Biography of Supam Maheshwari: Co-Founder of FirstCry, Xpressbees & Brainvisa Technologies
Biography of Supam Maheshwari:
Early Life and Education
Supam Maheshwari, born in 1974, hails from India and has a
distinguished educational background. He graduated from the Delhi College of
Engineering with a degree in Engineering, and furthered his education at the
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), where he honed his business
acumen. His academic experiences laid a strong foundation for his
entrepreneurial ventures and equipped him with a blend of technical and
managerial skills.
Supam Maheshwari's Education
Supam Maheshwari began his academic journey at Apeejay
School. He then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Delhi
College of Engineering from 1991 to 1995. Following this, he earned a Post
Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from the Indian Institute of Management
Ahmedabad, graduating in 1997.
Supam Maheshwari's Professional Life
Supam Maheshwari took an unconventional path by diving
straight into entrepreneurship rather than seeking traditional employment.
After completing his MBA, he embarked on his first major project, Brainvisa
Technologies, which he co-founded and led as CEO from 2000 to 2009.
Founding Brainvisa Technologies
In March 2000, Supam Maheshwari co-founded Brainvisa
Technologies, an eLearning startup, with his colleague Amitava Saha. The
company initially focused on providing online test platforms for customers but
later transitioned to a B2B (business-to-business) model. Brainvisa quickly
grew to become one of India’s largest eLearning companies, having secured INR 3
Crore in funding from Infinity Ventures. Under Supam's leadership, Brainvisa
Technologies made significant strides in the online education space. However,
the company was eventually sold, marking the end of one chapter and the
beginning of another in Supam's entrepreneurial journey.
Growth and Acquisition
Supam led the company as CEO until 2007, during which
Brainvisa earned significant customer trust and success. In 2007, the company
was acquired by the US-based Indecomm Global for USD 25 Million. Following the
acquisition, Supam continued to be involved with the company until 2009 before
channeling his energy into launching a new venture, BrainBees Solutions.
Expanding with Good Life
In 2011, BrainBees Solutions expanded its portfolio by
introducing Good Life, an online store dedicated to personal care products.
This strategic move aimed to enhance customer retention by offering a variety
of personal care items from top brands.
Launching FirstCry
In 2010, Supam Maheshwari embarked on a new venture,
founding FirstCry, a specialized online retailer for baby products. The idea
for FirstCry was born out of Supam's personal experience of struggling to find
quality toys and baby products for his newborn daughter in Pune. This gap in
the market led him to create a platform that offers a wide range of baby and
child care products. The company has received substantial backing from
investors including Temasek, SAIF Partners, and IDG Ventures India, reflecting
confidence in its potential.
Biography of Supam Maheshwari: Co-Founder of FirstCry, Xpressbees & Brainvisa Technologies/Entrepreneur/startup/Success story of Supam Maheshwari
Founding FirstCry
To fund this vision, Supam and Amitava Saha invested INR 2.5
Crore from their personal savings to establish the company. They launched
FirstCry in 2010, focusing on delivering quality baby care products to the
Indian market.
Expanding and Innovating
As the CEO of FirstCry, Supam led the company through
several strategic expansions, including acquiring the pre-school chain Oi
Playschool and Baby Oye for INR 362 Crore. FirstCry also launched private
labels like Baby Hug for apparel and Cute Walk for footwear, contributing to
20% of their revenue. Additionally, the company partners with 6000 hospitals
nationwide to offer FirstCry boxes to new mothers, solidifying its status as a
major player in the market with a net worth of USD 300 to 350 million as of
2016. The company has attracted investments from notable entities including
Ratan Tata and Temasek Holdings.
Growth and Funding
Since its inception, FirstCry has experienced significant
growth and success. The company has secured $69 million in funding across
various investment rounds, with key investors including New Enterprise
Associates, Valiant Capital, IDG, and SAIF Partners. The latest funding stage
for FirstCry is Series E, indicating continued investor confidence and support
for the company's expansion plans.
Expanding Ventures
In addition to FirstCry, Supam Maheshwari co-founded
Xpressbees, a logistics service provider, further diversifying his
entrepreneurial portfolio. Xpressbees was established to address logistics and
delivery challenges in the e-commerce sector, complementing the growth of
FirstCry. Supam’s ventures have demonstrated his ability to identify market needs
and develop solutions that cater to those demands effectively.
Recent Developments
In 2021, Mahindra Retail owned 10.48% of FirstCry, while
Mahindra Engineering and Chemical Products held 3.11% in preferred shares.
Mahindra Retail has sought board approval to sell up to 2% of its stake in
BrainBees through an Offer For Sale (OFS) as part of the company's IPO.
Mahindra’s initial investment included acquiring BabyOye and merging it with
FirstCry, leading to the strategic expansion and growth of the business.
Pioneering Xpressbees
Supam Maheshwari was a trailblazer in the online retail
space, establishing Xpressbees in 2012 to manage logistics for FirstCry's
orders. By 2015, Xpressbees began accepting third-party orders and raised INR
85 Crore from FirstCry’s funding. The company achieved unicorn status with a
valuation of $1.2 billion in February 2022.
Recognition and Awards
Under Supam’s leadership, FirstCry has been recognized for
its excellence in the e-commerce industry. The company received the Most
Popular Online Site award at the Child Awards held in Delhi in 2013. Supam's
contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape are marked by his innovative
approach, strong leadership, and successful execution of his business ideas,
making him a prominent figure in the Indian startup ecosystem.
Net Worth and Personal Life
Supam Maheshwari’s net worth is estimated at $190 million.
Despite his demanding entrepreneurial endeavors, he maintains a well-rounded
personal life. An avid reader and squash player, he lives in Pune with his wife
and daughter. His motivation for launching FirstCry was inspired by his own
experiences as a father seeking high-quality products for his child, reflecting
his commitment to both his family and his business.
Supam Maheshwari's Personal Life
Supam Maheshwari is an enthusiastic reader and enjoys
playing squash. He lives in Pune with his wife and daughter. The inspiration
for starting his own baby care brand came from his personal experience of
searching for quality products for his child. Observing that the Indian market
lacked both in quality and variety in the baby care sector, Supam decided to
create FirstCry, aiming to fill this gap with superior products.
Timeline for Supam Maheshwari's story
1974
Birth: Supam Maheshwari is born in India.
1991-1995
Delhi College of Engineering: Completes a Bachelor’s degree
in Mechanical Engineering.
1995-1997
IIM Ahmedabad: Earns a Post Graduate Diploma in Management
(PGDM).
March 2000
Brainvisa Technologies: Co-founds the company and serves as
CEO.
2007
Acquisition: Brainvisa Technologies is acquired by Indecomm
Global for USD 25 Million.
2010
FirstCry: Launches FirstCry, an online retailer for baby
products.
2011
Good Life: Introduces Good Life under BrainBees Solutions
for personal care products.
2012
Xpressbees: Co-founds Xpressbees to manage e-commerce
logistics.
2013
Award: FirstCry wins Most Popular Online Site at the Child
Awards in Delhi.
2015
Expansion: Xpressbees starts accepting third-party orders
and raises INR 85 Crore.
2016
Growth: FirstCry's net worth reaches USD 300 to 350 million.
2021
IPO Preparation: Mahindra Retail plans to sell up to 2% of
its stake in FirstCry through an Offer For Sale (OFS).
February 2022
Unicorn Status: Xpressbees achieves a valuation of $1.2
billion.
Biography of Supam Maheshwari: Co-Founder of FirstCry, Xpressbees & Brainvisa Technologies/Entrepreneur/startup/Success story of Supam Maheshwari
