Vertex Workspace hosts ‘The Novigo Story’: A celebration of Mangaluru’s emerging tech identity


Media Release

Mangaluru, July 22: In a compelling testament to Mangaluru’s growing stature in the tech world, Vertex Managed Workspace hosted a thought-provoking event titled “The Novigo Story” on Friday, July 18, at Ajanta Business Centre, Bejai-Kapikad. The evening featured a candid conversation with the founders of Novigo Solutions Pvt Ltd, one of Mangaluru’s most successful homegrown IT ventures.

More than just a corporate narrative, the event was a tribute to entrepreneurship, local talent and visionary thinking. Moderated by Gurudutta Shenoy, managing partner at Vertex Managed Workspace, the discussion unfolded around the theme ‘Novigo Solutions as a Mangalurean Beacon of Global Tech Excellence’.

From modest beginnings to global presence

Founded in 2011, Novigo Solutions has evolved into a global tech player with over 900 employees, five offices across India, and more than 130 clients in the USA, UK, UAE, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Averaging an annual growth rate of 35%, Novigo is proof that global success can emerge from strong regional roots.

Praveen Kumar Kalbhavi, managing director & CEO, traced his journey from being an early Infosys employee to returning to the tech world as an entrepreneur with three dynamic co-founders. He emphasized the value of early industry connections, especially in the absence of funding. “Thanks to our prior experience and networks, we formed crucial OEM partnerships that helped us in the initial phase,” he explained. Kalbhavi also reflected on global market differences: “The US is a far more competitive market compared to Dubai. Yet, throughout our journey, we have stayed rooted—50% of our employees are from Mangaluru.”

He called for stronger academia-industry collaboration in the region and urged educational institutions to play a more active role in bridging the skills gap.

Work culture, risk and power of adaptability

Mohammed Hanif, co-founder & CTO, highlighted the unique chemistry of the founding team. “We brought together madness, risk-taking ability and level-headedness—this combination worked for us,” he said. The Middle East, particularly Dubai, gave Novigo its initial break. “Every market has its pulse. Our approach was to learn and adapt. Ambition and discipline guided us, supported by a democratic work culture.”

Hanif also stressed financial prudence: “We had no external funding and still broke even in six months. We continue to remain proudly independent.” Novigo's adaptability, he added, is key to its success. “IT is a fast-changing industry. We have to adopt new technologies and respond to market needs in real time. That’s now in our DNA.”

Local roots, global outlook

For co-founder & CCO Shihab Kalandar, Novigo’s identity is deeply intertwined with its birthplace. “Mangaluru is close to our heart. We take pride in being recognized as a Mangalurean company. Fifty percent of our workforce is homegrown, and we intend to maintain that standard,” he said, echoing the theme of regional pride.

He also highlighted Novigo’s pioneering work in Agentic AI—autonomous intelligent systems that can plan and act independently across enterprise workflows. “We’ve been at the forefront of agentic automation. As a UiPath Fast-Track Partner, we are building autonomous AI agents that can execute end-to-end decisions across complex processes with minimal human oversight. It’s the future of enterprise operations, and we’re proud to be leading from Mangaluru,” he said. Mr. Kalandar added that the company consistently reinvests 10–15% of its revenues in research, innovation and new capabilities.

Honouring vision and enterprise

The event also recognized emerging talent and innovation in the region. Pradeep G Pai, managing director of Hangyo Ice Creams, felicitated the Novigo founders, acknowledging their pioneering role in Mangaluru’s IT landscape. “Mangaluru has a distinct entrepreneurial culture—you can see it everywhere,” he remarked.

As part of the felicitation ceremony, Vertex also honored local startup successes:

  • Top Emerging Startup – Mangaluru: Indeanta E-Mobility Pvt. Ltd., represented by team members Vasanthi and Shravya on behalf of Founder & CEO Dr. Aaron D’Souza.
  • Spotlight on Homegrown Startup: Mithun Suvarna, Co-founder & CEO, Updapt CSR Private Limited.

Mangaluru’s digital rise – By the numbers

The evening concluded with an insightful presentation by Roopa Bhat Jacob, business development manager at Mangal Analytics and Research Consulting (MARC), who outlined the city’s accelerating tech momentum. “Mangaluru now contributes 14.3% of Karnataka’s GDDP—the second highest in the state. In FY24, IT exports crossed Rs 3,000 crore, generating over Rs 60 crore in GST and Rs 1,800 crore in salaries. Over 220 IT/ITES firms operate here, with 40 new entrants last year alone.”

Highlighting future prospects, she noted: “HR costs are 30–35% lower than Tier 1 cities, and 10 incubators support early-stage ventures. With 92.1% graduate success and new new IT office space coming up, we’re targeting 2 lac IT jobs by 2033, five unicorns, and $10 billion in exports.”

She also acknowledged the role of enabling infrastructure in driving this momentum: “Workspace providers like Vertex, WrkWrk, Bharath Group, Karuna, Workshaala, and Regus are building over 15 lakh sq. ft. of plug-and-play facilities, empowering startups and enterprises alike. These flexible, tech-ready offices are powering Mangaluru’s emergence as a regional innovation hub and positioning it as a Bengaluru+1 destination for GCCs.”

Vertex - Vision for the future

Vertex Managed Workspace envisions smart, scalable, and flexible work environments tailored to Mangaluru’s evolving professional landscape. With offerings ranging from private offices and co-working spaces to virtual offices and dedicated meeting and event areas, Vertex supports the rise of hybrid work while nurturing collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. Its inclusive approach serves both startups and established enterprises, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem that positions Mangaluru as a next-generation destination for the future of work.

The event closed with a vote of thanks by Mahesh Shetty, managing partner at Vertex Managed Workspace. Mangaldeep A R, also managing partner, was present, while popular RJ Anurag anchored the evening.

More than just a business conversation, “The Novigo Story” was a stirring narrative of vision, grit and local pride—serving as a powerful reminder that in the world of startups, you don’t have to be in a metro to dream global.

 

 

  

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