CEO Insights Magazine

In today's ever-changing world, the ancient art of yoga has emerged as a dominant influence, captivating people worldwide. Its resurgence can be attributed to the pursuit of inner harmony amidst the hectic pace of modern life. Additionally, the fusion of technology and yoga has played a pivotal role in its widespread appeal, revolutionizing mental and physical well-being like never before. By empowering individuals to align their inner selves with cutting-edge tools, this union represents a groundbreaking path to serenity. Leading this movement is Muralidhar Somisetty, a visionary technology entrepreneur committed to making holistic wellness accessible to all through YOGIFI, an award winning flagship product of Wellnesys Technologies - an emerging deep-tech pioneer from India.

Muralidhar Somisetty is a remarkable technopreneur who has left an indelible mark on the world of innovation. Currently serving as the Founder and CEO of Wellnesys Technologies, his brainchild – YOGIFI, has garnered global recognition as a groundbreaking solution derived from his personal experiences as a yoga practitioner and teacher. The product's unique and innovative nature has garnered numerous accolades in the field of innovation.

Below is an excerpt of Muralidhar Somisetty’s exclusive interaction with CEO Insights magazine.

How has your entrepreneurial journey been so far? What factors motivated you to establish Wellnesys Technologies?

My entrepreneurial journey has been a thrilling fusion of my 25 years of industry experience and my profound passion for yoga. As a former tech professional at Cisco Systems and Siemens, I wore multiple hats in engineering, product management, and beyond. However, the allure of innovation and personal growth led me to embark on my venture. From building Industrial IoT to AI based Healthcare solutions, each venture taught me invaluable lessons. Yet, it was my transformation through yoga that sparked the birth of Wellnesys Technologies. With a blend of ancient yogic wisdom and modern technology, we strive to empower people worldwide on their path to physical and mental well-being.

How would you define Wellnesys Technologies as an organization and its current position in the market?

Wellnesys Technologies was founded with a profound vision of promoting holistic wellness through intelligent systems, as reflected in our name itself. Over the past four years, our flagship product, YOGIFI, has been making waves in the market for two years, garnering a customer base in 18 countries worldwide. From the US, Canada, the UK, France, and the Middle East to India, Southeast Asia, and Australia, we have a strong global presence. Our mission is to bring yoga and meditation seamlessly into everyone's daily lifestyle to foster physical and mental health.

Our competitive edge lies in being the only company offering smart yoga mats with non-intrusive data collection, prioritizing user privacy. We have formed valuable partnerships with top consumer brands such as Samsung and Apple, integrating our products seamlessly within their smart ecosystems such as Smart TV and Smart Watch. Our forthcoming portfolio launch of YOGIFI Ring (powered by Dhyana) is capable of measuring heart rate, quality of sleep, and mindfulness, compliments our smart mat, and closes the loop on holistic wellness with not just tracking but also providing remedial action. With access to extensive markets and strategic alliances, we are poised for exceptional growth and impact in the health and wellness industry.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?

As a CEO, my leadership style can be summed up as a 'Compulsive Eternal Optimist'. I firmly believe in empathetic leadership, especially in a dynamic market with its ups and downs, uncertainties like the pandemic, slowdowns, and recessions. Despite the tough macro-economic environment, we did not lay off and in fact, hired some talent from the industry who got impacted by the restructuring of large MNCs. Leading with positivity and optimism while providing a clear direction to the team while empowering them to be self-driven. I focus on creating a cohesive vision that binds the entire team together. Demonstrating empathy is crucial in fostering loyalty among our employees, ensuring their growth aligns with the company's success. My leadership approach is situational, empathetic, and optimistic, driving our company forward with a collaborative spirit.

What is the future destination you are heading towards?

Our vision for the future is to integrate YOGIFI, our smart yoga mat, seamlessly into everyone's daily habits and lifestyle. We aim to make it a household brand and to achieve this, we're forming strategic alliances – especially the recent announcement by Samsung to introduce interactive yoga experiences to its customers on its TVs. The goal is to ensure widespread accessibility and adoption of our product. Looking ahead, we plan to establish YOGIFI experience studios, providing individuals with convenient and immersive self-help routines. Our roadmap is all about making wellness and yoga an integral part of people's lives, wherever they are.

Muralidhar Somisetty, Founder & CEO, Wellnesys Technologies

Muralidhar Somisetty is a trailblazing technopreneur with a profound passion for innovation. As a co-founder of pioneering start-ups in SaaS, AI, IoT, and Electric Mobility, he has left an indelible mark on the global tech landscape. Amidst his entrepreneurial journey, Muralidhar has embraced the path of yoga and meditation, becoming a certified teacher from SVYASA Yoga University. His dedication to holistic well-being and technology-driven solutions has garnered international recognition, solidifying his position as an influential figure in the the world of yoga and artificial intelligence. Muralidhar's unique fusion of tech prowess and wellness aspirations continues to inspire transformative change and make a lasting impact in the industry.