What happens when two visionary leaders with sharp business acumen and a shared passion for entrepreneurship cross paths in Dubai? They could compete or, even better, collaborate. Dr. Anant Digraskar and Manoj Kumar Pandey embraced the power of partnership, and their consulting firm, ConsultValiant, is making a significant impact in the management consulting sphere. While their approaches may seem contrasting at first, their synergy, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination have helped businesses turn aspirations into success stories.
At first glance, their styles and personalities may seem distinct, but beneath it all lies a shared vision—an unwavering focus, ambition, and determination to help businesses evolve into thriving enterprises. Their educational and professional paths mirror each other, shaped by degrees in technology, systems, and business management from India’s top institutions—including a Doctorate (IIBMS), National Institute of Technology Tiruchirapalli (formerly REC Trichy), IIM Calcutta, National Institute of Information Technology, and DCM Hyderabad. This strong academic foundation, combined with extensive leadership experience across the Middle East and Africa, has transformed them into architects of business success.
Dr. Anant reflects on how what began as a short-term assignment to establish a technology centre in Africa evolved into a remarkable 15-year-long engagement with clients, fostering deep-rooted business relationships. Meanwhile, Manoj played a crucial role in scaling an EdTech venture across India and Africa, driving its expansion for over a decade.
The year 2020 transformed global business landscapes, opening new doors for consulting firms. As companies and entrepreneurs recognized the need to expand into diverse markets, technology became the driving force behind global connectivity and commerce. Spotting immense potential in the Middle East and Africa region, Dr. Anant and Manoj established ConsultValiant in 2020, spearheading market research, business strategy, and funding solutions to empower startups and SMEs.
Their combined expertise in business strategy, technology, education, and healthcare naturally shaped the foundation of their firm dedicated to helping startups worldwide scale their businesses and attract potential investors. 2025 marks ConsultValiant’s fifth year, and their journey stands as a testament to the power of strategic partnerships and global growth.
Why Middle East and Africa?
Manoj highlights the strategic advantage: “Every country operates within its own legal framework. Our expertise lies in identifying the most suitable business structures for the UAE, Middle East and Africa markets, backed by years of experience in the region.”
Dr. Anant, with decades of business experience across the UAE, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya, echoes this perspective: “The Middle East and Africa complement each other in terms of demographics, language, emerging markets, and regulations. Establishing a strategic headquarter here provides a strong foundation for businesses aiming at regional and international expansion.”
Beyond Middle East, Africa remains a key focus for their firm. With its rapidly growing economies, vast entrepreneurial potential, and emerging investment opportunities, the continent offers fertile ground for innovation and scalable ventures. ConsultValiant’s expertise in navigating African markets helps businesses unlock new growth trajectories, reinforcing their commitment to empowering startups and SMEs across both regions.
Scaling with a Bold and Strategic Vision
ConsultValiant was built on the foundation of scalability, harnessing technology-driven solutions to help businesses thrive. During the pandemic, ConsultValiant engaged with over 200 MSMEs, gaining invaluable market insights that shaped customized strategies for companies expanding into the UAE and Africa.
This commitment to rigorous research is a standard they uphold for their clients as well. “We build to scale,” says Dr. Anant, recalling how they showcased ConsultValiant at Expo 2020 in Dubai within their very first year—an achievement that typically takes consulting firms five or more years to reach. The results speak for themselves: one company successfully expanded its fintech footprint across multiple countries, another scaled its revenue beyond USD 8 million, and an another client established a strong telecom presence across Gulf and African markets.
With a combination of strategy, innovation, and bold execution, ConsultValiant is reshaping the way businesses grow and succeed.
- A FinTech company successfully expanded its footprint across multiple countries.
- A Telecom Technology (CTI) firm scaled its operations across the Gulf and African markets.
- A business achieved multimillion-dollar revenue growth in a remarkably short time.
Strategic management consulting is a highly competitive industry, where client referrals and testimonials play a crucial role in sustaining business success. How does ConsultValiant stay ahead? Manoj shares his perspective: “We provide our clients with a choice between a traditional consulting fee plus revenue-sharing approach. In addition to revenue sharing, ConsultValiant also acquires an equity in the firm. Our proposals are tailored based on factors such as the business idea, market size, scalability, technical feasibility, and revenue potential. However, leadership compatibility is a key deciding factor for us. We engage closely with key stakeholders, particularly decision-makers, to understand their long-term vision. If they are overly risk-averse, hesitant about scaling up, or lack intellectual alignment with our approach, we consciously opt not to proceed with the engagement.”
We firmly advocate for self-sustaining business models before seeking venture capital. When capital infusion drives expansion and hiring, it contributes to employment generation and economic growth” — Manoj Kumar Pandey
Middle East and Africa: A Complex Business Landscape
The Middle East and Africa region presents a dynamic mix of vast market potential and significant economic and political volatility. Africa, with its 50+ diverse nations, and the Middle East, influencing large portions of Western Asia and Northern Africa, make this geography both challenging and rewarding for businesses looking to establish a strong foothold.
According to World Bank forecasts, as well as UAE’s Vision 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Vision 2030 towards trillion dollar economy, the region is poised for substantial growth, particularly in sectors such as EdTech, data and cloud services, cybersecurity, telecom, and mobile payments etc. While these industries offer lucrative opportunities, they are also subject to stringent regulatory oversight and market fluctuations, requiring businesses to navigate with precision and foresight.
ConsultValiant embraces a structured, metric-driven approach to ensure sustainable success in this complex landscape. The company evaluates its performance through key performance indicators (KPIs), including client satisfaction, revenue growth projections, market expansion, employee retention, sustainability initiatives, and innovation. This comprehensive framework ensures accountability and adaptability in an ever-evolving market.
Dr. Anant highlights the intensity required to succeed in this vast and complex region: “Middle East and Africa present a significant opportunity for establishing and scaling business infrastructure. At ConsultValiant, we serve as a vital external support system for our partner companies—covering presales, licensing, post-sales support, training, and legal compliance—to create a comprehensive ecosystem for international business (by adopting SPANCO methodology). We believe in setting realistic expectations and consistently exceeding them.”
The company’s focus on continuous improvement and process optimization ensures both its own profitability and that of its clients, keeping its financial strategy resilient and dynamic.
The Journey to Sustainable Success
For many enterprises, securing venture capital is perceived as a major milestone—especially in management consulting, where funding often signifies credibility and growth potential. But how does ConsultValiant approach this benchmark?
Manoj clarifies: “Success is a mindset. At ConsultValiant, we align our growth trajectory with that of our clients. We advocate for self-sustaining business models before considering venture capital. When funding is secured, it fuels expansion and hiring, contributing to job creation and broader economic growth. True success is achieved when scaling up generates wealth that cascades through the economy, benefiting society at large—that’s when we truly celebrate.”
By prioritizing sustainable strategies over immediate capital influx, ConsultValiant ensures long-term viability in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
At ConsultValiant, we serve as an essential external support system for our partner companies—handling presales, licensing, post-sales support, training, and legal compliance—to create a fully integrated ecosystem for international business” — Dr. Anant Digraskar
SPANCO: A Strategic Framework for Business Expansion
ConsultValiant’s Strategic Business Intelligence Analysis (SBIA) for International Business Expansion (IBE) introduces the powerful business mantra—SPANCO.
The SPANCO model serves as a dynamic blueprint for both business expansion and sales strategy, offering a structured approach to achieving sustained growth across diverse market landscapes. Its core pillars—Strategy, Partnerships, Adaptability, Networking, Compliance, and Opportunities—enable businesses to navigate complexities, optimize market positioning, and drive long-term success.
By leveraging SPANCO, ConsultValiant ensures that companies remain agile, compliant, and well-connected, unlocking new opportunities for global expansion.
Expanding into new markets comes with complexities and fierce competition, making risk management a crucial element in building business resilience. ConsultValiant employs strategic cushioning techniques to safeguard operations and maintain stability in volatile environments.
Dr. Anant illustrates this approach with a case study of a financial institution in Nigeria that was grappling with extreme currency fluctuations of 40-50%. ConsultValiant advised the client to structure operations around USD parameters while collaborating with local vendors, successfully stabilizing profitability.
“At ConsultValiant, we operate two distinct divisions—one dedicated to start-ups and another focused on legacy enterprises. Each demands a unique strategy to establish and grow in the region. Launching a business is just the beginning; the real challenge lies in sustaining and scaling it over time. Success depends on having the right people around you. That’s where we step in—supporting those who don’t just want to start a business but aspire to make it truly impactful,” explains Manoj.
With a strong commitment to long-term growth, ConsultValiant helps businesses navigate challenges, scale sustainably, and create lasting economic impact.
E4 Philosophy: A Framework for Sustainable Business Growth
Can entrepreneurs successfully scale their vision while maintaining clarity and leadership? ConsultValiant applies its E4 philosophy—Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Economy—as a fundamental framework to identify, evaluate, and support businesses with high-growth potential.
By leveraging the E4 approach, Dr. Anant and Manoj ensure that enterprises can navigate challenges, drive innovation, and create meaningful economic impact while fostering sustainability and resilience in an ever-evolving market landscape.
A Vision Beyond Business
As their clients navigate the fast-paced world of venture capital and multi-million dollar deals, maintaining their personal balance is crucial as well. Dr. Anant unwinds with lawn tennis and chess, while Manoj enjoys exploring innovative ideas in education and healthcare over a cup of tea. Despite their differing interests, they share a unified vision when it comes to ConsultValiant — empowering businesses to thrive in a competitive and complex landscape by identifying niche markets and pioneering innovative solutions.
As ConsultValiant advances in its journey, Dr. Anant and Manoj are not just advising businesses—they are actively shaping the future of strategic consulting across Middle East, Africa, and beyond.