Giorgi Tukhashvili Becomes CEO of Kernel
In 2019, Kernel sprouted from a singular vision crafted by a tenacious few: simplify financial processes for fledgling entrepreneurs. The journey saw them net significant grants, pouring in relentless effort and passion, which metamorphosed into today's robust platform now venturing into global arenas.
Reflecting on the evolution, Giorgi Tukhashvili shares, "Our maiden voyage was rooted in demystifying financial nuances for small businesses, especially around bills and taxes. The learning curve? Steep. Our ambition was clear, but our strategies occasionally demanded recalibration."
Navigating the SaaS terrain presented its fair share of challenges. The saturated market made differentiation a daunting task. Coupled with that, onboarding customers, despite competitive pricing, proved a herculean endeavor. An oversight, Tukhashvili admits, was potentially overestimating the businesses' challenges with evolving tax norms.
"Our ethos remained unshaken - to champion MSME growth. But our direction? It demanded a fresh perspective," he elaborates. The eureka moment? Unearthing a staggering $500 billion credit gap. These small enterprises were starved of the financial sustenance they sorely needed.
In response, Kernel reimagined its mission. While its foundational objective remains, the broader vision now is to serve as a conduit, connecting India's MSMEs to established financial institutions. By aiding these businesses in tax alignment, Kernel has harvested a goldmine of operational and financial insights.
Tukhashvili breaks down their modus operandi, "Our approach zeroes in on the urgent compliance requisites for micro and small ventures. We're poised to launch an app that aids adherence to governmental norms. But our true ace? Leveraging this app to tap into a trove of financial data, enabling us to discern the prime lending candidates. We're transforming raw data into actionable lending avenues."
On his recent appointment as CEO, he elucidates, "It was a judicious move. With our renewed focus on plugging the financing void, my forte in loan digitization made me apt for the captain's chair. Complemented by Beka's deep-seated banking and finance acumen, now helming as COO, we're driving Kernel with renewed vigor."
Regarding their trajectory, especially in the dense Indian market, Tukhashvili is expansive, "While India remains our focal point, our ambitions are borderless. The hitches we're ironing out here are ubiquitous in the Global South. Our Indian operations? Think of them as a blueprint. A success here can be replicated globally."
He further sheds light on their revamped strategy, "We're collaborating with formidable partners. Soon, a handpicked team will immerse in India's tapestry, from bustling metros to rustic villages, gleaning insights. Our goal? Revolutionizing how small enterprises access capital. We're harnessing cutting-edge tech, rethinking credit assessments, and devising novel customer engagement strategies."
He adds, "We're imbibing the essence of India's traditional lending ethos, underscored by trust and community, infusing it into the structured banking realm. Our offerings? They're more than just monetary – they resonate with these businesses."
Gazing at the horizon, Tukhashvili envisions, "By 2024, we're not just executing current plans. We're laying the groundwork for expansive future endeavors. Our aspirations aren't merely to adapt to the changing tide, but to dictate its direction."