Naren Kumar
Founder
The platform also offers social commerce opportunities, where users can buy and sell products and services within their local community. This not only promotes local businesses and entrepreneurship but also encourages sustainable consumption and reduces the carbon footprint associated with long distance shipping.
IAMHERE's hyperlocal community platform is designed to break down barriers and bring people together in neighbourhoods and communities such as clubs, associations, societies, workplaces and colleges. With its innovative location-based approach, IAMHERE is paving the way for a new era of social networking, where individuals and communities can connect, collaborate, meet and thrive together.
In an exclusive interview with us, Naren opened up about his early business and how he is making headlines on the same.
Can you please tell me about your career path and what motivated you to establish IAMHERE?
Having spent ten years in Bangalore, I ventured to Mumbai after completing my MBA and found myself disoriented, struggling to navigate my neighborhood. Being a Guitarist, I tried to find musicians to connect with nearby, but my efforts went in vain. Despite local stores offering discounts and deliveries, I was not aware of them. Even though there were events happening, I only found out about them after they had concluded. It took me three years to discover that my neighbor was also an alumnus of ISB. This eye-opening experience became a pivotal moment for me and served as the impetus for founding IAMHERE a location-based community network
catering to businesses, professions, and hobbies.
Can you describe your leadership style and share the key factors that have contributed to your success thus far?
I hold a leadership philosophy that recognizes the inherent value of each team member, irrespective of their position. I firmly believe that innovation and creativity can come from anyone, regard less of their seniority within the organization. By assembling a talented team and fostering a supportive work environment, I believe that empowering the team will give them the confidence and autonomy in driving the company toward success. As a leader, my role is to observe and provide guidance as needed, while entrusting my team with ownership and accountability for the growth of the company.
Could you provide a brief description of IAMHERE Software Labs and its market position?
At IAMHERE Software Labs, we are driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to challenging the status quo. Our vision is to revolutionize the traditional approach to social networking, and we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this space. We believe that technology has the power to connect people in meaningful ways, and we are dedicated to creating a platform that enhances the way people connect in their local communities and beyond. As a challenger in social networking, our team of talented and creative individuals has poured years of hard work, dedication, and expertise into developing a cutting-edge solution that delivers a seamless and unparalleled user experience.
We have listened to the needs and preferences of our users, and have meticulously crafted our platform to cater to those demands, making it a truly unique offering in the market. As we approach the significant milestone of one million users, we are thrilled by the overwhelming support and adoption of our platform, by people, businesses, and even NGOs. It is a clear indication that our vision of transforming social networking is resonating with users and we are humbled by that trust and confidence.
What factors are considered for developing effective corporate growth strategies?
Adopting game theory as a strategic approach in developing growth strategies can be highly effective, as it allows for flexibility in the direction of each step while ensuring things ultimately converge into the desired goal. It's akin to taking a detour to reach your destination. In the context of a startup, the pilot phase may not always be scalable but then it has to be designed keeping in mind the scalability. Over emphasizing scalability during the initial pilot stage can impede the success of the pilot, at the same
Can you describe your leadership style and share the key factors that have contributed to your success thus far?
I hold a leadership philosophy that recognizes the inherent value of each team member, irrespective of their position. I firmly believe that innovation and creativity can come from anyone, regard less of their seniority within the organization. By assembling a talented team and fostering a supportive work environment, I believe that empowering the team will give them the confidence and autonomy in driving the company toward success. As a leader, my role is to observe and provide guidance as needed, while entrusting my team with ownership and accountability for the growth of the company.
To succeed, a team must analyze user feedback for latent messages, tailoring their product to meet market needs. By doing so, users & the market will help the team succeed
Could you provide a brief description of IAMHERE Software Labs and its market position?
At IAMHERE Software Labs, we are driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to challenging the status quo. Our vision is to revolutionize the traditional approach to social networking, and we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this space. We believe that technology has the power to connect people in meaningful ways, and we are dedicated to creating a platform that enhances the way people connect in their local communities and beyond. As a challenger in social networking, our team of talented and creative individuals has poured years of hard work, dedication, and expertise into developing a cutting-edge solution that delivers a seamless and unparalleled user experience.
We have listened to the needs and preferences of our users, and have meticulously crafted our platform to cater to those demands, making it a truly unique offering in the market. As we approach the significant milestone of one million users, we are thrilled by the overwhelming support and adoption of our platform, by people, businesses, and even NGOs. It is a clear indication that our vision of transforming social networking is resonating with users and we are humbled by that trust and confidence.
What factors are considered for developing effective corporate growth strategies?
Adopting game theory as a strategic approach in developing growth strategies can be highly effective, as it allows for flexibility in the direction of each step while ensuring things ultimately converge into the desired goal. It's akin to taking a detour to reach your destination. In the context of a startup, the pilot phase may not always be scalable but then it has to be designed keeping in mind the scalability. Over emphasizing scalability during the initial pilot stage can impede the success of the pilot, at the same
time if scalability is not considered, the strategy itself may fail after a successful pilot. As long as this balance is in the scheme of things, growth goals are achievable.
How do you form and guide your team to gain valuable market insights?
At the core of our approach at IAMHERE is a deep appreciation for the value of user feedback. We actively seek out and engage with our users on a regular basis, recognizing that their insights are critical to our success. Through careful analysis of periodic surveys and feedback loops, we ensure that every feature and functionality we develop is meticulously tailored to meet the ever-changing needs of the market.
We understand that user feedback is not just about collecting data, but about truly understanding the underlying message behind it. It is our responsibility to decipher the nuances and insights embedded within user feedback, and we take this task seriously. Our team is encouraged to delve into both positive and negative reviews, understanding that both types of feedback can provide valuable insights for product development.
What plans do you have in mind for IAMHERE Software Labs and what advice would you give to upcoming leaders in this domain?
We are working on getting IAMHERE profitable in the next 6-9 months. We are also planning a global launch soon. My advice to upcoming leaders would be to not just focus on short-term gains but to always keep the bigger picture in mind. Understand the market and its dynamics, keep a pulse on the latest trends and technologies, and be open to new ideas and perspectives. Surround yourself with a team of smart and diverse individuals who can challenge your thinking and help you grow. And most importantly, always stay true to your vision and mission, even when faced with challenges and setbacks. With these grounding principles, I am confident that the leaders of tomorrow can build successful and sustainable organizations in this dynamic and everevolving domain.
Naren Kumar, Founder, IAMHERE Software Labs
Naren Kumar is an engineer from BITS Pilani with an MBA from ISB Hyderabad. With 20 years of experience in strategy, business development, marketing, product management, and product development functions across corporates, and startups in India/the US, he has built successful businesses from scratch.
Hobbies:Playing Guitar, Reading & Blogging
Favorite Cuisine:South Asian
Favorite Book:Bhagavad Gita
Favorite Travel Destination: Mountains
Awards & Recognition:“AsiaOne” Young Asian Entrepreneur,“Govt of India” Aatmanirbhar app special category winner, “Govt of Karnataka” Elevate grant winner, “Economic Times” Emerging Tech startup winner, “Aegis Graham Bell” Innovation award Top 3, “Business Connect” Best Hyperlocal Marketing Platform winner, “Times Business Awards” winner for Technology Innovation in Hyperlocal Communities
How do you form and guide your team to gain valuable market insights?
At the core of our approach at IAMHERE is a deep appreciation for the value of user feedback. We actively seek out and engage with our users on a regular basis, recognizing that their insights are critical to our success. Through careful analysis of periodic surveys and feedback loops, we ensure that every feature and functionality we develop is meticulously tailored to meet the ever-changing needs of the market.
We understand that user feedback is not just about collecting data, but about truly understanding the underlying message behind it. It is our responsibility to decipher the nuances and insights embedded within user feedback, and we take this task seriously. Our team is encouraged to delve into both positive and negative reviews, understanding that both types of feedback can provide valuable insights for product development.
What plans do you have in mind for IAMHERE Software Labs and what advice would you give to upcoming leaders in this domain?
We are working on getting IAMHERE profitable in the next 6-9 months. We are also planning a global launch soon. My advice to upcoming leaders would be to not just focus on short-term gains but to always keep the bigger picture in mind. Understand the market and its dynamics, keep a pulse on the latest trends and technologies, and be open to new ideas and perspectives. Surround yourself with a team of smart and diverse individuals who can challenge your thinking and help you grow. And most importantly, always stay true to your vision and mission, even when faced with challenges and setbacks. With these grounding principles, I am confident that the leaders of tomorrow can build successful and sustainable organizations in this dynamic and everevolving domain.
Naren Kumar, Founder, IAMHERE Software Labs
Naren Kumar is an engineer from BITS Pilani with an MBA from ISB Hyderabad. With 20 years of experience in strategy, business development, marketing, product management, and product development functions across corporates, and startups in India/the US, he has built successful businesses from scratch.
Hobbies:Playing Guitar, Reading & Blogging
Favorite Cuisine:South Asian
Favorite Book:Bhagavad Gita
Favorite Travel Destination: Mountains
Awards & Recognition:“AsiaOne” Young Asian Entrepreneur,“Govt of India” Aatmanirbhar app special category winner, “Govt of Karnataka” Elevate grant winner, “Economic Times” Emerging Tech startup winner, “Aegis Graham Bell” Innovation award Top 3, “Business Connect” Best Hyperlocal Marketing Platform winner, “Times Business Awards” winner for Technology Innovation in Hyperlocal Communities