In a world where seamless collaboration and efficiency are paramount, Melp aims at setting a new benchmark as an all-in-one platform for businesses. Spearheaded by Madhaw Anand, CEO of Melp, the platform integrates tools for communication, file sharing, document editing, and networking into a unified ecosystem. Designed to eliminate the need for multiple applications, Melp simplifies business operations while significantly reducing costs, especially for startups, SMEs, and MSMEs.
In this exclusive interview, Madhaw Anand sheds light on the inspiration behind Melp, its innovative features like real-time translation and AI-driven meeting summaries, and its commitment to fostering India’s startup ecosystem. He also discusses Melp’s strategic approach to market entry, the growing demand for collaborative tools, and how the government can bolster support for startups in their journey toward global expansion.
TAM: Tell us about Melp.
Madhaw Anand: Melp stands for Multi-Enterprise Linking Platform, a SaaS (Software as a Service) product designed as part of the India-US strategic partnership. While the brand originates in the US, the product was developed entirely by Indian software engineers, with a full-fledged setup and dedicated manpower based in Noida, India. The product is now fully operational, having been created with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by India’s startup ecosystem, as well as the SME and MSME segments. With these insights, we have crafted a unique and highly functional platform tailored to address the needs of these sectors.
For startups, budget constraints and financial hurdles are common challenges. Currently, major players like Microsoft and Zoom dominate the market, charging hefty fees from end-users, leveraging their global monopoly. In response, we aim to offer Melp at an affordable rate, specifically catering to SMEs, MSMEs, and the startup ecosystem. Melp is committed to supporting Indian startups, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and incubation centers in their digital transformation journey. Under one platform, we have integrated all the essential features required to run a business.
Key Features of Melp
- Real-Time Translation:
Melp includes a real-time translation facility in six international languages—Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Russian, and English. This feature eliminates language barriers, fostering seamless communication worldwide. - AI Summarization:
Meetings conducted on Melp are automatically summarized by the platform. The AI generates concise minutes of the meeting, capturing key points and insights without the need for manual note-taking. - Breakout Rooms:
Breakout rooms facilitate focused discussions within meetings, improving collaboration and productivity. - Networking Hub:
Melp also serves as a professional networking platform, offering features comparable to LinkedIn. This allows users to build connections and foster collaborations directly within the platform.
With these capabilities, Melp provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to empower businesses of all sizes.
TAM: What are the gaps in the market that Melp aims at addressing?
Madhaw Anand: Typically, businesses rely on multiple applications to manage their operations. However, with Melp, everything you need is available in one platform. If you’re using Melp, there’s no need to switch between different applications or platforms—it’s all in one place. One of Melp’s key features is the Melp Drive, which centralizes all your communications, documents, and files. Whatever you share or exchange within Melp is securely stored on Melp Drive, eliminating the hassle of managing multiple tools.
For the startup ecosystem, managing various applications can be overwhelming and inefficient. Melp simplifies this by offering everything in a single solution. We’ve integrated tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint directly into the platform. You can create, edit, share, and save Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel sheets—all within Melp. This is a game-changer for the Indian startup ecosystem. Startups often have to purchase and manage several applications, which can be costly and complicated. With Melp, there’s no need for additional software—everything you need is already built in.
TAM: Has the demand for collaborative tools come down post COVID?
Madhaw Anand: During the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown periods, collaboration and communication tools became extremely popular due to the high demand for remote connectivity. With shutdowns and restrictions in place, businesses needed effective ways to stay connected.
Even now, the demand for such tools remains strong, especially for businesses operating across multiple cities. Managing operations remotely is far more practical and cost-effective than constant physical travel, which is both expensive and time-consuming. This shift towards digital platforms is evident even in government initiatives. For example, our Prime Minister frequently uses digital platforms for events like inaugurations and addressing Members of Parliament, demonstrating how much time and resources can be saved.
Melp is designed to support not only the government but also the startup ecosystem and other organizations. A product like Melp is essential in today’s market, where collaboration and efficiency are key. Far from diminishing, the demand for such solutions is steadily growing. Tools like Melp not only address current needs but also hold immense potential for the future, offering businesses a reliable way to enhance efficiency and streamline operations.
TAM: Kindly share some insights into the early adopters of Melp.
Madhaw Anand: Initially, I focused on targeting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) because market penetration is easier in these regions. In developed economies, where pricing is less of a concern, breaking into the market is more challenging. We’ve already achieved penetration in several LDCs in Southeast Asia, as well as in some African countries. Now, I believe it’s the right time to introduce this product to the Indian business community through the Startup Mahakumar initiative. The response we’ve received so far has been incredible, with widespread appreciation for our product. I am confident that within six months to a year, we will achieve significant market penetration in the Indian ecosystem as well.
TAM: What is the support that startups require from the Indian Government?
Madhaw Anand: The global market presents significant opportunities, and I believe the government should foster strong relationships with countries worldwide. We are fortunate to have a visionary leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is making commendable efforts to establish good relations with nations around the globe.
This opens up opportunities for Indian startups to expand internationally. If we limit ourselves to the Indian market, we risk missing out on significant revenue potential. The government can play a pivotal role in helping Indian startups expand abroad, providing both financial assistance and strategic support.
There are numerous schemes at both the central and state government levels aimed at supporting startups. While these efforts are commendable, I believe the current budget allocations are insufficient. Given the Prime Minister’s emphasis on promoting local products, it’s essential for the government to back this vision with increased financial support or grants for the startup ecosystem.
I am confident that in the near future, the government will increase its budget for supporting startups. Additionally, while several incentives have already been introduced, there’s still a need to enhance these incentives to better cater to the growing needs of the startup ecosystem.
