Aakash-maker of Datawind claims Rs 700 crore worth orders

Aakash-maker of Datawind claims Rs 700 crore worth orders

Makers of Aakash, Datawind, claims to have received over Rs 700 crore worth of retail orders for its
ultra-low cost tablet.

According to a report by the Economic Times, the bulk orders and expressions of interest for the
tablet are from companies such as Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Accenture, HFCL, CNet Solutions,
Medanta Medicity and Rajasthan Patrika.

This bulk booking, Tuli, is looking to cash in, by raising funds from private equity investors for
his company. "Some investors have expressed interest. We are looking at a dilution of about 10%-15%
stake," he adds.

The bulk orders and expressions of interest for the tablet are from companies such as Glenmark
Pharmaceuticals, Accenture, HFCL, CNet Solutions, Medanta Medicity and Rajasthan Patrika.

Despite the original bluster from the Indian government, which fanned the flames of sensationalism
with increasingly absurd price estimates (at one point they were talking about a $10 device), the
device has passed trials that have killed many a device, and is in fact finalized, in manufacture,
and shipping. But India does not have enough manufacturing capacity to supply the hundreds of
thousands of orders that are rolling in. New factories being built by Datawind in Cochin, Noida,
and Hyderabad will solve that problem, but in the meantime the Aakash is under attack from other
directions.

"We would like the government's Aakash project to succeed as our reputation is also at stake
with it," Tuli adds.

Besides, the success or failure of the Aakash project, may in turn impact the valuation of
his company, and the interest of investors he is trying to lure.