From Uncertainty to Impact : An Inspiring Journey of Aniket Deogar

May 17, 2024

3 Minutes

Early Years and Career Explorations

During his formative years, the individual grappled with uncertainty regarding his future path. While he had a strong inclination towards business, influenced by his father’s profession, he also felt drawn to education, inspired by his mother. This led to confusion and indecision during his school days.

Pursuing Education

Despite these ambiguities, he diligently pursued his studies, achieving academic excellence in his 12th standard board exams. With a single-minded goal of gaining admission to Delhi University, he secured the necessary scores.

Due to a lack of interest in commerce, he hesitated to enroll in Shri Ram College of Commerce, despite having gained admission. Instead, he opted for economics, which had always captivated him.

The Search for Purpose and Impact

Throughout the first two years of university, he continued to question his direction. Determined to enhance his resume, he considered pursuing further studies in economics and policy. However, he yearned for a more hands-on approach to making a difference.

A Life-Changing Opportunity

At the age of 20, the individual encountered an opportunity that resonated with his aspirations. India at 30, an institution connecting young individuals with government schools, offered a two-year fellowship program.

Experiences as a Fellow

As part of the fellowship, he embarked on a teaching journey with second-grade students in a government school in Pune. Initially, the challenges felt insurmountable. However, he gradually developed enjoyment for the task and witnessed the transformative impact he had on the children’s lives.

Beyond the classroom, he invested time in understanding the challenges faced by the children’s families and the available government schemes to alleviate them. This marked the genesis of his understanding of the vast gap between resources and accessibility.

The Birth of an Idea

In 2014, he decided to pursue a path that would allow him to empower individuals with knowledge about essential schemes. Partnering with a friend, he founded a foundation aiming to create a comprehensive platform for this purpose.

Challenges and Setbacks

Despite their efforts, the foundation faced difficulties in securing funding. Despite their dedication and the potential impact of their platform, they encountered skepticism and lack of support. Disheartened but undeterred, he returned to Shimla for introspection.

A Serendipitous Encounter

In early 2015, while reflecting on his journey, he connected with Ganesh Ayyar, the President of the Time Foundation, a funding organization. He shared his vision with him, and within a 20-minute meeting, they decided to collaborate and establish Harsh Empowerment Solutions (Haqdarsh).

The Road to Implementation

Inspired by this meeting, he made a resolute commitment to dedicate the next 10 years of his life to this cause. Seeking additional support, he pitched his idea at an Indian Digital India program in Ahmedabad, securing incubation and guidance.

Through collaboration with a technology partner in Bengaluru, they developed their mobile and web platforms, testing them in a village near Pune.

The Power of Partnerships

In January 2016, Harsh Empowerment Solutions Private Limited was officially registered. With the help of his co-founder, Ganesh, they secured an angel investment of Rs 1 crore 25 lakh.

This investment allowed them to expand their research team and develop their technology platform. They also partnered with IIT Delhi and the Jaipaul Next Com Foundation, gaining recognition and validation for their work.

Business Model Development

To ensure sustainability, they recognized the need for a robust business model. They pivoted towards a pilot approach, exploring partnerships with organizations to facilitate scheme outreach.

Simultaneously, they developed an agent model, training women in villages as guiding agents. They would bridge the digital divide and facilitate access to information.

Path to Revenue Generation

While their target audience faced financial constraints, they realized the need for a revenue model outside of government support. They explored partnerships with corporates, and in 2018, they secured opportunities with Godrej Construction, Tata Power, and Jindal Steel.

These partnerships enabled them to demonstrate their capabilities and provide essential services to their workforce, including construction workers.

Growth and Impact

By 2020, they had expanded their services to approximately 25 major companies, becoming profitable. Today, they continue to grow, aiming to reach 10 crore people in the next seven years.

Key Lessons Learned

Throughout his journey, the individual encountered numerous challenges and setbacks. However, these experiences have taught him invaluable lessons:

• Success requires perseverance and determination, despite numerous setbacks.
• Embracing challenges and transforming them into opportunities is crucial.
• Partnerships and collaborations can amplify impact.
• A clear and compelling business model is essential for sustainability.