Making Automation Accessible for Everyone: The Story of Babu & Whautomate
From a tech career spanning continents to founding Whautomate, Babu Munavar has always been driven by a desire to make technology meaningful. Read more about his journey below.
Today, we are sharing Babu Munavar’s story, a tech entrepreneur with a knack for turning challenges into opportunities. With a background in delivering tech solutions for companies worldwide, Babu used his experience to launch Whautomate, an Omnichannel Customer Engagement & Automation Platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses.
Whautomate streamlines customer interactions and automates repetitive tasks, enabling businesses to achieve a 10X increase in productivity and significantly boost sales.
Hi, I’m Babu Munavar, and if you asked me a few years ago where I saw myself, I wouldn’t have guessed I’d be here—building a technology company from scratch. Originally from Chennai, my love for technology has been the driving force throughout my life. But the path to where I am today wasn’t always clear.
My Early Days in Tech
I’ve always been a tech guy. Growing up in Chennai, I knew early on that technology was where I wanted to make my mark. Over the years, I had the chance to work in India, Australia, and Singapore, designing and delivering technology solutions for businesses of all sizes. It was exciting, but there was always this itch—I wanted to do something more. I wanted to use technology to solve real-world problems.
The coolest part of those years?
Seeing how the solutions I built impacted businesses and their customers. One project that really stood out happened while I was in Singapore during the pandemic. My team and I built a teleconsultation system for a hospital in Thailand, delivering it in just 2-4 weeks.
That experience showed me the real power of tech and gave me the confidence to create something meaningful on my own.
Building Whautomate
While working in Singapore, I stumbled upon a problem that would change the course of my life. I noticed a glaring gap in how patient management systems worked. Determined to make a difference, I began designing a clinic management solution that could bridge this gap. I thought I had it all figured out—until a conversation with a doctor completely shifted my perspective.
He shared a struggle so simple yet so profound: patients were sending documents via WhatsApp, and doctors were stuck manually uploading them into their systems or responding through the app. It was tedious, time-consuming, and far from efficient. I could hear the frustration in his voice, and it hit me hard. This wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was a barrier to providing seamless care.
That conversation stuck with me. It planted a seed, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. What if I could automate these interactions? What if I could make life easier for both doctors and patients? Fueled by this newfound purpose, I pivoted. I set out to build a WhatsApp automation tool tailored specifically for clinics, driven by the belief that small changes could have a massive impact.
When the first version was ready, I showed it to a yoga studio owner who was curious about how it could work in a different context. To my surprise, he loved it. He saw the potential I hadn’t even imagined—how the same tool could transform customer engagement in his business. This moment was a turning point, and I realised I was onto something bigger.
From there, I returned to the drawing board and figured out how to integrate WhatsApp with various business platforms, and Whautomate was born.
Today, Whautomate is used by businesses across various industries, including education, fitness, and eCommerce. We’re a small, bootstrapped team, but we’ve made it work, growing organically with customers in over 10 countries.
Finding Balance in my 9-to-9
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a bootstrapped founder is managing the mental toll it takes on you. There are days when everything feels like it’s going perfectly—when we get a glowing 5-star customer review or close a sale. But there are also days when I question everything.
During those tough moments, I’ve learned the importance of taking breaks, recharging, and reminding myself of why I started this journey in the first place. I’ve also started celebrating the smaller wins along the way.
To keep my head clear, I started cycling. It’s been a lifesaver—especially after long days filled with back-to-back meetings and coding sprints. I’ll go for a ride, clear my mind, and come back with fresh ideas. Sometimes, the best insights come when you’re not trying so hard to find them.
What's Next for Whautomate & me
Looking ahead, I’m excited about what’s next for Whautomate. We’ve identified a gap in the affiliate marketing software space for early-stage startups. Right now, there aren’t many free options available for startups to kick off their affiliate campaigns, which are critical for growth.
That’s why we’re launching Whautofiliate, a free affiliate marketing software designed specifically for early-stage startups.
Looking Back: If not this, then what?
If I’m being honest, if I hadn’t gone down the entrepreneurial path, I’d probably be acting right now. I’ve had the chance to appear in a few short films, and I’ve always loved the idea of storytelling. But technology has always been my strong suit, and it’s something I’ll continue to use, whether in this startup or in new products I build in the future.
Being a founder isn’t easy. It’s challenging and exhausting and often feels like a never-ending rollercoaster ride. But I’ve learned that if you stay true to your passion and keep pushing forward, the rewards are worth it. I’ve come a long way, but I’m still learning and growing every single day.
If there’s one thing I’d want you to take away from my journey, it’s this: Don’t be afraid to follow your passion. Take risks, embrace the ups and downs, and always keep learning. No matter how tough it gets, it’s the journey that shapes you and, ultimately, makes it all worth it.
Like many entrepreneurs, Babu started with a simple goal: to solve real problems with technology. What makes his story special is how he turned an everyday pain point—a doctor struggling to manage patient messages on WhatsApp—into the foundation of Whautomate, a platform that’s now empowering businesses across different industries and countries.
What’s even more inspiring is how he’s done it all while bootstrapping, staying grounded, and never losing sight of why he started. We’re proud to have Babu in the Rize community and can’t wait to see where his journey takes him next!
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