Biography of Supam Maheshwari: Founder & CEO of FirstCry- Entrepreneur
A Journey of Supam Maheshwari:
Early Life and Education
Supam Maheshwari, born in 1974, is a prominent entrepreneur
and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FirstCry, a leading baby care company
based in Pune, Maharashtra, India. He began his educational journey at Apeejay
School and later pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from
Delhi College of Engineering. His quest for knowledge continued at the Indian
Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), where he completed a Post Graduate
Diploma in Management (PGDM).
Personal Life
Supam is not just a successful entrepreneur but also a
family man with a passion for reading and playing squash. He resides in Pune
with his wife and their daughter. The idea for FirstCry emerged from his
personal experience as a parent, where he noticed a gap in the quality and
variety of baby care products available in India. This realization sparked his
journey into the baby care sector.
Early Ventures
Before founding FirstCry, Supam Maheshwari embarked on his
entrepreneurial journey with Brainvisa Technologies, which he co-founded with
Amitava Saha in 2000. Brainvisa started as an eLearning platform and evolved
into one of India’s largest eLearning companies. The company's innovative
approach and success attracted attention, leading to its acquisition by
US-based Indecomm Global in 2007 for USD 25 million. Supam continued his
involvement with Brainvisa until 2009 before focusing on new ventures.
Founding BrainBees Solutions
Following the sale of Brainvisa, Supam and Amitava Saha
launched BrainBees Solutions, which led to the creation of FirstCry. They
invested INR 2.5 crore from their personal savings to start the company in
2010. The goal was to address the deficiencies in the Indian baby care market
by offering a wide range of high-quality products. BrainBees also launched
another portal, Good Life, in 2011 to offer personal care products, enhancing
customer retention.
Biography of Supam Maheshwari: Founder & CEO of FirstCry & BrainBees- Entrepreneur/Success story of Supam Maheshwari/Life story of Supam Maheshwari
Establishing FirstCry
FirstCry was launched with a vision to revolutionize the
baby and kids’ products market. Under Supam’s leadership, the company has grown
significantly, offering both online and offline shopping options. It has
expanded its physical presence across various cities in India and developed a
robust online platform, including a mobile application and website.
Acquisitions and Growth
Under Supam Maheshwari’s leadership, FirstCry has made
several strategic acquisitions. Notable among these is the acquisition of Oi
Playschool, marking the company's entry into the educational space. FirstCry
also acquired Baby Oye for INR 362 crore and launched its own private label
brands, Baby Hug for apparel and Cute Walk for footwear, which now contribute
significantly to the company's revenue.
Industry Impact and Net Worth
FirstCry has become one of the largest online shopping
portals for kids and expecting mothers in Asia. The company’s net worth was
estimated to be between USD 300 to 350 million as of 2016. It has attracted
significant investment from high-profile investors including Ratan Tata, New
Enterprise Associates, and Temasek Holdings, raising over USD 125 million to
support its growth.
Growth and Success of FirstCry
Under Supam’s leadership, FirstCry has grown substantially,
establishing both online and offline presences across India. The company has
expanded its offerings by acquiring Baby Oye and introducing its private
labels, Baby Hug and Cute Walk. FirstCry now collaborates with over 6,000
hospitals and is recognized as a leading online platform for children’s
products in Asia.
Founding Xpressbees
In 2012, Supam Maheshwari ventured into logistics by
founding Xpressbees, a company initially created to handle FirstCry’s orders.
Xpressbees has grown to become a major player in the logistics industry, also
serving third-party clients. The company raised INR 85 crore from FirstCry
funding and achieved a valuation of $1.2 billion, joining the unicorn club in February
2022.
Legacy and Influence
Supam Maheshwari’s career is a testament to his vision and
determination. His ability to identify market gaps and innovate solutions has
set a benchmark for aspiring entrepreneurs. His journey from founding Brainvisa
Technologies to establishing FirstCry and Xpressbees reflects his commitment to
excellence and innovation.
Supam Maheshwari’s journey from a start-up founder to a
successful business leader exemplifies dedication and innovation. His
achievements in creating FirstCry and Xpressbees showcase his ability to
identify market needs and drive growth. Supam’s story serves as an inspiration
for aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating the impact of vision, determination,
and strategic thinking in building successful ventures.
Conclusion
Supam Maheshwari's contributions to the fields of eLearning,
baby care, and logistics showcase his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. His
success with FirstCry and Xpressbees highlights his ability to drive growth and
create impactful businesses. Supam’s story serves as an inspiration for those
looking to make a mark in the entrepreneurial world.
Timeline for Supam Maheshwari's story
1974: Born and began early education at Apeejay School.
2000: Co-founded Brainvisa Technologies, an eLearning
platform.
2007: Brainvisa Technologies was acquired by Indecomm Global
for USD 25 million.
2010: Launched BrainBees Solutions, leading to the creation
of FirstCry.
2011: Launched Good Life, a personal care products portal.
2012: Founded Xpressbees to handle FirstCry's logistics,
which later became a unicorn.
2016: FirstCry's estimated net worth was between USD 300 to
350 million.
February 2022: Xpressbees achieved a valuation of $1.2
billion and joined the unicorn club.
