As campuses across India and beyond grapple with increasing volumes, outdated systems and operational problems, SpaceBasic emerges as a platform driving a paradigm shift in the system. Founded by Madhavi Shankar, a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree, SpaceBasic is a pioneering B2B SaaS platform revolutionizing the student experience with automated workflows and AI-driven insights.
In this exclusive interview with TheCSRUniverse, Ms. Madhavi Shankar, Co-Founder, SpaceBasic shares her inspiring journey of building SpaceBasic, the challenges faced by women in tech leadership, and the transformative impact her platform has made on over 70 universities across India and Southeast Asia. From reducing food wastage and maintenance turnaround times to creating eco-friendly campuses and contributing to women's education through the Pledge 1% movement, SpaceBasic exemplifies innovation and purpose.
Discover how SpaceBasic is leading the charge towards more connected, sustainable campuses while redefining tech-driven solutions in the education sector:
Q. Can you share the inspiration behind founding SpaceBasic- what problem were you trying to solve in the education sector? How did the idea evolve into the organization it is today?
A. Our idea behind SpaceBasic is to simplify basic, essential spaces with automated workflows andAI driven insights, starting with education. SpaceBasic is a B2B Saas company that enables colleges and universities to drive student success with a connected campus experience. WithSpaceBasic, students easily navigate the university experience with Automated CampusHousing, Digital Cafeteria, SpaceBasic Pay, Smart ID cards and eventually a Marketplace (job fairs, internships, placements) while faculty and staff have access to AI-driven insights from everyday tasks and communication, leading to 5x cost savings and 8x faster operations.SpaceBasic helps universities reduce their carbon footprint, conserve resources, and create a sustainable environment for future generations.
During rigorous due-diligence, we discovered that about 80% universities and schools in India Use little to no technology outside of the classroom; Campus operations like student housing,managing cafeterias and access control were ineffective and all performed manually with fragmented data sources. These resource-heavy and paper-driven processes create inefficiencies and increase the environmental impact on campus operations.
After working as a founding employee at a product-based startup in Australia, I wanted to build something impactful in India 's education space. A 2017 trip to the Bay Area led to an unexpected meeting with Indu Navar. We realized that both of us had a shared vision of creating meaningful impact in the field of education. I soon decided to quit my job and return to India to startSpaceBasic.
Q. SpaceBasic has helped drive 3x cost savings and 5x fast operations for campuses- could you elaborate on the broad mechanisms that have led to such performance, particularly the role of AI in the process?
A. Automating workflows on university campuses is essential, as many tasks are still managed manually, which slows down processes. Take maintenance requests, for example. These were previously logged in notebooks, requiring constant coordination between wardens, students, and facilities staff—checking for materials, confirming student availability, and more. This back-and-forth took seven to ten days on average. With SpaceBasic's automated workflow system,these tasks now take just one to two days—a significant reduction in time and effort. Beyondspeed, automation allows us to analyse data predictively, spotting potential issues, tracking the frequency of requests, and identifying recurring patterns. This predictive insight not only lowers
costs but also enhances operational efficiency, resulting in up to 3x cost savings and 5x greater efficiency across campus management processes..
Q. Which are some of the major institutions SpaceBasic is working with? Also, how do you customise your offerings in order to cater to the varied requirements of each institution?
A. SpaceBasic works with over 70 universities across India and South East Asia, including notableIndian institutions such as IIM, O.P. Jindal University, Shoolini University, D.Y. Patil Universityand Good Host Spaces.
Q. Can you share any success stories or case studies from universities that have significantly benefited from using SpaceBasic?
A. At one of our partner universities in Bengaluru, a major challenge was the absence of a central location for tracking maintenance requests, with no insights into turnaround times, failure planning, or inventory data for cost optimization. Through SpaceBasic, we implemented a central dashboard with tight IoT integration, data sourced from the student dashboard and inventory management system, and lead time predictions via a time-series ML model for a cohesive view of maintenance flows. This solution reduced mean ticket resolution time by 50%(from 7-10 days to 1-4 days), enabled predictive maintenance, optimized costs with inventory tagging, and improved the student experience through streamlined operations.Similarly, our digital cafeteria solution has significantly reduced food wastage at one of the campuses that we have partnered with. They were able to reduce food waste by 50%, resulting in annual savings of $125,000. For more statistics, you can check out our video: Click here
Q. With a user base of over 250K users, data security must be a priority. How doesSpaceBasic ensure the safety and privacy of user data across campuses?
A. At SpaceBasic, safeguarding user data is our top priority. We use strong encryption standards to protect all information, ensuring that students’ data remains secure at every step. Our system is built on robust APIs designed to uphold high security standards, providing reliable protection across all campuses.
Q. Many universities in India are still using outdated systems. What has been the biggest challenge in getting them to adopt technology like SpaceBasic? As a women-led tech company, what unique challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
A. During SpaceBasic's early days, a significant challenge was the hesitancy among universities to integrate technology into their operations. However, this mindset has shifted considerably.Today, we see a strong openness to technology, as more campuses recognize the efficiency it brings to their daily activities.Being a women-led tech company, we've faced unique challenges, particularly around overcoming preconceived notions about women in tech leadership roles. With women still underrepresented in tech, we've had to work a bit harder to establish trust and credibility, but our results and dedication have helped us succeed in building strong partnerships.
Q. SpaceBasic has seen tremendous growth, expanding 300% year over year. What Factors do you attribute to this rapid growth? You’re aiming for $25M in revenue by 2026.What strategies are in place to reach this milestone?
A. We;ve achieved 3X year-over-year growth, driven by our expansion into new regions,diversification across different verticals. These strategies have been key to scaling our impact and reach.
Q. What trends in campus management and student services do you foresee becoming more prominent over the next few years?
A. Green campuses are becoming more prominent, largely driven by students encouraging universities to adopt more sustainable practices. As a result, universities are likely to use more sustainable mechanisms and pay closer attention to improving green campuses. This is a trend that I definitely see unfolding.
Q. SpaceBasic is part of the ‘Pledge 1%’ movement, where you contribute to women's education. Can you share more about the initiatives you support and their impact so far?
A. We joined Pledge 1% because we are committed to dedicating 1% of our time, energy, and resources to a cause we are truly passionate about: empowering women through education and promoting equal opportunities. As part of this initiative, we pledge 1% of our profits, time, and efforts to educate and skill women.
Q. You’ve received global recognition, including being named to Forbes 30 Under 30Asia and speaking at the United Nations. How have these milestones shaped your journey as an entrepreneur? What advice do you have for young women entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in tech or SaaS industries?
A. These milestones have been incredibly encouraging, affirming that the work we’re doing is meaningful and addresses real challenges. Each recognition reinforces our mission and motivates us to keep pushing forward.For young women entrepreneurs, my advice is to focus on solving a genuine problem with a significant impact for your audience. Building a successful venture starts with identifying a real pain point and delivering a solution that truly meets your users’ needs.
