Businesses have always been about people. Even in the technologically ever-advancing modern era, humans and human resources management are at the heart of the matter for companies, irrespective of their size.
Yet for startups, small and medium businesses, though most crucial, HRM is an area that has remained most neglected. Because of its tediousness, complexity, and time-consuming nature, till Offrd Inc arrived on the block in 2023.
Ravikumar Balan, the Chief Product Officer, says that from day one of their inception, they have been completely focused on bringing tailored solutions for startups and SMEs’ HR management. Solutions that are simple, nimble, agile, swiftly accessible, quick, completely affordable, and backed up with a real-time human-powered customer-care service.
That is why, in a short span of two years ago, the company has now grown into a 3000+ customer-serving HRM brand that is offering ultimate HR solutions for all your HR needs: Offer Letter; Probation Letter; Increment Letter; Separation Letters; Onboarding; and Payslips, with just a few clicks.
The Inception: From a Pain Point to a Mission
Sharing Offrd’s inception story, Ravikumar says, “Offrd was created from our experience.” Startups and small businesses often have too much on their plates, and HR falls to the bottom. “We built a platform that is easy, affordable, and friendly.”
You can sign up quickly, create documents in minutes, and only pay when you use it. And when you do, you’re met with a real person, not a bot or a help article. “That’s what makes us stand apart. We support people, not just processes.”
Ravikumar’s journey into the HR tech space was born out of a stark observation. Having worked in both large corporations and agile startups, he saw a significant gap. While large companies had robust HR teams, smaller ones were left to their own devices, often “googling labour laws to draft policies.”
It was this messy and risky reality that became the catalyst for Offrd. A free tool to create offer letters, launched in 2023, received an ‘immediate’ and overwhelming response, confirming a widespread need. This early success solidified the company’s mission: to make HR simple and accessible for the businesses that needed it most.
A Guiding Philosophy Built on Trust
The rapid success of Offrd is not an accident; it is the direct result of a core philosophy that prioritizes the customer above all else. At Offrd, the guiding principle is to “treat our customers like we treat our teammates.” This means providing genuine support and avoiding the high-pressure sales tactics common in the industry.
The company’s commitment is evident in its business model, which offers five free offer letters every month, allowing potential customers to experience the platform without obligation.
Offrd doesn’t trap companies into long-term contracts; instead, they genuinely celebrate a customer’s growth, even if it means they eventually move on. “That’s what we’re here for,” Ravikumar states, “to support small teams who need a strong HR foundation.”
A Singular Focus in an Evolving Landscape
In a constantly changing HR and payroll landscape, Offrd stands out by its unwavering focus on a specific, underserved audience: India’s startups and SMEs. The company’s unique selling propositions are simplicity, flexibility, and a commitment to human-powered support. Customers can use the platform without any training and are only charged for what they use. Offrd’s dedication to its niche is what defines its success.
As Ravikumar explains, “We don’t try to be everything to everyone. We focus on being the best for the companies that need us most.” This laser-sharp focus has positioned Offrd as a leader, offering a truly tailored solution that fills a critical need with a human touch.
Leadership with a Mentor’s Heart
Ravikumar’s leadership style is rooted in mentorship and leading by example. He values professionalism and clarity, setting high expectations because he believes “people thrive when challenged and supported.” His goal is to ensure every team member grows and develops, creating a culture where people “leave stronger than when they arrived.” This approach to team building is mirrored in how Offrd engages with its clients, treating every interaction as a partnership.
The Fusion of Tech and Touch
The essence of Offrd lies in its innovative balance of technology and human care. The company leverages AI to automate repetitive tasks and preemptively identify issues, such as offer dropouts. This focus on operational efficiency is paired with a steadfast commitment to customer support, ensuring quick, caring responses. This blend allows Offrd to deliver a product that is not just efficient, but one that people “actually enjoy using,” solidifying its position as a forward-thinking HR solution.
A Legacy of Support and Growth
From a simple idea born out of a real-world problem, Offrd Inc. has become a crucial partner for India’s startups and SMEs. Its success is a testament to its guiding philosophy of simplicity, affordability, and genuine support. By focusing on a specific, underserved market and by treating technology as a tool to amplify human-centric service, the company has forged a unique path. Under Ravikumar Balan’s leadership, Offrd has not only simplified HR for thousands of businesses but has also built a legacy of empowerment and sustainable growth.
Excellence Through a User-Centric Mindset
For Ravikumar and Offrd, true excellence comes not from a single, groundbreaking project, but from a guiding principle. Their transformative initiative is a mindset aimed at helping users “cut HR time to under ten minutes a day.” This vision directs every product decision, ensuring that features are built to reduce friction and solve real problems, rather than simply adding complexity. This unwavering focus on the end-user, combined with a company culture that encourages every employee to “think like a customer and challenge assumptions,” has been key to their success.
Even as a small player in a market dominated by larger competitors, Offrd remains grounded by its purpose. Ravikumar acknowledges the challenges of competing with “giants” for both market share and talent. The solution is not to outspend them, but to offer something more meaningful: “purpose and a chance to make a difference.” The company’s clarity on who it serves and why it exists keeps it focused and allows it to connect with users in a way that feels real and authentic, ensuring continued forward momentum.
The Final Word: Advice for Entrepreneurs and a Vision for the Future
For budding entrepreneurs in the HR and payroll space, Ravikumar offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Keep it simple. Solve a real problem.” He stresses the importance of focusing on compliance and usability from day one, and the necessity of listening to users more than pitching to them.
This philosophy has been the bedrock of Offrd’s own scaling strategy, which has achieved significant growth without massive advertising campaigns. The company’s success is a direct result of its customers spreading the word, a fact proudly reflected in its high ratings on platforms like Software Suggest and GoodFirms.
When Customers Become Your Brand Ambassadors and Social Influencers
The company’s satisfied clients best illustrate the value of this approach.
“Offrd is one of the best and easiest solutions we’ve implemented,” says Syed, COO of Triassic Solutions, who also attests to the incredible time savings: “Our HR admin used to spend 30 to 60 minutes drafting a single offer letter. With Offrd, it’s done in under five minutes.”
Another client, Anil, CEO of POSTEIFS, praises the solution’s flexibility, adding, “What we love most is the mobile-based attendance. Our team works in the field and often from home. With Offrd, we’ve been able to track attendance more accurately and reduce liability from untracked hours.”
These testimonials prove that Offrd has not only met its goal of simplifying HR but has also become an indispensable partner for small businesses, enabling them to grow and succeed. The company’s future vision remains tied to this core mission—to keep improving its product and continue listening to the needs of the businesses it was built to serve.