Hello Mumbai Business Desk
On the occasion of World MSME Day 2026, Hello Mumbai News had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with Vivek Ananth, Founder of Greenitive Technologies and an AI Consultant. In this insightful conversation, he shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence is transforming the MSME landscape by improving productivity, driving innovation, optimizing business operations, and enabling small and medium enterprises to compete in the digital economy. He also discusses the opportunities, challenges, and strategies for adopting AI responsibly, highlighting how technology can empower Indian MSMEs to achieve sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
Vivek Ananth is the founder of Greenitive Technologies and an AI consultant with more than 19 years of experience in software engineering, cloud technologies, automation, and artificial intelligence. He specializes in helping businesses adopt AI, automation, and digital transformation solutions to improve productivity, accelerate growth, and solve complex business challenges.
Hello Mumbai NewsÂ
What inspired you to become a solo entrepreneur, and how did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
Vivek Ananth
I wanted to build products from the beginning of my career. My entrepreneurial journey started with the goal of creating products and solutions that solve real business problems and create value for customers. The idea of building something meaningful and impactful motivated me to become a solo entrepreneur.
As a solo founder, what have been your biggest challenges in building and scaling your business without a co-founder or large team?
Vivek Ananth
As a solo founder, you constantly juggle multiple aspects of the business including marketing, sales, product development, customer management, and operations. Balancing all these responsibilities while maintaining focus on growth and execution has been one of the biggest challenges.
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?
Vivek Ananth
In my experience, the process of accessing MSME initiatives and government support is not always clear or easy to navigate. While many programs and benefits exist, awareness and accessibility remain challenges for many entrepreneurs. Simplifying the process and improving communication about available support would help more founders benefit from these initiatives.
Hello Mumbai News
In today’s competitive market, what strategies have helped you build a sustainable and profitable business?
Vivek Ananth
The key has been continuous adaptation. Businesses need to let go of activities that no longer create value and invest more in areas that generate meaningful results. Continuously improving, learning, and focusing on customer value has helped build a sustainable business.
Technology and artificial intelligence are transforming businesses. How are you leveraging digital tools to enhance productivity and customer engagement?
We actively use AI tools for coding, content creation, research, and video production. These technologies help us move faster and deliver results more efficiently. Customers today also expect quicker responses and faster execution, making AI adoption increasingly important for businesses of all sizes.
Hello Mumbai News
Access to funding remains a major challenge for many startups. What has your experience been in raising capital or bootstrapping your venture?
Vivek Ananth
My journey has been entirely bootstrapped so far. The advantage of bootstrapping is that you fully understand and own the risks involved in the business.
Initially, I explored a B2C approach before later pivoting towards B2B opportunities based on market realities and customer needs.
When it comes to raising capital, founders carry an additional responsibility because they are managing other people’s money. That naturally requires greater due diligence, accountability, and disciplined execution.
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?
Vivek Ananth
Start small, test your ideas, learn from customers, and continue moving forward. Businesses evolve over time, and founders need to adapt as markets and customer needs change. Waiting for perfect conditions often delays valuable learning.
Hello Mumbai News
How do you maintain a balance between entrepreneurship, personal well-being, and continuous learning while managing everything independently?
Vivek Ananth
Meditation, exercise, and reading have become important habits in my routine. While I aim to practice them every day, I have a simple rule: no matter how busy life becomes, I will commit to them at least two days every week. Maintaining consistency is more important than chasing perfection.
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?
Vivek Ananth
I am currently focused on AI consulting and AI-driven projects that help businesses improve productivity and execution. I also created Founder Framework Lab, an initiative designed to help founders and businesses globally with practical frameworks for growth and decision-making.
The experiences gained during my entrepreneurial journey, along with my involvement in Global Startup Club and guidance from mentors and fellow entrepreneurs, have contributed significantly to my growth as a founder.
I believe India has the talent, entrepreneurial mindset, and technological capability to become one of the world’s leading innovation hubs.
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?
Vivek Ananth
Focus on creating value and building profitable businesses. Entrepreneurs face challenges across funding, hiring, technology adoption, sales, and operations. Strong support systems across these areas can help MSMEs grow faster and compete globally.
With the right ecosystem, mentorship, and accessibility to resources, Indian MSMEs can become one of the country’s strongest engines of economic growth and innovation.
