Simulanis, a Delhi-based startup, was founded in November 2013 by Raman Talwar, a 28-year-old engineering graduate. The company's inception was driven by Talwar's passion for building computer-aided simulation models and his desire to address the significant skills gap in India. Here is a detailed look at the vision and early days of Simulanis, as well as the background of its founding team.
From the outset, Simulanis aimed to bridge the skills gap using advanced technology. Talwar's vision was to create a platform that could simulate real-life processes, making learning more interactive and effective. He stated, "The foremost inspiration to start this company was my passion for building computer-aided simulation models that mimic real-life processes, followed by the desire to solve the challenging problem of the high unskilled population in our country".
In its early days, Simulanis focused on delivering computer-aided design and training services to engineering students. This initial phase laid the groundwork for what would become a more comprehensive training solution. The company's early efforts were marked by intense hard work, with Talwar and his team often working from 9 AM to 5 AM to build and establish the business.
The dedication and passion of the team were crucial in overcoming the numerous challenges they faced, including building the team, setting up the office, and acquiring the first customer. Despite these hurdles, Simulanis managed to fare well in its first year of operation.
Raman Talwar, the founder and CEO of Simulanis, is an engineering graduate with a strong background in computer-aided simulation. His experience and expertise in this field were instrumental in shaping the company's direction. Talwar's leadership has been pivotal in driving the company's growth and innovation.
The founding team's collective effort and commitment to innovation have been key factors in Simulanis's success. The team's relentless hard work and "100% unadulterated exuberance of passion" helped them overcome initial challenges and set the company on a path to success.
Talwar's ability to pivot the business model when necessary has also been a significant factor. For instance, in 2015, Simulanis shifted from a service-based model to a product-based model, focusing on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies.
Simulanis has undergone significant transformations since its inception, evolving from a skills training enterprise to a leading AR-VR technology company. Here’s a look at the company’s evolution, key growth milestones, and product portfolio expansion.
Initially, Simulanis provided computer-aided design and training services to engineering students. However, in 2015, the company pivoted to a product-based model, focusing on AR and VR technologies. This shift addressed pain points in engineering education and industrial training, marking a significant turning point for the company.
Today, Simulanis is a national-award-winning AR-VR-MR/XR technology company, impacting over 10,000 operators across more than 200 sites for over 100 enterprises. The company has expanded its services to include industries such as pharmaceuticals, auto, FMCG, and manufacturing.
The company's products now include an AR learning platform called Saral and a gamified learning platform called Protocol. These platforms help students and trainees learn difficult concepts through immersive AR-VR and 3-D gamification methods.
Simulanis has achieved several key milestones in its growth journey. In 2016-17, the company clocked a revenue of Rs 62 lakh, which, although modest, indicated a faster growth trajectory. The company has also attracted investor interest, with investments from Apurva Chamaria, VP and Head of Corporate Marketing at HCL Tech, and the US-based venture capital firm Village Capital.
Simulanis has won several awards, including the Science and Technology Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Strategic and Leadership Excellence Award from the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, and the Tech Business of the Year 2016 from ASSOCHAM India[1]).
The company has also expanded its operations to the UK via a subsidiary, further solidifying its global presence. This expansion is part of Simulanis's goal to become a truly world-class AR-VR technology company[1]).
Simulanis's product portfolio has expanded significantly over the years. The company now offers a range of XR content libraries that include generic learning modules for equipment and practices across various industries. These modules are designed to help in skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling employees, fostering industrial value chains in training, maintenance, and operations[4]).
The Simulanis Toolbox comprises software products that follow a novel multi-stage framework, supporting businesses and factories across the lifecycle of learning and productivity. The company also integrates its software products with cutting-edge XR hardware from popular OEMs like HTC, Oculus, and Microsoft[2]).
Key features of their XR content libraries include interactive simulated modules, data integration with servers, access control and rights authorization, administration dashboards, and license-based subscriptions. These features are crucial for delivering effective skill development in a frugally innovative manner[4]).
Simulanis's technology infrastructure is robust and innovative, supporting its mission to deliver high-value training solutions. Here’s an overview of the core platform architecture, security and compliance framework, and the company’s innovation in its industry.
Simulanis's core platform architecture is built around its XR content libraries and software products. These libraries consist of realistic, interactive, and engaging Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, and Desktop Simulations. The platform is designed to support businesses and factories across the lifecycle of learning and productivity[4]).
The company integrates its software products with the best-in-class and cutting-edge XR hardware sourced from popular OEMs. This integration ensures that the training modules are highly effective and immersive, helping employees face real-world problems with confidence[2]).
The platform includes features such as interactive simulated modules, data integration with servers, and administration dashboards. These features are essential for managing and delivering the XR content efficiently[4]).
Simulanis places a strong emphasis on security and compliance. The company's XR content libraries and software products are designed with access control and rights authorization to ensure that the training data is secure and accessible only to authorized personnel[4]).
The platform also includes administration dashboards that help in managing the training programs and ensuring compliance with industry standards. This framework is crucial for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the training programs[4]).
Simulanis's commitment to security and compliance has helped it gain the trust of its clients, including some of the world's largest and esteemed FORTUNE-500 companies[2]).
Simulanis is at the forefront of innovation in the AR-VR-MR/XR technology sector. The company's use of AR and VR technologies to make training fun and interactive has set a new standard in the industry. The XR content libraries and gamified learning platforms have significantly improved subject matter retention and cognitive skills among trainees[2]).
Simulanis has also been part of several accelerator and incubator programs, which have helped the company apply the knowledge gained to build a successful business model. The company's success story has been recognized through various awards and accolades, including a case study at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta[2]).
The company's innovative approach has positively impacted businesses, helping them reduce safety violations, errors on the job, and time spent on training while increasing ROI. This has been validated through an independent third-party validated NPS score of 56, considered 'excellent'[2]).
Simulanis, an Indian startup, has made a significant impact in the market since its inception in 2013. Here’s a closer look at how they have grown and expanded their influence.
Simulanis has seen substantial growth in its user base across various industries. The company develops AR, VR, and 3D simulation-oriented gamified content for learning, skilling, and training applications. This content is used by employees in sectors such as pharmaceutical, automotive, education, and oil and gas[7].
Over 100 businesses have worked with Simulanis, with a close to 100 percent repeat clientele. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among their users. Prominent clients include GSK, HCL, Honeywell, Mahindra, and Carrier Midea.
The user base growth can be attributed to the engaging and interactive nature of their AR-VR applications. These applications are designed to improve workplace safety and enhance the skills of employees, making them more efficient and effective in their roles.
Simulanis has been expanding its market share by offering unique and end-to-end AR/VR solutions. The company operates in the B2B space and monetizes through licensing and subscription packages of the content they build[7].
Simulanis is one of the few companies leveraging AR-VR-MR/XR technologies to deliver meaningful impacts across various industries. Their focus on industrial training has helped them stand out in a competitive market. They have created a large library of industrial assets in VR, with over 12,500 assets, which is a significant headstart in the industry.
Their SCISSOR™ methodology, a trademarked and multi-award-winning design and development approach, has further solidified their position in the market. This methodology ensures high-quality, visually stunning simulations that meet the specific needs of their clients.
While Simulanis is not directly involved in financial inclusion initiatives, their work has indirect benefits that can contribute to financial stability and growth.
By improving the skills and safety of workers in various industries, Simulanis helps companies reduce costs associated with training and workplace accidents. This can lead to better financial health for the companies they work with, which in turn can contribute to economic growth and stability.
Their focus on upskilling employees also means that workers can become more productive and efficient, potentially leading to higher wages and better job security. This can have a positive impact on the financial well-being of the workers and their families.
Simulanis has had an interesting financial journey since its inception. Here’s a look at their revenue growth, path to profitability, and investment rounds.
Simulanis has experienced significant revenue growth over the years. In the financial year 2016-17, the company generated revenue of Rs 2 crore. For the next financial year, they aimed to generate more revenue than what they had generated in their entire lifetime up to that point[7].
However, in recent years, Simulanis faced some challenges. For the financial year ended 2022, the company saw a 28.64% decrease in revenue. Despite this, their net worth increased significantly, showing a 3225.76% rise.
The revenue model of Simulanis is based on licensing and subscription packages for the content they build. This model has been successful in generating consistent revenue, although the company is looking to strengthen its focus on products for enterprises rather than custom services.
Simulanis has faced some challenges in maintaining profitability. In the financial year ended 2022, the company saw a substantial fall in profitability, with a 346.97% decrease in profit[8].
Despite these challenges, Simulanis remains committed to its mission of delivering high-quality AR-VR solutions. The company’s emphasis on quality and industry expertise helps in maintaining a loyal client base, which is crucial for long-term profitability.
Their product lifecycle approach, which includes license management, analytics, multiplayer, and post-XR audit trail, also helps in ensuring sustainable revenue streams.
Simulanis has raised significant investments to support its growth. In the financial year 2016-17, the company raised Rs 1.215 crores from third-party angel and institutional investors. They also raised Rs 2.5 crore in a pre-Series A fundraise from CBA Capital[7].
The uniqueness of their fundraising journey lies in the fact that nearly all of their funding is merit-based. They have won competitions like EDUGILD to secure winning prizes, which has helped in securing investments.
The company’s valuation has seen significant growth over the years, although specific valuation figures are not readily available. The increase in their net worth and the recognition they have received in the industry indicate a strong potential for future growth.
Simulanis has formed several strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings and reach. Here’s a look at their banking collaborations, merchant partnerships, and technology alliances.
While there is no specific information on Simulanis’s banking collaborations, the general trend in the AR/VR industry suggests that such partnerships can be beneficial. For instance, alliances between fintech and banks can accelerate growth and help bypass scaling challenges[9].
If Simulanis were to collaborate with banks, it could help them integrate their AR/VR solutions into broader financial and educational programs. This could enhance their market credibility and introduce them to new customer segments.
Simulanis works with various merchant partners across different industries to deliver their AR-VR solutions. These partnerships are crucial for their business model, as they help in deploying the gamified content on different platforms such as VR hardware, computers, and mobile devices[7].
Merchant partners like GSK, HCL, Honeywell, and Mahindra have been instrumental in the success of Simulanis. These partnerships allow Simulanis to understand the specific needs of different industries and tailor their solutions accordingly.
Simulanis has formed technology alliances to enhance their AR-VR offerings. For example, they develop and deploy content on VR hardware like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Mobile VR[7].
These technology alliances are essential for keeping their solutions cutting-edge. By partnering with leading VR hardware providers, Simulanis ensures that their applications are compatible with the latest technology, providing a seamless user experience.
Their deep XR analytics suite, which measures technical, psychometric, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive abilities, is another example of their technological prowess. This suite helps in creating highly effective training programs[6]).
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