UPES alumni secure ₹4 crore seed funding for revolutionary tech start-up

From being students at UPES School of Computer Science to becoming successful tech entrepreneurs, Divyani Singh and Anshul Saxena have achieved an incredible milestone. Their venture, Cognecto, has recently secured a massive INR 4 crore funding. Learn more about their inspiring journey and how they’re revolutionizing the industry with their AI-powered solutions

Divyani Singh and Anshul Saxena, alumni of UPES School of Computer Science, embarked on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that has led them to secure a significant INR 4 crore seed funding for their innovative start-up, Cognecto. The seed round was led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), a well-known investment firm. The duo’s inspiration to start their own business stems from their personal experiences and a desire to use their skills to make a positive impact.

Both were students of Computer Science and Engineering with specialization in Cloud Computing and Virtualization Technology (CSE-CCVT) from 2012 to 2016.

Their partnership began when Divyani, a creative individual, approached Anshul, who was working as a software engineer at the time, with a side project idea. Recognizing the untapped potential of their collaboration, Anshul took the leap and joined forces with Divyani. Their shared vision and passion for problem-solving laid the foundation for their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Divyani’s leadership qualities were evident from her early days in college when she took charge as the student placement coordinator for their batch. Her relentless dedication led her to make over a thousand calls to various companies, securing summer internships for more than ten students, including Anshul.

Cognecto, their brainchild, aims to address the challenges faced by the mining and construction industries. With increasing costs, declining productivity, an ageing workforce, and stringent environmental regulations, these sectors require innovative solutions. Leveraging artificial intelligence, Cognecto offers real-time data and insights to enhance operational efficiency.

Their AI-powered predictive maintenance solution assists businesses in identifying equipment issues before breakdowns occur, minimizing repair costs and downtime. Additionally, their fleet management solution enables real-time tracking, optimizing efficiency and productivity. Cognecto’s safety solution utilizes AI to identify and mitigate risks, prioritizing employee well-being and asset protection.

What sets Cognecto apart is its key differentiators: AI-powered solutions, real-time data and insights, scalability, expertise, and strategic partnerships with industry leaders. Customers benefit from improved efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, compliance with environmental regulations, enhanced decision-making, and increased customer satisfaction.

Reminiscing about their entrepreneurial journey, Divyani and Anshul say that they received unwavering support from their parents, friends, and mentors. “Our parents encouraged us to pursue our dreams and even offered financial support, advice and encouragement. Friends provided feedback and ideas, and our mentors emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance,” recalls Anshul.

Like any entrepreneurial venture, Divyani and Anshul had their fair share of setbacks and failures as well. Says Divyani, “Our first attempts resulted in costly mistakes and rejection from investors. Employees leaving and ideas not finding market fit added to the challenges. However, we continued to push forward with unwavering determination and resilience. We embraced failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.”

This entrepreneurial journey transformed them as individuals, instilling independence, resourcefulness, patience, and optimism. They discovered their untapped potential, honed their skills, and embraced the value of hard work. From being resourceful in the face of limited resources to celebrating small wins along the way, their journey exemplifies the rewards of perseverance.

Recruiting students from their alma mater, UPES, fills Divyani and Anshul with immense pride. It allows them to give back to the university that nurtured their skills and provided them with cherished memories. By identifying talented individuals, they continue to contribute to the excellence of their alma mater.

Divyani Singh and Anshul Saxena’s success story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs. Their journey from students to tech start-up founders showcases the power of perseverance, collaboration, and innovative thinking.