Interviews
In a conversation with Prahlad Krishnamurthi, a dynamic business leader with over 19 years of hands-on experience in corporate transformation and high-impact coaching. Currently, as the CEO of Bizongo, Prahlad is at the forefront of reinventing B2B commerce, leveraging digital platforms and data-driven raw-material sourcing to streamline supply chains and empower industrial buyers and suppliers alike.
Here is an excerpt of his interview with us.
AL Circle: Can you walk us through Bizongo’s journey from its inception in 2014 to its expansion into the B2B vendor digitisation space? What challenges has the company faced along the way, and how have those experiences shaped its evolution? How has Bizongo’s vision transformed as it continues to revolutionise vendor digitisation?
Prahlad Krishnamurthi: Bizongo began its journey in 2014 with a vision to digitise the supply chain, initially focusing on automating the replenishment of packaging materials for businesses. After evaluating multiple categories in the B2C space, packaging stood out as a scalable opportunity, and the business gained early momentum. However, the COVID-19 pandemic posed an unprecedented challenge, such as order cancellations, bringing operations to a standstill overnight. This period exposed the vulnerability of being overly dependent on end-customer demand and made it clear that B2B finished goods, unlike B2C, lacked the same market flexibility.
This realisation became a turning point. We understood that to build a sustainable business, we needed to reimagine our model. Over the next few years, we shifted focus from finished goods to building resilience through category diversification and a more long-term approach. One key learning was the importance of a strong "hook" to attract and retain customers, not just through discounts or transactional benefits, but through value-driven solutions.
In B2B commerce, delayed payments emerged as a critical challenge. Unlike B2C, where payments are made instantly, B2B transactions often involve long credit cycles. This created friction, especially for small vendors who needed liquidity to sustain operations. We recognised this gap and built a vendor digitisation platform anchored in embedded financing enabling faster payments and improving working capital flow for MSMEs.
This pivot not only addressed a systemic issue in the B2B ecosystem but also positioned Bizongo as a holistic digital partner for vendors. Our platform now helps businesses digitise their supply chains, streamline procurement, and access finance more easily. In FY24, Bizongo saw a 99 per cent jump in operating revenue, touching INR 166.9 Cr, and raised $50 million in convertible debt, reaching a valuation close to $1 billion—underscoring the strength of our evolved model.
From a supply chain tech platform to a comprehensive vendor digitisation company, Bizongo's journey has been one of constant learning, adaptation, and reinvention. Today, our vision is to power the entire B2B ecosystem through digital and financial empowerment.
AL Circle: Can you describe Bizongo’s role in the aluminium supply chain ecosystem and what are the most common supply chain bottlenecks you’ve observed for aluminium-based products?
Prahlad Krishnamurthi: BizongoBuy, the raw material marketplace for steel and aluminium plays an important role in the raw material supply chain ecosystem by enhancing the procurement process for aluminium, strengthening our value proposition is what we call the ‘Golden Triangle’:
we offer the most competitive rates for at least half the month, enabled by our control over large volumes; we extend financing solutions to help customers improve cash flow and support business growth; and we provide end-to-end logistics with GPS-enabled tracking, ensuring smooth, efficient deliveries. By integrating pricing indexes into our platform, clients can also stay ahead of market trends and fine-tune their procurement strategies with precision.
Some of the most common supply chain bottlenecks for aluminium-based products include
Ensuring consistent quality across different suppliers is a challenge, as discrepancies in composition and standards can lead to rejections and rework.
AL Circle: What are the main factors driving volatility in the aluminium market today? How do you think the sudden price fluctuations and events like tariff impositions will impact your clients' supply chains?
Prahlad Krishnamurthi: Aluminium prices and their availability are influenced by global supply chain disruptions. Policy shifts like the recent imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on aluminium imports by the United States have increased costs for manufacturers dependent on imported aluminium.
These sudden price fluctuations and tariff impositions present several challenges for clients reliant on aluminium in their supply chains. Increased material costs can compress profit margins, necessitating adjustments in pricing strategies or cost structures. Moreover, supply chain disruptions could result in delays and inefficiencies, affecting project timelines and operational stability. Companies may need to explore alternative sourcing options, renegotiate supplier contracts, or invest in risk mitigation strategies to navigate this volatile landscape effectively.
AL Circle: What trends do you foresee in the aluminium market over the next 2-3 years?
Prahlad Krishnamurthi: The Indian aluminium market was valued at approximately $11.28 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $18.84 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6 per cent from 2024 to 2030. This is due to factors like rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development, shift towards EVs which is increasing demand for lightweight materials like aluminium, etc.
Moreover, various sectors are increasingly adopting aluminium due to its recyclability and preservation qualities. This includes sectors like the packaging industry, the electronics industry and so on. Globally, analysts predict that aluminium will be the best-performing base metal in 2025 due to a projected supply shortfall, with prices expected to rise by 6.3 per cent to $2,573.50 per metric tonne.
