How This Female Is Transforming the Future of Travel Tech With AI?

Explore how AI and automation are reshaping the travel tech industry. Discover key innovations and insights from industry experts on the potential impact and challenges in transforming travel experiences.

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Shreshtha Verma
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In our Shepreneur Shakti series, we spotlight the inspiring journey of Basudha Srivastava Narula, a visionary entrepreneur who transitioned from a traditional IT security career to launch two pioneering startups: ExpressEarth Digital Services and EmpFly. Basudha’s ventures highlight her innovative approach to travel tech and AI-driven automation, carving out a unique path in the Indian business landscape. Her story is a testament to resilience and ambition, overcoming the many challenges women entrepreneurs face in India, while driving meaningful change through technology and business acumen.

Let's know her insipiring story with TICE.

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Leap

For Basudha, entrepreneurship was a calling rather than a choice. Growing up with a strong inclination to “do something different,” she carried this passion into her professional life, constantly striving to learn and innovate.

Reflecting on her career shift, Basudha says, “In 2014, I was at a crossroads. My work environment had begun to slow down due to automation, giving me ample time to consider my own future. It was then I realized that rather than switching jobs, I could actually build something of my own.”

With that resolve, Basudha launched ExpressEarth Digital Services in 2015. Primarily a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) company, ExpressEarth aimed to provide personalized corporate travel experiences, something she felt was missing in the market. The idea was born during her own frequent travels. “I remember thinking, ‘If only this service existed, my journey would be so much easier,’” she recalls.

Building ExpressEarth: A Decade of Innovation in Corporate Travel

Starting a MICE business in India had its unique set of challenges. But Basudha’s approach to corporate events was different—she brought a deeply personalized touch to every event. “For us, understanding why a corporate event is important for our client is just as crucial as organizing it,” she explains. This philosophy quickly resonated with her clients, and her business grew steadily through word-of-mouth and repeat customers. Now, nearly a decade later, ExpressEarth is recognized as a pioneer in personalized corporate travel, counting several prominent brands as its regular clients.

Launching EmpFly: The AI-Powered Field Automation Solution

While ExpressEarth catered to the corporate travel sector, Basudha saw a new opportunity in field automation. Her latest venture, EmpFly, leverages AI to streamline and optimize on-ground business processes. As an AI-based automation company, EmpFly offers solutions for companies to enhance their workforce productivity, automate data entry, and ensure smooth field operations.

“EmpFly is about using technology to make business operations more efficient and less dependent on manual processes,” she shares, describing the practical application of her IT expertise in her entrepreneurial ventures.

Navigating Challenges: A Woman Entrepreneur’s Journey

Starting a business is never easy, but as a female entrepreneur in a family that had a strong preference for government jobs, Basudha faced unique challenges. “My family was initially apprehensive,” she shares.

“For them, entrepreneurship was an alien concept, especially for a woman. There was this constant concern—‘Are you going to travel a lot? Do you have a backup plan?’”

Undeterred, Basudha bootstrapped her first venture with her own savings, borrowing a laptop from her sister and even some funds from her brother to get started. She poured her severance pay from her last job entirely into her startup, understanding that the path to success wouldn’t be easy. “I knew I had to make this work; failure wasn’t an option,” she admits, describing the immense pressure she felt both from her family and herself.

Impact of Government Policies and Support Systems

A firm believer in the power of community, Basudha actively explored resources available for entrepreneurs through government policies and industry associations. She joined the Startup India initiative and connected with NASSCOM and TIE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), two organizations that significantly aided her growth by linking her with mentors and experts in the industry.

“Being part of a network helps you access resources and people that you’d otherwise spend years trying to find on your own,” she explains.

Through these connections, she was able to gain insights into tax benefits, IP registration, and legal compliance, which proved crucial for her business’s expansion.

The Role of Ethics and Data Security in Business

With her background in IT security, Basudha prioritizes data security and ethical practices at both ExpressEarth and EmpFly. She understands the sensitive nature of client information and stresses that ethical data handling is at the heart of her operations.

“Having worked as a Business Continuity Manager, I know the importance of securing data and maintaining integrity. For us, it’s non-negotiable,” she asserts, highlighting the strict policies her companies enforce to protect client data.

The Future of ExpressEarth and EmpFly

Looking forward, Basudha aims to expand both of her companies while maintaining their core values. For ExpressEarth, she envisions deeper personalization in corporate travel, especially through technology. Meanwhile, EmpFly will continue developing AI tools to drive operational efficiencies in field-based industries. As she continues her entrepreneurial journey, Basudha is committed to inspiring other women entrepreneurs, particularly those hesitant to take the leap.

“When I look back on my journey, I see the resilience it took to build these companies,” she says. Her advice to budding entrepreneurs, especially women, is simple yet profound: “Believe in yourself, invest in your dreams, and be prepared to navigate challenges head-on. The journey may be tough, but the rewards are worth it.”

Basudha Srivastava Narula’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the spirit of innovation, inspiring countless others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams.

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