Whether it is WAP-enabled mobile phones, interactive television that allows extending the Internet into an ordinary television program or the ability to access any content, anywhere, anytime; the convergence of the Internet, wireless and broadcast television are changing the way people interact. At such a time, the new economy is not looking for just innovation, but ideas that will drive change at a much faster pace. Celstream Technologies is positioning itself as a back-end software solutions provider in all the these new economy areas.

The company’s business model is currently aimed at operating in three distinct areas—product development services, project services (application services and consulting) and its own software for sale or OEM activities. Celstream plans to build competencies in asset and media management, rights management, Web casting, network management, embedded systems, product development and networking protocols. Celstream has identified the US, Europe and Australia as its key markets.

Funded by strategic investments from ICICI Venture Funds, US-based Grass Valley group and Tektronix, Celstream began operations in April 2000 with a solid foundation. While Tektronix provides measurement solutions to the global communication, semiconductor and computer industries, the Emmy award-winning Grass Valley group is engaged in video and broadcasting—especially digital video in interactive television, digital cinema, data-enhanced broadcasting and the Internet. ICICI has made an investment that it says is among the largest made in any privately-held organization. Other partners for Celstream’s products include Xerox and ContentGuard.

Another striking fact about this company is that it has been cash-positive ever since it commenced its operations. But it is feeding the cash troughs of investors by accelerating product development, meeting market introduction deadlines, expanding development facilities and opening marketing offices in the US.

In its first year of operations alone, Celstream managed to procure contracts worth $10 million, which will take its first year’s revenues to Rs 47 crore. And that’s just the beginning. With funding and sources of revenue in place, we expect Celstream to be among the happening companies in 2001. DQ

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