Hello Mumbai Startup Desk
On the occasion of World MSME Day 2026, Hello Mumbai News presents an exclusive conversation with Shishir Sharan, Founder & CEO of Daten Intelligence Software, a visionary entrepreneur driving AI-powered business transformation. With a strong focus on helping MSMEs embrace digital innovation, Sharan shares how Artificial Intelligence is enabling small and medium enterprises to improve efficiency, make data-driven decisions, enhance customer experiences, and achieve sustainable growth. In this insightful interview, he discusses the future of AI in India’s MSME ecosystem, the opportunities and challenges of digital adoption, and why technology will be the key catalyst for building globally competitive businesses.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
What inspired you to become a solo entrepreneur, and how did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
Shishir Sharan
I am not a solo entrepreneur or solopreneur as the term goes. I started researching on AI use cases, business models about 2.5 years ago in solo mode, but started the AI tech services business in early 2024 with a lean team. We ventured into AI products on building and enhancing the “intelligence layers” for enterprise functions like sales, Marketing, operations, project management, HR and recruiting, Customer service and in verticals like internet business, media and entertainment, Financial services, manufacturing. And now I support solo Founders in India also (via our tie ups with private investors and institutional investors (VCs),(outside and in India), mentor networks and advisors etc (Disclaimer : I do the last part in general Tech and AI tech only, it’s based on validation of idea and team etc, and it’s a paid thing. We also help infusion of $25K -$100k selectively through our partners.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
As a solo founder, what have been your biggest challenges in building and scaling your business without a co-founder or large team?
– The biggest challenge across AI tech and AI based solopreneur business model has several inherent challenges I have experienced, and in the current scenario:
1- Choice of the right business model using AI.
2- Not calculating the cost – any solopreneur still needs freelancers, building the right AI agents based support, Automation workflow design and implementation and setting up some buffer time and cash.
3- Not exploring the ecosystem tie ups and resources enough, even as a tech product solopreneur, even say for an AI app that goes viral quickly, any solopreneur needs the right ecosystem support targeting.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
How have MSME initiatives and government policies contributed to your startup’s growth? Are there any areas where additional support is needed?
Shishir Sharan
We are working with a couple of SME associations in India, a couple overseas, and in my previous avatar, I have worked with 50+ SME bodies globally, while I founded and ran a SME marketplace- with specific use cases based products for 5 years (2010-2015) managing a community of 30k+ MSME globally.
In today’s competitive market, what strategies have helped you build a sustainable and profitable business?
Shishir Sharan
1 formula : markets of today move faster than say 12 or 15 years ago (AI and other emerging tech and business models big reasons)
So, you might be able to disrupt a market or industry in less than 6 months. But you might get disrupted too in the next 4 months too, so building the right evolving immunity in your business tech and business model, through inmovation, and pivoting for e.g is most critical.
Businesses targeting SME only may have a tough nut to crack, and having exposure to servicing sector before and/or being part of the SME (ecosystem) may be very critical to profitability and success.
There are many more. Happy to connect with readers for more via Linkedin/email.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
Technology and artificial intelligence are transforming businesses. How are you leveraging digital tools to enhance productivity and customer engagement?
Shishir Sharan
We live, breathe, eat, drink AI. So, we offer AI interventions (tools, research, products and more) not just for customers, but also internally to increase speed, efficiency, throughput, accuracy many other objectives.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
Access to funding remains a major challenge for many startups. What has your experience been in raising capital or bootstrapping your venture?
Shishir Sharan
I had raised money for my startup in the SME space (2010-2015, exited). My first venture in India (2007-2009) was self funded by my co-founder, I had founder sweat equity. My third venture(2015 onwards – before the current AI venture) was bootstrapped , was a tech consulting business.
My current venture is mostly self funded – bootstrapped at the moment.
Raising money vs. Managing operations and balancing the two with the bandwidth the team has, is a subjective call.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
What advice would you give to aspiring solo entrepreneurs who want to launch their own startups but are hesitant to take the first step?
Shishir Sharan
Ideate, research, bounce off your idea from experts, people you know or can reach out to validate your thoughts on feasibility of your business, tweak and finalize the plan before going as a solo entrepreneur.
Then, build (tech, users, customers) and have your internal audit and review the progress, the product, the business model etc.
You will need to pivot regularly, and your analysis and audit, done periodically is not desirable, it’s mandatory- it can increase chances of success in the venture manyfolds.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
How do you maintain a balance between entrepreneurship, personal well-being, and continuous learning while managing everything independently?
Shishir Sharan
I take my breaks (movies, music) regularly and work on an AI upskilling initiative called AIGyan and a Free AI adoption platform called Inquiret.tech (which make sure the long hours I put in, is not hard work alone, but a lot more fun – a lot less stressful.
We have a dedicated small internal team that does tech and business research all day. (Learning part in your question).
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
What are your future growth plans, and how do you envision your startup contributing to India’s vision of becoming a global innovation and startup hub?
Shishir Sharan
I want to contribute to the ecosystem, make sure the value proposition across my products, services is high, I like to upskill young people specially, and want the businesses I run, to have a direct or allied do-good objective (s).
And I think money is very important that the business makes, for me, my team, My future investors and other stakeholders, but the things I mentioned before are important in the philosophy/vision of the business initiatives of mine and for synergy in the entities, individuals me and my companies engage with as we are going along.
I have run an MSME marketplace/hub for 5 years, and it was an immensely satisfying and rewarding journey.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
On the occasion of World MSME Day, what message would you like to share with young entrepreneurs, startup founders, and policymakers about strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem?
Shishir Sharan
Solve the MSME puzzle if you can through AI, and I, My business, network, are happy to assist (as answered before).
SMEs (specially in India) don’t embrace new technology (like AI, robotics, quantum tech) quickly and may not have deep pockets for vendors, and could have general resistance to buy from you even if you have the most fitting product/service/solution…
So you will need to evangelize, pivot more often, and may need addon industry, company segments (beyond SME) revenue streams.
But working for the MSME segment is highly satisfying, lots of government bodies may agree to work with you on your journey, and once the formula (the disruptive model) works, Scaling can be much easier and financial rewards really awesome! Wish all the readers the best. I am happy to connect via linkedin on
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shishir-sharan
Email shish@tuta.com
