Founder Talk: Mr. Vikas Chadda of ProcUrPal in Conversation with Radhika Bansal
Radhika: Welcome, Mr. Chadda. It’s a pleasure to have you here today. Let’s start with what inspired you to start ProcUrPal, and can you share the story behind its inception? Vikas Chadda: Thank you for having me. The inspiration for ProcUrPal stemmed from my extensive experience in the IT infrastructure and SaaS industries, working with global organizations like Lenovo, Xerox, Sify, and Reliance. Throughout my career, particularly during my stints managing Government/Public Sector, Global, and Enterprise customers, I had the privilege of handling large, complex RFPs and eAuctions. These experiences revealed a critical need for a more streamlined, transparent approach to procurement processes. We aimed to bridge the gaps I observed during my time in these industries and offer a platform that drives true value for our clients. Equally significant was the expertise brought in by Subramanya Nagaraj, who has three decades of experience in the procurement domain. Together, we saw an opportunity to harness AI and advanced analytics to create a solution that could transform procurement, making it more efficient, transparent, and cost-effective. This vision led to the birth of ProcUrPal. Our goal was to revolutionize procurement through innovative technology, addressing the pain points that we had witnessed firsthand and creating a platform that adds substantial value to businesses by optimizing their procurement processes. Thus, ProcUrPal was born, driven by a vision to revolutionize procurement through innovative technology. Radhika: ProcUrPal has recently received significant recognition, including the ‘Innovative Leaders of The Year 2024 Award’ by Business Connect Magazine and the ‘Best Use of AI in Procurement & SaaS’ award at the India AI Summit. Can you share what these accolades mean for your company and how they reflect ProcUrPal’s approach to innovation in the procurement space? Vikas Chadda: These accolades are incredibly meaningful for us at ProcUrPal. Being named ‘Innovative Leaders of The Year 2024’ by Business Connect Magazine and receiving the ‘Best Use of AI in Procurement & SaaS’ at the Elets India AI Summit is both humbling and motivating. These awards reflect our relentless commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in procurement. At ProcUrPal, we believe that innovation isn’t just about adopting the latest technologies—it’s about understanding the challenges our customers face and finding creative, effective solutions that make a real impact. Radhika: What sets ProcUrPal apart from other procurement solutions, and how do you ensure it consistently adds value to your clients? Vikas Chadda: ProcUrPal stands out due to several key factors. First and foremost, we are proudly made in India for the world. This means we deeply understand the complexities and nuances of Indian businesses, which gives us a unique edge. Unlike many global ERP players who often struggle to adapt to the diverse and intricate requirements of Indian enterprises, we have designed ProcUrPal to seamlessly address these challenges. Our platform leverages AI and advanced analytics to automate procurement processes and provide actionable insights. This AI-driven approach not only streamlines operations but also helps in making data-driven decisions, significantly enhancing efficiency and transparency. Furthermore, ProcUrPal integrates effortlessly with existing systems, ensuring a smooth transition for our clients. We are committed to continuous improvement, driven by regular customer feedback, which allows us to stay ahead of the curve and consistently add value. Radhika: What were some significant challenges you faced while establishing ProcUrPal, and could you share a moment that made you realize the impact of your platform? Vikas Chadda: Leaving a secure corporate job to start my own venture was a significant leap of faith. The journey of establishing ProcUrPal came with its fair share of challenges, starting from the ground up. The first step was validating the idea—ensuring that our solution addressed a real pain point in the procurement industry. This involved extensive market research and countless discussions with potential users / CPOs to refine our concept. Once we validated the idea, the next challenge was achieving product-market fit. We had to ensure that our platform met the specific needs of our target audience, which required iterative development and feedback loops. Developing a robust product required meticulous planning and execution, ensuring that our platform was scalable, secure, and user-friendly. As a bootstrapped organization, managing funds for continuous development was particularly challenging. We had to be very strategic and efficient with our resources to keep the momentum going. Radhika: What trends do you foresee in the procurement industry, and what is your vision for ProcUrPal in the next five to ten years? Vikas Chadda: The procurement industry is rapidly evolving, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation and sustainability. I foresee increased adoption of AI to enhance efficiency and transparency. Supplier diversity and ethical sourcing will also become more prominent. For ProcUrPal, our vision is to be at the forefront of these trends, continuously innovating to meet the changing needs of our clients. In the next five to ten years, I see ProcUrPal expanding its global footprint, offering comprehensive procurement solutions that drive sustainable value for businesses worldwide. Radhika: As ProcUrPal expands its global footprint, how do you plan to offer comprehensive procurement solutions that drive sustainable value for businesses worldwide? Vikas Chadda: Expanding ProcUrPal’s global footprint is an exciting and strategic phase for us. Our approach to offering comprehensive procurement solutions that drive sustainable value for businesses worldwide involves several key initiatives. Firstly, we are committed to localizing our platform to meet the specific needs and regulatory requirements of different regions. This means adapting our solutions to address the unique challenges and opportunities present in various markets. By understanding local business practices and regulatory environments, we can provide more relevant and effective procurement solutions. Secondly, we leverage our AI and analytics capabilities to offer tailored insights and recommendations that drive efficiency and cost savings. Our platform’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data and generate actionable insights helps businesses make informed procurement decisions, reduce waste, and optimize their supply chains. Sustainability is at the core of our strategy. We are incorporating features that promote ethical sourcing and supplier diversity, as well as tools to help businesses measure and reduce their carbon footprint.