‘Lechal’s genesis was the simple impulse to use haptic technology to help the visually-impaired navigate their worlds better. Along the way, we realized that Lechal footwear could be useful to anyone and not just those who are visually-impaired’ – Krispian Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder, Ducere Technologies
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| Krispian Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder, Ducere Technologies |
ST
Bureau: When did you decide to take the
path of ‘entrepreneurship’ as your career? Do you remember any special incident?
Krispian Lawrence: Initially, I
had no such plan to become an entrepreneur until the idea of Lechal came to
mind in late 2010. Instantly I fell in love with the overall concept and with
the help of like minded people it came in to being. The idea got nurtured and
Lechal was offered to the world.
had no such plan to become an entrepreneur until the idea of Lechal came to
mind in late 2010. Instantly I fell in love with the overall concept and with
the help of like minded people it came in to being. The idea got nurtured and
Lechal was offered to the world.
ST
Bureau: Can you briefly tell us more
about your startup?
Bureau: Can you briefly tell us more
about your startup?
Krispian Lawrence: Ducere
Technologies was set up in 2011 with the aim of creating intuitive, unobtrusive
and user-friendly wearable technology innovations. Lechal’s genesis was the
simple impulse to use haptic technology to help the visually-impaired navigate
their worlds better. Along the way, we realized that Lechal footwear could be
useful to anyone and not just those who are visually-impaired. That’s when
Lechal evolved into a mass-market product and options such as the Lechal insole
were created.
Technologies was set up in 2011 with the aim of creating intuitive, unobtrusive
and user-friendly wearable technology innovations. Lechal’s genesis was the
simple impulse to use haptic technology to help the visually-impaired navigate
their worlds better. Along the way, we realized that Lechal footwear could be
useful to anyone and not just those who are visually-impaired. That’s when
Lechal evolved into a mass-market product and options such as the Lechal insole
were created.
Lechal
has been created to offer convenience to its users, to begin with it helps with
navigation, it can be used when visiting a new city, or looking to rediscover
their own, the footwear allows users to tag locations, set destinations and get
real-time data on landmarks all around you. Lechal also boasts unique voice
commands and has an inherently social nature, enabling you to share your
location with other users. The footwear is also ideal for groups of families
and friends that want to keep track of everyone. For example, if a group is
scattered across an amusement park but plans to meet at the same restaurant for
dinner, Lechal can provide real-time location data. It’s a boon for additional
convenience and safety.
has been created to offer convenience to its users, to begin with it helps with
navigation, it can be used when visiting a new city, or looking to rediscover
their own, the footwear allows users to tag locations, set destinations and get
real-time data on landmarks all around you. Lechal also boasts unique voice
commands and has an inherently social nature, enabling you to share your
location with other users. The footwear is also ideal for groups of families
and friends that want to keep track of everyone. For example, if a group is
scattered across an amusement park but plans to meet at the same restaurant for
dinner, Lechal can provide real-time location data. It’s a boon for additional
convenience and safety.
With
a fashion-forward design that focuses on inclusivity, the footwear is also made
with water-resistant, breathable materials and has an antibacterial coating.
For those that want the same functionality in their current shoes, the insoles
are an ideal choice. In both the shoes and the insoles, all electronic
components can be removed to allow for washing, ensuring easy maintenance.
a fashion-forward design that focuses on inclusivity, the footwear is also made
with water-resistant, breathable materials and has an antibacterial coating.
For those that want the same functionality in their current shoes, the insoles
are an ideal choice. In both the shoes and the insoles, all electronic
components can be removed to allow for washing, ensuring easy maintenance.
ST
Bureau: How big is your team at
present?
Bureau: How big is your team at
present?
Krispian Lawrence: We are a team of 109 people
ST
Bureau: Did you get any funding for your
startup? Are you planning to attract funding in the near future?
Bureau: Did you get any funding for your
startup? Are you planning to attract funding in the near future?
Krispian
Lawrence: We
bootstrapped initially and then raised USD 2 million in 2013. We are looking
for funding in the near future. But, nothing as off now.
Lawrence: We
bootstrapped initially and then raised USD 2 million in 2013. We are looking
for funding in the near future. But, nothing as off now.
ST
Bureau: What challenges do you face in
your daily professional life?
Bureau: What challenges do you face in
your daily professional life?
Krispian
Lawrence: Initially,
the biggest challenge was getting people on board, from finding the right
talent to finding the right vendors. The R&D phase was a huge learning
experience because there aren’t a lot of avenues for innovative product
development in India. We were also an unknown entity, so setting up business
partnerships was challenging. But over time, as our media profile increased, a
lot of things settled down. The higher profile also brought more like-minded
individuals to us, rather than us looking for them.
Lawrence: Initially,
the biggest challenge was getting people on board, from finding the right
talent to finding the right vendors. The R&D phase was a huge learning
experience because there aren’t a lot of avenues for innovative product
development in India. We were also an unknown entity, so setting up business
partnerships was challenging. But over time, as our media profile increased, a
lot of things settled down. The higher profile also brought more like-minded
individuals to us, rather than us looking for them.
ST
Bureau: How do you see yourself in next
2 years from now?
Bureau: How do you see yourself in next
2 years from now?
Krispian Lawrence: Our immediate focus is mass production
and distribution of Lechal. From a product perspective, we plan to expand the
footwear line this year. We also have other products in various stages of
development, all of which are wearable tech, none of which are footwear.
Organizational growth is also on the cards.
and distribution of Lechal. From a product perspective, we plan to expand the
footwear line this year. We also have other products in various stages of
development, all of which are wearable tech, none of which are footwear.
Organizational growth is also on the cards.
ST
Bureau: What are your hobbies in your
personal life?
Bureau: What are your hobbies in your
personal life?
Krispian Lawrence: Playing cricket, playing guitar
Interviewed by Startup Terminal Bureau
