Personal and Professional Background

1. Could you share your professional journey leading up to co-founding The Next Billion Users?

My professional journey has been defined by determination, resilience, and a commitment to pursuing unconventional paths. I began my career over 12 years ago as a journalist, gradually transitioning into the realm of data-driven content. During this time, I had the privilege of working with global giants such as Alibaba and ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) in India and China, gaining invaluable experience at the intersection of technology and content.

In 2020, on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic, I founded TMW, the parent company of Next Billion Users (NBU), with the goal of helping brands in metro cities connect with hyperlocal audiences. This period coincided with my plans to pursue an MBA. I received offers of admission from some of the world’s top business schools, including the prestigious IIM and IE Business School in Spain, along with cumulative scholarships exceeding $45,000. While these opportunities promised stability and a lucrative career path, I made the deliberate choice to follow my entrepreneurial aspirations and focus on creating a meaningful impact.

Continuing to grow TMW, I launched Next Billion Users (NBU) in 2023 to provide specialized outsourcing services in non-technical domains.

2. What inspired you to start The Next Billion Users, and how did the vision for the company take shape?

The vision for NBU took shape from this realization—building a company that could empower businesses to connect authentically with the next wave of digital users, especially in underserved regions. My prior experience founding TMW further reinforced the importance of creating solutions tailored to hyperlocal needs. With NBU, I sought to go beyond just content, focusing on outsourcing services in non-technical domains.

The company’s goal has always been to deliver scalable solutions that balance operational efficiency with cultural sensitivity. By setting high standards—such as achieving a 99% quality rating in our processes—we’ve established NBU as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to expand their reach and impact in emerging markets. This mission continues to drive us forward, helping bridge gaps in accessibility and inclusivity for the next billion users.

About The Next Billion Users

3. Please provide an overview of The Next Billion Users and its core offerings.

Next Billion Users (NBU), founded in 2023, specializes in non-technical outsourcing services, with a focus on trust and safety. As an extension of TMW, NBU bridges global brands with emerging markets, delivering tailored solutions that address local needs. Our core offerings include content moderation, multilingual content management, customer success and hyperlocal campaigns. We excel in ensuring safe digital environments through rigorous quality control. By combining cultural sensitivity with operational efficiency, NBU empowers businesses to connect authentically with diverse audiences, driving digital inclusion and fostering growth in underserved regions.

4. What unique value does The Next Billion Users bring to the market, and how does it address the needs of emerging economies?

Next Billion Users (NBU) delivers unique value by combining cultural sensitivity with operational efficiency, addressing the specific needs of emerging economies. Our expertise in trust and safety services, with a 99% quality rating, ensures secure and reliable digital environments. Additionally, we specialize in multilingual content management, seller onboarding, and hyperlocal campaigns, enabling businesses to connect authentically with diverse, underserved audiences. By tailoring solutions to local markets while maintaining global standards, NBU helps bridge the digital divide. We prioritize inclusivity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, empowering global brands to expand their reach and foster meaningful connections with the next billion digital users.

5. Could you share some of the key milestones or achievements the company has celebrated since its inception?

Since its inception, NBU has reviewed over one million content pieces, more than 100,000 video advertisements from the North American market, and over 200,000 live streams, all while maintaining an impressive 99% quality benchmark. In addition to our expertise in content moderation, NBU has demonstrated sector-agnostic capabilities by engaging with over one million farmers to understand their challenges and provide tailored solutions, enabling them to achieve greater success in their agricultural endeavors. This diverse experience underscores NBU’s commitment to delivering impactful, high-quality services across industries and regions.

Challenges and Learnings

6. What significant challenges have you encountered while building and scaling The Next Billion Users, and how have you addressed them?

Building and scaling the NBU has come with its share of challenges. One major hurdle was establishing trust with clients while entering a competitive outsourcing market. To overcome this, we focused on delivering exceptional quality, which solidified our credibility.

Another challenge was navigating the complexities of diverse markets, particularly in underserved regions. We addressed this by building multilingual capabilities and leveraging local insights to create culturally tailored solutions.

Lastly, scaling operations while maintaining quality required strategic hiring and robust training programs to ensure consistency across all deliverables.

7. How do you navigate the complexities of creating solutions for diverse and underserved markets?

Navigating the complexities of diverse and underserved markets requires a blend of cultural sensitivity, data-driven insights, and operational adaptability. At Next Billion Users (NBU), we prioritize understanding the unique challenges and preferences of each market through local partnerships and in-depth research.

We invest in multilingual capabilities to ensure our solutions resonate with diverse audiences, tailoring content and campaigns to reflect cultural nuances. Additionally, we maintain flexibility in our operations, allowing us to adapt quickly to the evolving needs of these markets. By combining technology with a human-centric approach, we create scalable solutions that address both local and global requirements effectively.

Leadership and Vision

8. As a leader, what values and principles guide your decision-making and influence the company’s culture?

As a leader, my decision-making is guided by integrity, empathy, and a commitment to innovation. Integrity ensures that every decision aligns with our mission and ethical standards, building trust within the team and with our clients. Empathy allows me to understand the diverse needs of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve, fostering an inclusive and supportive culture.

Innovation drives our pursuit of scalable, impactful solutions, encouraging the team to embrace creativity and continuous improvement. By promoting collaboration, accountability, and a growth mindset, I aim to cultivate a culture where everyone is empowered to contribute meaningfully to our shared vision.

9. How do you envision the future of The Next Billion Users in the next five years, and what are your strategic goals for the company?

In the next five years, I envision Next Billion Users (NBU) becoming a global leader in non-technical outsourcing, expanding our reach across emerging and developed markets. Our strategic goals include scaling operations to serve diverse industries such as e-commerce, agriculture, and content moderation while maintaining our quality benchmark. We aim to triple our resource base, enhance multilingual capabilities, and introduce AI-driven solutions to optimize efficiency. By fostering innovation and inclusivity, we will continue bridging the digital divide, enabling global brands to connect authentically with underserved markets and empowering the next billion users to thrive in the digital economy.

Industry Insights

10. What trends in technology and digital inclusion excite you the most, and how is The Next Billion Users leveraging these trends?

The rise of AI-driven personalization and advancements in multilingual technologies excite me most. Next Billion Users leverages these trends to enhance trust and safety services, streamline content moderation, and deliver hyperlocal campaigns. By embracing innovation, we create scalable, inclusive solutions that empower underserved communities and foster meaningful digital connections.

11. How do you perceive the role of technology in bridging the digital divide and empowering underserved communities?

Technology plays a transformative role in bridging the digital divide by providing access to education, resources, and economic opportunities. At Next Billion Users, we harness technology to deliver tailored, multilingual solutions that empower underserved communities, ensuring inclusivity and fostering connections between global brands and diverse, previously overlooked audiences.

Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

12. What advice would you offer to individuals looking to create impactful ventures targeting emerging markets?

Focus on understanding local challenges deeply and design solutions tailored to specific needs. Prioritize scalability, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity. Build strong partnerships within the community and remain adaptable to market changes. Lastly, balance innovation with affordability to ensure your venture is both impactful and sustainable in emerging markets.

13. What do you believe are the key factors for building a successful and socially impactful business?

A successful and socially impactful business requires a clear mission, deep market understanding, and innovative, inclusive solutions. Strong leadership, a dedicated team, ethical practices, and a focus on long-term sustainability are essential to driving meaningful change and lasting success.

Personal Insights

14. How do you balance your personal life with the responsibilities of leading The Next Billion Users?

Balancing personal life with leadership responsibilities requires setting clear boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and delegating effectively. I dedicate time to family and personal growth while relying on a strong, capable team to share responsibilities. Regular reflection and maintaining a work-life balance ensure sustained focus and well-being.

15. Are there any books, mentors, or life experiences that have significantly shaped your entrepreneurial journey?

Books like The Lean Startup by Eric Ries and Shoe Dog by Phil Knight have profoundly influenced my entrepreneurial mindset. Mentors who emphasized resilience and customer-centric strategies shaped my approach. Additionally, choosing entrepreneurship over an international MBA taught me the value of risk-taking and staying true to my vision.

Additionally, to enrich the feature, we kindly request:

1. A professional photograph for inclusion alongside the article.

2. A brief bio highlighting your professional achievements and key milestones.

Ratnendra Ashok Pandey, founder of TMW and NBU, is a visionary leader transforming hyperlocal content and global outsourcing. Under his leadership, TMW collaborates with Fortune 500 clients, India’s leading startups, and major agricultural companies globally and domestically, achieving consistent annual revenue growth. He pioneered multilingual campaigns, innovative UX/UI platforms, and scalable solutions. Through NBU, Ratnendra expanded operations to serve top listed U.S. companies, solidifying TMW’s position as a global powerhouse in content moderation and customer success services​.