Our expertise includes AI, Embedded systems, IoT, IIoT, IoT, Blockchain, DevOps, etc.
How do you ensure the quality of your products?
We have a strong team containing experts from various industries as employees and mentors who work continuously for the best for each product. Every product undergoes all required certifications like TUV, ISO, etc., with global standards.
Where is your venture based?
We have our Operational Office at Adi Shankara TBI, Kalady, Kerala, and Research & Development Facility at AIC – JITF, Bangalore & CIIRC, Bangalore. We shifted the Research and development section to AIC JITF in collaboration with CIIRC Bangalore. We are facilitated with around 40 Crores worth facility in Devices and sensors, Bio-technology, etc.
What were the challenges you faced in setting up your venture? Has it gotten easier over the years?
The significant challenges faced were: funding and industry collaborations. So far, we bootstrapped 30 lakhs into our product development, and we are seed-funded by AIC JITF for five lakhs. These are the only two sources and we have not been able to get any other agency to fund our venture.: Although we got many offers from various MNC’s like TTK prestige for Intelligent Cooking Appliances, their offered amount was far lower than the standards.
Could you tell us about a few milestones you have crossed over the years with your venture?
I would consider the following as the major feats achieved by our venture.
- One among the ten startups recognized in Global Ayurveda Summit 2018
- Best social Impact startup in PitchFest Kerala conducted by AIC IIITH, Hyderabad
- Multiple patented products in various sectors
- Gitex 2020 attendee
- Designing Covid 19 Products including low-cost medical ventilators
Who are your competitions and how are you better than them? What are your unique selling points?
Every product designed and developed is unique and first in its segment. We focus on making products based on AI to make any function easier and reliable. For example, Fuego intelligent Kitchen Appliances are the world’s first smart kitchen appliances Series that allows the user to cook any dish without the need for supervision while cooking.
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