Best Indian companies looking to go global receive prestigious award

The India Emerging 20 (IE20) programme launched by The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s business and promotional agency, London & Partners, supported by Santander UK, BDO and Newland Chase, has uncovered some of India’s most promising companies looking to expand on the international stage.

Last night at an awards ceremony in Bangalore, attended by UK and Indian business leaders, entrepreneur’s champion Shalini Khemka praised the range of companies on the programme and said they will be welcome in London.

Miss Khemka, founder and CEO of E2E & Business Advisory Board Member to the Mayor of London, said: “The Indian economy and Indian people have never been more important to the world. I also share a fundamental belief that it is entrepreneurs who are the critical catalyst to economic growth and development.

“India has always had a strong and distinctive entrepreneurial streak. Most Indians believe that they have the ability to improve their life and the lives of their family as they build and grow businesses and this is happening extensively across India.

“I want to see more businesses from India setting up offices in London and using the city as the platform to compete in the global market. It’s crucial London further strengthens ties with the great cities across India, because when it comes to business, we already share a special bond.”

Indian companies are one of the biggest investors in the United Kingdom and London is keen to keep growing these investments. New data released today by London & Partners shows that Indian companies are the third biggest investor in London, behind the USA and China.

Since 2005 there has been a 125 per cent increase in Indian companies across all business sectors investing in London, with a 117 per cent increase in tech companies investing in the city, which accounts for 45 per cent of all projects.

Major tech investments in London from India in recent years include software testing service Cigniti Technologies, customer support company Kayako and many others.

London’s Deputy Mayor for Business, Rajesh Agrawal, said: “The relationship between London and India continues to go from strength to strength and each year IE20 reveals a host of impressive talent and creativity. This is yet more proof that London is open for business and open to talent.

“As someone who arrived from India fifteen years ago with just £200 in my pocket, before setting up my own successful companies, I know from first-hand experience that London is the best place in world for entrepreneurs to grow a business. My congratulations go to all the winners of these exciting awards.”

David Slater, London & Partners’ Director of International Trade and Investment, said: “India is one of the highest sources of foreign direct investment to London so we already have very strong trade links. But we think we can go further to strengthen London’s connections with India and Indian businesses, not only in established sectors, but in growing sectors, such as tech.

“The diversity of businesses on the latest IE20 mission shows the vast international potential of Indian business and London offers the greatest place in the world for companies to scale and grow.

”We look forward to welcoming all these innovative companies to the United Kingdom during London Technology next month.”

Arbinder Chatwal, BDO’s Head of India Advisory Services in the UK shared his experience of being associated as a jury member on the program for the second year that BDO has partnered with L&P for IE20 : “Business between India & the UK has been promisingly progressive demonstrating an impressive exchange of ideas, talent , investments contributing to the economic growth both ends. The recent Asia Business Association (ABA) report headlines that 11% of London’s GDP is contributed by Asian businesses of which India stands as the biggest contributor. Programs like the IE20 only go to strengthen this statistic promising an incredible future growth in the India-UK business corridor.”

Mark Ling, Head of International, Trade & Working Capital, Santander UK said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting such an exciting programme.  There’s a huge opportunity for inward investment by Indian businesses into the UK and IE20 has identified some extremely high calibre organisations.  Equally, our own research shows the potential for businesses in a diverse numbers of sectors to export to India.  Helping Indian businesses invest in the UK and British businesses looking to export to India is a core priority for Santander.  Our plans include regularly and proactively taking UK firms out to markets to meet buyers and network with key stakeholders, as well as arranging inward trade missions. During these visits, we can demonstrate the strength of our international network and the value of local support on the ground. 

This year 345 Indian companies entered the IE20 programme, over 100 more than the previous year. From last year’s cohort, two companies have already set up offices in London – LatentView Analytics and Curadev Pharma, bringing nearly 100 new jobs in the initial three years.

Some of the winners this year include;

• GOQii is an app which provides personalised health and fitness coaching along with a fitness tracker. A personal coach and doctor then works with the person on their health and lifestyle goals.
• Smartivity Labs is dedicated to designing, developing and delivering activity-based, smarter learning experiences and toys for children between 3 to 14 years of age. Products include S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) concepts based D.I.Y. educational toy kits, India’s first Augmented Reality enabled colouring and jigsaw puzzles and robots designed to teach children the fundamentals of computer programming.
• Stellapps Technologies is recognised as the first Indian company that offers end-to- end dairy technology solutions targeted. The company’s innovative applications leverage IoT, Big Data, Cloud, Mobility, & Data Analytics to improve milk production, animal insurance and farmer payments. The company acquires the data via sensors that are embedded in milking systems and animal wearable technology.
• Thrillophilia is Asia’s biggest online platform for tours and activities. 2 million+ travellers come on Thrillophilia every month to plan their trips. The platform connects local travel operators with the travellers and helps them book tours and activities in real time.
• Transcell’s vision is to become the global leading enterprise for the discovery and development of targeted anti-cancer treatments that improve survival rates, neurological ailments and autoimmune disorders.