From Free SMS Portal to Global Software – The Journey of Nitin Lohchab, Founder & CEO, GridM
My journey into the world of technology started at a very young age. While most students were planning their future careers, I was already running one of the country’s most disruptive tech platforms. During my school years, I founded Site2SMS, which became India’s largest Free SMS Web Portal, allowing millions to send SMS and make voice calls for free — at a time when such services were costly and rare.
The impact was immense — Site2SMS was not only a household name among users but also a preferred digital advertising platform for top brands across India. Almost every major CMO had our platform on their media plans. I was deeply involved in its development, growth, and monetization. So much so, that I made the difficult but passionate decision to drop out of school and devote myself fully to it — a choice driven by purpose, not convention.
The Birth of GridM: Building Technology That Powers the World
With the foundation of Site2SMS behind me, I went on to establish GridM, a company focused on building scalable, reliable, and future-ready software solutions. Today, GridM proudly works with clients across the United States and several global product-based software companies, providing cutting-edge systems that power real business outcomes.
Our work spans a wide range of software categories — including:
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
- Marketing Automation Platforms
- Smart Building and Elevator Firmware/Software Systems
- Custom SaaS Products
- Data Platforms and APIs
From logistics to retail, infrastructure to SaaS, our software helps clients operate faster, smarter, and at scale.
Leadership in a Fast-Changing World
In today’s world, leadership is about more than just execution — it’s about vision, adaptability, and authenticity. For me, leadership starts with being deeply connected to the customer’s pain points and building a team that shares the same hunger for problem-solving.
The most critical values I’ve learned are resilience, innovation, and relentless improvement. We work in a global, always-on environment, and having the ability to adapt quickly while staying grounded is what sets leaders apart.
Challenges That Became Launchpads
Like any founder, I’ve faced numerous challenges — tight timelines, integration chaos, complex security demands, and cross-border delivery expectations. But challenges, I believe, are launchpads. One major setback involving a failed third-party API integration led us to build a universal integration engine that now serves multiple global clients. Every problem is an opportunity waiting to be engineered into a product.
Balancing Work, Life, and Legacy
Balancing leadership and personal life is less about perfection and more about rhythm. I prioritize what matters most — my family, health, and staying creatively engaged. I’ve built strong teams and systems that allow me to step back when needed without slowing down the mission.
My advice to other leaders: Create systems, not dependencies. Rest is not optional — it’s part of the growth strategy.
What Drives Me
Impact. I’m driven by the knowledge that our technology helps businesses grow, simplify processes, and serve more people. From building software that runs large warehouses to platforms that manage sales pipelines or optimize delivery routes, every line of code we write makes a difference.
Key Achievements and What Lies Ahead
GridM has delivered enterprise solutions that power operations for global product companies, high-volume retailers, and logistics providers. We’ve achieved 99.9% uptime, seamless scalability, and a proven track record of client satisfaction. Site2SMS remains a legacy milestone, but GridM is the future we’re building.
Up next: We’re launching AI-driven logistics and routing solutions, expanding our SaaS ERP/CRM platform, and deepening our work with IoT and firmware systems for smart infrastructure.
Message to Aspiring Global Leaders
Start. Learn. Build. Repeat. You don’t need to be perfect to make an impact — you just need to be persistent, curious, and customer-obsessed. Solve real problems and let excellence become your brand.
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