Bhumika Chauhan
In 2017, Dr. Dhiraj Kumar from Patna, Bihar, decided to take a leap that would change the way thousands of small and medium enterprises operate in India. A computer science professional with a humble upbringing and an unshakable passion for technology, he had spent years working closely with business owners, seeing their struggles up close. The introduction of GST had added new layers of complexity to accounting, billing, and inventory management, and while the market offered several ERP solutions, most were too expensive, too complex, or simply not designed for the realities of small businesses. Dr. Kumar envisioned something different—software that was powerful yet simple, affordable yet sophisticated, and above all, built for the everyday Indian entrepreneur. That vision became Chanakya ERP.
Launched under Bicore Chanakya ERP Pvt. Ltd. with an initial capital of ₹2 lakhs, the venture started as a self-funded dream and remains so today, generating an annual turnover of more than ₹1.5 crore. The mission was clear from the start: to simplify business management for MSMEs by offering a complete GST billing, accounting, and business automation solution. Chanakya ERP quickly earned a reputation for delivering exactly what its users needed—robust features without unnecessary complexity. It seamlessly combines offline capability with live cloud access, ensuring that even businesses in areas with unreliable internet can work efficiently. From AI-driven purchase data entry from PDFs and images to automated bank reconciliations and e-invoicing, the platform is packed with intelligent features that save time, reduce errors, and make compliance effortless.
The uniqueness of Chanakya ERP lies in its accessibility. Designed for Windows systems commonly used in Indian offices, the software requires minimal training and has a low learning curve. This means even business owners with little technical knowledge can operate it comfortably. The centralized online support ensures that help is always just a call or click away. For Dr. Kumar, this focus on usability is not a marketing strategy—it is the core philosophy of his business. He believes technology should serve people, not intimidate them, and this belief guides every product decision.
Dr. Kumar draws his professional inspiration from Bill Gates, whose vision of making technology accessible to everyone resonates deeply with him. That inspiration, however, is matched by lessons learned from his own entrepreneurial journey. In the early days, resources were scarce, client trust was hard-won, and every expense had to be justified. These challenges taught him the value of frugality, the importance of listening closely to users, and the need to prioritize essential features over flashy, impractical additions. He learned that empathy is a more powerful tool than aggressive marketing and that true business growth is gradual, built on trust and consistent delivery.
The timing of Chanakya ERP’s launch played a significant role in its success. The GST rollout had left many small businesses scrambling for solutions that didn’t overwhelm them with complexity. Dr. Kumar, with his deep technical expertise and understanding of business workflows, recognized this as a unique opportunity. By directly addressing pain points—like ensuring compliance without endless paperwork or confusing interfaces—Chanakya ERP became the go-to tool for many MSMEs navigating the new tax landscape. As digital adoption accelerated across India, the platform’s role in helping businesses transition from manual processes to automated systems became even more critical.
While the company’s present is strong, Dr. Kumar’s vision for the future is even bolder. Plans are underway to expand Chanakya ERP’s capabilities to Android and web platforms, making it accessible to an even wider audience. The goal is to become India’s most accessible ERP provider, ensuring that no entrepreneur is left behind in the digital transformation of business. He believes that accessibility is not just about affordability but also about building solutions that fit into the real-world context of the people who use them.
Over the years, Chanakya ERP has not only transformed businesses but has also earned recognition for its innovation and reliability. It has been featured in Silicon India Magazine as a “Game-Changer in ERP Software” and is now being celebrated at the India Business Awards 2025. Yet for Dr. Kumar, accolades are secondary to the satisfaction of seeing MSMEs thrive because of his product. Each story of a business moving from compliance headaches to confident, streamlined operations is, to him, a bigger victory than any trophy or title.
Dr. Kumar’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs reflects the values that built Chanakya ERP from scratch: start small but with strength, don’t wait for perfect circumstances, learn to work within limitations, and above all, create something that genuinely solves a problem. In a business climate often obsessed with valuations and rapid growth, his journey proves that persistence, user focus, and steady progress can build something not just profitable, but enduring. Chanakya ERP is more than just software—it is a movement to empower India’s MSMEs, giving them the tools to operate efficiently, stay compliant, and grow confidently in a fast-changing economy.
