In a dynamic conversation with Abhay Joshi, Director of Product Strategy at Crayon, Tech Achieve Media explored the strategic expansion of Crayon’s ISV Incubation Centers across India, with a focus on the latest addition in Kochi. As a key player in India’s growing innovation ecosystem, Crayon has positioned its third center in Kochi to complement the existing centers in Bengaluru and Kolkata, further strengthening the company’s regional approach to driving digital transformation. Joshi sheds light on how the Kochi center will act as a crucial link, fostering startups and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) by providing them with access to Crayon’s global resources, mentorship, and expertise in cloud, artificial intelligence, and SaaS solutions, with a particular focus on sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and smart infrastructure.
TAM: What drove Crayon to establish the third ISV Incubation Center in Kochi, and how does it complement the centers in Bengaluru and Kolkata in advancing digital transformation in Southern India?
Abhay Joshi: Kochi has emerged as a hub of technological innovation in Southern India, and establishing our third ISV Incubation Center here was a strategic decision. We saw immense potential in the region’s growing startup ecosystem, particularly in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and smart infrastructure. The center in Kochi complements our existing ones in Bengaluru and Kolkata by creating a wider regional network for digital transformation. While Bengaluru focuses on the tech-heavy innovation ecosystem and Kolkata bridges the East, Kochi enables us to deepen our presence in Southern India, offering a more localized approach to empowering startups and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs).
TAM: How will the Kochi center leverage its location to connect local startups and ISVs with Crayon’s global network, and what growth opportunities do you foresee for businesses here?
Abhay Joshi: Kochi’s strategic location as a key IT hub in Kerala positions it perfectly to connect local startups and ISVs with Crayon’s global network. The center will act as a conduit for these businesses, providing access to our vast resources in cloud solutions, AI/ML technologies, and SaaS platforms. Startups here will benefit from mentorship, market access, and collaboration with global technology leaders. We foresee significant growth opportunities, particularly in sectors like healthcare and smart infrastructure, where digital transformation can be a game-changer for local enterprises.
TAM: With three centers now in operation, does each one—Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Kochi—have a distinct focus, or do they all provide unified support for cloud, AI/ML, and SaaS solutions?
Abhay Joshi: All three centers—Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Kochi—are unified in their support for cloud, AI/ML, and SaaS solutions. However, each location brings its own unique strengths. Bengaluru, being a tech capital, has a heavier focus on advanced AI/ML development, while Kolkata is pivotal in tapping into Eastern India’s growing market, emphasizing scalable SaaS offerings. Kochi will cater more to the Southern region’s specific needs, such as addressing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and smart city solutions. This allows us to maintain a unified approach while adapting to the regional nuances of each center.
TAM: How will the Kochi center help ISVs and startups apply AI, ML, and cloud technologies to address regional challenges in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and smart infrastructure?
Abhay Joshi: The Kochi center is positioned to foster innovation by helping ISVs and startups develop AI, ML, and cloud-based solutions tailored to regional challenges. In healthcare, we foresee startups using AI to streamline diagnostics and patient care. In agriculture, AI/ML can optimize crop management and yield predictions, addressing Kerala’s agricultural priorities. The region’s focus on smart infrastructure will also benefit from cloud solutions, enabling startups to create scalable technologies for smarter cities and efficient energy management. Crayon’s ecosystem will provide these businesses with the technical resources, mentorship, and global reach to bring these solutions to life.
TAM: What are the future expansion plans for Crayon ISV Incubation Centers in other parts of India or globally, and what factors will guide your decisions on new locations?
Abhay Joshi: Crayon’s future plans include expanding our ISV Incubation Centers to other key cities in India—Ahmedabad, Pune, Hyderabad, Indore, and Goa are already in the pipeline. Our decisions on new locations are driven by several factors: the local startup ecosystem’s maturity, the demand for cloud and AI solutions in the region, and the potential for collaboration with industries that can benefit from digital transformation. Globally, we continue to assess regions where digital innovation is accelerating, with the goal of empowering more ISVs and startups to build scalable, impactful technologies.
Great article