Global Outlook Grabs $2 Million From Naya Ventures

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Raghu Kumar, CEO, Global Outlook

Hyderabad: Hyderabad based hosted Microsoft Exchange and Business Communication service provider Global Outlook has secured $2 million from Naya Ventures. The funds would be used for expanding its marketing operations outside India and make key investments in people and technology as needed to meet its goal of 40,000 users.  “We feel strong in our plans due to GlobalOutlook’s ability to raise capital in challenging market conditions and Naya Ventures’ decision to invest in us validates both our business model and the cloud-based services space.  Naya’s financial commitment and strategic partnerships place us in a stronger position to achieve our goals,” says Raghu Kumar, CEO, Global Outlook.

Global Outlook was founded in 2007 and is led by Raghu Kumar. He is currently the Group CEO of Global Outlook, Motivity Labs, and SinglePoint. Prior to leading Global Outlook, Kumar had founded M2Junction, which was acquired by SinglePoint. He was also the CEO for the Indian offices of JP Mobile and Good Technology. Kumar graduated from Delhi University and was a Captain in the Indian Army. He is also part of the Pushkoor Trust and PJR Foundation.

 “GlobalOutlook meets two hot markets, Cloud/SaaS and Business-Class Email.  By providing companies with niche software via the Internet cloud, the Indian market has a strong need for Cloud / SaaS based solutions and huge growth is estimated to be worth of $352 million by 2012, according to IT Next. So, Cloud / SaaS is a white-hot space in terms of developer and VC interest, but it is also very competitive.  Technology companies are leveraging the lower cost of offering Web-based software in order to reel-in new business customers,” says Kumar.

With employee strength of more than 30 people, company estimates the Indian SaaS market to be worth $352 million by end of 2012. It estimates anybody who is providing secure business communication and collaboration services in Cloud / SaaS model as its competitors.   However, it assumes that it has to educate the business consumers because of the market’s price sensitivity.

The company collaborates with customers and partners such as TELCOs, ISPs, MSPs, and ISVs, web hosting companies, data centers and system integrators to define technology standards. It also provides communication and collaboration services and tools to global enterprises in U.S., India, Sri Lanka, and Qatar. It has offices in Hyderabad, and Dallas. Its portfolio customers include MPS, HRB Group, Softecnt, PRG Associates, Proteck, Microsoft, Corpus, Auromatrix, and Bheri Group among others.

Naya Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm which focuses mainly on U.S. and India-based companies. It invests in and partners with companies offering products and services in the Mobile and SaaS areas and which have the potential to tap into global markets. Its portfolio companies include Glympse, Mixaroo, Motivity Labs, Zoomingo, Single Point, M2Junction (acquired by Singlepoint), and nfluence.