Punjab Inc: She is driving digital innovation & women empowerment across UK and India

I am Aprajita Kohli, the CEO and strategist at Megrisoft Limited, UK. The company has an office in IT city Mohali as well. I  was born in Chandigarh, did my schooling from Yadwindra Public School, Mohali. I am also a writer, mentor, blogger, social media enthusiast, and traveller. Megrisoft Limited is a leading digital marketing firm with operations in the UK and India and is listed on BSE India. I began my journey in the UK 15 years ago as a student, and over the years, I have established my own business here. My commitment extends beyond corporate leadership as I have dedicated my efforts to narrowing the cultural and business gap between these two nations. Being a proud Punjabi, I had planned to expand my business in Punjab as well. Hence came up with a branch office in Mohali.

Furthermore, I am the initiator of three startups, notably the prominent Global Women Magazine, Femest

What made you start your company/companies?

Business is not something that attracted me from the initial years of my studies in London. I studied Journalism and Public Relations for my bachelor’s and MBA in International Business at the University of Greenwich, London.
It was only when I started my MBA that the course intrigued me and sparked my interest in integrating technology, knowing more about my ability to make business decisions, and challenging myself to enhance an organisation’s competitive advantage.

After gaining experience in various sales roles, I took the initiative to expand Megrisoft’s reach by opening a subsidiary in the UK in 2016. More recently, I have launched a global women’s magazine, Femest, dedicated to featuring stories and interviews of women from diverse fields.

Your accomplishments till now

I prefer not to quantify my achievements as I believe women accomplish something significant every day. However, I am proud of some critical milestones. I represent Megrisoft UK in partnership with the UK government on a “UK in India” campaign, which pledges progress towards gender equality. The campaign has only 113 companies from India and the UK.

After establishing Megrisoft UK, I was responsible for working towards gender equality, which has led to more women working as compared to men at Megrisoft. Notably, I was honoured to be featured in the book ’75 Years 75 Women 75 Words’, a project initiated by Caroline Rowett, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh. I’ve actively empowered women through mentoring roles at Delhi University and the University of Greenwich, London.

In the UK, I’ve been mentoring young students, guiding them through university life and helping
them navigate the cultural differences they encounter.

The challenges

In business, every day is a new challenge, whether it’s teamwork or working with your clients, but the biggest hurdle or challenge a woman can face in business is the issue of “Gender Equality”.

We often hear about global progress in women’s empowerment, yet there is still significant ground to cover in achieving equality in the workplace.

I have attended numerous international conferences and events where I was the youngest and sole female participant. In these situations, I often faced judgment or was underestimated due to my gender. Overcoming this major challenge and establishing an equal footing in the corporate world has been demanding.

Future Plans

My plans are centred around further expanding the impact of my current initiatives. A key focus will be on the growth and international reach of Femest, my global digital women’s magazine, particularly exploring new regions and bringing more diverse voices and stories to the forefront.

I aim to strengthen Megrisoft’s international presence by deepening our ties between the UK and India. In the realm of mentorship, I plan to continue to empower more women and young students. I’m particularly interested in developing programs that provide them the tools and knowledge to succeed in their respective fields.

Furthermore, I am exploring new ventures that align with my passion for technology, education,
and women’s empowerment. I have also started my Digital consultancy, where I will be helping startups and young
entrepreneurs, especially women, by building up a digital marketing platform for businesses and
elevating small brands.

Expectations from government

My expectations from the governments in India and the UK are primarily focused on fostering a more conducive environment for international business collaborations and women’s empowerment.

Firstly, I anticipate more support for cross-border trade and investment initiatives, facilitating smoother operations for businesses like Megrisoft in both countries.

I look forward to an increased focus on digital innovation and technology, with policies that support the growth of digital marketing and tech startups.

A crucial expectation is the advancement of women’s empowerment and gender equality. I look forward to more initiatives to support women entrepreneurs, provide mentorship opportunities,
and address gender disparities in the workforce.

Stress Busters

To manage stress, I engage in various activities that help maintain a healthy work-life balance. Physical exercise, such as yoga, is crucial to my routine. Additionally, spending quality time with family and friends is very important. It helps me stay grounded and connected to my own identity.

I also value the importance of continuous learning and personal growth. Attending workshops, seminars, or online courses related to my field or interests helps me stay engaged and motivated.

Beyond entrepreneurship

Beyond entrepreneurship, my interests extend into creative and personal pursuits. I am channelling my thoughts and experiences into writing a bilingual book, which has been a fulfilling way to express and share my journey and insights.

Additionally, I have a keen interest in photography. Capturing moments, landscapes, and everyday life through my Fujifilm offers me a unique way to see the world and document my travels and experiences. Lastly, exploring new coffee places is one of my simpler joys. It combines my love for coffee with discovering new spots, each with its character and story.