ATechnos: Apurv Abhay Modi on the Power of Dreams and Digital Transformation
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—and sometimes, that step only costs ₹20,000. Apurv Abhay Modi, the Founder of ATechnos, is a living example of how bootstrapping and sheer dedication can turn a small idea into a global conglomerate. Operating in 17 countries and serving telecom giants like Airtel Africa, MTN, and Jio, ATechnos is a powerhouse in content distribution and digital transformation that remains 100% self-funded.
Apurv's entrepreneurial spirit was forged in his father's garment shop. "I used to sit with my dad, engage with clients, and sell clothes," he recalls. "That's when I started dreaming of having my own company instead of working for someone else." This early exposure to business dynamics gave him the resilience to navigate the corporate world after his MBA, where he briefly worked for eight different companies in two years, constantly looking for the "new thing" before spotting an opportunity in content distribution via LinkedIn.
The ₹20,000 Global Startup
ATechnos started with a registration fee of ₹20,000. "I never faced a financial crunch because we were revenue-focused from Day 1," Apurv says. By identifying a gap in the Chinese market for Indian content and securing permissions from production houses on a revenue-sharing basis, Apurv built a business that scaled through profit rather than external investment.
Scaling Across 17 Countries
Today, ATechnos is far more than just a content distributor. The group has branched into IoT, Electric Vehicles (EV), and enterprise technology. Their core expertise remains in helping telecom operators manage video-on-demand and gaming portals—similar to Netflix but integrated directly into carrier services. Whether it's the Diwali Mahotsav for Vodafone or gaming apps for Jio, ATechnos provides the platform and the rights to engage millions of users.
Scaling globally meant taking risks. Apurv recalls the early days of traveling by night bus from Bangalore to Mumbai to save ₹4,000 on flights. "I would finish my meetings and come back the next night. We've seen 50 projects fail, but the 5 that hit are what made us a group of companies today."
A Family of Entrepreneurs
Apurv attributes much of his success to the support of his family. His elder brother, Abhinav, was his first "investor" in terms of mental support. "Abhinav saw the qualities in me and told me I could do it while he was working elsewhere. He joined ATechnos full-time in 2017, and we've been focused on growth ever since." His father, who started his career as a truck driver and built a matrix manufacturing and financing unit, remains Apurv's primary role model.
This family-first approach extends to their recruitment philosophy. "We don't just look for engineers; we look for dedication," Apurv notes. Many of their core team members have been with them for over eight years, growing from non-technical backgrounds into leadership roles within the various verticals of the group.
Apurv's Advice for Aspiring Employers
- Start Dreaming as an Employer: Instead of focusing on getting a high-salary package, think about how much salary you want to distribute. That shift in mindset changes everything.
- Packaging is Key: In India and the global market, you can sell anything if you have the right packaging and the right approach.
- Be Prepared for a 24/7 Life: Entrepreneurship is not a job; it's a family. You have to be willing to set aside your social life initially to see immediate results.
- Revenue First: Don't wait for investors. Find a way to generate your first ₹8,000 in revenue. That confidence is better than any pitch deck.
The Vision: The Next Reliance
Looking ahead, Apurv has set a bold vision: to become the "Reliance of the future." With separate ventures in gaming, IoT, EV, and an African division, the ATechnos group is aggressively diversifying. For Apurv, the journey is just beginning. He is now opening doors for other entrepreneurs, offering mentorship and even funding for innovative projects that align with his vision of a digitally transformed India.
ATechnos Group at a Glance
- Global Reach: Business operations in 17 countries across Asia and Africa.
- Diversification: Verticals in Content, IoT, EV, and Enterprise Tech.
- Funding: 100% bootstrapped and self-reliant since inception.
About the Guest
Apurv Abhay Modi is the Founder of ATechnos. A graduate of IIM Bangalore (NSRCEL) and IMI, Apurv is a visionary leader in the digital transformation space. Since 2012, he has built multiple successful ventures, focusing on media technology and content distribution. He is a passionate advocate for student entrepreneurship and is actively involved in mentoring and funding new-age startups. Apurv is dedicated to building long-lasting, impactful organizations that drive technological growth on a global scale.
ATechnos is a leading digital transformation and content distribution company. By providing state-of-the-art platforms for video-on-demand, gaming, and enterprise services, ATechnos helps telecom operators and businesses engage their audiences more effectively. The group also pioneers solutions in IoT and Electric Vehicles, staying at the cutting edge of technological innovation.