Poor Internet, data connectivity biggest challenge facing IT startups: MD, Instappy.com

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Saurabh Gupta | 09 Jan, 2017
Poor Internet infrastructure and data connectivity is still one of the biggest challenge for a startup entrepreneur in information and technology (IT) sector, Founder & MD, Instappy.com, Ambika Sharma told SME Times in an interview.

She said, "Although the internet and data connectivity infrastructure has improved, we still have a long way to go in order to be at par with the major economies across the globe.

Each and every sector of the Indian economy is experiencing an influx of digitized services and consumer engagement via the Internet.

"Critical issues such as electricity, internet, mobile, and smartphone penetration need to be taken up on a war footing, as these are the fundamental tools required for the Indian rural and urban economy to interact smoothly and enhance the country’s overall economic potential," she added.

Excerpts from the interview...

Please tell something about your platform.
Ambika Sharma: A cloud based do-it-yourself (DIY) rapid mobile app development platform, Instappy allows businesses, organizations and individuals to create customized native applications for Android and iOS platforms. It is one of the most intuitive, easy-to-use click based interface, which allows users who do not know coding to develop feature-laden apps easily.

At Instappy, we allow for easy customization, allowing our users to create the perfect app they require. We have also introduced a reseller program, allowing businesses to introduce app development in their line of business and offer further value to their clients.

Instappy is a cloud-based Mobile app creation platform, allows users to build intuitive, stunning and fully native applications for iOS and Android instantly. It sounds sweet, but a small entrepreneur is usually have the issues like technical knowledge and financial. So how this platform be beneficial for SME? From both technical and monetary points.
Ambika Sharma: Instappy is tailor-made for SMEs and bootstrapped start-ups as it is a cost-effective DIY platform. While hiring app developers can cost a bomb with minimal control on the end result, entrepreneurs can get customized apps developed in a fraction of the cost by using Instappy. SMEs and start-ups on a tight budget need to target online users through feature-rich and highly effective apps, and Instappy acts as the ideal bridge to help such businesses reach the biggest pool of customers.

Being cloud-based, developing apps, which would otherwise have cost somewhere around INR 5-10 lakh at the present market cost, can be easily created within INR 50,000-80,000 on Instappy. Furthermore, the time taken on Instappy to develop an app is very less, leading to quicker publishing of an app to initiate early engagement with a user, thus shortening the app development to Return-On-Investment cycle.

Being a start-up what were the challenges you had gone through?
Ambika Sharma: Although the internet and data connectivity infrastructure has improved, we still have a long way to go in order to be at par with the major economies across the globe. Besides, given the large number of handsets that we have in the market, testing the app to ensure cross platform compatibility takes more effort than usual.

How you see the government's start-up India movement?
Ambika Sharma: Campaigns like 'Start Up India, Stand Up India' highlight the current government's intentions to promote entrepreneurship in the country and promote digitisation. Each and every sector of the Indian economy is experiencing an influx of digitized services and consumer engagement via the Internet. Segments such as e-commerce have, as a result, witnessed a rapid boom in recent times. By making it more feasible for aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their business dreams, 'Start Up India' will definitely play a major role in addressing issues such as digital illiteracy and unemployment head on.

Would you like to say something to the government to facilitate this sector?
Ambika Sharma: The government has already been proactive in pursuing the vision of a digitised India. The need of the hour, however, is to make this vision become a tangible reality by providing the infrastructure required to implement it. Critical issues such as electricity, internet, mobile, and smartphone penetration need to be taken up on a war footing, as these are the fundamental tools required for the Indian rural and urban economy to interact smoothly and enhance the country’s overall economic potential.

What are your future plans?
Ambika Sharma: We are optimizing our digital strategy and focusing on a strong content marketing approach, and will be expanding our team and enhancing the efficiency of our sales process. We will also work towards increasing the reach of our reseller program and entering more business partnerships.