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Pune Inc: How a 24-year-old spotted holes in India’s digital transformation, and came up with solutions

Rushikesh Tanksale set up a startup to create customised automation software for mobile and web applications for organisations, institutions, and SMEs.

Rushikesh Tanksale's first experience was with a tractor manufacturer in Ranjangaon village with multiple electricity meters and transformers. (Express photo)

Indian industry is digitising rapidly, but not uniformly — different sectors have shown unequal adaptability to digital modes. The India Digital Economy Report of January 2025 pointed out that the wholesale sector lags behind retail. In a single sector, such as banking, one can find that 95 per cent of payment transactions are digital, but processes like loans and investments remain largely offline and involve paperwork, with financial services generally less digitalised.

Two years ago, Rushikesh Tanksale, 24, who was waiting out the six months before his MTech studies started at COEP Technological University in Pune, came across companies stuck in a previous era. Tanksale’s first experience was with a tractor manufacturer in Ranjangaon village with multiple electricity meters and transformers when he was 22. After every eight-hour shift, the staff would manually write down, using pen and paper, the readings from each of the meters.

“I learnt that a lot of industries hesitate to upgrade because it takes time and the return on investment is not immediate. The hierarchical nature of companies, powered by babus who passed out before the digital revolution, also makes the transition difficult. The long processing time means that money is stuck, the pipeline is dripping, and such companies become roadblocks in the economy,” says Tanksale.

He set up a startup with a bunch of interns, Two Registers, that creates customised automation software for mobile and web applications for organisations, institutions, and SMEs.

For the tractor company, Two Registers developed a kit to digitise their meter reading and a few other processes. In another company, Two Registers saw that the task of getting work permits, such as for chimney cleaners to operate at heights, in a toxic environment and a high electricity area, was filled by hand using sheets of paper. “The appended forms go to the first plant head, the second plant head, the third and to the final authority before the first pass is generated. In case of changes, you need to start from scratch,” says Tanksale.

Two Registers created a software that has brought down the three-week work permit process to a week. “They have a rotating holiday, so we cannot do much about reducing the time even further. The person who has to approve should be available,” says Tanksale.

Today, his startup has 45 interns working on seven to eight different projects — and the challenge still lies in bringing a mindset change in the industry. The industries they have worked with range from automobile and construction to real estate. The company does not make a general product, but tailors software to a client’s specific demand. A publisher and library client asked for a web-based platform with a system for audiobooks that Tanksale and the team created.

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“There are opportunities in the market, but one just needs to have consistency and patience to look around. We try to focus on the smaller things that need attention rather than the bigger problems. This is what I have learned from my first two big projects. It is in the minor details that the Indian market is still functioning like it did 60 to 70 years ago. If we can digitalise these, it is a better option. We would be taking many companies ahead into the paperless era,” says Tanksale.

Revenue is still in lakhs, and Tanksale aims to raise this to a couple of crores. “If we get into the US market or European market, then the dynamics will change. A lot of foreign countries have a higher adaptability to digitisation,” he says.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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