Tech

Indian-Origin MIT Engineer Apurva Shrivastava Turns Missed Calls Into ₹8,000 Crore Empire

Tech desk
NRI HeraldJuly 12, 2026
3 min read
Avoca logo with the word "AVOCA" in white text on a blue background

Shrivastava, who studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, founded Avoca to address a common problem in service industries: missed calls from potential customers. The platform uses artificial intelligence to handle inbound communication around the clock, schedule appointments intelligently, and follow up with leads automatically.

Avoca targets blue-collar sectors such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contracting, where a missed call often means lost revenue. By converting those calls into booked jobs, the platform has helped contractors and service providers grow their businesses without adding administrative staff.

The company's valuation has reached ₹8,000 crore, reflecting strong demand for AI-driven sales and operational tools in the service economy. Shrivastava's background in engineering and technology underpins the product's design, which focuses on practical, real-world applications.

Avoca's growth signals a broader shift in how small and medium-sized service businesses adopt automation to compete in a digital-first market. The platform's ability to work 24/7 ensures no customer inquiry goes unanswered, a critical advantage in industries where response time often determines who wins the job.

Tech desk · July 12, 2026
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