Digital United Pakistan
Business Plan
By
Sheeraz Ahmed Memon (CEO/Founder)
Table of Contents
Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... 3
Company Purpose ................................................................................................................................ 3
Problem ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Solution ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Why now? ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Market Size........................................................................................................................................... 4
Competition ......................................................................................................................................... 5
List of Competitors ........................................................................................................................... 5
Competitive Advantage.................................................................................................................... 5
Marketing Strategy .............................................................................................................................. 5
Product ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Price.................................................................................................................................................. 5
Promotion ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Place ................................................................................................................................................. 6
System Architecture ............................................................................................................................. 6
Development Roadmap & Milestones ................................................................................................. 6
Social impact ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Collaboration and Links to Funding Agencies ...................................................................................... 7
Team..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Core Team ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Board of Directors ............................................................................................................................ 8
Financials .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Costs ................................................................................................................................................. 8
Expected Sales................................................................................................................................ 11
Bio of Mr. Sheeraz Ahmed Memon ................................................................................................... 11
References.......................................................................................................................................... 12
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Executive Summary
Pakistan is a country, rich with cultures and languages. Several languages are spoken across Pakistan. After
Urdu -the national language- widely spoken languages are provincial/regional languages i.e. Punjabi, Pashto, Urdu, Sindhi, Saraiki and Balochi. Owing to different languages and cultures, it’s a major challenge to
convey effective message through digital media to every citizen of Pakistan in their native language.
In Pakistan Internet penetration is very high. Almost 30 million Pakistanis use Internet, among them 50%
are online through mobile devices. TranslationCloud is the first product of Digital United Pakistan. Through
this product we aim to reduce the language barrier problem in Pakistan. Since most apps/websites are in
English and users with low literacy rate are not comfortable using them, therefore translation of
smartphone apps and websites in users’ native languages is required.
Mostly translations are done manually by humans, creating lots of problems for Web/App developers like
creating, managing, updating files for different languages on their server. Our solution, TranslationCloud is
a Cloud based Content Management System, where developers have to write only one version of the text
in English and by using cloud features along with skilled developers, the translation and deployment of the
text in desired languages and versions will no longer be an issue. Whenever any changes are made in uploaded version of the text, TranslationCloud would detect changes, do translation and would notify the
owner of the website/App about changes, and the new version will be deployed back to the cloud, hence
reaching the customers directly.
Company Purpose
The company aims to connect people with different cultures and languages in Pakistan by providing
apps/websites in their native languages using content localization.
Problem
Pakistan is a country rich with cultures and languages. Several languages are spoken across Pakistan. After
Urdu -the national language- widely spoken languages are provincial/regional languages i.e. Panjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki and Balochi. Owing to different languages and cultures, it is a major challenge to convey
information through digital media to every citizen of Pakistan in their native language,
In Pakistan Internet penetration is very high. Almost 30 million Pakistani’s use Internet, 50% of them are
online through mobile devices [1]. Since almost all apps/websites are in English and hardly very few are in
Urdu. Users with low literacy rate are not comfortable using these apps/website to get information and
connect to the outside world. Hence they face problem in reading and understanding them.
Solution
The Websites/Apps in Pakistan need to be translated in native languages like Urdu, Punjabi etc. for the end
users convenience. Due to very error prone and complex mechanism of current solutions web/app developers find this a big challenge to translate the webs/apps into native languages. Our solution, TranslationCloud is a Cloud Based Content Management System, which provides a mechanism of creating, managing
and delivering content in different languages efficiently and effectively. By using Our Solution, TranslationCloud, client can access and upload all the content in English. TranslationCloud by using human resources
at Digital United Pakistan will translate the client’s desired language versions to the cloud. When updating
the website client will need to update only the English version of files uploaded on the cloud. Translation-
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Cloud will automatically detect changes made in the cloud, and will translate and deploy their versions on
the cloud too reaching the customers directly.
Why now?
Only 52% of people in Pakistan are literate [2]. So they have some level of reading and writing skills in English, although most of these people also prefer native language for communication. Over the years cloud
technology has improved and evolved a lot [3], we think it is the best time now that a cloud based content
management system should be created to translate the English websites/apps in native languages like Urdu, Punjabi and other regional languages spoken across Pakistan.
Market Size
Research shows a total of 508 websites are frequently used in Pakistan [4]. Following chart shows the percentage along with categories of websites..
Business
Local
Science & Tech
Others
Education
News and Media
Society and Culture
Islam
Reference & Dictionary
Urdu Websites
13%
62%
4%
4%
2%
2%
2%
4%
5%
3%
4
Competition
In general translation industry is a growing industry; there are few companies in Pakistan which offer translation services in different domains and languages like health, education, legal and business documents etc.
In addition to companies, some freelancers also provide translation services.
List of Competitors
These are some of our competitors already are. Paklingo[7], TranslatorBase[8], TranslatorsCafe[9], TranslationDirectory[10], TranslationServiceWorld[11], Translation[12], Citybase[13].
Competitive Advantage
In Pakistan, there are very few companies which offer translation services for websites/apps. They adopt
the conventional method of translation. In the traditional approach web/app developers send their content
in files typically called “string files” to translation provider companies which provide translation services
and send the translated files back to the client. This process is cumbersome and tedious as companies have
to maintain a proper record for different files in different languages as well as their versions. Our product
TranslationCloud, has an edge over the traditional method as cloud based content management system can
solve this problem by, making this whole procedure easy to develop, manage, and update translated text
for websites/apps.
There is no one in the market, which is providing products like TranslationCloud in Pakistan; all the competitors are using the string files for translations, making the work very tedious for Web/App developers.
Marketing Strategy
Once our product is complete we will adopt following marketing strategies. .
Product
Our product TranslationCloud is different as we use content management system, which will provide easy,
reliable creation and update features. It will also reduce cost of delivering the solution for Websites/Apps
localization to our clients.
Price
We will offer custom pricing. In the first year, we will focus on creating TranslationCloud with co-operation
of startups. Hence we will offer minimal prices Rs.5 / word for startups for websites/apps. After completion
of first year when our product will be ready to deploy, we will raise our prices slightly i.e. Rs.10 / word for
apps/websites.
Promotion
The following are some channels we will use for promotion of our product TranslationCloud.
• Print and electronic media: Newspapers, TV, and e-mail.
• Social media: Facebook, twitter, Goggle+.
• Online media: blogs
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• Others: SMS
Place
We will be providing services in Pakistan only.
System Architecture
Development Roadmap & Milestones
The development of the first product will be completed in the first year. This will be done by gathering information and collaboration with a startup and other well established organizations that needs translation
services. The detailed breakdown of the activities over the spam of one year is shown in the table.
Month
Task
Milestones
Month 1
Research & Hiring
Set of documents
Month 2
Search & Selection of Startups/well estab- Analysis report, documents showing selished organizations to work with
lected startups/organizations
Month 3
Requirements Gathering & System Archi- Requirement Document, System Architectecture Design
ture design document
Month 4
Requirements Gathering & System Archi- Requirement Document revised, System
tecture Design
Architecture design document revised
Month 5
Development of TranslationCloud
Progress Report
Month 6
Development of TranslationCloud
Progress Report
Month 7
Development of TranslationCloud
Progress Report
6
Month
Task
Milestones
Month 8
Development of TranslationCloud
Progress Report, Working prototype
Month 9
Testing & Bug Fixing
Progress Report, Working prototype
Month 10
Final Testing
Progress Report, Working prototype
Month 11
Providing
Translation
Startup/organization
Services
to Translations deployed on the cloud
Month 12
Providing
Translation
Startup/organization
Services
to Translations deployed on the cloud
Social impact
Many people use internet to read and gather information through top news websites in Pakistan. So we will
start providing translation services for news websites. This will help to satisfy people need to gather information online.
As a starting point we strive to provide translation services to top 5 websites and top 10 apps of Pakistan in
3 years for Urdu and Panjabi and then move to other languages like Sindhi, Balochi etc.
So in this way a lot of people will be able to read news in the two most spoken languages in Pakistan in first
3 years.
Collaboration and Links to Funding Agencies
 LabMagic, NUST SEECS, Sector H-12, Islamabad
Ms Iram Tariq Bhatti from LabMagic is the key mentor for our project. She has already helped in the refinement of the business plan and other aspects of the project/product through her experience. In addition
she is experienced in R&D too.
 SwamTech, NUST SEECS, Sector H-12, Islamabad
They will be providing us with incubation and working space.
In future, we may search for funding opportunities for growth of startup collaborate with Plan9, PASHA,
JumpStartPakistan, and Cloud9 Startups etc. We may apply to ICT R&D fund for growth of startup.
Team
Core Team
In the first year, we will be only communicating with one client and focusing in the R&D activities of the
company. So we will be hiring one developer and one translator as shown.
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CEO
Developer
Translator
Board of Directors
 Iram Tariq Bhatti
Ms. Iram Tariq Bhatti is the CEO/Founder of LabMagic. She is successfully running her startup for 2 years.
She has R&D experience of around 4 years. Also she is recipient of several national and international
awards with respect to her startup journey.
 Shahryar Khan
Mr. Shahryar Khan is the CEO/Founder of SwamTech, He has over 5 years of experience of app development and entrepreneurship.
 Syed Yasir Hassan
Mr. Syed Yasir Hassan is the director of co-operate affairs of Smart SurgisSol. Ha won several awards on his
startup at national and international forums.
Financials
Costs
The following table shows estimated fixed cost for one year monthly by category.
Category
Fixed Cost/month
Fixed Cost/Year
Developer Salary
Rs30,000.00
Rs360,000.00
My Salary
Rs20,000.00
Rs240,000.00
Incubation
Rs10,000.00
Rs120,000.00
Marketing
Rs5,000.00
Rs60,000.00
Cloud Charges
Rs10,000.00
Rs120,000.00
Tours or Visits
Rs5,000.00
Rs60,000.00
Rs24,000.00
Rs288,000.00
Rs104,000.00
Rs1,248,000.00
Translators Salaries for
2 translators
Total Cost
Table 1.1
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The Chart 1.1 shows one-year cost by category in percentage.
Chart 1.1
Chart 1.2
The Table 1.2 and the Chart 1.2 show the cost summary for three years in each category.
Year
Description
Category
1
Developer Salary = 30,000/month
Developer Salary
Rs360,000.00
1
My Salary = 20,000 / month
My Salary
Rs240,000.00
1
Incubation = 10,000/month
Incubation
Rs120,000.00
1
Cloud Charges = 10,000 / month
Cloud Charges
Rs120,000.00
1
Tours or Visits = 5000/month
Tours or Visits
Rs60,000.00
Total Cost for 1 Year
Amount
Rs900,000.00
2
Developer Salary ( 15% increment ) =
34500/month
Developer Salary2
Rs414,000.00
2
My Salary
My Salary2
Rs240,000.00
2
Incubation
Incubation2
Rs120,000.00
2
Marketing
Marketing2
Rs60,000.00
2
Cloud Charges
Cloud Charges2
Rs60,000.00
2
Tours or Visits
Tours or Visits2
Rs60,000.00
2
Translator Salaries (Two translators)
Translator Salary2
Total Cost for 2 Years
Rs288,000.00
Rs3,042,000.00
3
Developer Salary ( 20% increment ) =
41400/month
Developer Salary3
Rs496,800.00
3
My Salary
My Salary3
Rs240,000.00
3
Incubation
Incubation3
Rs120,000.00
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3
Marketing
Marketing3
Rs60,000.00
3
Cloud Charges
Cloud Charges3
Rs60,000.00
3
Tours or Visits
Tours or Visits3
Rs60,000.00
3
Translator Salaries ( Two translators & Translator Salary3
15% Increment ) = 13,800/month
Rs331,200.00
Total Cost for 3 Years
Rs7,452,000.00
Break-even Analysis
The Table 1.3, Chart 1.3, show break-even analysis, estimating the fixed cost as PKR
104,000/month as shown in the Table 1.1. We will be reaching the break-even point in first 10
months after product launch, if we tend to work 20 days in a month, 1000 words each day.
units sold
Sales
/month (
Total
Profit/loss
Costs
20,000
words = 1
unit )
0
Rs0
Rs900,000
-Rs900,000
1
Rs200,000
Rs1,004,000
-Rs804,000
2
Rs400,000
Rs1,108,000
-Rs708,000
3
Rs600,000
Rs1,212,000
-Rs612,000
4
Rs800,000
Rs1,316,000
-Rs516,000
5
Rs1,000,000
Rs1,420,000
-Rs420,000
6
Rs1,200,000
Rs1,524,000
-Rs324,000
7
Rs1,400,000
Rs1,628,000
-Rs228,000
8
Rs1,600,000
Rs1,732,000
-Rs132,000
9
Rs1,800,000
Rs1,836,000
-Rs36,000
10
Rs2,000,000
Rs1,940,000
Rs60,000
11
Rs2,200,000
Rs2,044,000
Rs156,000
12
Rs2,400,000
Rs2,148,000
Rs252,000
13
Rs2,600,000
Rs2,252,000
Rs348,000
14
Rs2,800,000
Rs2,356,000
Rs444,000
15
Rs3,000,000
Rs2,460,000
Rs540,000
16
Rs3,200,000
Rs2,564,000
Rs636,000
17
Rs3,400,000
Rs2,668,000
Rs732,000
18
Rs3,600,000
Rs2,772,000
Rs828,000
19
Rs3,800,000
Rs2,876,000
Rs924,000
20
Rs4,000,000
Rs2,980,000
Rs1,020,000
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Table 1.3 Break Even Analysis chart
Chart 1.3: Break Even Analysis
Expected Sales
The sales structure is very simple; we will provide translation services 1000 words/day and so 20,000
words/month. So by this way we will be reaching our breakeven within one month and in five years hope to
become Rs: 12 Million company.
Years
14000000
12000000
PKR12,000,00
0
10000000
8000000
6000000
4000000
2000000
0
PKR200,000
0
Our Plan
PKR200,000
Cash Flow
The following sheet shows cash flow for 2014 to 2016
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Bio of Mr. Sheeraz Ahmed Memon
Mr. Sheeraz Ahmed Memon is a passionate entrepreneur and an experienced developer. He has two years
of experience in Android Development and 6 months of experience in Mobile Cloud Computing with Android. He is a Bachelor’s in Information and Communications Systems Engineering from National University
of Science and Technology, Islamabad. He is passionate to learn other skills despite his official work. He has
recently passed the course of Programming Mobile Applications for Android Handheld Systems from University of Maryland through Coursera with distinction (100% score)
References
[1]: "30m Internet users in Pakistan, half on mobile: Report". Express Tribune Report June 24, 2013.
[2]: http://finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_10/10_Education.pdf
[3]: https://www.sitepoint.com/the-future-of-cloud-computing/
[4]: http://directory.onepakistan.com.pk/
[5]: "What Are The Top 10 Most Spoken Languages In The World?” Retrieved 2012-2013.
[6]: http://www.similarweb.com/website/geo.tv#/#aaj.tv,dawn.com
[7]: www.paklingo.com
[8]: www.translatorsbase.com
[9]: translatorscafe.com
[10]: www.translationdirectory.pk
[11]: www.translationservicesworld.com
[12]: www.translation.pk
[13]: www.citybase.com.pk
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