'BUSINESSES HAD TO EMBRACE DIGITIZATION DURING COVID-19'

In an interview with Meera Warrier, Vivek Ramachandran, CEO, Serai, reveals how Serai plans to disrupt the apparel industry

- Meera Warrier

CAN YOU TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT SERAI?

Serai is a digital B2B platform that aims to simplify global trade for apparel businesses. It is a data-powered platform to help businesses connect and grow globally. We enable businesses to build new relationships in the industry and strengthen existing ones. By creating a simple profile on the platform, verified apparel buyers, brands, suppliers and manufacturers can easily search for and connect with each other, to exchange information, even access industry business solutions to accelerate their business’s growth. Our platform helps brands and buyers reduce the time and money spent looking for high quality suppliers.

The ability to connect with other businesses online has been especially important in the last two years, when Covid-19 made international travel impossible. Where companies would source for products and materials in person, they now have to find new ways of doing business. Technology is a critical enabler for us to overcome these issues. Platforms such as Serai can help to aid the transition for apparel MSMEs and start-ups to a post Covid-19, digital world. Companies can easily showcase their products, credentials and capabilities on the platform, and build relationships with suppliers or buyers from all over the world.

Serai currently has over 9,000 companies on its platform from over 100 countries including India, the United Kingdom (UK), Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United States (US) and Australia. About 65% are suppliers and manufacturers, while 35% are buyers and brands primarily from the US, UK and Australia.