How this startup snaps up clients like Reliance Industries

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Hi readers,

My dad works as a tow-truck driver, and whenever he talks to me about his job, it often gives me a headache to hear how manual some of the processes are. Case in point: His company still sends paper invoices, receipts, and payslips, and actually calls up customers when they miss their payment due date.

The tow-truck space seems to be lagging behind when it comes to using digital tools, but it’s not the only one. The manufacturing sector is also behind the times, but India-based startup Maximl is aiming to change that.

Today we look at,

• The startup that pivoted and now has Reliance Industries as its client
• The upcoming first external funding round of AirAsia’s logistics arm
• Other newsy highlights such as why AirAsia’s Group CEO defended a Thai executive from sexisml allegations and Didi Global’s denial of delisting rumours

PREMIUM SUMMARY

The startup that’s disrupting India’s US$348 billion manufacturing sector

Many companies have been struggling amid the pandemic, and India-based startup Maximl is no exception. It lost significant revenue when its clients, which include manufacturers and factories, had to pause operations due to a nationwide lockdown last year. But it forged through the storm and launched a new tool that’s now used by conglomerates like Reliance Industries.

• The tool is called Connected Worker, which helps factories manage important work floors, including maintenance, operations, and quality. The platform can automate thousands of rigid paper-based standard operating procedures and convert them into digital work instructions.
• It means business: Maximl claims to increase manufacturers’ productivity by 5% to 10%, minimize the risk of safety-related incidents and delays, and save them US$268,000 to US$536,000.
• 8x jump in revenue: That’s what happened since Connected Worker was launched. Maximl entered the Singapore market last year, bagging its first customer in the city-state: Singapore Refining Company.

Read more: Indian startup makes software for factory workers, eyes Southeast Asia next

PREMIUM SUMMARY

AirAsia’s logistics arm is fundraising externally for the first time

One of the hottest industries in Asia this year is logistics. Just take a look at the recent public listing announcements of NinjaVan, Lalamove, and J&T Express. To go up against these heavyweights, Teleport, the logistics arm of Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia, is looking to raise up to US$100 million from outside sources.