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Hi, and welcome to the purple Eyeway conversations. My name is George Abraham. And my guest today is
Ankur Kankonkar, who is an entrepreneur and he's based out of core. Welcome, uncle. Yeah, thanks so much. Thanks so much.
So Ankur, you know, you've been visually impaired. And it's not a very common thing to see people with vision impairment getting into entrepreneurship and that too, in the tech space. So what actually prompted you to take up this line of work, I lost my sight at around, I would say about 1819 When I was about 1819, and I was doing my Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences. And after that,
there was a period of gap in the middle where I was actually doing nothing. And then I decided to, you know,
start all over again and complete my education. So when I was doing my BSc in computer science, that is when I actually had decided that, you know, I want to be an entrepreneur, I don't want to work for a company or, you know, work for somebody else. Yeah. The major reason I would say is because she I'm, I'm a person who is driven by certain values, and one of them is, like, freedom. I like freedom myself. Yeah. I like independence. I like taking my own decisions being my own boss. Yeah.
And also, you know, I'm a Gemini, I'm born in June, so I'm a Gemini. Yeah. And most Geminis I think, are people who like to be their own kind of bosses.
And I've been always like that, you know, leadership is something that I would say comes to me naturally, so I would like to, you know, leave people rather than follow.
I read a story about another blind guy called Karthik. sarni. Um, yeah, I'm pretty sure you know him. Yes. And it's a very popular guy in especially the visually impaired community. Yeah. I read the story on the internet, that he became one of the first black guys in India to study science at 12 CBSE, I guess. Yes. He studied Stanford, you know, was that
study tech at Sanford and working at Microsoft, and today's a very good friend of mine, but at the time I had not known. So just read the story online. And that story, kind of, you know, changed my life, I would say, moving on. Good. Use set up a company. Yes. So what is this company called? And what does the company actually do? Okay. So the company today is called can conquer technologies Private Limited. It was only acquired capsula spelt with a K, KP SLC K, we still have a brand in the name of capsula. The company is called can Concur Technologies Private Limited. Yeah. And we also have another brand called anxiolytic. X, which deals in like aI analytics and all technology related services. Yeah. So when we first started back in 2019, we were just a web design, web development kind of a company. Today, we are more into custom software development, providing IT solutions for businesses, small to medium sized businesses. And we also do, as I said, you know, AI and analytics related services, so completely a digital company, you can say, and our clients are mostly companies who are into the financial sector. Other tech companies want to outsource their development and related services.
We have clients like, you know, we started off with clients here in Goa, we have clients all over India, and today we have clients like in the US, in Norway, and also in Canada. And so, you know, we are gonna have clients in the Middle East as well, like like Dubai and other countries, you don't really come from an entrepreneurial background. So I'd be interested in knowing how did you actually kind of get started because what many of us want to be entrepreneurs, but do not know where to start and how to start. So we like to share some of your experience. Yes, after doing my bachelor's in computer science, I did a master's degree in Information Technology. Yeah. And as I said, I had already decided that I was going to be an entrepreneur, I wanted to start my own company. So I took a couple of friends of mine.
a proprietary firm back in 2019.
It was simple, proprietary firm, which we registered under the name of capslock.
And to get started, we just, you know, got an MSME registration, and a simple trade licence from from the municipal council. So it's not really you know, a huge thing to start a business, you just need a few licences here and there. But the most important thing that you need, I would say is your own, would you say, belief in yourself that you want to start something, so they are presumed to still partners with you. Unfortunately, they're not, they've moved on to do other things. But I've brought my father on board as as one of the directors in this new company that I've set up. But we now have a, you know, a big enough team, which can take care of a lot of our business operations. I don't really work in the business, I work mostly on the business,
basically, being the face of the company, getting new clients, negotiating, sales, etc. But we do have a team of engineers who take care of the day to day engineering requirements, we do have a marketing team, we have a business development team, etc. What are some of the key challenges that you had to face? And how did you deal with it? See, as as a blind person, the first challenge, I would say is, if you're pitching your service to a client, for example, yeah. And
me being one of the like, you know, what do you say, key persons in going and meeting people because the other two co founders that I had, they were not really comfortable speaking to people, they were more of like engineering or operations kind of people. Yes, they were comfortable taking care of the backend side of things. But me being, you know, pretty good at speaking and all that kind of stuff. So I used to go and pitch to clients. So the biggest challenge was people did not take me seriously initially. Because of my visual impairment. Yeah. They were like, you're a blind guy, right? How can you, you know, cope with certain demands and pressures that can come with with us giving you business is how can you how can we even, you know, trust that you would be able to deliver? Yeah. But I would say how I coped with it is, you know, I really showed them what what our skill set was, and you know, what, we were good at and convinced a few early clients to take a chance with us and, you know, what do you say give us give us that earlier, personally. And then once we started delivering, that's when I think people started getting more confidence, okay, that, you know, they have a portfolio now of clients and they can deliver.
If you know, anyone with vision impairment, who needs guidance on living life with blindness, please share the EIV national toll free helpline number 1-800-532-0469 The number is 1-800-532-0469.
You know, you didn't mention about AI in your while you were talking about your company to start with and these days, people are talking about AI machine language internet of things. So what is the area of AI that you are working in?
We actually see, what we do as a company with AI is actually help businesses, maybe small to medium sized businesses, how they can actually implement AI to make their processes automated, how they can reduce redundancy, how they can reduce manual labour. Yeah, that is where we identify you know, that these these these tasks or these processes can actually be automated using using artificial intelligence. And then we implement AI based solutions. Like, I don't know whether people have heard of chatbots we can implement chat bots for companies where you know, you don't need a person to communicate with some your customers, for example, the bot can do it, and then maybe redirect the conversation to an actual human if required. So we can implement or we can develop chat bots for companies. We also as you mentioned, you know how much In learning and all these things, to make decisions that humans make, using machines, where you don't require like a lot of human supervision and human influence, is what we identify. It could be in healthcare sector, it could be in finance and financial sector. And that's where we put, we put in our engineers to develop solutions, customised solutions for these companies. That's how we implement AI for outcomes. Now, in general, when you talk about, you know, the future of AI, and as a country, where are we going with it and all that? Let me tell you in the next five years, five to 10 years, I think AI you will see AI in every field, whether it be education, whether it be technology, whether it be finance or healthcare everywhere, you will be saying, Actually, you are actually seeing a lot of AI being used today. If I mentioned Chad GPT a lot of people here might be using it. You might be using it for your work as well. Mr. Abraham? Yeah, I use it like everyday, kind of I jokingly say that I chat with Chad Jeopardy more than any other human these days. That's because I use it not just for my work, but for all the other things as well. You know, you
It's interesting to note that you said, Changi BTS, you said you use it for a lot of stuff. Yes. And you're not very specific about it. Can you can you? What, what should you do with it?
So, I basically see if I, if I was a student, I would I would have used it to, you know, do a lot of my homework maybe. I don't know whether the maybe students or teachers, they might not, if not, you know, take this in the right way. But I think there are tools nowadays to make out whether a content is AI generated or not as well. Okay, so teachers also have that kind of thing. I use it mostly to generate content. For example, if we need to generate like an article or a blog, I give it like an outline. Again, there could be like journalists in it listening to this, they might be worried, you know, the jobs are at stake or something not really. See, AI can only do so much for you. You give it certain prompts. And it gives it it gives you data, but you cannot use it for you know, fact based kind of what do you say fact based work, like, if you ask him certain kind of fact, fact related questions, it can make mistakes, use it to maybe learn a concept. If you're a student, I would advise you that you can use it maybe to learn the concept maybe to simplify certain things for you. I use it to as I said, generate content. Another thing is say, today, I'm also going to this matrimonial meat that is happening. So I do you know, generate my bio data for him. So I asked God to do it for me. So GPT asked me a few questions like, What are you interested in stuff like that? And I just answered all of his questions. And it gives me a very nice catchy kind of bio data. hope, hope it you know, hits the mark, as we find a partner, but then yeah, you share jeopardy for like a lot of things like to, you know, identify business opportunities, maybe in tech, ask questions like, you know, generate a business plan, identify different revenue models, identify what could be the issues in my business, perform a SWOT analysis like strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. So you can use it for almost anything
changing tracks. Now, you also have been doing a lot of keynote speeches to different audiences, technical audiences, as well as non technical audiences. Yeah, I have
delivered keynotes on like technical topics like AI and technology and digital strategies, etc, etc. But I've also done speeches in terms of motivational speaking in terms of like I had just to speak about my personal experience, right from a sighted person going blind, completing my education, coming back, starting a company, all of that. So I've done motivational speaking sessions based on that. So for me, motivational speaking, started very difficult thing because I particularly I have to basically go in brag about myself. I have to physically talk about myself what I have done in the past and all of that kind of stuff, but also deliver some kind of message, some kind of insight and some kind of, because at the end of the day, you know, it has to inspire people to do something right with them. Windows
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go you talked about your interest in sport. Yeah. And you didn't play cricket the representative level I have when you were in school. So how do you keep in touch with sport winning? Are you are you? Yeah, yeah. See,
as a kid growing up in the 90s and assited kid, right? Yeah. My first ever idol was searching. Yeah, I grew up watching such and that's I consider myself lucky. Yeah, I was one of those kids. Yeah. Coming from a cricket crazy kind of place. Yeah. Always wanted to play cricket. I always like you know, played at a very good level. Like I was a fast bowler, myself, I could bet reasonably well as well. Not as good as such. Unfortunately, I played in my school and I was good enough to you know, go go level up as well. But decided not to go with that decided to proceed with my education. Being a bright kid. I think that that was the thing in the past, right? Cricket was not really a career option. So I started science and you know, kind of lost touch with the game and after I lost my sight, kind of, you know, playing was was out of the question, but I do keep in touch and listen to like commentaries on TV and listen to commentaries online because TV commentaries really don't work as a blind person. Yeah, it's, you have pictures right? People can see what's the what's happening. So the commentaries are not really descriptive more of a supportive strategy, but as a radio commentary, because there is there is no picture that they are more destructive. Yeah, so I discovered that you can listen to all of your now on this football and cricket commentaries online. So there's this radio station called Talksport which which presents like a lot of Premier League matches so there is Barclays Premier League matches happening like every weekend right yeah, where men United play these these games and they are available on Talksport and on BBC Sport and other other platforms there are radio communities so I keep in touch I don't miss a single match. I don't miss a single
incidentally, like us such and also started with an aspiration to be a first mother to me son is now possible Yeah,
he is he plays for go oh, by the way. Yeah, he
plays. Okay. So now you obviously listen to commentaries and all that as your your work also takes a lot of your time. But you also are mentioning that you have a passion for VB I do. What are the kinds of books you read and what are your favourite authors?
So reading is something that I've been doing since I was a little kid. As a kid, I grew up like you know, reading tinker and Chanda mama and Sandoval. I don't even know what it is. You know, books exist anymore.
Some of them do.
I think Reader's Digest does exist. tinkle I think does come but others I don't know. Yeah. But I grew up reading these kinds of books. Today. I am a fan of both fiction as well as nonfiction. And fiction. Like I know I read a mostly suspense thrillers like my favourite authors are, you know, Steve Lawson, the Millennium trilogy could have the dragon tattoo and all that. Yeah. Dan Brown. I've read a lot of Dan Brown like the Robert Langdon series. Yeah. I've also read, you know, adventure books like fantasy books like Harry Potter when I was a little kid, I still read it today. People ask me, you're in your early 30s. And you still read Harry Potter. So I'm like, Yeah, I'm a fan of that. And as a blind person, I think I mentioned you do this when? When we were having a chat that you know, as a blind person, you listen to a lot of audiobooks. Yeah. So the narrator also plays an important role in what kind of books you listen to. So the Harry Potter books I listened to because of Stephen Fry was a very good narrator. Right? So I've also read like Game of Thrones popular series TV series that has come out I've read all this Game of Thrones books. And in terms of nonfiction, I mostly read business related books now like personality development, leadership and business related books. Some of them I would recommend anybody would just starting out, maybe, Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Yeah, a book that has changed my life. Completely. I would say the way you look at finances the way you look at, you know money in general. I mean, that book has really changed my life. Rich Dad, Poor Dad. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Another book I recommend all time bestseller Of course. And one of the best books you can read if you want to, you know, use it maybe in your personal life professional life everywhere you can use it if you're into business just want to get started or something personal MBA is a very good book, which gives you an overview of what are businesses, what are the different parts of a business, how to grow it and etc, etc. Then never split a difference is a book that teaches you everything about negotiations and stuff. So these are some of the books that you know have changed my perspective of life and actually helped me to make what you say better decisions as a person and as a business owner as well. You
know, as successful or to be successful entrepreneur, a bright student, present companion. Have you really had any kind of serious relationships
I have had in the past. Currently, I'm a single if there are any single women in the audience take note of that. I've heard you know, a lot of relationships in the past. I don't know whether I should be speaking about all of this because of my father sitting in the audience. But yeah, I've had and as a sighted person as a blind person both I've had some some pretty good relationships. Bittersweet memories I have you know, a lot of things which I cannot speak here because of family show, right. But yeah, I do have I have a lot of friends as well who helped me out with you know, a lot of things like we go to places we go to beaches, I swim. And then we do theatres, like movies and stuff from time to time I take trips. I love travelling as well. Yeah. I've travelled alone as well in the past, but but I've travelled mostly with groups with with friends and family. So in terms of relationships, yes, I have had, like, you know, pretty good ones. And pretty bad ones as well.
Okay. We haven't been in delivery of the protests. In the course of what you were talking, you slipped by saying that after this conversation, you're going out fishing for a partner. So we go into the matrimonial show. Yes. So you have a busy day today. But before you go, let me ask you a question. What exactly do you expect from a marriage?
This point? First things first, I've never been to Metro Manila before. So I don't know what to expect. If you can guide me there. Or maybe there are people in the group who can get my wife. Not true. Okay.
But what I'm asking you not about the matrimonial show. Yeah. And about your expectations around marriage. See,
for me, a marriage season since I'm a cricket fan, I would say marriage is more like a partnership. Yeah, a long, long partnership, 102 minute and partnership. So it depends where both people I think have respect for each other, give each other like, you know, time and space, understand each other and really enhance each other's lives. Be there for each other when when you know, things are bad. Of course, there'll be people for you when things are good. But when things are bad, maybe, you know, be there, just just be there for each other. And for me, I think relationship is or marriage is something that has to last first and foremost. I've seen a lot of marriages that do not unfortunately. So I want, you know, marriage to be a pleasant experience, not to be a burden. But as I said, really enhance each other's lives and you know, have a lot of fun along the way.
So do you cook? I don't. So that's that's the first thing I got the first ball level send you on the backfoot. Right, I think we're all hungry. Now. Let me there's a bouquet which I would like to give you. This is paid off handmade by children. Can you just extend your hand? Thanks. Thanks so much. This is a bouquet of paper. And this made by children. Thanks. And this is a memento from the purple festival. Yeah,
thanks so much. So maybe we have a round of applause.
So thank you very much for coming and spending this time with us and good and sharing parts of your life. And thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you
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