Every entrepreneurial journey begins with a spark, and for Akash Joshi, that spark was ignited during his years working in sales and marketing. As he navigated the complexities of large manufacturing and distribution networks, he noticed the same inefficiencies repeating themselves—gaps in post-sales engagement, poor visibility in distribution channels, and disconnected stakeholders across the supply chain. Where others saw obstacles, Akash saw opportunity. In 2016, at the age of 30, he decided to take a leap of faith. With an initial investment of just ₹5 lakhs, he founded IMAST Operations Private Limited in Indore, driven by the belief that technology could solve these long-standing challenges.
The early days of IMAST were filled with uncertainty. Funding was limited, finding the right people was difficult, and convincing clients to trust a new SaaS solution was an uphill climb. Yet Akash embraced every challenge as a stepping stone. He understood that persistence would be his strongest ally. By building trust with early clients, focusing on solving real problems, and creating systems that could scale, he slowly turned IMAST into a company that people could depend on. His resilience paid off—what began as a small startup has today become a ₹200 Cr valued SaaS enterprise with ₹20 Cr in annual turnover, serving more than 100 clients and employing 300+ professionals.
IMAST’s success lies in its ability to provide businesses with integrated, end-to-end SaaS solutions. Its offerings span loyalty management, sales force automation, dealer management systems, and after-sales service automation. Unlike fragmented tools, IMAST delivers a single platform that connects every stakeholder, from manufacturers to dealers to customers. With real-time dashboards, customizable modules, and end-to-end ownership, the company has set new standards in efficiency and client satisfaction, achieving an impressive 95% client retention rate.
But for Akash, the story is not only about growth in numbers; it is about the impact created for businesses and society. By streamlining operations and improving visibility, IMAST has empowered organizations to increase sales, strengthen loyalty, and deliver better customer service. This transformation not only improves business outcomes but also enhances the way customers interact with brands. For Akash, this impact is the true measure of success—technology that doesn’t just exist, but actively makes life easier for people.
Akash’s leadership is guided by three simple yet powerful principles: systems drive scale, people drive loyalty, and persistence drives results. These lessons, learned through years of trial and error, have shaped his vision for IMAST. He believes that while technology and systems enable scalability, it is the people behind the company—employees, clients, and partners—who build long-term trust. And through persistence, even the toughest challenges can be turned into opportunities.
His inspiration comes from Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, who built a global IT powerhouse while staying deeply rooted in Indian values. Akash resonates with this philosophy and aspires to do the same with IMAST—build a company that not only scales internationally but also remains grounded in integrity, discipline, and innovation. This vision has already begun to take shape, as IMAST prepares for global expansion, aiming to position itself as one of India’s leading exportable SaaS companies.
Along the way, Akash’s efforts have been recognized with several awards, including the India Business Excellence Award, StartUp 77 Recognition, and the Red FM Leadership Award. Each recognition has been a validation of his belief that solving real problems with innovative solutions can create long-term value and recognition in the business community.
Yet, despite the accolades and growth, Akash remains humble and reflective about his journey. He often emphasizes that entrepreneurship is not about quick wins but about resilience and consistency. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward: “Start small, think big, solve a real problem, and keep building value.” These words, backed by his own journey, resonate as a mantra for anyone looking to turn ideas into reality.
From a modest beginning with a ₹5 lakh seed investment to leading a company valued at ₹200 Cr, Akash Joshi’s story is one of courage, clarity, and commitment. Through IMAST, he has not only built a successful enterprise but also demonstrated how technology can reshape industries, empower businesses, and create lasting impact. His journey is a powerful reminder that with persistence, vision, and the right systems in place, even the biggest dreams can be achieved.
As Akash looks ahead to taking IMAST to global markets, his journey stands as an inspiration for entrepreneurs everywhere—a story of turning struggles into strengths, challenges into opportunities, and ideas into impact.
Website : https://www.imast.in/
