Indian Startups Response To The Second Covid-19 Wave

Ambika Sharma May 18, 2021

After Q4 was spent celebrating an impending business recovery and riding the wave of an increasingly positive business sentiment, the beginning of the Covid 19 2nd spike was sudden and many were caught by surprise. In a matter of days every company has several employees contract Covid, and there was a sudden scramble to make quick changes ranging from roaster system for offices to moving completely to WFH while providing support to employees who were impacted by Covid.

The Human Toll: Even as the lockdown was announced things escalated quickly and business focus moved to an increasing if not equal focus on employees and staff, almost everyone had family members who had fallen sick or was impacted directly by covid. In many cases founders and key management personnel were infected leading to at the very least a temporary leadership deficit. United by common suffering there is a rise in empathy and people focus.

Focus On People: The second wave created a humanitarian crisis with the devastation that it has created. The focus is clearly on people and leadership, keeping employees connected and helping wherever possible, the mental health of employees is also an area of concern. The overall environment is one of despair and depression, even if near and dear ones are not impacted by Covid. Startups are taking steps to ensure that in these difficult times employees have comfort and support to deal with the difficult time and more importantly get the time needed to look after impacted family members or themselves. Some organizations announced free vaccines or even initiatives for device free days or a 4-day week, success on ground of these is mixed but the sentiment is there, and every bit makes a difference.

Resources Used For Aid: the top startups are going the extra few miles, raising funds for oxygen concentrators, and Covid relief fund. Companies like Paytm plan to import oxygen concentrators with funds they raise. Mi India has also pledged funds for Oxygen concentrators and assistance for frontline workers. Online platforms are using their consumer traffic to build awareness and raise funds via donations, a few like Decacorn have pledged to match donations with equal funds of their own. Organizations like cred are also raising funds and donating to NGO’s.

Disruptive Thinking: not everyone is centered on fund raising, some are using their business models to create unique way to help. Truly Madly is creating a plasma match maker. Karkhana.io is using technologies like 3D printing, injection molding, machining, and fabrication to produce face shields, aerosol boxes, PPE kits and goggles. Startups in manufacturing are focusing on creating quicker cheaper ventilators and hospital equipment. face recognition systems provider Staqu has developed an AI based camera that uses thermal imaging for detecting potential positive cases.

From wearables that detect oxygen levels and monitor vitals to monitoring home quarantine at massive scale, startups are using their innovation and entrepreneur mindset to make changes and meaningful impact in the fight against covid.