MethodHub – A journey of global expansion led by founder Aho Bilam

NRI PULSE STAFF FEATURE

Atlanta, GA, October 1, 2024: In a tech-driven world, MethodHub stands out as a global IT services firm that is not only evolving rapidly but is also expanding into critical technological areas. Founded in 2019 by Aho Bilam, the company has grown from its humble beginnings in India to a global player with operations in six countries, including the U.S., Canada, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and India.

Recently, Bilam spoke to NRI Pulse about his vision to further MethodHub’s growth in the American market.

Chennai-born Bilam’s journey began far from the fast-paced tech world. He earned a mechanical engineering degree, followed by an MBA in marketing from the College of Engineering, Guindy. It was his transition into selling ERP solutions like SAP that opened the doors to the IT sector in the early 1990s.

“I initially got into sales, specifically selling ERP solutions like SAP,” he shared. His deep understanding of the manufacturing process led him into the IT sector, where he transitioned fully by 1994. Since then, he’s accumulated nearly 30 years of experience, primarily in fulfillment, including recruitment and staffing for top companies.

The Genesis of MethodHub

Bilam’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished when he joined Innova Solutions (which he calls Innova Solutions 1.0) and later Clairvoyant, a company he helped build into a $42 million business. Clairvoyant was sold to Innova Solutions 2.0. Following that, he started MethodHub in 2019 in India.

Six months after launching MethodHub, the pandemic hit and the world shut down. The company lost all its business. However, despite the initial setback, Bilam rebuilt the business from scratch.

“We began with the lowest level of business — RPO — and built ourselves up,” he says.

MethodHub now specializes in offering various IT services, including recruitment, managed services, project services, and platform development.

“We began with Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) but quickly moved up to project services for major clients, like OnPoint Warranty and some of the largest banks and oil companies in Thailand,” Bilam explained. Today, MethodHub works with top-tier clients such as TransUnion, Halliburton, Telus, and Ericsson.

What sets MethodHub apart, Bilam emphasized, is its agility and focus on cutting-edge technologies. “We are a younger company, so we’ve adopted new technologies—cloud migration, AI, data services, and cybersecurity—faster than most larger firms. Our strength lies in our ability to show proof of concept quickly, which resonates with customers looking for tangible results before committing to new investments.”

MethodHub’s growth trajectory has been remarkable, with the company now generating over $35 million in revenue within five years. With four key verticals—banking, healthcare, oil & gas, and telecom—and expertise in cloud, AI, data, and cybersecurity, Bilam sees even more potential ahead.

The company is now over 600-strong and headquartered in Wilmington, DE.

A Global Footprint

Today, the company is thriving with operations in six countries and over 120 employees in Thailand alone, where it services top banks like Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank, along with PTT, Thailand’s largest oil company. In Canada, MethodHub recently acquired a 51% stake in Zortech, a company that works with Telus, Canada’s leading telecom firm.

“Timing has been key,” Bilam reflects on the company’s rapid growth. In just five years, MethodHub has grown to over $35 million in revenue, expanding its client base to cover critical industries like financial services, healthcare, oil and gas, and telecom.

Carving a Niche in America’s IT Landscape

Now that Bilam has relocated to Atlanta, he sees a great opportunity for MethodHub to service mid-sized companies in the US. “We’re targeting companies in the $100 million to $3 billion revenue range,” Bilam explains. Larger firms often overlook this sector, leaving space for MethodHub to fill a gap with tailored IT services.

The MethodHub Edge

What sets MethodHub apart from its competitors? Bilam explains that, being a younger company, MethodHub has adapted more quickly to cutting-edge technologies like cloud migration, data services, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. “We are in areas where the customers want to see tangible results. We can quickly present prototypes or proof of concepts, something larger firms may struggle with due to bureaucratic hurdles.”

This agility positions MethodHub uniquely to attract companies looking to stay ahead in rapidly evolving technological fields. “We focus on four core technologies: cloud, data, AI, and cybersecurity,” Bilam adds. With a strong track record, especially with high-profile clients like TransUnion, MethodHub is poised to make a significant impact in the U.S. market.

Looking Ahead

MethodHub’s journey is far from over. Bilam reveals plans for an IPO in India worth $8-10 million (INR 70 crore range). This move will provide the company with the capital needed for further acquisitions in the U.S. “We’re looking for companies with strong branding, project work, and logos,” Bilam says, indicating that MethodHub’s expansion is strategic and focused.

After the Indian IPO, the company will explore entering the U.S. market with similar moves, depending on the economic climate. The goal? To become a dominant player in mid-market IT services, especially in areas where innovation and speed are critical.

MethodHub, under the leadership of Aho Bilam, has come a long way in just five years. From starting with recruitment services to offering complex project management solutions, the company’s trajectory is one of agility and strategic growth. With its eyes set on the mid-sized companies of the US and beyond, and a strong foothold in data-driven industries, MethodHub is positioned to be a major player in the global IT services space.

As Bilam himself says, “The opportunities are there, and we’re ready to seize them.”

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