VEDA: Delivering Solutions That Empower Its Users

Sanjan Piya
Co-founder and COO, Veda 

In a world where technology is changing how business is done by the minute, education is a key sector that is not far behind in being digitally transformed. Meet Sanjan Piya, one of the visionary minds behind the groundbreaking Veda app, a revolutionary tool aiming to redefine education through the power of technology. 

Sanjan Piya, along with two friends, Nirdesh Dwa and Sujit Pathak, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey nearly a decade ago as fresh graduates. Armed with degrees in computer engineering, they founded inGrails, a digital agency based in Nepal that specialises in mobile app development. 

Their initial venture, Eatery, proved to be a learning experience as it faced setbacks in the competitive market. However, failure only fuelled their determination to succeed. Undeterred, they pivoted their focus toward addressing a pressing need in the education sector, which paved their way for remarkable success with the Veda app.

Veda is more than just another educational tool; it is a comprehensive ERP/MIS (Management Information System and Enterprise Resource Planning) programme developed to help educational institutions streamline their day-to-day operations and bridge the gap between schools, parents and students. What began as a simple prototype focused on enhancing communication between schools and parents, the founders quickly realised the potential impact their product could have. Their first breakthrough came when St Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel, embraced the app, setting the stage for its expansion.

Today, Veda has grown into a full-fledged ERP system that serves over a thousand schools in Nepal and has expanded into Brunei and Japan. What sets Veda apart is its holistic approach to educational management, catering to the diverse needs of school administrators, teachers, parents and students alike. 

“Initially, pitching Veda to schools was challenging due to scepticism towards young founders and past experiences with tech companies. However, with perseverance, people started trusting us,” shares Piya. In its initial stages, Veda struggled with limited resources and varied school requirements. “Schools demanded diverse features, leaving us in a dilemma,” Piya recounts. “But with strategic investments, we navigated these challenges and refined our offerings.” 

With the start of Covid 19 pandemic, Veda’s crucial role in supporting online education took off, signalling a major turning point for the expansion of both the educational and commercial sectors. 

The journey of Veda reflects the essence of innovation and adaptability. Recognising the market need and the challenges faced by educational institutions, Piya and his team poured their energy into developing a solution that not only addressed existing problems but also anticipated future needs. By integrating various modules such as student and staff management, billing systems, attendance tracking and more, Veda came to light as a complete solution made to meet the particular needs of every institution.

Beyond their technological expertise, inGrails embraces a philosophy of collaboration and resilience. They understand that every educational institution is unique, requiring tailored solutions. “What works in one school may not necessarily be applicable elsewhere,” Piya explains. To address these nuances, Veda facilitates exchange programmes, enabling schools to learn from one another’s experiences. “Through these programmes, schools gain invaluable insights into different working methodologies,” Piya elaborates.

Piya also recognises the value of customer satisfaction in their product. “The inGrails team’s unmatched service is what really makes Veda successful; its features alone don’t make it so,” says Piya. With a relentless focus on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement, they have achieved an impressive client retention rate of 99%. “Over 50% of our staff members are dedicated to development and support,” Piya reveals. “This ensures that we can deliver timely and responsive assistance to our clients, fostering long-term partnerships built on trust and reliability.” 

He shared a success story of a school where the introduction of Veda led to improved parent-school communication, enhancing student progress. “With private sharing of student remarks through the app, parents became more involved in their child’s education resulting in a remarkable 30% average improvement in students’ results,” Piya reflects. 

“Innovation is not just about technological advancements; it’s about understanding the needs of the users and delivering solutions that empower them,” says Piya. Veda illustrates this principle by prioritising user experience and simplicity in design. By constantly seeking feedback and implementing user-friendly features, they ensure that Veda remains accessible and intuitive for all stakeholders. 

“We have two distinct apps: one for students and parents (Veda), and another for school administration and staff members (Veda Guru),” Piya explains. “Every feature we develop is analysed based on who will use it – this is important.” He also highlighted the environmental benefits of their app, emphasising its role in reducing paper waste by replacing traditional notices and billing with digital alternatives. Additionally, the app compatibility with older devices demonstrates their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

During the conversation, the co-founder also emphasised the critical importance of safeguarding privacy of students and their families, particularly when entrusted with sensitive educational and personal data. He underscored Veda’s strong security protocols like DevSecOps. However, Piya acknowledges that human error remains a significant risk factor in data breaches. “The weakest link in any security chain is often human behaviour,” shares Piya. “Unauthorised access, whether intentional or unintentional, poses a significant threat to data integrity,” he adds. To control this risk, they make sure no one within the company can access data they shouldn’t. Plus, their contracts promise that all data only belongs to the school, showing their commitment to privacy. At a time when data breaches and privacy worries are common, Piya’s strong commitment to keeping data safe is like a trustworthy guide for schools.

While Veda is already making significant changes, the journey towards innovation never comes to an end. With a focus on AI-driven solutions, Veda aims to provide personalised insights and recommendations to students, parents and educators. By utilising the power of machine learning, Veda seeks to enhance decision-making processes, optimise learning outcomes, and guide students towards their full potential. 

With a strong foothold in Nepal, boasting a network of over a thousand schools and serving over 1.6 million users including students and parents, Veda is now setting its sight on the global stage. The journey towards international expansion began with successful trials in Brunei and Japan, laying the groundwork for a larger mission to revolutionise education worldwide. 

Key to Veda’s global strategy is adaptability. Recognising the diverse language and cultural landscape of different countries, the team is actively working on making the platform multilingual. Veda aims to empower educational institutions worldwide, make positive change and fostering a culture of continuous learning.  

“Innovation is not just about technology; it is about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. And as we continue to innovate and evolve, Veda stands as a beam of hope for the future of education, where technology serves as stimuli for positive change,” concludes Piya.