In Bangladesh, a country still living under the label of “Developing Nation” without the full benefits of modern technology, something exciting is brewing on the horizon. Even though it hasn’t fully tapped into the possibilities of technology, there’s a spark of innovation that could lead to something truly great.
Presenting CONNEKT STUDIO, a Bangladeshi venture studio. In a country where tech is still growing, CONNEKT STUDIO is making waves with its innovative work. Founded in Bangladesh, it’s changing the tech game in the country, showing the world that big ideas and global success can come from unexpected quarters.
Introduction and Background
Nasim Uddin, an entrepreneur at heart, founded Connekt Studio with his brother Nasir Uddin and best friend Raihan Ahamed. They wanted to think outside the box and make new solutions by working remotely, not sticking to the usual office environment. This choice was inspired by their Gen-Z team’s wishes, leading to a team spread across the country. They primarily focus on developing and launching their own AI-centric products.
Projects and Achievements
Over the past two and a half years, CONNEKT STUDIO has embarked on numerous projects for clients and ourselves. Highlights include Vocalo.ai, an AI-powered speaking practice platform; Heyluna.ai, an AI virtual assistant; and ScribbleToArt.com, an AI-driven sketch-to-art conversion platform. These projects posed unique challenges, especially in staying abreast of cutting-edge technology, balancing quality with cost, and minimising latency.
Though not all projects were financially successful, ScribbleToArt.com and Vocalo.ai stand out as money making ventures. ScribbleToArt is being used by tens of thousands of user all over the world and it’s growing despite not doing any marketing for it.
Team Composition and Collaboration
CONNEKT STUDIO’s team structure is flat, with a small yet dynamic team of primarily self-taught engineers and designers, managed directly by its founder. They foster a transparent culture, sharing financial insights and challenges with the entire team. Collaboration and enjoyment in their work are key, as they tackle projects that are both fun and innovative.
Technological Innovation
At CONNEKT STUDIO, the team mainly uses open-source AI tools, along with some closed source technologies. They don’t just use these tools as they come; instead, they add their own innovations to improve and speed up their work. Always looking for the next big thing, they keep up with the latest advances in technology.
To foster a culture of continuous learning, they hold weekly educational sessions. These gatherings are more than just updates; they are collaborative forums where team members share insights and discoveries. Any intriguing find is not kept in isolation but is disseminated across the team, ensuring collective growth and knowledge enrichment.
Business Model, Market Presence, and Strategies:
CONNEKT STUDIO’s revenue streams include client projects and their proprietary products. Currently, they are focused on shifting towards a product-centric revenue model, leveraging subscriptions, one-time sales, and white-labelling options.
Their ethos is to create products that evoke a sense of wonder, rather than merely chasing profits. This approach sets them apart, especially in a market where many companies focus solely on client work.
Though they are still in the early stages of growth and relatively small in the Bangladeshi market, their international presence, particularly with products like ScribbleToArt.com, is expanding. Plans are underway to launch Vocalo.ai in Asia and Europe, with ongoing discussions for entry into educational institutions. They are also exploring opportunities in the Middle East.
Challenges in the AI Industry
In the fast-paced AI industry, staying ahead demands constant adaptation due to rapid technological evolution. The challenge faced by CONNEKT studio lies not only in keeping up with cutting-edge solutions but also in overcoming hurdles like the current GPU shortage, hindering project scalability.
Getting essential parts for AI projects can be time consuming and expensive, especially with the high costs of GPUs, servers, and infrastructure. Yet, there’s hope as the costs of AI technology start to drop while its capabilities keep getting better.
Future Vision and Goals
Connekt Studio envisions a dynamic environment where team members are excited to contribute. Their culture prioritises flexibility, allowing global remote work. The goal is to create beloved, user-centric products. A commitment to a fully remote and transparent work model defines their ethos. Steadfast in their approach, they innovate towards launching new products, bringing their vision to life.
Closing Thoughts
Connekt Studio was born from a desire to innovate, to create not just for the sake of creation, but to bring to life solutions that are both exciting and genuinely useful.
This ethos resonates through their entire team; they are not in the business of simply building products. They are in the pursuit of realising dreams, transforming them into tangible experiences that resonate with users. Their journey is about crafting stories of innovation, dreams, and practical solutions that leave a lasting impact.