This Pune Founder Launched A Creative Design Startup From Hostel Room With Just ₹12K, Now Works With World’s Best Luxury Brands

Maharashtra’s Pavan completed graduation and enrolled on an MBA course only to find out his passion was elsewhere. Quitting the management course, he completed a 3D animation course from MAAC, Pune.

In an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia, the founder of Pune-based startup Baked Moon Studios, Pavan Kadam, shared his journey of starting a business out of his passion for animation. 

“At that time people used to connect 3D animation with cartoons only! And I didn’t have a business idea coming from a non-business family,” the CEO of the multimedia company told Startup Pedia. 

The problem faced as a freelancer Animation specialist 

Pavan was interested in becoming an entrepreneur though he came from a non-business family. He started giving lectures on animation, and future technologies in colleges as a part-timer.  Meanwhile, he was working as a freelancer doing paid animation projects for clients.

Initially, the Pune animator started taking projects that came his way. He even worked for some of the most popular cartoon shows like Chota Bheem, Motu Patlu, etc.

“So, as an animator, I was doing the storyboarding in some episodes, or some 3D scenes for the cartoon shows,” Pavan shared with Startup Pedia. “At times, I got the storyboard from the studio and was asked to develop the animation for Chota Bheem and Motu Patlu. It was a mix of work.”

However, Pune’s Pavan Kadam realised it was difficult for him to make good money as a freelancer. 

“The animation industry was not stable at that time,” informed Pavan. “Sustaining people, sustaining their salary without any background, without any backing was tough for me,” he disclosed.

Another big problem was that he could not chase these big companies for payments.

“Whenever we planned for the 30-day payment cycle, most times it turned to 90 days, the animation entrepreneur opened up to Startup Pedia. “So, survival was very tough at that point.”

 Animation freelancer turns entrepreneur

Pavan decided to cut down his team and got absorbed in studying the animation industry for days. He wanted to understand the industry’s future down the line for the next 10 years.

“I wanted to know that in the following decade where can I go and jump in?” the Pune startup founder revealed to Startup Pedia.

After doing deep research, Pavan came to know about 3D configurator companies working on the SAAS model. He found out the companies were creating software but they were unable to find good partners for 3D Access.

“I approached some  3D configurator companies and they liked my work,” said the animation expert. “That’s how I started as the configurator companies asked me to work for them.”

27-year-old multimedia and animation specialist Pavan Kadam founded the 3D Modeling company, Baked Moon Studios Pvt. Ltd. in a hostel room in 2018.

The young entrepreneur started his 3D modeling studio with an investment of only Rs. 12,000 which he received as an advance payment for a freelance project.

Pavan Kadam’s Baked Moon Studios

The startup specialises in crafting Immersive 3D Content for AR, VR, Virtual Try-On, Product Animations, and 3D E-commerce for client companies to boost online sales with stunning creative visuals.

Pavan Kadam is the sole founder & CEO of Baked Moon Studios Pvt. Ltd. 

“We have made the 3D image creation for Bvlgary, Burberry, Dior, and other bigshot luxury brands,” the Baked Moon Studios owner shared. “We also work for all sorts of footwear and apparel, fashion accessories, and jewellery brands.”

Baked Moon Studios creates anamorphic screens for some brands to showcase their products from different angles to help customers experience virtual reality as well as augmented reality.

Pavan further elaborated, “What we do for brands is called 3D product visualisation. So, the customers can change the colours, and textures, and customise the product with such visuals before purchasing the product.”

Why marketing & advertising agencies are approaching Baked Moon Studios?

Pavan claimed that marketing and advertising agencies are using their services because whenever a product comes to the market, showcasing the products becomes easier through different visualisations. 

“This visualisation cannot be done through live shoot videos, that’s why businesses and brands come to Baked Moon,” explained the CEO of the startup. “Puma factory directly gives us work, and most of the designs of Crocs are done by us. We save a lot of money for brands as they do not have to spend for the live shoot of products,” he added.

 The startup works for national and international clients

Baked Moon Studios founder Pavan Kadam revealed not having met most of his international clients in real life. In this digital age, he makes use of social media to find out most of his clients. Once a brand or agency works with them and is satisfied with the services, they reach out to Pavan again.

“As I have had a bad experience with Indian clients regarding payment in my initial days, I mostly focus on European and American brands,” the startup founder opened up to Startup Pedia. “20-30% of our business is based in India, rest comes from abroad.”

The founder shared one of their interesting current projects is for the world-famous multinational power management company, Eaton. Pavan’s team is making videos related to renewable energy, and solar energy for the company.

Also read: “4 Failed Businesses, ₹50 Lakh Lost,” Says The Ludhiana Couple Who Now Leads A Premium D2C Beauty Brand; Clocked ₹4 Cr Revenue Last Year (startuppedia.in)

 Business model & ethics

The startup founder shared that his company has primarily two business models: Hourly basis and project basis.

Mostly, Baked Moon Studios charges European and other international companies on an hourly basis as that is the usual norm in those countries. On the other hand, Pavan’s company charges domestic companies as per the project.

The 30+ employee-based startup values its employees because the founder believes in maintaining a healthy and encouraging environment that supports the staff and the company. 

"We value our employees very much,” Pavan Kadam said proudly. “Our retention rate is high. We are continuing with most of the founding members.”

Employees have a hybrid work option where they can daily report at the Pune office or work from home. Baked Moon Studios has earned around Rs. 20 Cr cumulative profits from the start to date.

 Goals 

Currently, Baked Moon Studios is planning to launch in Dubai.

“Down the line, we are planning to catch the big ad agencies and MNCs as well,” the founder said. “Already we are in discussion mode.”

Also, the startup is moving towards automation by investing in training on AI to speed up processes.

Tips to start a digital business

Pune-based startup founder Pavan Kadam believes that to start any digital business, a good idea is needed. Also, he believes the people you recruit will help your business grow.

“You can start a similar business as mine with 10-15 K at this date because, in this digital era, everyone has a laptop and internet connection,” confirmed the CEO. “You can even rent out a laptop for a month. Then what? Go grab a good project, work and make profits before buying your own laptop. Things are easier these days!”

Also, he admitted the role of social media in getting clients and growing any company. 

“Whatever business I have done, I have got the deals online,” the award-winning 3D modeling company founder disclosed to Startup Pedia. “For me, LinkedIn helps a lot!”

Also, the founder-CEO of the startup believes in networking. 

“Whenever  I get to know about some kind of conference, I go there, the Pune founder admitted. “I meet new people to make good connections. Also, I attend webinars to get foreign clients.”

The 3D Modeling studio founder believes in giving your best to each client and building trust.

“When you generate trust and deliver any project with sincerity, your client will not go anywhere else but reach out to you for any and every project!” Pavan Kadam remarked to Startup Pedia.

Inspired by Ratan Tata, the Pune startup founder believes in giving to society and contributing. He suggested other young entrepreneurs should do the same.

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