Investment in NumberOne Academy to Empower SME Entrepreneurs
NumberOne Academy, an innovative enablement platform dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has successfully secured an investment of Rs 3 crore in a pre-seed funding round, led by T.I.G.E.R Santosh Nair. Previously, the company garnered Rs 1 crore during the same funding stage in December 2023.
The funds will be utilised to:
- Expand the range of business courses available in Hindi and various regional languages
- Further develop NOA into a comprehensive Virtual Business Coach
Founded in 2022 by Lajesh Kolath and Madhu Bhaskaran, NumberOne Academy is committed to equipping SMEs with essential technology and business skills. The platform features:
- Over 60 curated courses from more than 25 business coaches
- Topics such as growth strategies, sales, marketing, branding, finance, HR, operations, and technology
This AI-driven platform also incorporates in-person workshops and community events, fostering a hybrid learning environment that caters to various learning preferences.
As per the Kochi-based startup, it employs a multi-lingual AI layer to enhance upskilling courses, digital tools, and community engagement, with the goal of empowering the SME ecosystem. The platform offers targeted upskilling courses designed to help business owners achieve sustainable growth and effectively scale their operations.
Introduction of NOA: Your Virtual Business Coach
NumberOne Academy has introduced NOA, an AI-powered chatbot crafted to assist SMEs in navigating GST-related challenges. Future plans include enhancing NOA into a sophisticated Virtual Business Coach, capable of engaging in conversations across more than 10 regional languages while addressing a variety of business challenges faced by entrepreneurs.