Biography of Aakash Shah: Co-Founder of NowPurchase- Indian Entrepreneur
Biography of Aakash Shah:
Aakash Shah, the Co-Founder of NowPurchase, is a visionary
leader in the B2B procurement space. His career is marked by strategic roles,
including serving as Executive Director at NIPHA Group. Prior to his
entrepreneurial journey, Aakash worked as a Business Development Director at
CognitiveArts, based in Chicago, and held various positions at NIIT, PepsiCo,
and other firms. He also contributed significantly as President of the
Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), Kolkata, and is the current
national Vice Chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC
India).
Educational Background and Early Career
Aakash’s educational foundation includes an MBA in Strategic
Marketing from the Indian School of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce in
Accountancy from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. His early career was
characterized by a focus on business development and strategic marketing, which
laid the groundwork for his later entrepreneurial success.
Early Career Experience
Aakash’s professional journey began with an internship at
PepsiCo in 2002. This early experience provided him with foundational skills
and insights into the business world, setting the stage for his future roles in
business development and leadership. His diverse experiences across various
industries have shaped his strategic approach and problem-solving capabilities.
Career at NIIT Limited
Before his roles at NIPHA, NowPurchase, and KisaanGo, Aakash
worked at NIIT Limited. He joined the company as a Business Development Manager
in May 2006, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and later served as Director of
Business Development from July 2007 to July 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. During
his tenure, he was involved in expanding NIIT's business development efforts
and forging new partnerships.
Founding NowPurchase
In April 2017, Aakash co-founded NowPurchase, a procurement
service designed for the metal manufacturing industry. The platform leverages
software and a WhatsApp bot to suggest and deliver raw materials while keeping
manufacturing costs low. The goal of NowPurchase is to streamline industrial
purchases and enhance transparency. The company initially explored various
models before honing its focus on becoming a domain expert and providing deeper
insights into the production process.
Transforming Indian Agriculture with KisaanGo
Since September 2017, Aakash has also been the CEO of
KisaanGo Agrosol Pvt. Ltd. KisaanGo aims to revolutionize the Indian farming
landscape by offering a comprehensive retail solution for farmers. The company
addresses challenges such as access to reliable agricultural inputs and
information by providing well-planned stores stocked with trusted brands, along
with crucial services like soil testing, agri-advisory, and farm machinery
rentals.
Leadership and Vision in Commerce
From November 2020 to December 2021, Aakash served as the
President of the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Kolkata. In
this role, he played a key part in advocating for business interests and
promoting commerce in the region. His leadership contributed to the development
of strategies and initiatives to support local businesses and enhance the
economic landscape of the Kolkata metropolitan area.
Biography of Aakash Shah: Co-Founder of NowPurchase- Indian Entrepreneur /Investor/Nipha group/Success story of Aakash Shah/NowPurchase story
Transforming Industrial Procurement
NowPurchase has revolutionized industrial procurement by
offering a streamlined platform that combines a curated marketplace with
purchase management software. This platform caters to a wide range of product
categories, from complex tools and safety items to office supplies. By
providing a transparent and efficient procurement process, NowPurchase aims to
simplify and enhance the purchasing experience for its clients, ensuring unbiased
and effective solutions.
Expanding Services and Solutions
NowPurchase operates through various services, including
NowPaaS, which focuses on industry-specific solutions. This top-grossing
service addresses the unique needs of different industries, offering a single
window for all purchases. Additional services such as the Part Payment Option
(PPO) and Predictive Selling are designed to address the challenges of
expensive industrial products and long lead times. The platform uses data to
assist in smarter purchasing and selling decisions, benefiting both buyers and
suppliers.
Focused Services and Solutions
NowPurchase operates through three main services: MSME,
Enterprise, and retail channels. The firm’s flagship service, NowPaaS, has been
particularly successful, driving significant growth. The platform is also
working on industry-specific solutions to provide customers with a unified
procurement experience. Other services include Part Payment Option (PPO), which
allows customers to pay part of their order upfront and the remainder upon
delivery, and Predictive Selling, which leverages data to enhance purchasing
and selling decisions.
Commitment to Simplifying Industrial Procurement
Aakash Shah and his team at NowPurchase are dedicated to
making industrial procurement as seamless and efficient as possible. By
focusing on both buyers and suppliers, the platform aims to eliminate the
complexities traditionally associated with procurement processes. Through
innovative solutions and a deep understanding of industry needs, NowPurchase
continues to enhance the procurement experience for its diverse clientele.
Vision for the Future
Aakash Shah’s vision for NowPurchase extends beyond
simplifying procurement; it involves creating industry-specific solutions that
cater to the evolving needs of businesses. His approach combines strategic
marketing with technological innovation, reflecting his commitment to improving
industrial procurement and contributing to broader industry advancements.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, NowPurchase plans to expand its services and
further refine its industry-specific solutions. By addressing the unique
challenges of industrial procurement and leveraging technological advancements,
the platform aims to continue its mission of making indirect purchases
transparent and straightforward for businesses. Aakash’s vision for NowPurchase
reflects his commitment to transforming the procurement landscape and providing
valuable solutions to the manufacturing sector.
Continued Innovation and Growth
Throughout his career, Aakash Shah has demonstrated a
commitment to innovation and growth. His work with NIPHA, NowPurchase, and
KisaanGo reflects his dedication to improving business processes and addressing
industry challenges. As he continues to lead and innovate, Aakash remains focused
on driving positive change and creating impactful solutions across different
sectors.
A timeline for Aakash Shah’s career:
2002: Interns at PepsiCo, gaining foundational business
skills.
May 2006-Jul 2008: Works at NIIT Limited as Business
Development Manager and later as Director of Business Development.
April 2017: Co-founds NowPurchase, a procurement service for
the metal manufacturing industry.
September 2017: Becomes CEO of KisaanGo Agrosol Pvt. Ltd.,
aiming to revolutionize Indian agriculture.
Nov 2020-Dec 2021: Serves as President of the Merchants'
Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Kolkata.
Present: Leads NowPurchase in transforming industrial
procurement with innovative solutions and expanding its services.
