This Bengaluru Startup is Building a Cheaper Alternative to Salesforce and Zoho
No-code platforms are not dead yet. They are very much alive with the help of AI. Bengaluru-based Tablesprint aims to stand out as an AI-powered low-code platform, designed to bring enterprise-level applications to companies of all sizes. Following the recent $1 million seed funding round led by Ola’s co-founder Ankit Bhati and other notable investors, Tablesprint co-founder and CEO Abhijeet Kumar discussed with AIM the company’s vision, its distinct position in the market, and its potential to transform business operations globally, competing with the likes of Salesforce. Kumar’s background includes founding and scaling a successful startup that eventually became BigBasket’s backbone. His experience in handling operations-heavy systems provided the foundation for Tablesprint’s solutions. “BigBasket is an enormous operation, especially from an operational and logistics perspective,” Kumar noted. “It’s a consumer tech business that relies heavily on robust technology. That experience equipped us with the knowledge to tackle complex tech challenges, which now fuels Tablesprint’s mission.” Another Low-code/No-code? While many platforms provide low-code options, Tablesprint aims to address a crucial gap in enterprise technology: accessibility and control over data. Traditional low-code platforms often offer limited control over sensitive information due to rigid structures and limited permissions. Tablesprint’s platform addresses this by incorporating robust data controls, permissions, and a secure backend infrastructure that integrates seamlessly with AI, ensuring that businesses can safely and effectively leverage their data. Rather than attempting to build AI models from scratch, Tablesprint focuses on integrating and optimising existing open-source and commercial models to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that enterprises can trust. The moat of Tablesprint? Unique blend of affordability and flexibility, positioning it as an alternative to established players like Salesforce and Zoho. “We’re offering the flexibility of Salesforce but at a Zoho price,” Kumar explained. “Our focus is on creating a customisable, scalable system that can handle complex enterprise needs without the high costs usually associated with such solutions.” Tablesprint’s competitive advantage, Kumar emphasised, lies in its capacity to offer a Salesforce-like experience at a fraction of the cost, with a user interface (UI) that simplifies complex tasks. “With us, you’re not just getting a software tool; you’re gaining a system that adapts to your needs, allows for high-level customisations, and integrates AI capabilities directly into the workflow.” Chirag Jadhav, co-founder and CTO, earlier highlighted the platform’s multi-tenant system designed for both developers and business users. “Creating a system that resonates with both developers and business stakeholders is a significant challenge. We are excited with our progress so far and look forward to tackling more challenges ahead on this journey.” Founded earlier this year, Tablesprint’s AI-first SaaS platform allows companies to rapidly build customisable applications for various business functions, including HR, sales, operations, and vendor management, using open-source and closed-source models available in the market. Its no-code solution features modular building blocks such as AI write/image tools, workflows, and charts, enabling businesses to start with simple tasks like surveys and scale to full-fledged workflows. Staying Alive and Sprinting Ahead Kumar is aware of the competition from established giants like Salesforce and Zoho, but he believes Tablesprint offers unique advantages that make it attractive, particularly for businesses conscious of both costs and customisation capabilities. “Try making a form in Zoho, and you’ll see it’s not designed with seamless user experience in mind,” he said. “Our UI is optimised to make processes intuitive and efficient, making it appealing to users who need functionality without the overhead.” In addition, Kumar highlighted the often limited adoption rate of Salesforce due to its complexity and high price point, particularly in markets like India, where cost sensitivity is paramount. According to him, only around 34% of Salesforce licences end up being used because companies struggle with its complexity. “We’re targeting that space by offering a similarly robust platform that’s also simpler to use and much more affordable.” The company’s go-to-market strategy involves partnering with implementation providers, giving entrepreneurs and developers the flexibility to use Tablesprint to build apps, which they can then offer to clients as solutions. “Tablesprint is not just an India-specific product; it’s a global solution designed to help businesses worldwide streamline operations, build apps, and generate revenue by offering our platform as a customisable solution,” Kumar explained. Tablesprint’s roadmap is ambitious. The company plans to expand its offerings by building a complete AI-based ERP system and form builder, with the goal of becoming a one-stop shop for enterprise applications across industries. Despite the increasing saturation in the low-code, no-code market, Kumar is confident that Tablesprint’s model and global reach will help the company thrive in the long term. “We’re still a startup, so bandwidth is sometimes an issue,” he admitted. “We have so much interest that we have to pick and choose our clients carefully because we want to ensure each implementation is successful and adds value.”
“We’re offering the flexibility of Salesforce but at a Zoho price,” said the CEO & co-founder.
Tablesprint co-founder and CEO Abhijeet Kumar discussed with AIM the company’s vision and its distinct position in the market.
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Mohit writes about AI in simple, explainable, and often funny words. He's especially passionate about chatting with those building AI for Bharat, with the occasional detour into AGI.