In Startup50 2016: On the basis of its robust technology, artificial intelligence-based chatbot Niki.ai, has gained significant customer traction in the early stage. Backed by Rata Tata and Ronnie Screwvala’s Unilazer Ventures, this winner has amassed a user base of over 62,000 people

Founders: Nitin Babel, Shishir Modi, Keshav Prawasi, Sachin Jaiswal (In Pic)

When Nitin Babel, Shishir Modi, Keshav Prawasi, Sachin Jaiswal founded artificial intelligence-based chatbot Niki.ai in 2015, the founders might not have thought the company’s idea would receive the early traction from users that it did. In a short span of under two years, it has a user base of 62,000 people and has processed over 30,000 orders. What the company does is to help users through chatbot by simplifying service discovery and transactions. At present, it enables transactions in the areas of food, travel, healthcare, bill payment and more. Niki.ai’s impressive performance has attracted investment from the likes of Ratan Tata and Ronnie Screwvala’s Unilazer Ventures and the company plans on utilising these funds to strengthen its technology platform and further its user base. The company hopes to close FY 2017 with annual revenues of Rs. 10 crore.

Helpful chatter

Niki.ai helps brands get on the Niki platforms (app, messenger) by means of a channel partnership model. The company also provides assistance to enable chatbot (in the form of a software development kit) on the brands’ platforms. It charges a commission only on successful completion of an order.

Empowering brands

Niki.ai rests the power in the hands of the brands by bringing direct consumer interaction by way of chat, right to their platform. It also presents them an opportunity to be on messaging platforms such as messenger giving them larger distribution at lower costs.

Democratising commerce

In the near future, Niki.ai is working on making commerce services available to the Indian masses through an independent platform which works on the 2G network and this is a win for both brands and consumers alike.

62,000

(Number of people on Niki.ai’s user base)

35

(Number of the company’s merchant partnerships)

10 crore

(Niki.ai’s revenue outlook for FY 2017)