Leaders

Women leaders around the world are known for infusing industries with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Several of them, navigate various challenges and seize every opportunity that comes their way, to carve a path to success. One such leader is Divyani Singh, whose journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster.

Divyani Singh began her career as a cloud analyst at an Intel-funded startup where she led a groundbreaking project for Bookmyshow. She played a huge role in developing an analytical engine for the platform and later took on several projects for MFX, BBQ Nation, and Manipal Hospital. With a diverse background spanning roles in solution architecture, mentoring at Niti Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission, and editorial direction at the Computer Society of India-UPES, Divyani now harnesses her analytical acumen to drive product strategies at Cognecto, shaping the company's vision for innovation and growth.

Embarking on a distinctive exchange with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Divyani divulges the intricate facets of her transformative journey as a prominent leader in the country. Let's explore further.

What led you to establish Cognecto? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of expertise.

The decision to establish Cognecto stemmed from co-founder’s extensive experience in the mining and construction industries, where we observed a significant disconnect between equipment operators and the machinery they used. We recognized that operators were often overlooked and not fully integrated into the technological ecosystem. This realization led us to create a 360-degree construction platform aimed at bridging this gap through AI-enabled IoT devices, which could revolutionize asset-centric data management.

Despite numerous challenges during our intensive Research and Development (R&D) journey, our commitment to innovation and understanding of industry pain points enabled us to develop cutting-edge solutions that optimize operations, improve safety, and enhance productivity on construction sites. Cognecto empowers businesses through insights and streamlined operations so that they can stay ahead in an increasingly digital world. A significant milestone in our journey was when we secured a project under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in Kerala in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development. Currently, we are handling 30 percent of Indian states through our platform, ensuring the quality of roads.

What are some of the key responsibilities that you shoulder as the Chief Product Officer of Cognecto?

My responsibilities as the Chief Product Officer span a wide array of spectrum. During the initial days, my focus was on building an efficient product tailored according to the client's needs. As we progressed and secured pre-series funding, my focus shifted towards revenue generation and making sure that our product was a market fit. I am also involved in client interaction, receiving feedback, and understanding their needs to improve our products continuously.

What are some of the most critical challenges you encounter in your current role at Cognecto? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

In my role at Cognecto, some of the most critical challenges include, rigorously testing our hardware for reliability in harsh mining and construction environments and addressing logistical difficulties in remote locations with underdeveloped infrastructure. Overcoming these obstacles requires meticulous planning, resourcefulness, and a strong emphasis on safety for our service engineers.

Another challenge is fostering team motivation and ensuring strong interpersonal connections, especially as we work remotely. To address this, I maintain a personal connection with each team member, stay accessible, and encourage open communication.

What are some of the most important professional wins that you have achieved over the years?

Some of the most important professional wins in my career include mentoring school students through the Mentor Together Program and supporting young innovators as a member of Niti Aayog Atal Innovation Center, both of which allow me to give back to society and inspire the next generation. Another significant milestone is Cognecto's recognition as a technology partner for India's infrastructure growth, particularly through our association with government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Another win in my career was my role as a Solution Architect for the UIDAI project, where I revamped the architecture using container-based solutions and Ceph for storage.

What has been your success mantra as a business leader?

My mantra as a business leader is all about showing up every day, no matter how challenging the circumstances may be. Consistency and resilience are crucial, even when things are not going your way, or you face significant setbacks. By consistently innovating and accepting failure as part of the process, we can learn and improve, leading to better outcomes.

A business leader you admire: Indira Nooyi for her relentless dedication to her work and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his strategic vision and astute leadership, which I perceive as akin to managing a colossal business enterprise.

Advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs and business leaders: Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals.

Divyani Singh, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Cognecto

Divyani Singh has a B.Tech in Computer Science from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun. Her career includes roles as a Solution Architect at Nxtgen Datacenter and Cloud Technologies, mentoring at Niti Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and Mentor Together, and entrepreneurial ventures such as Health and Jiva, Enrich Technology, and Cognecto.