Determination and willingness can overcome challenges: Hrishikesh Datar

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Vaneeta Punchvedi | 24 Nov, 2015
There are several challenges, but if you are determined and willing to do whatever it takes to grow and succeed, success will be yours, said Hrishikesh Datar, CEO, Vakilsearch.com.

In an interview, Datar told SME Times, "We faced challenges in hiring, convincing people to come on-board, building a reputation for quality and finally, attaining profitability. But eventually, we've fought those off to build a lasting business."

Excerpts of the interview...

Please tell us something about your organization "Vakilsearch"?
Hrishikesh Datar: Vakilsearch is a technology driven company empowering Indians with access to trustworthy legal solutions. Vakilsearch’s automated online platform offers the widest range of legal services such as company incorporation, trademark and patent registrations, tax registrations and filings, accounting and secretarial compliance and more through in-house and hand-picked experts on our platform.

Our obsessive focus on client satisfaction has made us one of the most sought after online legal services provider in the country.

What kind of response you are getting from your unique service organization?
Hrishikesh Datar: Vakilsearch has serviced more than 120,000 clients that include Taxi For Sure and Sulekha.com. Since 2011, vakilsearch has been responsible for 1 in every 100 new businesses started in India. On an average vakilsearch registers 400 companies and 900 trademarks each month.

Our impressive client statistics have garnered investor interest, and we're the first platform to recieve Series A VC funding. We're indisputably the largest legal services platform in Asia.

What encouraged you to start this sort of services?
Hrishikesh Datar: I started vakilsearch in 2011 to leverage technology and address the problems of the cluttered and non-standardized services market in India.

Through the use of technology we have been able to help people all across the country.

Vakilsearch envisions a transparent environment in India where people seeking professional services such as lawyers, CAs and company secretaries, will get best value for their time and money.

Whom you consider as your clients and how "Vakilsearch" works?
Hrishikesh Datar: Imagine not having to hunt for a lawyer or CA, fix an appointment, travel in chaotic rush hour traffic and pay an exorbitant amount. We want to make that dream a reality for millions of Indian business owners (especially MSMEs) and individual clients.

Small and medium enterprises and the Indian middle class are key client bases.

So, we have our in-house technology driven services such as company incorporation, trademark and patent registration, etc. An individual wanting to use any of these services just has to scan and upload his documents at vakilsearch and the rest is taken care by our team. All this is done online and if needed a telephonic discussion wraps it up. Thus, anyone from any part of the country can now avail standardized legal services without actually having to meet lawyers and save both in terms of money and time.

Do "Vakilsearch" also works with SMEs( Small and Medium enterprises)?
Hrishikesh Datar: Yes, vakilsearch works with SMEs to take care of their legal, accounting and secretarial needs.

How "VakilSearch" is different from others? What is the USP of your organization?
Hrishikesh Datar: The single biggest differentiator is our focus on getting the work done online. We leverage technology to make it easier for the customer to get services. And the cost reductions which technology affords, we pass those on directly to the customer as well. Over the years, we have been able to provide hassle-free and standardized legal services to our clients through our high experienced team of professionals and a strong technology-driven platform.

Being a entrepreneur survival is not easy in India. Your views?
Hrishikesh Datar: Yes, there are several challenges, but if you are determined and willing to do whatever it takes to grow and succeed, success will be yours.

We faced challenges in hiring, convincing people to come on-board, building a reputation for quality and finally, attaining profitability. But eventually, we've fought those off to build a lasting business.

What are your future plans?
Hrishikesh Datar: We're building the world's largest platform for 2 million plus professionals, and we're already seeing great results. Our team will be based across the country and our reach will span 100 cities by 2017. Naturally, our focus on technology and more importantly, customer obsession will only grow firmer and stronger with time.

I started vakilsearch in 2011 to leverage technology and address the problems of the cluttered and non-standardized services market in India.

Through the use of technology we have been able to help people all across the country.

Vakilsearch envisions a transparent environment in India where people seeking professional services will get best value for their time and money.