"Our goal is to become the Shah Rukh Khan of Generative AI," says Saket Dandotia from Onetab.

Adgully has been highlighting entrepreneurs who have overcome significant challenges to achieve their dreams in the special series, START-UP STARS. Adgully supports the 'Vocal for Local' movement by showcasing various local businesses, brands, and apps launched in recent years.

In an interview with Adgully, Saket Dandotia, Founder and CEO of Onetab, discusses the origins of Onetab, the current market challenges for AI-based SaaS solutions, and the Indian startup ecosystem. Dandotia's idea for Onetab stemmed from his struggles to manage updates and collaboration across different platforms while working with technology companies. During a trip to Goa, he was unable to access Trello to check ticket statuses, which sparked the concept of a unified platform for developers, product managers, and clients to collaborate seamlessly. After six months of intense discussions, Onetab was launched, providing a platform to enhance collaboration and productivity among stakeholders.

As a serial entrepreneur and founder of an AI-based SaaS company, Dandotia acknowledges several challenges in the market, such as the high demand for personalized and scalable AI solutions, while ensuring data privacy and security. The AI software market is rapidly growing, but educating customers on AI's real benefits can be difficult. Many people expect AI to solve all their problems instantly, but it is more about enhancing efficiency rather than performing miracles. Additionally, finding skilled individuals who understand AI and can apply it to business needs is challenging. However, customer understanding of AI is improving, and AI is becoming more accessible with ready-made models and online platforms. The future of AI looks promising, but it is essential to be realistic about its capabilities and ensure the right talent is in place.

Dandotia has witnessed significant growth in the Indian startup scene, which is now the world's third-largest hub for startups with over 100 unicorns. This attracts considerable investment from those who recognize the potential in Indian talent and ideas. A notable trend in the Indian startup landscape is sector diversification. While technology startups still dominate, there is substantial growth in sectors like fintech, healthtech, edtech, and agritech. This reflects the evolving needs and opportunities in the Indian market, presenting exciting prospects for innovation and growth.

Despite the vibrant and dynamic nature of the Indian startup ecosystem, challenges such as access to talent, regulatory hurdles, and intense competition persist. Overcoming these challenges requires collaboration between startups, government agencies, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders.

Dandotia is optimistic about the future opportunities and is committed to driving innovation and growth. Onetab focuses on creating tools to streamline workflows, allowing developers and entrepreneurs to concentrate on their core competencies. They prioritize compliance with regulatory requirements and ethical considerations regarding AI technology, especially data privacy and security. Onetab adheres to industry best practices, regularly updating their systems to meet evolving standards. Their platform features robust encryption and access controls to protect sensitive data. Transparency with users about data usage and providing clear opt-in mechanisms for data collection are crucial. By prioritizing ethics and compliance, Onetab ensures their AI-driven solutions empower users while respecting privacy and security concerns.