Humankind Wellness Aggregation Services Pvt. Ltd. is a dynamic startup revolutionizing social security, welfare, and employee benefits for workers in SMEs and MSMEs across India’s tier 5 and 6 cities or rurban areas. By aggregating various government social security schemes, the company aims to empower small businesses in semi-urban regions, bridging the gap in employee welfare.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Manu Raj Gupta, Founder of Humankind Wellness, delves into the platform’s unique offerings. He highlights how it tackles critical social security challenges and outlines his strategic plan to integrate this platform with SMEs and MSMEs in underserved cities. Emphasizing the welfare of human capital as a catalyst for boosting productivity, Manu offers deep insights into the company’s mission and future direction. Here are the key takeaways from this insightful conversation.
Q: Could you elaborate on the platform you are designing and how it aims to address social security and other key challenges?
A: We are building a comprehensive ecosystem by prioritizing social security, welfare, and employee benefits nationwide. This ecosystem encompasses every vertical within the industry, ensuring a holistic approach. Our mission is to tap into the untapped, underserved markets, with a sharp focus on SMEs and MSMEs. We aim to extend our reach to these overlooked segments, bringing crucial benefits and support where it’s needed most.
Q: How do you plan to integrate SMEs and MSMEs into your platform to ensure they can effectively provide benefits to their employees?
A: When it comes to employee benefits and welfare services, large companies and their employees enjoy a wide range of options. However, small business owners and their teams often miss out, relying solely on limited government schemes, many of which they are not even able to access. This leaves a significant gap in support for the backbone of our economy.
We are committed to bridging this gap. Our focus is on reaching these underserved segments because, as the saying goes, manpower is the key to becoming a superpower. SMEs and MSMEs are vital contributors to the Indian economy, holding a majority share.
For micro-enterprises to grow, they need to transition into small businesses, then evolve into medium-sized enterprises, and eventually scale to a global level. Our mission is to empower this transformation. We believe that when your workforce is productive and well-supported, scaling to new heights becomes achievable. Our goal is to ensure that India’s MSME sector not only thrives locally but competes on the global stage.
Q: With the growing reliance on AI and the prevalent ‘hire and fire’ culture, how does your platform promote a more human-centric approach in the workplace?
A: AI is undoubtedly a powerful tool, and technology can significantly scale up businesses. However, there are areas where a human touch is irreplaceable, and no technology can replicate the value of human output.
That’s why it’s crucial to invest in our employees, treating them as our greatest assets. To transform them into true assets, we must provide comprehensive support and services that enhance their productivity. By doing so, we not only empower our workforce but also drive sustainable growth.
Q: Which markets were you initially planning to target for your launch?
A: We are initially focusing on tier 5 and tier 6 cities—rural India—because the heart of Bharat truly beats in its villages. Our strategy begins with reaching these underserved markets, starting from the grassroots level. Once we’ve established a strong foothold there, we’ll expand to tier 4 and tier 3 cities, progressively moving upward. This phased approach ensures we bring essential services to the communities that need them most.
Q: When do you plan to launch the platform, and what strategies will you use to reach your target audience effectively?
A: We plan to launch this platform very soon, likely in the upcoming quarter. Our current strategy involves onboarding a comprehensive range of government social security schemes, employee benefit aggregators, and welfare programs. Once this is complete, we’ll offer an interoperable, open platform designed specifically for employees of small and micro enterprises. This platform will empower them to easily access a variety of essential services, bridging the gap in social security and employee benefits for underserved sectors.
