Hailing from the modest town of Alwar in Rajasthan, Karmesh Gupta has etched a remarkable entrepreneurial journey marked by resilience, innovation, and eventual success. His story commenced with a stint at the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals while still in college, showcasing his early passion for technology and innovation. This certified ethical hacker then navigated through roles at various technology firms before embarking on his entrepreneurial path, culminating in a groundbreaking business that reached 25 countries in just 15 months.
In contrast to the conventional narrative of tech entrepreneurs emerging from premier institutions like IITs and IIMs, Karmesh Gupta pursued his education at the LNM Institute of Information Technology. In October 2014, he initiated his first venture, HttpCart Technologies, alongside his cousin Praveen Gupta. Their inaugural venture introduced the first-ever Free WiFi by an Indian private firm in Jaipur, incorporating a business model reliant on hyperlocal video and image ads for revenue. Despite securing over 10 clients initially, the venture fell short of expectations, leading to substantial losses and eventual closure.
Undeterred by setbacks, the Gupta cousins refused to concede defeat. They pivoted into the IT services industry, only to encounter another setback. However, their unwavering determination bore fruit in 2017 when they unveiled a new product under the same brand name, ‘WiJungle’ – an all-in-one cybersecurity tool. This strategic move proved transformative as they secured clients ranging from government ministries and agencies to prominent hotel brands. Remarkably, they achieved profitability within just three months of sales, boasting high margins and a low burn rate.
Also Read: Meet Ashni Biyani, Who Departed As MD Of Rs 169 Cr, She Started Her Own Business And Her Brand Is….
WiJungle, bootstrapped with an initial investment of a mere Rs 11 lakh, garnered attention in 2022 when Gupta’s firm secured seed funding from the global venture capitalist firm SOSV. In the leadership structure, Karmesh assumed the role of CEO, with Praveen serving as the CTO. The latest valuation places the company at around Rs 183 crore ($22 million), reflecting the resounding success of Karmesh Gupta’s entrepreneurial journey – a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of innovation.
