Where do you best start a journey of how I built Gislen Software into a successful IT company in India? My journey did not begin in an office. Instead, it started on a small farm in rural Sweden.
As a young boy, I spent my summers working for a neighbour, earning pocket money. But I also nurtured various interests. One of my hobbies was picking apart old radios and TVs, but I also built multiple electric devices. One thing led to the other. I was fortunate to discover my passion for computers early on. With the money I earned from farm work, I bought my first computer in 1980. I then taught myself programming, which led to small freelance projects. Gradually, I embarked on a career in IT.
As I balanced work and studies, my knowledge grew. From 1985 to 1986, I was part of a team that implemented data management for what would later become part of one of Sweden’s most important systems for public administration—PROSIT. Today, it is now known as Raindance. I was also fortunate to work with prominent clients like the Stockholm Municipality.
Coming to India
Together with a friend, I went for a short trip to India in 1991. I got inspired and wanted to see more. Therefore, in 1992, my wife and I decided to travel around Asia—a trip that would change our lives. During our time in India, we realised that India was where we wanted to build our future. Taking a leap of faith, we moved to India—a decision that would forever alter our path. Getting the company off the ground took a year, and our beginnings were modest. We embarked on a journey without knowing how far it would take us.
While India had recently started its market liberalisation journey, the bureaucracy was still challenging, and acquiring information about the registration process was hard. I went to many different government offices to get the required information. Having made up my mind about not paying any bribes, the process took longer than what would otherwise have been the case. After many bumps in the road, we received permission to start an export business in April 1994. With this in hand, we could register a private limited company. On September 15, 1994, the IT company was finally registered with the Registrar of Companies in Madras.
Modest start
The internet was still in its infancy, creating its challenges. My personal consulting work for a few Swedish clients contributed significantly to building up working capital in the early days. But through grit, persistence, and a willingness to take risks, we acquired our first few clients, including Enera, X-change, and Programma Electric, for whom we created advanced software for high-voltage test equipment.
The dot-com boom in the late 1990s helped us grow the business very fast. Demand for digital solutions exploded, and our company thrived. But the euphoria of that period was short-lived, as the inevitable crash brought economic turmoil, exacerbated by the tragic events of 9/11. The years that followed tested us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. It felt like we were living through a modern-day version of Joseph’s biblical journey—years of abundance followed by years of extreme scarcity.
Yet, unlike Joseph, we were not prepared with clear guidelines from dreams. We kept the company alive through hard work, sacrifices, and determination. During these darkest moments, we developed resilience as the core of our organisational DNA.
Our largest project
In 2004, an opportunity arose that would change everything. Our partnership with Norwegian Q-Free was the turning point, a lifeline that pulled us out of the challenging times. In just one year, our work for Q-Free accounted for a significant portion of India’s software exports to Norway. This wasn’t just a financial achievement but a reflection of our growing expertise and capacity to weather the most brutal storms. We had to borrow resources from a few other companies, but we got our act in order and jointly delivered our parts of the system. Those trying years gave us the fortitude to build reserves, preparing us for the future.
Building the reputation as a successful IT company
Since then, we have built our reputation as a reliable IT company by consistently refusing to take shortcuts and delivering the best possible solutions for our clients. Every project we undertook was approached with a commitment to excellence, ensuring long-term success over short-term gains.
We have also built our technical and professional skills. We know it is hard to find reliable suppliers who understand their needs, have the required technical skills, and never compromise on quality. Therefore, we offer a wide range of services to clients who want to reduce their IT risks and succeed with IT outsourcing. We constantly learn new technologies but always focus on how technology can create value for our clients. Our clients should always feel that their supplier meets their expectations.
In parallel, we recognised that a healthy, happy team is critical to delivering outstanding results as a reliable IT company. We prioritised our employees’ well-being, promoting work-life balance, continuous learning, and a supportive environment. By investing in our clients and people, we cultivated trust and reliability, values that continue to drive our success today. We provide many different services, including software development, cloud solutions, cyber security, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and systems integration, and have an impressive track record of serving several impressive clients.
We have also built a solid relationship with Epical Group to deliver industry-leading blended service offerings. Jointly, we have an outstanding track record of serving some of Sweden’s largest companies. Together, we provide world-class integration solutions using blended outsourcing and joint support services. We can also, jointly with Epical, offer a 24×7 service desk, proactively monitor your systems, and much more. We are proud to be ISO 9000 certified, a Microsoft Certified Partner, and an award-winning IT service company.
Focus on Sustainability
But survival wasn’t the only focus of our journey. From the beginning, we committed to creating a successful IT company and a company grounded in solid values—ethical business practices, a flat organisational structure, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact beyond profits.
In 2013, we took a significant step by converting our Chennai office to run on solar power and batteries, drastically reducing our carbon footprint. Today, we offset three times the amount of our remaining carbon dioxide emissions and are well on our way to becoming net Carbon Neutral by 2030. For us, sustainability isn’t virtue signalling or a box to tick; it’s a deeply held belief that we must do our part for the planet.
Our solar plant has improved our reputation. When calamities have hit us, be it flooding in Chennai or the pandemic, the solar plant has helped us by ensuring that we have an uninterrupted, low-maintenance power source under our control and that we have not had to be dependent on the electricity grid.
Social responsibility
We are not just an IT company; our commitment to social responsibility is equally vital. In 2005, we started the Little Lambs Educational Trust, which runs a school for underprivileged children. Initially, we had just four children, including my eldest son. Today, the school has nearly 300 students and supports around 50 more pursuing further education or vocational training. Our financial, logistical, and emotional involvement is a cornerstone of our mission to give back. This school is not just a project; it’s a testament to our belief that education can change lives and that businesses can be forces for good in their communities.
Celebrating 30 years of success
When I write this, we have just celebrated Gislen Software’s 30th anniversary. I hope our journey—rooted in values, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to integrity and high quality—will inspire others. What we have built is more than just a company; we have created proof of what can be achieved when purpose and resilience guide a business while striving to positively impact the world.
The journey is not over; there are many areas we can still improve and become an even better company. This journey has been enriching, not only for me but also for my remarkable Indian team. With optimism, we look ahead to the future, eager to embrace new challenges and celebrate fresh victories along the way.
Look no further if you want to find a reliable IT company to support your business. We can assure you of high quality, but we believe it will also mean cost savings compared to European IT service providers. Contact us today. We are ready to serve, walk the extra mile, and add the finishing touches!