While many may not be aware of it, somewhere along the start-up journey, entrepreneurs in innovation and technology begin to daydream and work towards achieving unicorn status.
Owning and running a business valued to be worth over a billion dollars is a reality that many may not achieve. However, this is a reality for Maser Group which recently acquired the unicorn status. Yes, Maser Group is a big deal.
However, like most start-ups, Maser’s journey began with a small, dedicated team driven by a shared vision. The CEO of Maser, Prateek Suri, remembers those early days with a sense of pride and nostalgia. “We started in a modest office space, fuelled by a relentless determination to create something meaningful,” Prateek recalls. “Our focus was on innovation, not on becoming a unicorn.”
At Maser Group, the core principle has always been to innovate. As opposed to staying fixated on the milestones that come around valuation, the small team put their focus on developing cutting-edge technology solutions that addressed problems in the real world.
“Valuation was never our primary goal,” Prateek states. “Our focus was on pushing the boundaries of what technology could achieve.” The unicorn status is a true testament and encouragement that understanding and staying dedicated to the course yields fruit in the long run.
It is notable with every successful journey that challenges are part of the sojourn and although they are unavoidable, they play an important role in building resilience and remain a reminder of the vision ahead. The Group Revenue Reached $1 Bn making it 7th Unicorn in the world in terms of revenue.
It was no different for Maser Group on the journey to achieving unicorn status. Maser Group faced the challenges and risks that came along but because they had a similar vision in mind, the team kept going and Prateek never put his foot down. “Challenges are an inherent part of growth,” Prateek acknowledges.
“They test your resilience and force you to evolve.” This also goes to show the power of teamwork and thought leadership. It is one thing to understand the vision and it is another thing to know how to arrive at a set destination. It is often said that the team makes the dream work. “Our team members are the real heroes,” Prateek emphasizes. “Their dedication and expertise have been instrumental in our journey.”
“Valuation milestones serve as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire team,” Prateek acknowledges. “They open doors to new opportunities and partnerships.” Valuation, in and of itself is a huge milestone but it is also a business opportunity. It is human nature to want to be associated with the high and mighty; it is good for business and self.
As a result, in line with Prateek’s acknowledgement, while the focus may not be solely on getting a high valuation, it is a great motivation to know how many doors those numbers can open and how better things get based on the very same numbers. The valuation is just but a motivation, not the goal.