Vivek K Singh of SNVA Group on Building a Globally Integrated, Tech-Led Indian Conglomerate

In this exclusive interaction with StartupTalky, marking National Startup Day, Vivek K Singh, Founder and Managing Director of SNVA Group, reflects on identifying early opportunities in internet marketing and digital technologies and scaling them into a globally integrated Indian conglomerate. He shares how SNVA’s expansion across online education, travel, e-commerce, and other digital-first businesses was driven by a strong belief in technology-led growth and global market access. Singh also discusses the practical application of AI and deep-tech systems across SNVA’s operations, the role of disciplined execution in creating real value beyond incremental innovation, and his approach to building resilient teams in fast-changing sectors. As India’s startup ecosystem matures, he outlines what sustainable leadership and long-term scale look like in globally competitive, technology-driven businesses.

StartupTalky: What problem or opportunity did you see that led to the creation of SNVA as a globally integrated Indian conglomerate?

Vivek K Singh: From the very beginning, SNVA Ventures has been deeply rooted in internet marketing and digital technologies. As we worked closely with online ecosystems, we recognised a growing opportunity to build scalable, technology-led businesses across multiple sectors. This naturally led us to expand into online education, online travel, e-commerce, and other internet-based ventures, allowing SNVA Ventures to evolve into a globally integrated Indian conglomerate driven by digital innovation.

StartupTalky: Since SNVA’s inception, by what percentage has your global revenue grown, and which market contributed most to this growth?

Vivek K Singh: SNVA Ventures was founded in 2009, when internet-led businesses and e-commerce were gaining momentum in India and globally. Entering the digital space early enabled us to scale across multiple online sectors. While we do not publicly disclose exact percentage figures, nearly 90% of our business today comes from outside India, with international markets playing a significant role in driving our global revenue growth.

StartupTalky: Innovation and AI are often discussed at a high level. Where exactly are AI or deep-tech systems being used in your businesses today, and what operational outcomes have they improved?

Vivek K Singh: In our education and travel businesses, we are actively developing AI-based applications to support both internal teams and customers. These systems help streamline operations, improve response times, and enhance decision-making for our staff, while also enabling more personalised, efficient experiences for users. Our focus is on using AI as a practical tool to drive measurable operational efficiency and service quality, rather than treating it as a buzzword.

StartupTalky: From your experience working across industries, where do you see startups creating real value today in innovation or deep tech rather than incremental change?

Vivek K Singh: From my experience across industries, startups create real value when they focus on solving fundamental problems rather than making small improvements to existing models. The strongest innovation today is coming from areas like AI-led automation, data-driven decision systems, and platforms that simplify complex services at scale. Startups that combine deep technology with a clear understanding of customer needs—and execute with discipline—are the ones delivering meaningful, long-term impact rather than incremental change.

StartupTalky: SNVA operates at scale and employs a large workforce. How do you approach hiring, training, and retaining young talent in competitive and fast-changing sectors?

Vivek K Singh: At SNVA Ventures, we focus on hiring young talent with strong learning ability and a problem-solving mindset rather than only prior experience. We invest in continuous training to help teams adapt to fast-changing technologies and market needs. Just as importantly, we create clear growth paths, encourage ownership, and foster a culture of innovation and accountability, which helps us retain talent in highly competitive sectors.

StartupTalky: Founder pressure and leadership burnout are increasingly discussed. Based on your journey, what habits or systems have helped you stay resilient while building and scaling businesses?

Vivek K Singh: Building and scaling businesses comes with constant pressure, so resilience is not optional—it is a discipline. What has helped me most is creating strong systems and teams that do not depend on one individual. I focus on clear priorities, structured decision-making, and delegating effectively. Equally important is maintaining mental balance, staying close to ground realities, and reminding myself that sustainable growth requires consistency and patience, not constant urgency.

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