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Chief DX: Advanced AI & Data Science On Demand

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Amit Alok, Co-Founder & CEO,Nikhil Alok-Mathur, Co-Founder & Head of EMEA

Amit Alok, Co-Founder & CEO
Nikhil Alok-Mathur, Co-Founder & Head of EMEA

The largest market for Big Data & AI is undoubtedly in the Retail space. According to Mckinsey, it is worth approximately US$1.7 trillion annually with approximately half of that in Advanced AI.Seizing this opportunity, ChiefDX came into being with a focus on strengthening its experience and knowledge in Retail. “We believe that the best way to do that was to learn from the Chinese ecosystem and so we set up our Development operation in China and bid for projects solely in China over the last couple of years. This has held us in good stead and given us a lot of depth in “New Retail”. We are now leveraging our experience with our Offerings and expertise in countries outside China,” explicates Amit Alok, CEO.

A Singapore-based provider of Innovative Technology solutions with a focus on Big Data, AI and IoT, ChiefDX has a strong reputation for providing end to end solutions to Governments on Smart City solutions across APAC and the Middle East. The company’s leadership team has over 100 years of Enterprise IT experience at some of the largest MNCs globally. “We wanted to create something for ourselves. Our contacts in the industry meant that we were able to develop a pipeline relatively quickly and ramp up the business” he says.

The focus initially was on the ERP space. Amit asserts, “We had success there, but we noticed that there was a greater need in the Advanced Analytics space and our clients were looking for help. So, when I got involved in the company, we decided to pivot towards Big Data & AI, which were “bleeding edge” at the time, known now as part of V4.0 Technologies.

An Array of Offerings
ChiefDX strives to create a disruption in the market by assisting clients to focus on Efficiency and Automation with the use of its products and services. The clients vary from Sales & Marketing segments across Verticals, Retail & Healthcare to Govt. Smart City Projects. The company categorizes its offerings as a range of hardware Sensors/IoT Devices and Software Solutions. The former consists of IoT Sensors used to capture Data for Crowd Analytics and/or Store Layout in the Retail space. It also provides devices for AI-based Facial Recognition as part of solutions aimed at People Management Systems and Security Identity Management. On the other hand, in combination with the Sensors its Software solutions are Data Science/AI projects as part of Smart Cities initiatives by Governments or Entities in Security, Transportation & Logistics (Airports, Metros/ Railways etc). “We break down the Business Problems /Issue into manageable Data Science components that can reuse some tools that we have developed across Verticals e.g. of
the US$1.7T annual business in the Retail space, the Sales & Marketing segment covers almost US$1.1T and under half of that is in Advanced AI,” he informs.

The fact that ChiefDX’leadership team is a Trusted Adviser to Governments and global Corporations and has deep experience in running large projects across borders is a significant advantage. “Add to that our experience in China and we have a very compelling proposition to offer our clients – most of whom have worked with us when we were on the other side of the table!” he adds.

"Chiefdx Has A Strong Reputation For Providing End To End Solutions To Governments On Smart City Solutions Across Apac And The Middle East"

An Array of Offerings
ChiefDX strives to create a disruption in the market by assisting clients to focus on Efficiency and Automation with the use of its products and services. The clients vary from Sales & Marketing segments across Verticals, Retail & Healthcare to Govt. Smart City Projects. The company categorizes its offerings as a range of hardware Sensors/ IoT Devices and Software Solutions. The former consists of IoT Sensors used to capture Data for Crowd Analytics and/or Store Layout in the Retail space. It also provides devices for AI-based Facial Recognition as part of solutions aimed at People Management Systems and Security Identity Management. On the other hand, in combination with the Sensors its Software solutions are Data Science/AI projects as part of Smart Cities initiatives by Governments or Entities in Security, Transportation & Logistics (Airports, Metros/ Railways etc). “We break down the Business Problems/Issue into manageable Data Science components that can reuse some tools that we have developed across Verticals e.g. of the US$1.7T annual business in the Retail space, the Sales & Marketing segment covers almost US$1.1T and under half of that is in Advanced AI,” he informs.

The fact that ChiefDX’leadership team is a Trusted Adviser to Governments and global Corporations and has deep experience in running large projects across borders is a significant advantage. “Add to that our experience in China and we have a very compelling proposition to offer our clients – most of whom have worked with us when we were on the other side of the table!” he adds.

The Work Approach
ChiefDX best defines itself as a small yet nimble organization that is spread over a number of locations across APAC. The work approach depends on the type of projects the team takes up. For on-site Govt. projects, then there are weekly collaboration meetings scheduled between the clients and the ChiefDX’ Data Analysis, Architecture & Data Science teams. On outsourced work, the team frequently connects with clients and “Academic” mentors for proper guidance on the latest models and techniques. “Our Business Development heads have a free hand to schedule their time but report to me directly on results,” he mentions.

When it comes to the Work culture, ChiefDX believes in maintaining
transparency and an adaptive learning environment. Micro-management is actively discouraged and experimentation is highly encouraged at ChiefDX. Amit asserts, “Failures are accepted as long as we can learn from them. That includes my failures too – and I personally find that quite motivating”

The Road Ahead
Over the years, ChiefDX’ pivot towards Big Data and AI has helped it increase its pipeline significantly. The company runs its sales operation out of London, Dubai and Singapore with its development and delivery centers in Singapore, China, Korea, India and Sri Lanka. In times to come, team ChiefDX is all geared up to deliver Advanced Analytics and Predictive Capabilities to clients for Smart Action by practicing the craft of Data Science. To add depth to its Data Science Practice, it has recently signed a Partnership Agreement with a Leading Data Science school in India, if not the world, and is set to welcome some of the top Academics in India as Mentors and Consultants to their projects.

Amit Alok, Co-Founder & CEO
Amit Alok is an innovative business leader with over 25 years of experience in building Technology businesses for MNCs across the Asia/Pacific region. He has been an Advisor to a number of start-ups and governments in the APAC region. Amit has held regional senior executive roles at Reuters, Microsoft, Symantec, The Economist and the London Stock Exchange Group.

Nikhil Alok-Mathur, Co-Founder & Head of EMEA
Nikhil is a British-Indian entrepreneur & innovator. He is currently Co-Founder & Head of EMEA at ChiefDX, where he is responsible for sales and business development in Europe, Middle East & Africa for the business. His experience incubating several early stage start-ups and as an Operationally Ready National Serviceman in the Singapore Armed Forces further adds to his reputation as a shrewd deal maker in the EMEA region.

The Leadership Mantra
Being a startup, ChiefDX has flatter structures and an aim to be agile. This necessitates that I have many hats. Amit is responsible for the Strategy & Vision as the CEO but he also takes up the role of a CFO when required to do so. From time to time, he is also required to pitch into Technical discussions along with the CTO. “Right now my time is spent helping our Business Development Heads to win business and execute Partnerships at a global level,” he says.

“As a leader, you are responsible for not just the success of your company but also the well-being and growth of your people. I like to think that I hire the smartest people I can and create an environment for them to be successful. We start by hiring an Attitude and with that right everything else can be taught or learnt. I have found that this has helped me progress in my previous life in the Corporate world. I look back at some of the really bright Interns we had at Reuters Risk Management and am very proud of where they are now and what they have achieved. It gives me great personal satisfaction.”