Biography of Avlesh Singh: Co-founder & CEO of WebEngage- Entrepreneur
From Engineering to Entrepreneurship: A Journey Begins -Avlesh Singh
Avlesh Singh’s story began at the Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT), Dhanbad, where he pursued a degree in Mineral Engineering, graduating in
2005. This rigorous academic environment provided him with a strong technical
foundation, crucial for his future ventures. After completing his education,
Avlesh embarked on his professional journey, diving into the tech world with
enthusiasm and determination.
Foundations at Burrp!
His first major role was at Burrp!, India’s first local food
and restaurant recommendation engine. As a Principal Engineer and Search Architect,
Avlesh was instrumental in shaping Burrp!’s technology. He was part of the team
that developed the platform’s core functionalities for local search and media
content. This early experience showcased his ability to build scalable tech
solutions and set the stage for his future success in the tech industry.
Biography of Avlesh Singh: Co-founder & CEO of WebEngage- Entrepreneur/Success story of Avlesh Singh/Age/Net worth/Life story of WebEngage
Expanding Horizons at Infomedia 18
Avlesh’s next significant role was at Infomedia 18 Ltd,
where he worked as a Search Architect. In this role, he played a pivotal part
in designing and enhancing the backend technology for Askme.com, one of India’s
pioneering online classifieds portals. His contributions here involved creating
a robust search engine that could handle large volumes of data efficiently,
further honing his expertise in tech architecture and product development.
The Leap into SaaS: Founding WebEngage
In 2011, Avlesh took a bold step by co-founding WebEngage
with Ankit Utreja. This venture aimed to address a gap in the market for a
comprehensive marketing automation platform. WebEngage was designed to help
businesses engage with their customers through multiple channels, including
in-app messages, push notifications, emails, and text messages. The goal was to
provide a unified platform that could enhance user engagement and drive
customer retention.
Early Recognition and Validation
WebEngage quickly gained recognition in the tech industry.
In 2012, it was featured by VCCircle as one of the 20 hottest technology
startups in India. This early endorsement helped establish WebEngage’s
reputation and attracted attention from potential clients and investors. The
platform’s innovative approach to marketing automation positioned it as a
notable player in the burgeoning SaaS market.
A Series of Accolades and Milestones
The success of WebEngage continued to grow, with the
platform being recognized in 2014 by NASSCOM as one of the top 10 products in
their Emerge program. Additionally, Mashable named it one of the Top 10
emerging startups from India. These accolades highlighted WebEngage’s impact
and growth, cementing its status as a leading solution in the marketing
automation space.
Challenges in the Competitive Martech Landscape
As WebEngage evolved, Avlesh faced the challenge of
navigating a highly competitive Martech market. The space was crowded with
numerous companies positioning themselves as customer engagement solutions.
Avlesh’s leadership was crucial in steering WebEngage through these competitive
waters, ensuring that the company remained relevant and continued to grow
despite the stiff competition.
The Reality of Pivoting
One of the major challenges Avlesh encountered was pivoting
WebEngage to meet changing market demands. He observed that many founders
equate a pivot solely with product changes, but in reality, it involves a
comprehensive overhaul of the entire organization. This includes adjustments in
sales, marketing, customer support, and other functions, all of which must
align with the new direction.
Organizational Shifts and Challenges
Avlesh stresses that while pivoting a product is difficult,
pivoting the entire organization is even more challenging. Established teams
are accustomed to existing processes, and altering these can be complex and
disruptive. The transition requires careful management and significant effort
to ensure that all parts of the organization adapt to the new strategy.
Learning from the Pivot Experience
Reflecting on his experience, Avlesh acknowledges that many
founders, including himself, initially underestimate the complexities involved
in a pivot. The transition involves not only rethinking the product but also
managing the organization’s adaptation to new roles, processes, and market
conditions. This often leads to unforeseen challenges that require careful
planning and execution.
Practical Examples of Pivot Challenges
Avlesh provides real-life examples of the difficulties
encountered during a pivot. For instance, integrating new product features or
adjusting the sales approach requires extensive effort. Salespeople who were
previously accustomed to selling lower-priced products may struggle with
higher-value transactions, and customer support teams may need retraining to
handle new functionalities effectively.
Founder-Led Sales During the Pivot
To address these challenges, Avlesh emphasizes the importance of founder-led sales during a pivot. By personally engaging with key prospects and leading sales conversations, founders can gain insights into the new product’s positioning and refine the sales pitch. This approach helps build a solid foundation for the sales team to follow and ensures that they understand the new offering’s value proposition.
Empowering the Sales Team
After the initial phase of founder-led sales, Avlesh focuses
on empowering the sales team to handle the new product. This involves providing
intensive training and support to help them adapt to the new sales dynamics. By
equipping the sales team with the necessary knowledge and tools, Avlesh ensures
that they can effectively communicate the updated value proposition to
potential customers.
Overcoming Sales Challenges and Maintaining Motivation
Sales teams often face significant challenges during a
pivot, including uncertainty about the new product and its market fit. Avlesh
highlights the need to manage these challenges carefully to prevent demotivation
and ensure that the team remains aligned with the company’s goals. Addressing
uncertainties and providing clear guidance helps maintain motivation and focus
during this transitional period.
Reflecting on Growth and Success
Looking back on his journey, Avlesh Singh reflects on the
growth and success of WebEngage. His leadership and experience have been
instrumental in navigating the complexities of the marketing automation
industry and driving the company’s success. As WebEngage continues to evolve,
Avlesh remains committed to innovation and leadership in the dynamic SaaS
landscape, ensuring that the company remains a key player in the industry.
Timeline for Avlesh Singh’s story
2005: Graduated in Mineral Engineering from IIT Dhanbad.
2005-2007: Principal Engineer at Burrp!, developed local
search technology.
2007-2011: Search Architect at Infomedia 18 Ltd, improved
Askme.com's backend.
2011: Co-founded WebEngage, a marketing automation platform.
2012: WebEngage named one of India's top 20 hottest
startups.
2014: Recognized by NASSCOM and Mashable for innovation.
Post-2014: Navigated competitive Martech landscape and
pivoted WebEngage.
Ongoing: Focused on innovation and leadership in the SaaS
industry.
