The Paris Olympics 2024 are so much more than just a sporting event. ‘Ouvrons grand les Jeux’ or ‘Games wide open,’ as its motto goes—and the arena is as welcoming of the mightiest athletes and teams as it is of the underdogs. Beyond the grand spectacle, all eyes usually witness the celebration of the human spirit, resilience, and excellence. If you look beyond the field, you will relate to the sports persons and their stories of grit and determination in one way or another. 

We at Protium are no different. We are reminded of hundreds of instances that hit home as we watch the Olympics in awe. The humble but formidable stars for us are the MSMEs in the business arena. It’s not about the medals but the power of being at the most revered venue in athletics that proves their prowess. 

Just as Olympic athletes rely on the unwavering support of their coaches, trainers, and nation to turn their dreams into reality, MSMEs need a reliable partner to help them achieve their aspirations. At Protium, we embody the same values that drive Olympic success to empower MSMEs and fuel their growth. By aligning our brand values with the Olympic spirit, we create a supportive ecosystem that enables MSMEs to overcome challenges, push boundaries, and reach new heights. 

Integrity: The Cornerstone of Champions

The official Olympics website says about the Indian javelin throw champ Neeraj Chopra, “Natural talent is a fine trait to have for athletes but it’s often the work ethic in the gym and training ground that sets champions apart.” The Tokyo Olympic champ is renowned for his commitment to clean sport and works hard to overcome his previous shortcomings. Like him, Protium believes in upholding the highest standards of integrity in every business interaction. For us, integrity means being transparent, honest, and reliable. We ensure that our financial solutions are fair, equitable, and free from any hidden agendas. Our customers trust us to do the right thing, and we work hard to maintain that trust.

Authenticity: Embracing Uniqueness

Consider Hima Das’s journey from a small village in Assam to becoming a world-class sprinter as a testament to the power of being true to oneself. At Protium, we celebrate originality and our employees’ unique perspectives and experiences are our greatest strengths. 

Expression: Finding Your Voice

PV Sindhu, the queen of Indian badminton, has excelled in her sport while finding her voice on social issues. She has been advocating women’s empowerment and education, using her platform to raise awareness and inspire change. Her confidence and conviction on and off the court embody the spirit of finding one’s voice, which we embody by encouraging the power of open dialogue where our employees can speak up, share their ideas, and contribute meaningfully to our growth.

Mastery: The Pursuit of Perfection

Here’s the most senior athlete from India—Rohan Bopanna who has spent decades honing his craft, achieving mastery in his sport. With a career spanning over two decades, the 44-year-old Indian tennis player has won numerous titles, including Grand Slam championships. His dedication to continuous learning and improvement is a testament to his pursuit of mastery. At Protium, we’re committed to honing our skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional financial solutions. We invest in our employees’ growth, provide training and development opportunities, and encourage them to stay curious and keep learning. By pursuing mastery, we stay ahead of the curve, drive innovation, and deliver unparalleled value to our customers.

Tenacity: Overcoming Challenges

A gymnast champion born with a flat foot—is that even possible? It is if one is Dipa Karmarkar and she works tirelessly to adapt and overcome this limitation. Add to that a conservative background adding societal pressure to pursue more traditional paths, multiple injuries (like a severe knee injury that required surgery) throughout her career, funding struggles, and the lack of infrastructure and resources to train. But she has shown remarkable tenacity in overcoming these, rehabilitating, and returning to competition.

Or take the example of Manu Bhaker, the 20-year-old Indian shooter who faced a life-threatening injury in 2019 yet showed remarkable resilience and continued her journey to become a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Youth Olympic Games gold medalist, and ISSF World Cup gold medalist. Needless to say, from navigating complex regulatory environments, we have adapted, learnt to be agile and determined, face challenges head-on, learnt from our mistakes, and emerged stronger and more resilient. 

Greatness: Aiming High

‘The Great Wall of India’, hockey team’s goalie, PR Sreejesh demonstrated unwavering resilience to hold Britain to a 1-1 draw, before securing a thrilling 4-2 shootout victory to reach the semifinals. Sreejesh’s exceptional goalkeeping skills were on full display as he made crucial saves, paving the way for India’s triumph. The team’s performance is a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and the victory is a significant milestone for the national game that lives in cricket’s shadow.  

Inspired by the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes, Protium is committed to being a catalyst for change in the MSME ecosystem. Just as these champions overcome challenges to achieve greatness, we empower MSMEs to conquer hurdles and realize their full potential.

As we continue to support MSMEs across India, we are not just providing financial solutions but fueling dreams, creating opportunities, and building a stronger, more resilient economy. Together, we want to write a new chapter in India’s growth story, where every MSME is a champion!