Manu Jain, Co-Founder of VAMA, writes on invitation and exclusively for our special series BRIEF24.
Learnings and achievements from 2023; Inspiration for 2024
In 2023, two major trends have been transformative for us. Firstly, the integration of Astro-Tech, leveraging technology to enhance personalised spiritual experiences. This aligns with our commitment to provide in-depth astrological insights through our app. Secondly, the rise of digital community building has been incredible. However, concerns persist around maintaining authenticity in these online spaces, a challenge we’re dedicated to addressing for our users.
Success stories from 2023: Absolutely, we’re thrilled about our significant temple network expansion, now boasting 200+ temples on our app offering puja services. Beyond figures, our revenue traction has skyrocketed by 8X, showcasing the growing trust our users place in VAMA for their spiritual needs.
Learnings and realizations from 2023: The evolving landscape has deepened our commitment to user-centric spirituality. Understanding the impact of personalised experiences has been enlightening and has fueled our continuous innovation, pushing us to redefine our offerings to align with dynamic user needs.
2023 highlights and takeaways: This year has been a profound learning experience. Hearing stories of how VAMA positively impacts lives is both humbling and inspiring. The takeaway is clear: the potential within the faith-tech market is immense, and there’s a lot more to explore and uncover.
Looking at 2024: In 2024, we’re focusing on working on AI algorithms for even more accurate astrological insights. Additionally, we anticipate a surge in global spiritual connectivity as spirituality continues to transcend borders. For professionals, staying agile and embracing change will be crucial in this rapidly evolving industry.
Some advice: The faith-tech space is finally getting its due recognition. It’s one of the largest untapped markets, predominantly offline and unorganized. There’s enormous potential and scope for growth, so my advice is to seize the opportunity, innovate fearlessly, and build authentic connections with your users.
My Mantra for 2024: If your startup is still alive, congrats: you’ve survived the most difficult year in the past decade. Godspeed.
My personal favorites from 2023
Campaign I liked in 2023: The Reliance Digital ad touched my heart! It mirrors our faith-tech ethos, emphasizing the need for trust in embracing technology. Let’s encourage everyone, especially seniors, to welcome the positive impact of technology just like this heartwarming ad does.
A book I liked in 2023: ‘The Difficulty of Being Good’ transformed my worldview by weaving Bhagavad Gita’s wisdom into modern tales, making morality both relatable and incredibly motivating – a must-read for a soulful perspective on life!
A show/movie that I liked in 2023: ‘A Hidden Faith’ for its undercover spiritual vibes, and when it comes to some good old corporate drama, ‘Billions’ and ‘Succession’.
My 2023 hobby-career connection: Golf – where every swing is a lesson in focus, resilience, and the art of keeping your cool under pressure.
