Kochi-based Skyislimit Technologies has secured $2 million in angel investment for its video conferencing platform Fokuz, a significant milestone for a Kerala startup during the global economic downturn.
A video conferencing platform named Fokuz has been developed by Kochi-based Skyislimit Technologies, and it is already turning heads in a market dominated by well-established players. Fokuz is an innovative, customisable and flexible video conferencing app designed to equip businesses in enabling the remote working model without any hassle. Since March end, the pandemic has been pushing many companies to opt for the remote working model, and the demand for reliable, secure video conferencing platforms has been on the rise. What sets Fokuz apart is its focus on giving organizations control over their communication infrastructure rather than forcing them to adapt to rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions.
The Skyislimit team developed the Fokuz app within a short span of five months in response to the current situations, moving quickly to fill a gap that became painfully obvious as offices shut down worldwide. Speed matters in a crisis, and the ability to go from concept to a fully functional product in that timeframe speaks to the technical capability and determination of the team behind it. While larger companies scrambled to scale their existing platforms to meet unprecedented demand, Skyislimit saw an opportunity to build something tailored to the specific challenges businesses were facing.
It is worth noting that amid the economic crisis unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Fokuz has been able to secure foreign investment from a US-based company, a feat that few startups anywhere in the world can claim right now. According to a statement issued by Skyislimit, an angel investment worth $2 million (approximately Rs 14.69 crore) will be infused by a US-based healthcare and manufacturing company. This backing is particularly notable because it comes at a time when venture capital activity has slowed significantly across most sectors, and investors have become far more cautious about where they park their capital.
Manodh Mohan, the founder and CEO of Skyislimit Technologies Pvt Ltd, did not hide his sense of accomplishment. "As a Kerala startup company, I think it is a great achievement that we could secure foreign investment in the current scenario. I am a little proud of it," he said. That pride is well placed. The Indian startup ecosystem, particularly outside of major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai, has long struggled to attract the kind of early-stage investment that allows companies to scale. securing international funding during a global downturn adds another layer of significance to this milestone.
He further added, "Malayali entrepreneurs are far ahead in developing innovative concepts and solutions. However, they face challenges when they are about to secure the next stage of investment. This disappoints most entrepreneurs. In such a backdrop, this investment is a fillip to Fokuz. We have plans to utilise the money to strengthen areas such as research and development (R&D), support and business development. Through this, we will also create more job opportunities in the state."
Being an Indian-origin video-conferencing app, Fokuz assures more privacy and a secure experience for its users. In a climate where data privacy concerns have become a central discussion around video conferencing tools, this positioning is both timely and strategically sound. The platform realises the importance of video conference services in the current times and has been built with an understanding that businesses need to trust the tools they rely on for sensitive conversations. Fokuz app is available on Android and iOS devices, and Windows and macOS computers as well, ensuring broad accessibility across the devices employees actually use.
The remote work revolution has created a massive market opportunity, but it has also exposed the limitations of existing solutions. Platforms that can offer reliability, privacy, and flexibility stand to capture meaningful market share, especially among businesses that feel underserved by the dominant players. For Fokuz, the $2 million investment provides the runway to refine its product and expand its reach at a moment when the need for dependable video conferencing has never been greater. If the team executes on its plans for R&D and business development, this Kerala-based startup could become a case study in how regional companies compete on a global stage.
