India’s cloud ecosystem is shifting toward open-source innovation and localised infrastructure. This transition aligns with CloudPe’s delivery resilience by design. In an exclusive interaction, Ishan Talathi, CEO & Founder, CloudPe, explains to Rajneesh De, Group Editor, CXO Media & APAC Media, how CloudPe ensures performance and continuity even in the face of global disruptions.
What are the solutions and services in the CloudPe portfolio available in India today?
CloudPe offers a comprehensive cloud portfolio in India, designed to meet the needs of enterprises, startups, and developers alike. Its compute capabilities include a wide range of Virtual Machines, from lightweight to high-performance setups, with features such as dynamic resource allocation, automated failover, and flexible billing.
For containerised workloads, CloudPe provides Kubernetes-as-a-Service, simplifying deployment and orchestration. Storage solutions span object storage (S3-compatible) for scalable and high request-rate workloads, block storage with SSD-backed volumes and triple data replication, and NVMe-based infrastructure for ultra-low latency performance.
Enterprises with advanced computing needs can access GPU instances, powered by NVIDIA GPUs, for AI, ML, and high-performance tasks. Networking and security services include Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), firewalls, VPN, and routing capabilities, all complemented by built-in encryption and role-based access control (RBAC).
Supporting tools such as APIs, CLI, and Terraform ensure smooth infrastructure management. CloudPe also backs its services with a 99.95% VM uptime SLA and a transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing model, making cloud adoption reliable, flexible, and cost-efficient in India.
How is CloudPe powering scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud adoption for Indian enterprises?
CloudPe enables Indian enterprises to embrace the cloud with confidence by combining scalability, robust security, and cost efficiency. Its Tier 4 data centre in Navi Mumbai ensures low latency, high availability, and regulatory compliance, creating a strong foundation for mission-critical workloads.
Organisations can scale seamlessly using Virtual Machines, Kubernetes clusters, and GPU instances, all backed by advanced storage and networking options. Security is built into the platform through VPCs, firewalls, triple data replication, and data encryption, safeguarding sensitive information across industries.
A major differentiator is CloudPe’s pricing approach, which is transparent and optimised for the Indian market. With pay-as-you-go billing and cost savings of up to 30% compared to global hyperscalers, enterprises can achieve digital transformation goals without overspending. This combination of resilience, affordability, and modern workload readiness allows Indian businesses to innovate faster while keeping cloud adoption predictable and secure.
What are the unique differentiators of CloudPe over other competitors?
CloudPe stands apart from global hyperscalers and domestic providers with a set of distinct advantages. At its core, the platform is built on open-source OpenStack, ensuring customers avoid vendor lock-in and benefit from greater transparency and flexibility. Its Tier 4 Navi Mumbai data centres deliver ultra-low latency for Indian workloads with reliability levels that even some global players do not provide locally. A triple-replication storage architecture ensures near-zero risk of data loss while maintaining a 99.95% uptime SLA.
Pricing is another area where CloudPe differentiates itself. With a pay-as-you-go model that is typically 30% more cost-effective than AWS, Azure, or GCP, customers gain enterprise-class infrastructure without hidden charges. Security comes as standard with features like firewalls, VPCs, VPN, RBAC, and encryption built into the platform rather than added as extras.
Additionally, high-performance NVMe storage, GPU-backed compute, and Kubernetes-as-a-Service support AI/ML, SaaS, and cloud-native applications. CloudPe also emphasises accessibility through APIs, CLI, Terraform support, and 24/7 Indian-based customer support—offering a more responsive, personalised experience compared to ticket-driven global queues.
What are the critical pillars on which CloudPe’s GTM strategy stands in India?
CloudPe’s go-to-market (GTM) strategy in India is built on six critical pillars. First is localised infrastructure, anchored by Tier 4 data centres in Navi Mumbai, which deliver low latency, data sovereignty, and high availability for Indian businesses.
Second is affordability, with transparent pricing models offering up to 30% cost savings compared to global hyperscalers. Security and compliance form the third pillar, where features such as triple replication, firewalls, VPCs, VPN, and encryption address enterprise trust and regulatory readiness.
The fourth pillar focuses on scalability and modern workloads, with offerings such as GPU instances, Kubernetes-as-a-Service, and NVMe infrastructure tailored for AI, ML, and SaaS applications.
A partner-first ecosystem makes up the fifth pillar, strengthening ties with system integrators, SaaS providers, and managed service partners to accelerate adoption. Finally, CloudPe emphasises customer-centric support, providing 24/7 India-based assistance with a personalised approach rather than relying solely on global ticketing systems. Together, these pillars create a strategy that balances performance, cost efficiency, and trust.
What are the key initiatives undertaken under this strategy?
To operationalise its GTM pillars, CloudPe has launched multiple initiatives in India. One of the flagship programs focuses on SMEs and startups, offering credits and onboarding support to help smaller businesses adopt the cloud affordably. Industry-specific solutions are being rolled out for verticals such as BFSI, healthcare, SaaS, and IT/ITES, where compliance, data security, and scalability are top priorities. The company has also expanded its channel and partner initiatives, enabling system integrators and managed service providers to bundle CloudPe’s infrastructure with their solutions.
On the developer side, CloudPe provides APIs, CLI tools, and Terraform modules to support DevOps teams and cloud-native adoption. Additionally, customer success programs are a key initiative, offering dedicated account managers, proof-of-concept trials, and migration assistance to ensure smooth transitions. These initiatives collectively ensure that CloudPe’s value proposition is accessible to enterprises of all sizes, while also deepening long-term trust and ecosystem engagement.
How is CloudPe’s partner network structured in India?
CloudPe has adopted a partner-first approach to accelerate its growth in India’s cloud ecosystem. The network is built around several key groups. System integrators and value-added resellers (VARs) collaborate with CloudPe to design and deliver hybrid and multi-cloud solutions for enterprises.
Independent software vendors (ISVs) and SaaS providers host applications on CloudPe, benefiting from predictable pricing and scalable infrastructure. Managed service providers (MSPs) and channel partners are empowered to offer CloudPe’s infrastructure bundled with their managed support services.
To strengthen this ecosystem, CloudPe has introduced training and certification programs, equipping partners with the technical expertise and credentials needed to succeed. Joint go-to-market efforts, including co-branded marketing, marketplace listings, and incentive programs, further extend CloudPe’s reach. This structured partner ecosystem ensures that customers gain both cutting-edge cloud services and the local expertise required to implement them effectively.
How is India’s cloud ecosystem now centred on open-source innovation and localised architecture for resilience and self-reliance?
India’s cloud ecosystem is undergoing a significant shift toward open-source innovation and localised infrastructure, driven by the twin goals of resilience and self-reliance. Enterprises are increasingly adopting platforms such as OpenStack and Kubernetes to avoid vendor lock-in, ensure interoperability, and future-proof their IT investments. Localised Tier 4 data centres in India ensure compliance with domestic regulatory requirements, support data sovereignty, and deliver low-latency performance for mission-critical applications.
This transition also aligns with government priorities such as Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, where domestic cloud providers play a vital role in reducing dependence on global hyperscalers. By emphasising triple replication, built-in security, and localised architecture, platforms like CloudPe deliver resilience by design—ensuring performance and continuity even in the face of global disruptions. Open-source and localised approaches are thus becoming the cornerstone of India’s next-generation cloud strategy.
With most enterprises now adopting multi-cloud strategies, how have your conversations with CIOs changed over time?
Discussions with CIOs in India have shifted notably in recent years. Earlier, enterprises were primarily concerned with cloud migration—choosing a single provider and moving workloads to it. Today, the focus has moved to cloud optimisation within a multi-cloud environment. CIOs increasingly prioritise workload portability, compliance with Indian regulations, and cost optimisation, recognising that no single provider can meet every need.
In this context, CloudPe’s OpenStack foundation provides CIOs with flexibility and freedom from lock-in. Conversations now revolve around enabling AI/ML readiness, accelerating container adoption, and ensuring predictable costs. CIOs also look for providers who can complement global hyperscalers with local, cost-efficient alternatives. CloudPe has positioned itself as exactly that—an Indian platform that integrates seamlessly into multi-cloud strategies while offering resilience, compliance, and affordability.
What are going to be CloudPe’s key focus areas over the next few quarters?
Looking ahead, CloudPe has outlined several key priorities for the coming quarters. The expansion of GPU instances will be a major focus, enabling enterprises to accelerate AI, ML, and analytics workloads. The partner ecosystem will be strengthened further, with deeper engagement across system integrators, SaaS vendors, and MSPs to expand reach and joint value creation. Geographic expansion is also on the roadmap, with new availability zones planned across India to reduce latency and improve service reliability.
On the compliance front, CloudPe is enhancing its security and governance frameworks, targeting benchmarks such as MeitY and SOC 2 to reinforce enterprise trust. SME and startup adoption will continue to be a growth engine, supported by credit programs and bundled cost-optimised offerings. Finally, CloudPe plans to enrich the developer experience through enhanced APIs, DevOps tools, and automation frameworks, ensuring a faster and more seamless journey for cloud-native teams.
