An interview with Vineet Malik, Co-founder and Chief Customs Officer (CCO), Hexalog which provides end-to-end, tech-driven logistics solutions tailored for the EXIM trade
In this insightful interview, we speak with Vineet Malik, Co-founder and Chief Customs Officer of Hexalog, a trailblazer in providing end-to-end, tech-driven logistics solutions specifically designed for the EXIM trade.
With a deep understanding of the complexities involved in international trade, Vineet shares his expertise on how Hexalog is leveraging technology to streamline customs processes, enhance efficiency, and empower businesses to navigate the global marketplace with confidence.
Can you share your journey leading up to the founding of Hexalog? What inspired you to start this company?
Vineet Malik: It’s often said that necessity is the mother of all inventions, and that certainly rings true for Hexalog’s origin story. While working on developing an end-to-end cross-border solution for a client, we encountered firsthand the challenges of a slow, asymmetrical cross-border supply chain.
These inefficiencies weren’t just minor inconveniences; there were significant barriers to international commerce. That experience was the catalyst that spurred us to create an end-to-end e-commerce specialized cross-border enabler.
We recognized that by addressing these pain points systematically through technology and expertise, we could create substantial value for businesses engaging in international trade.
What is the core mission of Hexalog, and how do you envision its impact on the industry?
Vineet Malik: At Hexalog, we are committed to revolutionizing cross-border logistics through innovation, transparency, and end-to-end efficiency.
Our core mission focuses on eliminating the prevalent inefficiencies in Indian EXIM trade, which remains highly unorganized due to low digital penetration and significant information asymmetry in customs and trade compliance.
These challenges create unnecessary complications for businesses trying to engage in international commerce.
By offering a technology-driven digital platform that encompasses all EXIM activities, we are simplifying logistics and making cross-border trade truly seamless, right from the factory floor right to the consumer’s doorstep.
Hexalog operates in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. How do you ensure that your company stays ahead of the curve in terms of innovation?
Vineet Malik: Innovation at Hexalog is purpose-driven rather than technology for technology’s sake. The essence of our larger goal is to continuously evolve as an enabler that simplifies and amplifies business operations, with technology serving as one of our most powerful levers to achieve this vision.
Cross-border trade is extremely dynamic, influenced by numerous micro- and macro-economic factors such as geopolitical relationships and fluctuating supply & demand patterns.
To navigate these complexities effectively, we harness sophisticated technology in our FFaaS (Freight Forwarding as a Service) and CCaaS (Customs Clearance as a Service) product offerings.
Furthermore, our extensive use of AI helps us build predictive models that address critical operational challenges such as schedule reliability and alternative route planning.
These measures remove many of the uncertainties traditionally associated with global supply chains, allowing our clients to operate with greater confidence and predictability.
What trends do you see shaping the future of your industry, and how is Hexalog positioning itself to adapt to these changes?
Vineet Malik: The logistics industry is currently experiencing a profound transformation, primarily driven by an accelerating demand for digitalization across all operational aspects. Recent global events have made it evident that there is a great necessity for technology to fundamentally reshape service chain operations.
This has, in turn, made efficiency, transparency, and adaptability more essential than ever before. Against this backdrop, Hexalog has strategically positioned itself as a leader in this evolution by offering end-to-end, technology-driven logistics solutions specifically tailored for EXIM trade.
Our approach involves digitizing the traditionally complex customs clearance process through our innovative CCaaS and FFaaS models. These solutions seamlessly integrate first-mile to last-mile logistics, ensuring a streamlined supply chain experience that eliminates traditional pain points.
By adopting a technology-first methodology, we, at Hexalog, are enhancing operational efficiency while also delivering cost-effective, reliable, and future-ready logistics solutions for businesses engaged in international commerce.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives that you’re particularly excited about?
Vineet Malik: Currently we are in a quite exciting phase as we are testing our comprehensive platform, which will be going live very soon for the general public.
This platform marks a significant milestone in our journey, since it aims to achieve both, the digitization and democratization of cross-border trade, to make international commerce more accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Following the initial launch, we have planned milestone-based launches throughout the year, each of which will be designed to create an increasingly superior experience for exporters and importers based in India.
These phased rollouts will gradually introduce enhanced functionalities and optimizations based on user feedback and evolving market needs. Our roadmap addresses many of the longstanding friction points in international logistics that businesses have simply accepted as unavoidable until now.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own tech companies?
Vineet Malik: My only advice would be to listen carefully to the consumers and stay closely connected to ground realities. That direct engagement is where we discover the most significant pain points, and the most impactful solutions invariably come from understanding these challenges firsthand.
Too often, I see tech startups begin with a solution in search of a problem, rather than identifying a genuine problem that needs solving. Remember that innovation isn’t about creating technology for the sake of it – it’s about solving real problems that affect people and businesses in meaningful ways.
This customer-centric approach not only leads to better products but also creates a natural product-market fit and facilitates more organic growth.
Vineet Malik’s commitment to innovation and excellence at Hexalog is reshaping the landscape of EXIM logistics.
By harnessing technology to simplify customs operations, he is not only addressing the challenges faced by businesses today but also paving the way for a more efficient and transparent future in global trade.
As Hexalog continues to evolve, Vineet’s insights will undoubtedly inspire others in the industry to embrace change and drive progress.
| Are you an
Entrepreneur or Startup? Do you have a Success Story to Share? SugerMint would like to share your success story. We cover entrepreneur Stories, Startup News, Women entrepreneur stories, and Startup stories
|
Read Success story of Indian entrepreneurs & startups at SugerMint. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn