Abhishek Krishna is a visionary leader in workforce management and HR solutions. Starting from humble beginnings, Abhishek has revolutionized the industry with MOM Digital, a cutting-edge platform designed to streamline HR processes for the Food & Beverage sector. His journey from a banking career to becoming a tech entrepreneur exemplifies his dedication and innovative spirit. As the CEO and founder of MOM Digital, Abhishek has built a comprehensive system that simplifies everything from attendance tracking to payroll processing. His mission is clear: to digitalize and enhance workforce management for businesses worldwide, ensuring efficiency and excellence in every operation.
Abhishek Krishna, MOM Digital
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
My name is Abhishek Krishna, and I’m a 38-year-old professional originally from India. After completing my master’s degree in 2008, I had the opportunity to work in Dubai, where I’ve spent the past 15 years navigating the dynamic market, primarily in a sales role within the banking sector. Throughout this journey, filled with its fair share of ups and downs, I’ve learned one key lesson: the importance of resilience. If you’re motivated, talented, and driven to succeed, you can overcome any challenge.
I’ve always embraced challenges and refused to settle in a comfort zone, choosing instead to push myself to new heights. This mindset has led me to make bold decisions, including venturing beyond my industry boundaries. I’m fortunate to be married to Isha Bhatnagar, an incredibly talented HR professional who has been my rock, supporting me in every aspect of life. Together, we are blessed with a wonderful son, who at 7 and a half years old, is already showing signs of outshining me in many ways. Our family also includes Hulk, our handsome and spirited dog, who has been with us since he was just 2 months old and is now a beloved 3-and-a-half-year-old member of our household.
Outside of work, I have a passion for outdoor games and I’m a professional DJ, often spending my free days performing at clubs or hosting my own events. After a 15-year roller coaster career that spanned banking, F&B, logistics, and SaaS, I decided to start my own venture. With the unwavering support of my wife, son, dad and my brothers. I’ve embarked on this new journey. The experience of working in diverse industries, including two start-ups, has equipped me with a broad understanding of different markets and the challenges they face.
Life, as I see it, is full of challenges, but it’s those very challenges that add charm and meaning to our journey. I’m currently enjoying the exhilarating experience of running my startup, fueled by stress, struggle, and a deep, positive commitment to making it a successful venture—one that I proudly dedicate to my mother.
What inspired you to create MOM Digital, and how has the journey been so far?
Creating MOM Digital was an emotional journey for me, sparked by a desire to honor all mothers, especially my own, whom I lost in 2022. The name "MOM" was my way of paying tribute to the care and nurturing that mothers provide, and it was deeply gratifying to see how warmly the name was received by others. The positive response to the name affirmed that my decision resonated with many people.
MOM Digital was born out of my firsthand experiences in the food and beverage (F&B) industry, where I observed a significant gap between employees and management. This
disconnect often led to disorganization and inefficiencies within organizations. I wanted to create a solution that would address these challenges, so we focused on building a system that not only meets industry demands but also incorporates client feedback to ensure it is both customer-friendly and user-friendly. Our goal is to bridge the gap, streamline operations, and create a more harmonious and efficient workplace.
The journey so far has been both exhilarating and challenging. Transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship was a bold move, but one that felt right, given my desire to take on new challenges and make a meaningful impact. There have been ups and downs, as expected in any entrepreneurial venture, but the support from my family—especially my wife Isha, who has been a constant source of encouragement—has been invaluable.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been seeing the positive impact our solutions have on businesses, helping them streamline processes and operate more efficiently. It’s also been an incredible learning experience, pushing me to grow not just as a business owner but also as an individual. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, and I’m embracing each one with a positive mindset, aiming to build MOM Digital into a successful venture that I can be proud of.
What are your future plans and developments for MOM Digital? Are there any new features or expansions in the pipeline?
With the response and hard work the team is showing, we see immense potential in the market, both for global expansion and local acquisitions. The future for MOM Digital is all about growth, innovation, and making a significant impact within the industry. I firmly believe that technology is never static; it evolves every second, and we must evolve with it.
As we continue to grow alongside our clients, we are focused on developing new modules that can cater to any type of business, whether it’s a small industry or a large enterprise.
One of our key areas of focus is global expansion, as we believe the strength of our system lies in its ability to be managed from anywhere at any time.
MOM Digital's vision extends beyond workforce management. We plan to branch out into various aspects of business, including training, recruitment, support, and budgeting. Our ultimate goal is to establish MOM Digital as a leader in digital workforce management, recognized for our innovation, reliability, and customer-centric solutions.
We’re excited about the road ahead and remain committed to continuing this journey with the same passion and dedication that inspired us to start.
What is your work inspired by?
My work is deeply inspired by the 15 years I’ve spent navigating different segments and industries. This experience has equipped me with the insights needed to understand the market’s needs, anticipate challenges, and recognize opportunities. The inspiration to create MOM Digital came from within, driven by my expertise, trust in my abilities, positive attitude, and a strong belief that I could build something truly remarkable to help organizations thrive.
While the market is full of competitors across every sector, I’ve always believed that there’s something unique within each of us that, when tapped into, can set a brand apart and propel it miles ahead of others. The decision to start this venture wasn’t just about filling a gap in the market—it was about fulfilling a personal conviction. After years of observing and understanding the challenges within my industry, I became 100% certain that launching MOM Digital was the right move.
My work is inspired by the hard-earned lessons from these 15 years, where I’ve seen and learned so much both inside and outside the corporate world. Building a product isn’t just about creating something functional; it’s about infusing it with purpose, passion, and inspiration. When a product is built with these values, it has the power to truly make a difference and stand out in a crowded market.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
In today's world, many companies still adhere to outdated methods and often overlook the importance of investing in human resources. There's a prevailing mindset that prioritizes systems directly tied to revenue generation, while the vital role of the people who drive the business is frequently neglected. Companies are reluctant to invest in tools that enhance employee experience, preferring to stick with traditional approaches.
With my system, I'm addressing this gap by offering a solution that's organized, hassle-free, and affordable, with a focus on making employees feel valued and integral to the organization. My aim is to shift the narrative, showing that investing in people is just as crucial as investing in profit-generating systems.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
I take pride in every small accomplishment throughout my career because each experience has provided me with valuable lessons and the strength to keep moving forward. I've faced numerous struggles, both during my single phase and after getting married and having a child. Despite the challenges, one thing that has never wavered is my strong attitude. There were times when the difficulties were so intense that anyone in my position might have considered leaving the country and returning home with whatever savings they had. However, I find strength in reflecting on those tough times and the people who, for various reasons, contributed to those situations.
For me, achievement isn’t about being recognized by someone who doesn’t truly know me or being defined by a paycheck or a job title. True achievement is about resilience—about hailing from a small city in India, not being academically exceptional, and yet, through hard work and a determined attitude, achieving everything I have today, with the blessings of God.
I see my journey and every moment of struggle as achievements in their own right. They have shaped who I am and have given me the resolve to move forward with even greater determination. It’s not about external validation, but about the personal satisfaction of knowing that I’ve overcome obstacles and have continued to strive for success, no matter the circumstances.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
Answer -it's often said that many incidents combine to elevate you to a significant place in life. Throughout my career, I've faced challenges, even though I've always been honest, dedicated, hard-working, and smart in my approach. However, I've come to realize that these qualities alone aren't always enough to achieve the dreams you have for your future.
The corporate world today often feels like a Bollywood or romantic movie, where success can sometimes hinge on how much you’re liked by your boss or seniors, how well you can navigate office politics, or how skillfully you can manage perceptions—even if you’re not actually contributing much at work. Unfortunately, these are the qualities I’ve never been interested in, right from my college days.
I don’t appreciate things that aren't right, and if I make a mistake, I’ll own it. But if I’m wrongly accused, I’ll fight to clear my name until my last breath. I’ve never compromised on my self-esteem, whether dealing with someone more senior or someone junior to me. This attitude hasn’t always been well-received by others, but it’s how I’ve chosen to build myself.
Witnessing all these romanticized scenarios in the workplace and beyond has only strengthened my resolve to create something of my own, something that fosters a culture where hard-working individuals believe that without hard work, success is impossible. MOM Digital is the result of these experiences, born out of my industry knowledge, a keen understanding of existing gaps, and a desire to build a culture that stands in stark contrast to the so-called "fake" work cultures prevalent today.
This venture is not just a business for me; it’s a statement, a commitment to a different way of working and living, where integrity, dedication, and genuine effort are valued above all else.
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