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  • The Infosys Innovation Network: Adding Startup Innovation to Our DNA with Rajeev Nayar

    December 08, 2021
  • Rajeev Nayar, Vice President, CTO Data Analytics at Infosys discusses startup partnerships and explains how Infosys evaluates startups and which value they provide to the business and its customers.

    Hosted by Jeff Kavanaugh, VP and Head of the Infosys Knowledge Institute.

    “We need companies that are working at the cutting edge. That are bringing new ideas to the table and are trying to look at the world differently.”

    “So we bring this perspective of being able to take the startup and fit them into an overall solution, which becomes much more valuable for our customers.”

    “Startups can look at working with Infosys, not just as working with the service provider, but working with a partner that is trying to help them succeed.”

    - Rajeev Nayar

Insights

  • Infosys Data Analytics practice is almost a billion dollar practice right now.
  • The practice largely operates in the areas of the data engineering and analytics space where it's about scale of operations.
  • Infosys works across multiple customers and is able to see the trends. When these trends are implemented this leads into customers’ innovation cycles.
  • At any point in time Infosys works with about 15 and 20 startups on a very active basis.
  • Startups that Infosys works with fall into three different categories. First category is about scaling the operations. Second category is about doing proofs of concepts with customers. Third category is about exploring new ideas.
  • Infosys looks at startups that can help in the areas of AI and that can actually bring the data cognitive and AI capabilities together to make a difference in terms of delivering business value.
  • Infosys allows startups to participate, become part of its solution so that startups become a natural part of Infosys’ sales process. This increases the number of customers that startups go to. Startups can look at working with Infosys, not just as working with the service provider, but working with a partner that is trying to help them succeed.
  • Startups bring this unique view on the world and unique solution to the table. When Infosys sees the value they do invest in these startups to help them grow and create a joint success criteria.
  • Partnership is key. What we need to understand is that being a very capable and an absolutely fantastic startup is one part of the puzzle. Maybe it is the last part of the puzzle, but it is just one part of the puzzle. And then we actually are on a day-to-day basis putting these puzzles together.
  • There are three key points. One is what does the industry is talking about. The second is the business direction that you are taking and where are some of the players that can help you with your direction? And third is what are the problems that you're facing today?
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Show Notes

  • 00:08

    Jeff introduces himself and Rajeev

  • 00:44

    Rajeev talks about his role and his practice at Infosys

  • 01:23

    Can you describe why startup collaboration? Why is it important to pull startups into the mix?

  • 02:30

    You mentioned a lot of startups. How many do you work with now? And what's the value that they provide?

  • 03:25

    How do you evaluate a startup? Let's say, you've got this idea, or you have this need without going into the proprietary details. What are the criteria you use to evaluate a startup?

  • 04:50

    How do you align your and your client, your client's part time horizon with the needs of a startup?

  • 06:40

    For that startup founder out there. What are some specifics that they can think about to partner with an orchestrator, like an Infosys or a large entity? What can they do?

  • 08:10

    How do you differentiate this, this offering or this service you've just described from that Y Combinator traditional incubator of Silicon valley?

  • 09:01

    Great, as we wrap what do you recommend for people to learn more?

  • 09:37

    How can people find you?

About Rajeev Nayar

Rajeev Nayar

CTO of Data & Analytics practice at Infosys

Rajeev has 20+ years of experience in the IT industry and is the CTO of Data & Analytics practice at Infosys. His focus is on developing autonomous systems, customer intelligence solutions, cognition, AI, smart and scalable data solutions. Rajeev, with his team, holds a few patents for cognitive engine – Digital Brain, Big Data processing engine – Big Data Edge and APPARE for automated pavement profile analysis.