Exclusive interview with Saurabh Choudhary, CEO and Nano-Technology Expert, BizSpan

Vinod Shah Posted on: 2021-08-02 19:16:00 Viewer: 7,995 Comments: 0 Country: India City: New Delhi

Exclusive interview with Saurabh Choudhary, CEO and Nano-Technology Expert, BizSpan

Saurabh Choudhary is a 29 years old Entrepreneur. He studied for Bachelors in Technology from India in the year 2013. Further, he pursued a master's in Micro and Nanosystems from TU Chemnitz, Germany. He was awarded an Erasmus grant during his studies. He worked as a research associate in Germany, Japan, and The Netherlands. During his research, he worked on nano-materials like Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Silver Nanowires, Gold Nano-Particles, and Various polymers. In 2016, he co-founded his first company in Indonesia. The company used to produce safety wears. In 2017, he founded  "BizSpan” a business development consulting firm in India. His company has handled sectors like Nanotechnology, Edutech, Environment, Water & Sanitization, FMCG & Fashion. BizSpan has global clients like UNDP and Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).

In a recent interaction with Urban Transport News, Saurabh talked about his mission and vision to transform India's Rail & Transport Industry by applying the latest and proven technology.

At the outset, please share with our readers about your professional journey and what inspired you to establish BizSpan in India?

Saurabh: First of all, I would like to thank Urban Transport News for giving me an opportunity to share my journey and thought about the recent and future development of modern transport system in India.  I worked as a nanotechnologist in Germany, Japan, The Netherlands and Indonesia. Further, I realised venturing into a new geographical territory is a daunting step for any Corporate / Public Sector Organization. The nuances of the local market can make it even more difficult while there is a dramatic cultural shift. However, the long term pros of expanding a business in ever growing economy can surpass the cons easily. BizSpan word is derived from the phrase ‘Business Expansion’.

We are a consulting firm providing India Entry Consulting and Business Development Consulting. We are committed to deliver innovative business and financial solutions for both Public and Private sector. We aim to provide support of a partnership for end to end venturing into the new market of India whether you are a known name in the market or a start-up testing new waters. We are able to achieve this through effective network among decision makers and well established relationships at Central and State level. We work with companies from Europe, USA, Canada, East and South East Asia, successfully establish their operations in India. We promise to make your part of journey of achieving this goal peaceful and growth ready. India is a not only a young country by the statistics of youth demographics, but it is also a place of thriving budding entrepreneurs with innumerable ideas and business models.

Recently, you participated in the webinar series "Rail & Metro Infrastructure 2021" and highlighted the application of Nano-technology in the Rail & Transportation sectors. Can you please tell us more about Nano-technology and its scope in the Rail and Urban Transportation sector?

Saurabh: Firstly, I would like to congratulate entire team of Urban Transport News and Metro Rail Today for organising excellent and informative webinar series on Emerging technology, Innovation, Research in Rail and Urban Transport System. I am really thankful to the team for giving me wonderful opportunity to convey my thoughts on scope of nanotechnology in the Rail and Urban Transportation sector.

Nanotechnology is the area of science and engineering where phenomena take place at the dimension of matter with a size ranging from 0.1 to 100 nanometers. The unique physical and chemical properties of a material at nanoscale can enhance its various properties like mechanical strength, mechanical properties, energy storage, optical properties, etc.  The nanotechnology revolution has had a ground-breaking impact in various fields such as biomedicine, robotics, electronics, civil engineering and automobiles because of their amazing performance.

Nanotechnology has gained increasing attention and is being applied in the Urban transportation sector. Because of its unique physical and chemical characteristics, nanotechnology can significantly enhance the safety and durability of Urban transportation systems. The recent developments and applications of nanotechnology in the modern transportation systems are nano filters, nano-coatings, advance tires, anti-glare coatings, GMR Sensors, dirt protection, reduced fuel consumption and enhanced engine performance.

Recently, nanotechnology has been extensively applied for controlling or modifying the structures and structures and properties of the materials to achieve better performance. Role of Nanotechnology starts with the optimised selection of nanomaterials based on the applications. In the modern era of the transportation, advance nanomaterials help to achieve light weigh rolling stock, scratch resistant paints. Selection of right nanomaterials can give us corrosion and fire-resistant automobile or rolling stock bodies. Some interesting development like nano steel, low friction aggregate components, situation adaptive driving mode, switchable materials, glare & wiper free glasses, environmental multi-sensors, are in the room of research which will become realistic in very future.

How Nano-technology can help India's growing railway industry to overcome issues related to Railcyber security, Theft, Data Privacy, Contactless payments, Automation of Railway Machineries & Plants etc.?

Saurabh: In recent development these are one of the most challenging and complicated issues to deal. To solve these issues, technical advancement requires more real time research and development. But, these can be resolved on the priority basis. Nanotechnology is helping in resolving these issues in automobile sectors by developing new nano sensors. The advanced nanosensors has unique properties like excellent stress and strain detection, high flexibility, robust and longer life and ultra-miniaturisation of space equipment and system. Combination of different nanomaterials and nanofillers are helping us to develop more modern nano sensors and nanogenerators, which is more unique in terms of result, economical and replacing the bulky sensors. Railway has started developing few of these sensors in their modern coaches in some part of the world.

Advance technologies in railway is changing every day. Certainly, India is growing in terms of railway manufacturing. We are producing advance technology systems in our recently developed trains and turning out to be an exporter. But, Indian manufacturing units need to work more on research and development end. I am hoping 5 years down the line, Indian manufactures will have an advance research and development facilities.

How can BizSpan help the Indian industry in the selection and adoption of modern technology in the Rail & Metro sectors?

Saurabh: BizSpan has a team of highly motivated, focused and experienced problem-solvers. Our consultants resolves multidimensional issues ranging from technology to market challenges. Often, these issues are consists of product, innovation, R&D, strategy, market and implementations. The value of early-stage technologies in shaping the future can never be underestimated. Market differentiation is the main motivational factor for government and corporates to continuously look for advancement in  technologies and innovating  new products and lead the highly competitive environment. Our consultants actively keep track on new merging technology in the market. BizSpan helps in business innovation, strategy making, business development, technical debottlenecking, engineering, infrastructure building, DPR, project management, conceptual & detailed master planning. We  also focus on operational efficiency, which generate substantial time and cost savings.

Do you think that technology transfer is most important after adopting new technology from foreign resources? How can BizSpan help users in the technology transfer process?

Saurabh: See, there can be two approaches for the quick technical innovation and development. Either, we have expert team of research and development or we go for technology transfer. Our first suggestion for the client is to build inhouse R&D team, if not then we suggest for the technology transfer. 

BizSpan helps in primary research to understand vision and mission of the project. Early discussions and analysis helps to identify the objective. Further, we identify the project and market needs. Next step, our consultants work on the intellectual property due diligence. BizSpan define stage and scope of the technology with regular reviews. We work on technology evaluation and its license requirements. We also help in negotiation before the deal. Post these steps we also help in complete technology set up process on the desired location. The integrated approach of primary research, trending technology, intellectual property, and market can help in understanding the future potential of the technology to be transferred. We do regular due diligence to give the best results.

Who are your competitors in India and how your services are different in the Industry?

Saurabh: India is a rapidly growing market with immense opportunities and potential. I believe there is enough market share to explore for all players. Based on my analysis, There is a need for more service providers and consultants. BizSpan as a company is competing to make Indian market accessible to all organizations who show interest in setting up business here or expanding their business.

In terms of competition, we are competing with all big service providers and consulting companies- be it the MNCs or local and regional Small and Growing businesses. We differentiate from the competition by delivering expertise in niche sectors such as nanotechnology and it’s uses in tech heavy sectors like railways, transport and chemicals. Our future looking approach to solving problems is based on business innovation principles geared towards improving processes and productivity.

Maintaining quality is a prime concern in the service industry. How do you ensure quality in services being delivered by your consulting firm? What is your quality control policy? List some other business verticals where you are also providing quality services.

Saurabh: Quality is ensured by having well thought out human centred design approach to business problems that we solve for our clients. A systems thinking approach allows us to see the bigger picture instead of only focussing at the task at hand. Our business solutions are designed in a way to see that it makes a positive impact to the overall system and processes. Quality control is maintained by having a checklist, using project management tools and list of best practices related to services we provide. Another key to quality control is to put our own ego and prior experiences aside. Our team approaches a new issue with a fresh lens with a motto to ensure client fit and deliver results up to client’s satisfaction.

We have worked with various different business verticals, like EdTech, FMCG, Chemicals, Nanotechnology, IoT, Biotechnology, Environment, Sustainability, Heavy Engineering Equipment, Safety & Security and Infrastructure.  

What are your takes on the Indian Government's metro, high-speed rail, rapid rail and urban transport revolution in India? 

Saurabh: In India, rate of urbanisation is directly proportional to the population, country is working really hard to transform itself in five to ten years down the line. In modern era of urbanisation, for the first time private players are being invited to run their rail services.  Smart mobility technologies and advanced solutions are changing India’s Urban transport ecosystem across top tier cities. Unfortunately, this is also creating new infrastructure challenges like high-speed trains, fully equipped railway stations and advance security systems.

The Indian Railway is undergoing a dynamic phase of growth with modern facilities and infrastructure offering. Recent advancements include the plan of 100% railway electrification, Automatic Block Signalling with Traffic Management systems, high-density network (HDN), highly utilized network (HUN) and increasing overall safety as per National Rail.

I appreciate visionary plans by the government of India to provide world class infrastructure to the commutators by introducing new high speed and fully equipped trains. I am really optimistic towards the new development, but it is an ongoing process which requires huge budget allotment and strict timeline-based development. Government should also focus on new technologies like AI & ML development with the development of physical infrastructure.

Anything else you want to share with our readers?

Saurabh: India needs adequate and timely investment in quality infrastructure and advance technology. India’s urban transport landscape faces many challenges like Safety & security, integrated multimodal network and frictionless travel being a few of them. To solve this issue, the urgency is to adapt latest technologies, more investment in research and development, better physical infrastructure and digitalization. BizSpan can work with public and private sectors with its holistic urban transport technology and management solutions.





Also Read




Leave Your Comment!









Recent Comments!

No comments found...!