In an interview with Electronics Buzz, Pinkesh Kotecha, Chairman and Managing Director of Ishan Technologies, shared the company’s strategic approach to growth, the role of AI in data centers, and their roadmap for expansion. He emphasized the importance of digital inclusion, regulatory compliance, and partnerships with tech giants like Nokia and Oracle in building a resilient and future-ready ICT ecosystem.
Read the full interview here:
EB: What key strategies fuelled Ishan Technologies’ rapid growth, and how do you plan to sustain it?
Pinkesh: At Ishan Technologies, our rapid growth has been driven by a strategic blend of A deep understanding of enterprise challenges has shaped our customer-centric approach, enabling us to deliver ICT solutions that enhance operational efficiency and business resilience. Additionally, strategic partnerships, such as our recent collaboration with DE-CIX India, have strengthened our interconnection ecosystem, providing faster and more reliable digital infrastructure for businesses.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to driving scalable cloud solutions, AI-driven security frameworks, and 5G-ready networks to empower enterprises in an increasingly digital economy. By bridging the digital divide and securing critical IT infrastructure, we aim to create a technology-first future where businesses can operate with agility, resilience, and confidence.
EB: How is Ishan Technologies tackling India’s fragmented data center infrastructure, and what role does AI play?
Pinkesh: India’s data center market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing digital adoption, data localization requirements, and the expansion of cloud services. In 2024, the market was valued at approximately USD 5.0 billion and is projected to reach USD 12.9 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.43% during the forecast period. Despite these developments, India’s data center capacity remains under-penetrated, accounting for only 3% of global capacity while generating 20% of the world’s data. This imbalance highlights a significant gap in infrastructure, connectivity, and service optimization.
A key challenge lies in the fragmentation of data center networks, where enterprises face inconsistent connectivity, latency issues, and compliance concerns. To bridge this gap, businesses need to move beyond conventional infrastructure expansion and focus on intelligent, interconnected ecosystems. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the industry—enhancing data center efficiency through predictive analytics, energy optimization, and automated network management. AI-driven solutions enable real-time monitoring, proactive threat detection, and intelligent workload distribution, ensuring seamless operations and improved uptime.
India is gradually embracing AI in data center management, but adoption remains in its early stages. While global data centers are increasingly AI-driven, Indian enterprises are still exploring AI-led automation for optimizing cooling, power consumption, and security protocols. As the demand for low-latency, high-efficiency infrastructure grows, integrating AI will be crucial to ensuring data centers are also becoming smarter and more resilient.
EB: How is India’s Data Protection Act impacting data centers, and how is Ishan Technologies ensuring compliance?
Pinkesh: With increasing concerns around data sovereignty, the Act mandates that sensitive personal data of Indian citizens be stored within the country, driving a surge in demand for localized, high-security data centers. This regulatory shift is compelling enterprises to rethink their data management strategies, ensuring compliance with evolving legal frameworks while maintaining operational efficiency.
At Ishan Technologies, we prioritize regulatory compliance by integrating stringent security protocols across our infrastructure. Our Tier 3-rated Mumbai Data Center is recognized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for delivering secure cloud services that align with India’s data localization policies. We implement end-to-end encryption, multi-layered security frameworks, and AI-driven threat monitoring to safeguard sensitive information. Additionally, our data center adheres to globally recognized standards, including SOC 2, PCI DSS, and HIPAA, ensuring robust compliance for businesses operating in regulated industries such as BFSI, healthcare, and e-commerce.
EB: How have partnerships with Nokia and Oracle strengthened Ishan Technologies’ telecom and cybersecurity solutions?
Pinkesh: Ishan Technologies has always been committed to delivering last-mile connectivity solutions that bridge the digital divide across India. Our partnerships with global technology leaders like Nokia and Oracle reinforce this vision by enhancing our telecom and Cloud capabilities. Collaborating with Nokia enables us to leverage advanced networking solutions, including 5G-ready infrastructure and high-performance broadband technologies. This strengthens our ability to provide seamless, low-latency connectivity to enterprises, ISPs, and remote locations, ensuring businesses can operate with uninterrupted, high-speed network access.
On a global scale, our partnership with Oracle enhances our cloud offerings, integrating world-class AI-driven threat detection, secure cloud environments, and compliance-ready data management solutions. By combining Nokia’s cutting-edge network solutions with Oracle’s cloud capabilities, Ishan Technologies is creating a resilient, future-ready digital ecosystem that empowers businesses to scale securely in an evolving digital landscape.
EB: What are Ishan’s expansion plans for the next financial year, and which markets are you targeting?
Pinkesh: The GCC sector has experienced remarkable growth, with the number of centers increasing from 750 in 2010 to 1,750 in 2020. By 2030, projections indicate that India will host over 2,000 GCCs, with the market size expected to reach $100 billion. To address the unique needs of these centers, Ishan is developing tailored solutions that enhance operational efficiency, data security, and compliance, ensuring that GCCs can leverage India’s skilled talent pool and cost advantages effectively.
Recognizing the critical role of public-private partnerships in advancing national digital infrastructure, we are also focusing on collaborations with government organizations. The Indian government’s initiatives, such as the Digital India program, have highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in achieving technological transformation. By aligning its offerings with governmental objectives, Ishan aims to provide robust IT and cybersecurity solutions that support public sector projects, contributing to the nation’s digital growth and enhancing service delivery across various governmental departments.
EB: What challenges did you face as a first-gen entrepreneur, and what advice do you have for others?
Pinkesh: When I started Ishan Technologies, Gujarat wasn’t seen as an IT hub. Most technology companies were setting up in metros like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, but I saw an opportunity where others didn’t. The challenge was immense—limited access to skilled talent, scepticism from the industry, and infrastructure constraints. But I believed that digital transformation shouldn’t be confined to metro cities. With a small but determined team, we set out to build a company that would bridge the digital divide, offering cutting-edge telecom, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions to enterprises across India.
Today, Ishan Technologies has grown into a leading ICT solutions provider with a strong presence in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot. The journey has been anything but easy, but perseverance, adaptability, and a customer-first approach have been our biggest strengths. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple—embrace challenges as opportunities, build a team that shares your vision, and stay committed to solving real-world problems.
