The core of a successful business is to solve real problems in the most efficient and scalable manner. MyGate has exemplified this principle, and we had an enlightening conversation with Mr. Shreyans Daga, co-founder of MyGate, about how the company is transforming the living experience in gated communities across India. From addressing the challenges of gate approvals to venturing into smart consumer devices with the launch of MyGate Locks, the company is continually innovating to enhance security and convenience for its users. In our discussion, Mr. Daga delves into MyGate’s mission and vision for 2024, its competitive edge in the smart lock market, upcoming product offerings, and the pivotal role of artificial intelligence and data insights in shaping the future of community living.
Q) I’ve been using Mygate for about seven years and have observed its significant evolution beyond basic gatekeeping into offering numerous new features and value-added services. How would you define what Mygate stands for today, and how would you describe its mission and vision in 2024?
Mygate was always about solving the problems that are thrown up by new ways of living. The rise of gated communities, coupled with ever-growing deliveries, was a big change which created a new set of challenges. In solving these, we tackled the gate first and solved the friction by easing the approval process at the gate. So, we were always focused on solving for the changing way of living and how we could make it better. Today we’ve evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle platform that enhances everyday living within gated communities through technology. In 2024, our mission remains to create a secure, connected, and convenient environment for our users. The vision is centred around ‘Living Experience Tech,’ where we integrate advanced technology into daily life to foster a more engaging, safer, and socially connected community. Whether it’s home security, managing deliveries, or connecting residents, we’re building an ecosystem that improves the quality of living for millions of Indian families.
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Q) The launch of Mygate Locks marks the company’s foray into the smart consumer devices segment, aligning well with its overarching goal of home security. How does Mygate plan to compete with established players in this segment, especially considering that consumers often trust well-known brands like Godrej for security and are willing to pay a premium for them? Additionally, what synergies and integrated features have you incorporated between Mygate Locks and the Mygate app to make the adoption of smart locks more seamless and attractive?
We recognize that established players have built a legacy of trust over decades. However, our unique advantage lies in understanding the specific needs of gated communities and modern households, thanks to our years of experience serving millions of Indian families. Mygate Locks are not imported products; they are thoughtfully designed and built specifically for Indian households. With this in mind, we offer a fully integrated solution that combines security and convenience, surpassing what standalone products on the market provide.
For example, Mygate Locks come with a Tamper Alert feature that can instantly notify relevant authorities, such as the security guard at the gate, in addition to alerting the user in case of tampering. Moreover, our locks allow for recurring timed access, making it easier for daily help to enter the home at set hours, which adds an extra layer of convenience for residents.
The synergy between Mygate Locks and the Mygate app is a core differentiator. Our locks seamlessly integrate with the app, enabling users to manage both their community gate access and home door from a single platform. This experience includes features like real-time notifications, remote access, and scheduled access for daily help, all designed to make adoption smoother and more attractive. And since our app is already a part of daily life for millions, this integration streamlines the onboarding process for smart locks.
Q) What future product offerings can we expect from Mygate, and how do they align with the company’s core values and mission? Currently, what portion of the addressable apartment market in India does Mygate cover, and what strategies are in place to reach and serve the remaining market?
Looking ahead, we are expanding into the broader smart home ecosystem with integrated devices such as security cameras, video doorbells, and home automation solutions. Each of these products is designed to work seamlessly within the Mygate ecosystem, enhancing security, convenience, and the overall living experience in a unified platform. This approach aligns with our core values of fostering a safe, connected community and delivering a smooth, user-friendly experience from a single app.
In terms of market penetration, we currently serve over 25,000+ communities across India, covering a significant portion of the addressable apartment market. However, there is substantial potential for growth. Our strategy includes expanding into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where gated community living is on the rise, and extending our solutions to individual homes, so more people can benefit from our technology. This integrated approach not only addresses the needs of large communities but also offers a consistent, high-quality experience across different residential setups.
Q) As a technology-driven company, how is Mygate leveraging artificial intelligence in its current offerings, and are there plans to introduce AI-led solutions in the future? As the founder and CTO, where do you envision Mygate five years from now? Will the focus be more on expanding market coverage, or on bringing innovative products and solutions to the market to stay ahead of technological trends?
Currently, Mygate uses AI to unlock efficiency in development and to enhance customer support, with a significant number of queries now handled directly by AI agents. Our goal is to have AI resolve up to 90% of support questions in the near future. At the same time, we’re experimenting with AI models to
enhance community life. We have been working on creating an AI community helper. For example, a problem that is often faced is in managing community WhatsApp groups, with frequent move-ins and move-outs, and new residents often rely on others to introduce them to the right group. AI-driven solutions to manage the chat groups within Mygate can allow communities to simplify this process, making community integration smoother. Another POC we are doing is a community AI knowledge bank which can suggest the best pediatric doctor around and the best eatery nearby, all based on community discussions.
Reflecting on our journey, we’ve consistently expanded market coverage while driving continuous innovation. We believe that growth and innovation go hand-in-hand; without innovating, we cannot grow.
Q) Given that Mygate handles a significant amount of user data, how does the company utilize data and insights to create and enhance its products and services? What measures are in place to ensure user privacy and data security while leveraging this data for innovation?
Customer experience is at the heart of what we do, and data-based insights allow us to refine our products and develop new services that cater to the evolving needs of our users. For instance, we use data to optimize security features, improve delivery management, and tailor our app’s user experience.
When it comes to data privacy and security, we take a rigorous approach. All user data is encrypted, and we follow industry-leading standards such as ISO 27001 for data security and are DPDP-ready. Additionally, all our data is stored within India on secure Mygate servers. We are committed to maintaining the trust our users place in us, and we ensure that any data used for innovation is anonymized and handled responsibly, with strict privacy controls in place.
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Soham Raninga
Soham Raninga is the Chief Editor for Digit.in. A proponent of performance > features. Soham's tryst with tech started way back in Dec 1997, when he almost destroyed his computer, trying to make the Quake II demo run at >30FPS View Full Profile
