WAC Beyond 2025: Kerala’s First Flagship Tech and Marketing Summit Marks 13 Years of Innovation

On August 17, 2025, Webancrafts (WAC) celebrated its 13th anniversary in a way that was more than a milestone. At the Grand Hyatt, Kochi, over 1,000 visionaries, leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers came together for the WAC Beyond Preview Event. It was the first flagship technology and marketing summit of its kind in Kerala, designed not just as a celebration of the past 13 years, but as a bold preview of the future.

At WAC, we believe this was not just an event. It was a glimpse of something bigger, the beginning of WAC Beyond, a movement that will grow to accelerate technology adoption, inspire innovation, and empower businesses across Kerala and beyond.

The grandeur of the occasion was matched by the presence of an extraordinary lineup of distinguished guests.

The event was inaugurated by:

• P. Rajeev, Minister for Law, Industries, and Coir, Government of Kerala
• Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha

They were joined by an impressive roster of leaders, including: 

• Dr. Viju Jacob (Executive Chairman, Synthite Industries) 
• Satyendra Khare (Google India) 
• Girish Babu (Founder CEO, Infopark) 
• Mohammed Madani(Founder and Managing Director, ABC Group) 
• Mohammed Shihab AB (CEO, CIG Crescent International Group & Investo Investments)
• Thomas John (Managing Director, Agappe Diagnostics Ltd.) 
• V. Sathyanarayanan (Joint Managing Partner, Varma & Varma)
• Tom M Joseph (Director, Jain University, Chief Facilitator, Future Kerala Mission)
• Orwell Lionel (Managing Director, Indian Institute of Commerce, Lakshya)
• Jobin Jose (Co Founder & CEO,Jobin & Jismi)
• Jismi Jobin (Co founder and CTO, Jobin & Jismi)
• Rahul Mamman (Director, MPC Pharma Pvt Ltd)
• Nikhil Gopalakrishnan (Chief Executive Officer, Pentad Securities)
• Merijayana Winston (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Zapare Technologies Pvt Ltd.)

Their presence underscored the importance of this moment, the beginning of a conversation on how Kerala can step confidently onto the global technology stage.

The event opened with two dynamic panel discussions.

The Technology Panel brought together leaders like, Balakrishnan A (Geojit Financial Services), Sony A (South Indian Bank), Jobin Jose (Jobin & Jismi), and our CEO, Jilu Joseph. They explored the role of AI breakthroughs, automation, and future-ready ecosystems in reshaping industries.

The Marketing Panel, moderated by WAC’s Digital Marketing Head, Sreeved M. P., included Orwell Lionel (Indian Institute of Commerce, Lakshya), V. A. Shrikumar, Tom M Joseph (Jain University), and Rahul Mamman (MPC Pharma). This group shared insights on personalization, automation, and the evolving communication landscape.

The spotlight then shifted to Jilu Joseph, CEO of WAC, whose keynote speech reflected on WAC’s journey and its vision for the future.

“For Webandcrafts, it has been quite a journey,” Jilu shared. “From starting with a single computer and a big dream in 2012 to now being a team of more than 400 people creating measurable impact for global clients, our story has always been about growth. And growth is never one-sided. When our clients grow, we grow, and the world around us grows.”

She went on to remind the audience that technology is no longer an option, but the key to unlocking faster, smarter, and more efficient growth.

One of the most anticipated moments of the day was the Google Spotlight Session, where Satyendra Khare, Head of Strategic and Emerging Partnerships at Google India, took the stage. He spoke about the power of AI, cloud, and platforms to reimagine business.

This session also highlighted WAC’s strategic partnership with Google Cloud, first announced in November 2024. This collaboration marks a milestone in WAC’s journey to deliver solutions that go beyond digital transformation.

The event also saw the introduction of WAC Commerce, our comprehensive automation solution for e-commerce operations. Built for agility and growth, WAC Commerce simplifies and scales online business operations, empowering brands to deliver seamless shopping experiences across platforms and markets.

WAC also had the honor of unveiling two significant digital platforms.

The first was the new website for Jain University, Kochi, an extension of the prestigious Jain University in Bengaluru. With a modern design and student-centered features, the platform reflects Jain’s commitment to education, innovation, and leadership.

The second was the redesigned website for Synthite Industries, the world’s largest producer of spice oleoresins and botanical extracts. The new site captures Synthite’s global legacy and presents it with a fresh, modern interface that mirrors its leadership in the food, fragrance, and nutraceutical industries.

Both launches stood as a testament to WAC’s ability to craft digital solutions that blend design, technology, and purpose.

No WAC celebration is complete without honoring the people who make it all possible.

As part of the 13th anniversary, three pioneers who have been with WAC for more than a decade were celebrated in a special way.

• Sreeved M. P., Digital Marketing Head, who started as a content writer and grew to lead a 70+ member team.
• Anoop K Joseph, Global Sales Head, who began his journey as a content writer and today drives WAC’s international growth.
• Midhun Raj K R., Head of PHP, who started as a Laravel Developer and now leads a department of 40+ developers.

Each of them was gifted a Mahindra XEV 9e as a symbol of appreciation for their loyalty, leadership, and contribution.

As Jilu said during the ceremony, “These cars are more than gifts. They are symbols of trust, gratitude, and the future we are building together. At WAC, when our people grow, we grow.”

The evening also saw awards for outstanding teams, performers, and long-serving members who exemplify WAC’s values of ownership, integrity, humility, and collaboration.

After an inspiring day of ideas and recognition, the celebration transitioned into an elegant gala dinner followed by cultural performances from the WAC family. The evening concluded with a spectacular live concert by Madras Mail, the band led by Alphons Joseph, blending music and energy to end the night on a high note.

The WAC Beyond Preview Event was not the destination but the starting point. It offered a glimpse of what is to come with WAC Beyond 1.0 and beyond.

The vision for 2026 is to transform this preview into a full-fledged, multi-day innovation and technology festival that attracts global participation, cutting-edge showcases, and industry-shaping conversations on an unprecedented scale.

As we move forward, WAC Beyond is not just about technology and marketing. It is about building an ecosystem where businesses, innovators, and policymakers come together to reimagine Kerala’s future in the global digital economy.

The 13th anniversary of Webandcrafts was more than a celebration of the past. It was a call to the future, to go beyond limits and accelerate business in ways that matter.

From the inspiring presence of government leaders and industry icons, to the partnership with Google, the introduction of WAC Commerce, the launch of Synthite and Jain University websites, and the recognition of our pioneers, the day showcased what WAC stands for: growth, innovation, and people.

The story of WAC began with one computer and a dream. Today, it continues with a movement called Beyond. And this is just the beginning.