Akash Joshi, the Co-Founder and Director of IMAST Operations Private Limited, is a successful entrepreneur whose journey began with humble beginnings in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. With a deep understanding of technology and a knack for solving problems, Akash’s vision led to the establishment of a groundbreaking business solution that has since revolutionized the way organizations manage their sales operations and customer engagement.
Today, IMAST Operations stands as one of India’s leading loyalty and sales solution providers. With a turnover of ₹20 Crores and an impressive 95% client retention rate, the company has achieved immense success in its relatively short span of time. But what’s more remarkable is the story of how this company was born—how a small investment of ₹5 Lakhs has evolved into a ₹200 Crore organization, disrupting the post-production and sales sectors for businesses across India.
Background: The Early Years
Born and brought up in Dewas, a city in Madhya Pradesh, Akash Joshi had big dreams even from a young age. Coming from a modest background, his parents instilled in him the importance of education and hard work. His academic journey led him to pursue Engineering followed by an MBA, a combination that would lay the foundation for his entrepreneurial success.
Akash’s professional career took off with major companies like Kirloskar, HNG, and Reliance, where he honed his skills in technology, marketing communication, and customer relationship management. But despite his success, he always felt that there was something missing.
“I realized that the industry was grappling with fragmented systems in post-production operations. Different teams and functions were using disconnected solutions that led to inefficiency and poor customer experience. That’s when I thought—what if I could create an integrated platform that brings everything together?” Akash recalls.
This idea, born from his real-world experience, would ultimately lead to the founding of IMAST Operations.
The Birth of IMAST Operations Private Limited
In 2016, Akash Joshi, with a vision to solve the critical pain point of fragmented sales and customer engagement systems, co-founded IMAST Operations Private Limited. The mission was clear: to offer a unified, integrated platform that could manage everything—from sales force automation to loyalty management and customer service—under one roof.
The company was founded with an initial investment of just ₹5 Lakhs, but Akash’s deep industry knowledge, strong network, and entrepreneurial mindset propelled the company toward rapid growth. The company’s primary product, IMAST 360 Sales CRM, was launched as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, providing modules such as Sales Force Automation (SFA), Distributor Management System (DMS), and Loyalty Program Management.
The core idea was simple but transformative: why should businesses rely on multiple fragmented systems when they can have one integrated platform that does it all?
Challenges and Early Struggles
Like any startup, IMAST Operations faced its fair share of challenges in the early days. The competition was fierce, and the market was saturated with various solutions offering individual features. Convincing companies to switch from their existing systems to a new integrated platform was no easy task.
“We had to prove to our clients that our solution would actually save them time and money,” says Akash. “The most challenging part was convincing businesses to trust us with such a critical part of their operations. They were used to working with legacy systems, and adopting something new required a leap of faith.”
In those early years, IMAST focused heavily on building relationships with clients. It was crucial to understand their unique pain points, and the team worked tirelessly to ensure that the platform met the specific needs of each client.
“Customer feedback was invaluable. We spent countless hours on the phone with clients, understanding their needs and tweaking the platform to better serve them,” Akash explains.
The Turning Point: The Integrated Loyalty and Sales Solution
In 2018, after two years of persistent effort, IMAST Operations hit a major milestone. The company’s integrated solution began to gain traction. By focusing on customer-centric features like real-time multi-gateway reward disbursal, multilingual support, and a 48-hour turnaround for custom report creation, IMAST set itself apart from its competitors.
The IMAST 360 Sales CRM began to gain attention in the market, and the company saw a significant rise in its client base. With over 100 clients across 18+ industries and a 95% client retention rate, IMAST became a trusted name in the loyalty and sales solution space.
One of the key features that distinguished IMAST’s platform from others was the end-to-end ownership of execution and delivery. From the initial consultation to implementation, training, and support, IMAST took full responsibility for every aspect of the service. This gave clients peace of mind, knowing that they could rely on a single point of contact for all their needs.
Impact on the Market and Society
IMAST’s impact on the market and society has been nothing short of revolutionary. By offering an integrated solution, the company has empowered businesses to streamline their sales operations, improve customer engagement, and reduce inefficiencies.
“Many companies were working with disconnected systems that did not talk to each other. This led to errors, miscommunication, and poor customer service. With IMAST, businesses now have everything in one place, making operations smoother, faster, and more efficient,” says Akash.
IMAST has not only changed the way businesses manage their sales and loyalty programs but has also played a role in improving customer experience across various industries. Whether it’s a retailer handling customer loyalty, a distributor managing inventory, or a service provider ensuring after-sales support, IMAST’s solutions make life easier for businesses and customers alike.
The Present: A Company Valued at ₹200 Crores
Today, IMAST Operations has grown into one of India’s leading technology-driven companies, with a valuation of ₹200 Crores. The company has a strong presence across various industries, including retail, manufacturing, automotive, and services, and serves clients in India and beyond.
With a team of over 300 members, IMAST’s focus on innovation and customer-centricity continues to drive its success. The company’s product offerings are constantly evolving, and IMAST remains at the cutting edge of the loyalty and sales CRM industry.
“Our success is a result of understanding our clients’ needs and continuously improving our platform. We are not just a software provider; we are a partner in their growth journey,” says Akash.
The company’s growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. With a client base that continues to expand, IMAST is poised to become a dominant player in the global market.
Looking ahead, Akash Joshi has big plans for IMAST Operations. While the company is already a market leader in India, Akash sees vast opportunities in international markets.
“We are looking to expand our footprint globally, particularly in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The potential is enormous, and we are ready to take on the world,” Akash says with conviction.
IMAST is also working on new features and innovations to further enhance its platform, including AI-driven analytics and predictive insights that will help businesses make more data-driven decisions. The goal is to stay ahead of the curve and provide clients with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
The journey of Akash Joshi and IMAST Operations Private Limited is a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and perseverance. What started with a small investment of ₹5 Lakhs has grown into a company valued at ₹200 Crores, with over 100 clients and a loyal customer base.
IMAST has successfully solved the challenges faced by businesses in managing fragmented systems by offering an integrated, end-to-end solution. The company’s innovative approach and commitment to customer satisfaction have made it a leader in the field of loyalty and sales CRM.
