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Tag: 📄Company Profiles

  • Milkvilla: Bengaluru’s Fastest Delivery of A2 Raw Cow Milk – Pure, Microplastic-Free, and Freshly Delivered with an Innovative Cart!

    India’s dairy industry is expected to grow by 13-14% in revenue during the financial year 2024-25, driven by strong consumer demand and better raw milk supply, as per CRISIL Ratings.

    With this growth, there is rising demand for pure and unprocessed milk. A name that is standing out and making its mark in this industry is Milkvilla. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Milkvilla stands out by delivering fresh A2 desi raw cow milk from free-grazing cows. Using advanced technology and eco-friendly practices, Milkvilla is creating a positive impact on health and the environment.

    In this article, learn more about Milkvilla, its founders, its business and revenue model, challenges, growth, and more.

    Milkvilla – Company Highlights

    Company Name Milkvilla
    Headquarters Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
    Sector Dairy Product Manufacturing
    Founder Mannu Jee, Aman Jee, Mayank Parashar, Avkash Kumar
    Founded 2021
    Website milkvilla.in

    Milkvilla – About
    Milkvilla – Industry
    Milkvilla – Founders and Team
    Milkvilla – Startup Story
    Milkvilla – Tagline
    Milkvilla – Vision and Mission
    Milkvilla – Products/Services
    Milkvilla – Business and Revenue Model
    Milkvilla – Customer Growth and Retention Strategies
    Milkvilla – Challenges Faced
    Milkvilla – Marketing Campaigns
    Milkvilla – Growth
    Milkvilla – Achievements in Startup Programs
    Milkvilla – Recognition and Achievements
    Milkvilla – Competitors
    Milkvilla – Future Plans

    Milkvilla – About

    Milkvilla is a brand committed to delivering pure, raw A2 desi cow milk straight from free-grazing cows to your doorstep. With a strong focus on sustainability, it eliminates plastic packaging and uses eco-friendly practices. Combining traditional methods with modern technology like blockchain and IoT, Milkvilla ensures quality, freshness, and transparency at every step. It’s more than milk, it’s a movement for a healthier lifestyle and a greener planet.

    Milkvilla – Industry

    Milkvilla Target Market
    Milkvilla Target Market

    The Indian dairy industry is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 13.68% and is expected to reach a market size of $489.62 billion by 2031. India, the world’s largest milk producer, generates over 230 million metric tons of milk annually. Around 70% of Indian households prefer raw milk over processed and packaged milk, citing its natural taste and nutritional value.

    Milkvilla aims to establish a strong presence in major cities across India, delivering raw milk and other eco-friendly, plastic-free dairy products by then, aligning with the industry’s shift towards sustainability and innovation​.

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    Milkvilla – Founders and Team

    Milkvilla Founders - Mannu Jee, Aman Jee, Mayank Parashar, Avkash Kumar
    Milkvilla Founders – Mannu Jee, Aman Jee, Mayank Parashar, Avkash Kumar

    Milkvilla is driven by a visionary leadership team with a shared passion for innovation, sustainability, and delivering value to customers:

    • Mannu Jee, Founder & CEO: With a background in marine engineering and global operations, Mannu’s leadership combines a deep commitment to sustainability and empowering farmers with strategic business acumen.
    • Aman Jee, Co-founder & CTO (IIT Patna): A technology innovator with expertise in software development, IoT, and cloud solutions, Aman leads Milkvilla’s tech infrastructure, ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
    • Mayank Parashar, Co-founder & COO: An operations expert with 8+ years in logistics and supply chain management, Mayank optimizes delivery systems to ensure Milkvilla’s raw milk reaches customers reliably and sustainably.
    • Avkash Kumar, Co-founder & CGO (IIT Kharagpur): A seasoned strategist and marketer, Avkash drives Milkvilla’s expansion through innovative campaigns, customer-centric solutions, and sustainable growth initiatives.

    Together, this dynamic team is transforming India’s dairy industry with innovation, quality, and a vision for a sustainable future.

    Milkvilla – Startup Story

    Milkvilla was founded to deliver fresh, A2 raw desi cow milk directly to consumers, prioritizing authenticity, nutrition, and sustainability. Inspired by the challenges faced by its founders, Mannu Jee, and Aman Jee, Milkvilla bridges the gap between rural milk production and urban consumers.

    Mannu Jee, raised in a farmer’s family, witnessed his father producing high-quality A2 milk that rarely reached urban areas like Muzaffarpur due to transportation issues. Aman, moving across cities for education and work, struggled to find nutrient-rich A2 milk, valued for its health benefits, especially for vegetarians and pregnant women.

    Established in 2019 in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Milkvilla ensures access to fresh A2 milk while empowering local farmers. Committed to sustainability, the company offers plastic-free packaging, saving over 2 lakh trees. Milkvilla has revolutionized urban milk access, focusing on quality, sustainability, and innovation to benefit consumers, farmers, and the environment.

    Technological Advancements at Milkvilla: Revolutionizing A2 Desi Raw Milk Delivery

    Milkvilla has pioneered advanced technology to ensure seamless delivery of fresh A2 desi raw milk. Innovations include temperature-controlled milk tanks, IoT-based milk dispensers, and custom electric delivery vans.

    The company has also developed software solutions to streamline experiences for consumers, farmers, and operations, alongside an IoT-based milk analyzer for real-time quality testing. These advancements underscore Milkvilla’s commitment to delivering premium milk with sustainability and efficiency from farm to doorstep.

    Milkvilla Probelm Solving Approach

    Milkvilla – Tagline

    Milkvilla’s tagline is “Raw Milk is the Real Milk” – A Commitment to Freshness and Quality

    At Milkvilla, they believe “Raw milk is the real milk.” Unlike market milk, often pasteurized, packaged, and delivered 8–10 days post-milking, Milkvilla’s A2 raw milk reaches consumers within 12 hours, ensuring purity and freshness.

    Unlike conventional milk with added milk powder or chemicals, Milkvilla guarantees pure, unadulterated A2 raw milk. The company’s promises include:

    • Fast Supply Chain: Fresh milk is delivered within 12 hours.
    • Highest Hygiene Standards: Rigorous practices ensure safety and quality.

    Milkvilla also provides a daily milk quality report via its app. You can easily differentiate raw milk from processed milk—raw milk develops a fat layer if unboiled within an hour, while pasteurized milk lacks this natural property. Milkvilla delivers authentic, preservative-free milk with transparency and integrity.

    Milkvilla – Vision and Mission

    The company’s mission is to become a household name for the delivery of fresh and A2 raw desi cow milk in India. The company emphasizes the belief that “raw milk is the real milk.”

    Milkvilla – Products/Services

    Milkvilla Products
    Milkvilla Products

    Milkvilla offers a premium range of A2 dairy products, including raw milk, paneer, curd, butter, and more, delivered within 12 hours of milking for maximum freshness and nutrition.

    Committed to sustainability, its eco-friendly, plastic-free packaging reduces environmental impact while preserving quality. Milkvilla brings farm-fresh, nutritious A2 products responsibly sourced to your doorstep.

    Milkvilla USP
    Milkvilla USP

    Milkvilla – Business and Revenue Model

    Milkvilla operates on a direct-to-consumer model, earning revenue by selling premium A2 milk and other dairy products. This approach allows to maintain control over product quality and customer experience, ensuring the freshest and most reliable dairy products for the consumers.

    In addition to the core retail business, Milkvilla is successfully executing a franchise model that enables rapid scaling. This strategic expansion reduces capital liabilities and creates a mutually beneficial partnership with franchisees, contributing additional revenue streams to the company. By combining direct sales and franchising, Milkvilla is poised for sustainable growth while maintaining the integrity of its product offerings.

    Milkvilla Business Model
    Milkvilla Business Model

    Milkvilla – Customer Growth and Retention Strategies

    Milkvilla has built a loyal customer base through a combination of unique strategies and unwavering product quality. Its distinct milk carts attract customers organically, and the superior taste and freshness of the raw A2 milk ensure they stay with us. Unlike others, Milkvilla does not process or package its products, preserving the true flavor of milk and dairy while avoiding preservatives.

    Milkvilla operates on a subscription-based model complemented by fast delivery, offering convenience and reliability to its customers. Moving forward, Milkvilla plans to enhance consumer retention through personalized offerings, community engagement, and continuous improvements in service.

    With its sustainable practices, innovative marketing, and scalable operations, Milkvilla is well-positioned to continue leading the A2 raw dairy market and delivering unparalleled quality and convenience to consumers.

    By Choosing Milkvilla, You're Saving 1 Tree Every Month
    By Choosing Milkvilla, You’re Saving 1 Tree Every Month

    Milkvilla – Challenges Faced

    Milkvilla has faced various challenges throughout its journey, each requiring unique solutions. Initially, managing supply-demand imbalance was a key issue. As the company grew, manpower management became a challenge, followed by the need for advanced technology to handle raw milk and serve a large customer base. Additionally, finding sustainable packaging solutions without plastic was another hurdle.

    To address these, they focused on building the right team, developing technology, and finding eco-friendly packaging. Today, all of Milkvilla’s products are delivered in plastic-free packaging, aligning with its sustainability commitment.

    Milkvilla has evolved by turning each challenge into an opportunity to improve operations, enhance offerings, and uphold environmental values, ensuring consumers receive the highest-quality A2 dairy products with every delivery.

    Milkvilla – Marketing Campaigns

    Milkvilla’s marketing campaigns have played a key role in building the brand and engaging consumers. One standout strategy is its cow mascot marketing, adding fun and freshness to events while reinforcing the commitment to high-quality A2 raw milk.


    Our operations in Bengaluru have positioned them as pioneers, being the only company delivering raw A2 milk at scale in the city. Through plastic-free packaging, Milkvilla has saved over 2 lakh trees, reflecting its sustainability efforts.

    To expand its reach, Milkvilla is launching an affiliate marketing program, allowing individuals to promote its products and earn up to INR 80,000. Milkvilla also uses unique content and graphics to stand out in a competitive market.

    To showcase its superior quality and delivery, Milkvilla is offering 1 liter of free raw milk to let consumers experience the difference. Through these campaigns, Milkvilla continues to build trust, expand its consumer base, and lead the A2 raw milk industry.

    Milkvilla – Growth

    Milkvilla has made significant strides in its growth and operations. The company has established its own plants in three key locations: Muzaffarpur, Patna, and Bangalore, and is successfully running two pilot franchise operations in Chandigarh and Moradabad. Most of these centers are already operating profitably, demonstrating the strength and efficiency of Milkvilla’s business model.

    With a monthly revenue surpassing INR 1 crore and a growing consumer base of over 6,000 customers, Milkvilla is well-positioned for continued growth. The company is poised to scale further and faster, with plans to expand its footprint and continue providing fresh, high-quality A2 dairy products to an even broader audience.

    Milkvilla – Achievements in Startup Programs

    Milkvilla’s innovative efforts have been recognized by both the Government of Bihar and the Government of India. The company has received separate grants totaling INR 40 lakh from these governments, acknowledging its contributions to the dairy sector and its potential for impactful growth.

    This support underscores Milkvilla’s commitment to revolutionizing the dairy industry while driving economic and sustainable development.

    Milkvilla Technology
    Milkvilla Technology

    Milkvilla – Recognition and Achievements

    Milkvilla has been proudly recognized by Startup India for its innovative contributions to the dairy industry and its commitment to sustainability. Its journey is marked by impactful milestones that demonstrate Milkvilla’s dedication to delivering quality products while protecting the environment.

    • 4,475 carbon credits earned: Reflecting our measurable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
    • 60 million liters of water saved: By reducing reliance on plastic, contributing to water conservation efforts.
    • 58,000 kg of CO2 emissions reduced: Minimizing our carbon footprint with environmentally conscious initiatives.
    • 27,000 kg of plastic waste diverted from landfills: Supporting a cleaner environment through sustainable practices.
    • 30,000 kg of plastic production avoided: Ensuring eco-friendly operations by adopting plastic-free packaging.
    • 50 lakh liters of milk delivered: Bringing fresh, raw A2 dairy products to thousands of households.

    These achievements underscore Milkvilla’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility. As it continues to grow, Milkvilla remains dedicated to creating a lasting positive impact on the planet while delivering the highest-quality A2 dairy products to its consumers.

    Milkvilla: Making a Positive Impact on the Environment with Every Drop of Milk
    Milkvilla: Making a Positive Impact on the Environment with Every Drop of Milk

    Milkvilla – Competitors

    Milkvilla operates in a competitive market alongside notable players such as Country Delight, Akshayakalpa, Sid’s Farm, and Pride of Cows. While these brands share a commitment to delivering quality dairy products, Milkvilla differentiates itself through its focus on A2 desi “raw milk” and a seamless, technology-driven supply chain.

    Milkvilla’s dedication to sustainability—evident in its plastic-free packaging—and the ability to deliver fresh A2 dairy products within 12 hours of milking set it apart from competitors. By combining innovation, superior product quality, and a strong consumer-first approach, Milkvilla continues to carve its niche in the premium dairy segment, building trust and loyalty among its growing customer base.

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    Milkvilla – Future Plans

    Milkvilla is gearing up for significant expansion and innovation. Currently operating a small plant on Sarjapur Road in Bengaluru, the company plans to scale to 50 delivery vehicles within the next six months, with plans to replicate this model across Bengaluru and other major cities in India for nationwide growth.

    Additionally, Milkvilla is expanding its franchise model to tier 2 and tier 3 cities, with planning already underway. This will bring fresh A2 dairy products to more consumers while supporting local entrepreneurship.

    Milkvilla will also introduce a 10-25 minute dairy delivery service starting in January or February 2025, becoming the first dairy company to achieve this milestone. These efforts aim to redefine convenience and quality in the dairy industry, setting new benchmarks for freshness, speed, and accessibility.

    FAQs

    What products does Milkvilla offer?

    Milkvilla offers a premium range of A2 dairy products, including raw milk, paneer, curd, butter, ghee, and more, delivered within 12 hours of milking for maximum freshness and nutrition.

    Who are the founders of Milkvilla?

    Mannu Jee, Aman Jee, Mayank Parashar, and Avkash Kumar are the co-founders of Milkvilla.

    Where is the headquarters of Milkvilla?

    The headquarters of Milkvilla is in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, near HN Halli Lake, off Sarjapur Road.

  • Xiaomi: The Popular Chinese Electronics Company

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations.

    ‘Quality products at honest pricing’ is almost everyone’s need. Xiaomi has a separate fan base for its high-grade products built with cutting-edge technology at reasonable prices. Xiaomi is a Chinese company that has its major ground in electronics. The company has a presence in over 100 countries and regions and has been hailed as the world’s most-valued tech startup already in 2014. Xiaomi currently ranks in the 70th position on the Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands in 2021 by Kantar BrandZ.

    Xiaomi Mobiles have also gained much popularity in India, which has only seen growth year on year. The company tops the list of the best-selling phones in India. Xiaomi India even made it to the ‘GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS’ by building the largest light mosaic (logo) in the world. It was set by placing 9,690 bulbs and this momentous work is found on the terrace of Xiaomi’s head office in Bengaluru. Here are some more interesting facts and figures about Xiaomi.

    This article is all about the journey and functioning of Xiaomi. Know more about Xiaomi and its history, its Founders and Team, origin, Startup Story, background, Business Model, revenue model, IPO, Funding and Investors, Revenue Model, Competitors, and more.

    Xiaomi – Company Highlights

    Startup Name Xiaomi
    Headquarters Beijing, China
    Sector Consumer Electronics
    Founders Lei Jun
    Founded April 2010
    Parent Organization Xiaomi.Inc
    Website Mi.com

    About Xiaomi
    Xiaomi – Founders/Owners
    Xiaomi – History
    Xiaomi – Name, Tagline & Logo
    Xiaomi – Funding & Investors
    Xiaomi – Competitors
    Xiaomi – Revenue Model
    Xiaomi – Growth & Revenue
    Xiaomi – Future Plans

    About Xiaomi

    Xiaomi is an electronics company based in Beijing, China. It was founded by Lei Jun in April 2010, and in 2014, Xiaomi was the largest smartphone company in China. Today, Xiaomi is one of the top five smartphone vendors in the world. The smartphone commodities of Xiaomi include different series such as Mi Series, Mi Note Series, Mi Max Series, Mi Mix Series, Mi NoteBook Series, Redmi Series (Redmi 9, Redmi 8, Redmi 9i, Redmi 9a), Blackshark, and Pocophone. Xiaomi has around 291.6 million active users for its MIUI updates. Besides, the company also offers laptops, mobile apps, mobile accessories, wearables, home appliances, and smart-home devices.

    In 2019, Xiaomi even started selling accessories such as caps, bags, glasses, backpacks, and also lunchboxes, pillows, cups, filters, umbrellas, and screwdrivers.

    In 2018, Xiaomi launched Mi Credit in India for easy accessibility of personal loans. The Xiaomi company also offers various value-added-internet services like ‘Mi Music’, ‘Mi Video’, and ‘Mi Game’.

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    Xiaomi – Founders/Owners

    Lei Jun

    Lei Jun - Founder, CEO, and President of Xiaomi
    Lei Jun – Founder, CEO, and President of Xiaomi

    Lei Jun is the founder, CEO, and President of Xiaomi. The other co-founders are Lin Bin, Dr. Zhou Guangping, Liu De, Li Wanqiang, Wong Kong-Kat, Hong Feng, and Chuan Wang.

    Lei Jun is a graduate in computer science from Wuhan University. In 1992, Lei Jun joined Kingsoft, a Chinese software company as an engineer. In 1998, Lei Jun became the CEO of Kingsoft. In December 2007, he resigned from Kingsoft for health-related issues. While he was still working with Kingsoft, Lei Jun founded an online bookstore named Joyo.com. Joyo.com was acquired by Amazon.com in 2004.

    After resigning from Kingsoft, Lei Jun became an angel investor and invested in over 20 companies. He still invests in various companies through Shunwei Capital. In 2008, he joined UC Web as Chairman, and in 2010 Lei Jun founded Xiaomi.

    Xiaomi co-founder & Vice Chairman, Lin Bin is a graduate in radio electronics and holds a rich experience of working with companies like ADP, Microsoft, and Google. Lin Bin is also a member of the board of advisors of Tufts University School of Engineering located in Boston (USA).

    Dr. Zhou Guangping, who has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, worked with Motorola and held various pivotal positions in the company before joining Xiaomi. Dr. Zhou led the hardware and BSP teams at Xiaomi. Currently, Dr. Zhou Guangping works with Motorola as Director of Engineering.

    Liu De is an M.S. and an expert in Industrial design. He is the co-founder and Senior Vice President of the company. He established the Industrial Design Department at the University of Science and Technology Beijing. In 2003, Liu De founded ‘New Edge’, an Industrial Design Company. Mr. Liu currently looks after the industrial design and Ecosystem Development teams at Xiaomi.

    Li Wanqiang is known as one of the earliest UI and HCI experts in China. He is a former Senior VP/Chief Brand Officer at Xiaomi Corp. After completing his graduation in Industrial Engineering in 2000, Mr. Wanqiang joined Kingsoft, where he led many important and well-known software projects. In 2010 Wanqiang joined Xiaomi as a co-founder.

    Wong Kong-Kat graduated in computer science in 1997 and joined Microsoft, where he worked till 2010. Mr. Wong is now in charge of the Mi wifi and Mi Cloud teams.

    Hong Feng holds a post-graduate degree in computer science. He started his career with Siebel System as a Lead Software Engineer. In 2006, Mr. Hong joined Google as a Senior Software Engineer. Later he also looked after the development of the various localized products of Google (in China) like Google Music and Google Pinyin Input as a Senior Product Manager at Google China. Mr. Hong now looks after the MIUI division at Xiaomi.

    Xiaomi co-founder Chuan Wang is a seasoned entrepreneur. In 1997, Mr. Wang founded Thunderstone Technology, which grew to be the largest VOD (Video on Demand) system provider in China. In 2007 Chuan Wang founded a digital book company named Beijing Duokan Technology of which he is currently the CEO. In 2012, Mr. Wang joined Xiaomi as the co-founder and Vice President. Presently he manages the Mi TV and Mi Box teams at Xiaomi.

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    Xiaomi – History

    Lei Jun founded Xiaomi in 2010, as a software company and created MIUI ROM based on Google’s Android. The idea behind developing MIUI was to offer more functionalities and a better UI than Android. MIUI indeed got the popularity it deserved. As per reports in March 2020, the MAU ( Monthly Active Users) of MIUI increased to 330.7 million worldwide.

    In 2011 Xiaomi entered the hardware segment by launching the Mi One phone. The Xiaomi team’s focus has been on creating quality hardware devices and selling them at comparatively lower costs than those available in the market while they intended to make revenue through their services and content. The company today not only sells mobile phones but more mobile apps, wearables, home appliances, and smart home devices.

    The meaning of the word ‘Xiaomi’ is ‘Millet’ and few reports show that it also means ‘Rice’. Lei Jun relates the word ‘Xiao’ to the Buddhist concept that, a single grain of rice is as great as a mountain’, indicating the company’s endurance. “Only for fans” was its tagline before.

    Xiaomi Logo
    Xiaomi Logo

    The logo of the company shows the word ‘MI’. It is the abbreviation for “Mobile Internet”, but Xiaomi has mentioned that it can also be read as “Mission Impossible”, representing all the challenges the company has faced so far.

    Xiaomi – Funding & Investors

    Xiaomi has raised funding worth approx. $7.4 Billion over 15 different funding rounds. Xiaomi went public in 2018.

    Date Stage Amount Investors
    December 2, 2020 Post-IPO Debt $855M –
    December 2, 2020 Post-IPO Equity $3.1B –
    April 2018 Secondary Market $800K Qualcomm Ventures
    July 28, 2017 Debt Financing $1B Morgan Stanely, Deutsche bank, NGP Capital
    March 1, 2016 Secondary Market – –
    April 27, 2015 Funding Round – Ratan Tata,DST Global,HOPU Fund,GIC,All-Stars Investment,YunFeng Capital
    December 22, 2014 Series E $1.1B –
    October 29, 2014 Debt Financing $1B Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase
    August 22, 2013 Series D – DST Global
    June 2012 Series C – Morningside Venture Capital
    June 2012 Series C $216M Morningside Group
    December 2011 Series B $90M IDG Capital, Shunwei Capital, Morningside Venture Capital
    December 2010 Series A $41 Million –

    Xiaomi – Competitors

    Top competitors of Xiaomi include Samsung Electronics, Apple, Huawei, Samsung, OnePlus, and Oppo. Xiaomi sustains its paramount position with constant updates and optimization along with marketing at reasonable prices. Apple and Samsung provide good quality phones but have high prices. Whereas Xiaomi provides a number of features at reasonable prices.

    Redmi smartphones are priced at as low as 6000 rupees on Amazon, and Xiaomi continues to have the highest market share for smartphone shipments in India. One of Xiaomi’s strongest competitors is Realme. Realme is a daughter brand of Oppo also coming up with equally great phones like Xiaomi. And thus there is strong competition between Realme and Xiaomi. Motorola and Samsung are increasing the competition. Samsung released the M series where they did focus on value for money without compromising necessary specs.

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    Xiaomi – Revenue Model

    Xiaomi’s primary source of revenue is from smartphones, the Internet of Things (IoT) and lifestyle products, internet services, and other miscellaneous products and services that the company offers.

    A major portion of Xiaomi’s revenue comes from the sale of smartphones. In 2018, the company is reported to have sold 119 million smartphones. Around 25% of Xiaomi’s revenue comes from IoT and Lifestyle products. The company deals in a wide variety of IoT-enabled products like smart TVs, electric scooters, vacuum cleaners, cameras, rearview mirrors, etc. As regards the internet-based services provided by the company, pre-loaded apps and services form a good part of Xiaomi’s revenue. Besides the company offers monthly subscriptions to its TV shows, games, and movies, and also earns by providing advertisement services.

    Xiaomi – Growth & Revenue

    In the third quarter of 2024, Xiaomi achieved record revenue and strong earnings growth. Total revenue for the quarter reached RMB92.5 billion, marking a 30.5% year-over-year increase. Within segments, the smartphone × AIoT segment generated RMB82 billion in revenue during the same period. Xiaomi has grown in sales and product ranges.

    Xiaomi's Annual Revenue from 2015 to 2023
    Xiaomi’s Annual Revenue from 2015 to 2023

    However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the smartphone company saw a decline in the Q1 of 2020. However, Xiaomi has also been declared as the only brand among the top five smartphone sellers, to achieve comparatively sound sales in the first quarter of 2020. It saw a 1.4% YoY from 2019, during the first quarter of 2020.

    In 2019, Xiaomi’s total revenue was approximately RMB 205.84 Billion, and gross profit was nearly RMB 28.55 Billion. In the Q4 of 2019, the company’s total revenue grew by 27.1% to RMB 56.5 Billion with an attuned net profit of RMB 2.3 Billion and a 26.5% YoY increase.

    “Despite headwinds from the Sino-US trade war and global economic downturn, Xiaomi stood out in 2019 with a commendable set of results as our revenue exceeded RMB 200 billion for the first time. We also celebrated several key milestones, ranging from the successful launch of our dual-brand strategy as Xiaomi and Redmi are spun-off and independently operated, the affirmation of ‘5G+AIoT’ as our strategic roadmap, to our inaugural entries into the prestigious ranks of the Fortune Global 500 and BrandZ’s Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands” says, Mr. Lei Jun, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi.

    According to reports dated September 1, 2021, Xiaomi has revealed that it would not be launching any more of its products with the Mi brand. The Chinese tech giant has decided to withdraw the “MI” name from all their future products.

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    Xiaomi – Future Plans

    Xiaomi has ambitious future plans:

    • Market Expansion: Xiaomi aims to open 2 more stores in Singapore by 2025, reaching 10 stores, and expand to 219 sales stores and 143 service centers by 2024.
    • R&D Investment: The company plans to invest 30 billion yuan (US$4.1 billion) in 2025, focusing on AI, operating systems, and chips.
    • Electric Vehicles (EVs): Xiaomi is developing smart EVs with advanced features, though it currently faces net losses despite a strong profit margin.
    • Carbon Neutrality: Xiaomi targets carbon neutrality by 2040 and will transport 2.32 million products via sea and rail in 2022 to cut emissions.
    • Smart Device Ecosystem: Xiaomi is dedicated to creating a connected world of smart devices.

    Xiaomi’s vision is to make quality technology accessible to everyone, i.e., “Innovation for everyone”. The company makes this possible with its high-quality products and remarkable services.

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    According to reports, Xiaomi has 7 factories in India, four of which are in Andhra Pradesh, two in Tamil Nadu, and one in Noida. As claimed by the company about 99% of Xiaomi phones are produced in India. The company has also started a pilot project whereby the company is exporting Xiaomi phones made in India to Bangladesh and Nepal. Besides smartphones, the company claims that almost 100% of smartphone chargers, USB cables, and batteries are made in India. Xiaomi also has a smart TV manufacturing plant in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

    FAQs

    Xiaomi company belongs to which country?

    Xiaomi is a company based in China.

    What is Xiaomi?

    Xiaomi is a Chinese multinational company that designs and manufactures smartphones, smart home devices, laptops, and consumer electronics. It was founded in 2010 by Lei Jun and is known for offering high-quality products at affordable prices. Xiaomi also develops software, including its MIUI operating system based on Android.

    What is Xiaomi HyperOS?

    Xiaomi HyperOS is Xiaomi’s new operating system that replaces MIUI. It offers faster performance, AI features, and better connectivity across devices like phones, tablets, and smart home products.

    Which is Xiaomi parent company?

    Xiaomi Corporation is its own parent company. It was founded by Lei Jun in 2010.

  • Tata 1mg Startup Story: An Online Drug Delivery Platform

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations.

    An online pharmacy internet pharmacy, or mail-order pharmacy is a pharmacy that operates over the Internet and sends orders to customers through mail, shipping companies, or online pharmacy web portals. 1mg is a digital consumer healthcare platform, or an online pharmacy center, that makes healthcare accessible, understandable, and affordable.

    1mg was launched in April 2015 after Healthkart separated its generic drug search business, HealthkartPlus, and rebranded it as 1mg. It allows users to find information about medicines prescribed by doctors and also buy it online. Users can find medicines by ailments, class, companies, and brands.

    Let’s go through Tata 1mg’s Startup Story and get a glance at Tata 1mg funding, business model, company profile, turnover, growth, revenue model, founders & more.

    1mg – Company Highlights

    Startup Name Tata 1mg
    Headquarters Gurugram, Haryana, India
    Industry Healthcare
    Founded 2013
    Founders Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal, Vikas Chauhan
    CEO Prashant Tandon
    Area Served India
    Website www.1mg.com

    About Tata 1mg and How it Works?
    Tata 1mg – Logo and its Meaning
    Tata 1mg – Founder and History
    Tata 1mg – Mission
    Tata 1mg – Business Model
    Tata 1mg – Revenue and Growth
    Tata 1mg – Funding and Investors
    Tata 1mg – Acquisitions
    Tata 1mg – Competitors
    Tata 1mg – Awards and Recognitions
    Tata 1mg – Challenges Faced
    Tata 1mg – Future Plans

    Tata 1mg – About and How it Works?

    Tata 1mg is a developer of an online drug delivery platform intended to make healthcare accessible, understandable, and affordable.

    The company delivers medicines and health products online along with lab test booking, online consultations, and authentic information from healthcare professionals, thereby enabling customers to meet all their healthcare needs in one platform hassle-free.

    1mg.com brings to us, an online platform, which can be assessed for all our health needs. With AI being hailed as the technology of the future, every startup is trying to adapt it in some capacity to streamline and optimize their offerings. Tata 1mg recently started offering a feature, ‘Ask a Doctor,’ which is an intuitive chatbot that asks questions to accurately identify what the problem may be and shows the medicinal specializations under which the ailment may fall. Users can choose from one of them and a doctor, who can diagnose the problem via chat, is assigned to you.

    Tata Digital, a subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Ltd. acquired a major stake in 1mg to further widen the former’s digital offerings on June 10, 2021. Though the amount is still not disclosed by the source, the total valuation of 1mg was $400 million.

    Tata 1mg had the highest number of downloads (184.2K) among telemedicine startups during Jan 1-Feb 10, 2021, as per AppTweak data. It has invested in expanding its cold chain and in contact with vaccine makers for partnerships to participate in COVID-19 vaccination (when the government allows the private sector to get in)

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    Tata 1mg – Logo and its Meaning

    Tata 1mg is all about medicines and the basic unit for a medicine’s strength is measured in milligrams (mg). And to top it all, 1 MG Road was where the company’s first office was located.

    Tata 1mg Logo
    Tata 1mg Logo

    Tata 1mg – Founder and History

    Gurugram-headquartered e-pharmacy startup Tata 1mg (earlier as HealthKartPlus) was founded by Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal, and Vikas Chauhan in 2013.

    Founders of 1mg - Gaurav Agarwal, Vikas Chauhan, and Prashant Tandon
    Tata 1mg Founders – Gaurav Agarwal, Vikas Chauhan, and Prashant Tandon

    The website was started as HealthKartPlus, a platform for users to have all the information about the medicines. The platform became so popular and got a huge response from the public and users asked the company to start the delivery of the medicines too. Thus, Tata 1mg was started.

    Tata 1mg was launched in April 2015 after Healthkart separated its generic drug search business, HealthkartPlus, and rebranded it as 1mg. The company has three business verticals — Pharmaceuticals, Labs, and Doctors.

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    Tata 1mg – Mission

    The company’s mission is to make healthcare accessible, understandable, and affordable for one billion Indians through a comprehensive website and mobile app. Tata 1mg enables consumers to learn more about their medicines in addition to finding more cost-effective substitutes.

    Tata 1mg – Business Model

    Tata 1mg provides services like diagnostics, medicine, preventive healthcare, and online Q&A to its users. Apart from this, they also have native ads on their platforms for pharma companies. In the past year, The company has expanded its pharmacies to 600 cities and also expanded its product range to include homeopathy and Ayurveda range.

    The company used its app to spread information on medicines. They are using push notifications and emails to expand and let people know that they are living in their city. The company also uses offline advertisements depending on the city. They use newspaper advertisements and health camps to spread information. However, a majority of their marketing is digital.

    Tata 1mg makes money with online diagnostics and lab testing services. These account for a majority of their annual revenues. Online medicine delivery, B2B healthcare solutions, and subscription-based care plans form up the rest of their yearly finances.

    Tata 1mg – Revenue and Growth

    Tata 1mg Financials 2023 2024
    Operating Revenue INR 1627 crore INR 1968 crore
    Total Expenses INR 2894 crore INR 2303 crore
    Profit/Loss INR -1255 crore INR -313 crore
    1mg Financials FY24
    Tata 1mg Financials FY24

    In FY24, Tata 1mg’s operating revenue increased by approximately 21%, rising from INR 1627 crore in FY23 to INR 1968 crore. Total expenses decreased by about 20%, dropping from INR 2894 crore to INR 2303 crore. As a result, losses reduced significantly by nearly 75%, improving from INR 1255 crore to INR 313 crore.

    EBITDA

    FY23 FY24
    EBITDA Margin -71.66% -10.85%
    Expense/₹ of Op Revenue ₹1.78 ₹1.17
    ROCE -341.99 NA

    Tata 1mg saw strong and steady growth in FY23 without spending too much cash. FY23 was also its first full year under Tata Digital.

    1mg’s operating revenue jumped 2.5 times to INR 1,627 crore in FY23, up from INR 627 crore in FY22, as per its financial reports. Earlier, in FY22, the company had nearly doubled its revenue from INR 309 crore in FY21.

    As per regulatory filings, Tata 1mg’s total revenue was INR 369.3 crore in FY20, which is over a 77% jump from the company’s revenue which stood at INR 209.1 crore in FY19.

    Selling medicines online hasn’t been all easy as this space witnessed regulatory challenges back in 2019. While the Delhi High Court had ordered all state governments to ban the online sale of medicines in January last year, the central drug regulator had asked states to enforce a court directive prohibiting online medicine sales this month.

    Amidst this regulatory uncertainty, Gurugram-based Tata 1mg has demonstrated decent growth with a 2.8X jump in operating revenue. Registering 180% growth, it has posted a total operating revenue of INR 240.85 crore.

    The company collected Rs 39.45 crore from offering marketplace services and INR 68.3 crore through online diagnostics and lab testing services in the year ending March 2019. It also made INR 67.8 lakhs from collection charges.

    Importantly, the overall revenue from services grew 90.2% from INR 41.8 crores in FY18 to INR 79.5 crores in FY19. All services together accounted for a little over one-third of the total revenues generated by Tata 1mg during last fiscal in 2019.

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    Tata 1mg – Funding and Investors

    Tata 1mg has raised a total of $230.8 million in funding over 16 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Sep 6, 2022 from a Corporate Round led by Tata Digital. This funding round made Tata 1mg a unicorn as the company was valued $1.25 and $1.30 billion after raising $40 million in funding. Tata 1mg is funded by 10 lead investors. Tata Digital is the most recent investor.

    Tata 1mg funding details are as follows –

    Date Round Amount Lead Investors
    September 6, 2022 Corporate Round $40M Tata Digital
    April 19, 2021 Debt Financing $13.3M Tata Group
    Jul 3, 2020 Debt Financing $17.8M –
    Jan 31, 2020 Venture Round $9.48M Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Jun 28, 2019 Series D $70M Corisol Holding AG, International Finance Corporation
    Apr 5, 2019 Series D $10.3M Redwood Global Healthcare Fund
    Jan 1, 2019 Venture Round – InnoVen Capital
    Mar 1, 2018 Series C $10.1M Maverick Ventures
    Jul 26, 2017 Series C $15M HBM Healthcare Investments AG
    Jul 1, 2017 Series C $12.2M –
    Jun 30, 2017 Venture Round $10M HBM Healthcare Investments AG, Sequoia Capital India
    May 31, 2016 Venture Round – HBM Healthcare Investments AG
    April, 2021 Debt Financing $13.35M Tata Digital

    Tata 1mg – Acquisitions

    Tata 1mg has acquired 3 organizations. Their most recent acquisition was Dawailelo on Sep 1, 2017.

    Acquiree Name Date Amount About Acquiree
    Dawailelo Sep 1, 2017 – Dawailelo is a Varanasi-based healthcare startup that helps people connect with medical stores
    MediAngels Dec 14, 2016 – MediAngels delivers healthcare globally
    Medd.in July 5, 2016 – Medd.in is an online platform to book diagnostic and imaging tests

    Tata 1mg – Competitors

    Tata 1mg’s top competitors are Netmeds, Practo, Medlife, PharmEasy, Metarain Distributors Private Limited, HealthKart, CareOnGo, mChemist and BookMEDS.

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    Tata 1mg – Awards and Recognitions

    In 2014, just a year after they started off, Tata 1mg won the m-billionth award for m-health in South Asia. They were also recognized as the most promising healthcare startup by News Corp VCCircle. In 2016, Tata 1mg was acknowledged as the Best App in the medical category by Gmasa.

    They also won the award for the best online pharmacy in India at the International Quality Awards. They achieved the title ‘New Kid on the Block’ at the NDTV Unicorn Awards in the same year.

    Tata 1mg was recognized as one of the Top 50 ventures in the Smart CEO-Startup50 India 2017 program. By the year 2017, the company had grown by 600% in terms of the success of the Tata 1mg app and user engagement. They expanded their product range to encompass Ayurvedic medicines and homeopathy.

    Within the years 2016 and 2017, the company had raised 37 million dollars through 5 rounds of funding. In 2018, Tata 1mg won the BML Munjal Award for ‘Business Excellence through Learning and Development’. During the Content Leadership Awards in 2018, they won the title ‘Best Content in a Healthcare/Fitness App’. Tata 1mg was also recognized as the ‘Best Mobile Innovation for Health award ‘ at the India Mobile Congress.

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    Tata 1mg – Challenges Faced

    1mg was initially started as HealthKartPlus, a platform that aggregated medical information and sold alternative medicine to its users. The platform caught up quickly with the users and soon the users began asking for delivery of medicines to be included as well. At a time when information and awareness about medicines and lab tests were either minimal or non-existent, 1mg aimed to change it.

    Tata 1mg has a system in place where they onboard vendors onto the platform if they meet certain requirements like computerized inventory and invoicing, which makes end-to-end tracking easier for the customer. The startup can generate business even after strict government compliances which banned online pharmacies by making a prescription mandatory to make a purchase.

    Tata 1mg – Future Plans

    Aggressively moving towards its expansion plans, Tata 1mg has decided to expand the scope of its platform and is entering the alternate medicine space (AYUSH categories) through the acquisition of Homeobuy.com. Homeobuy is a web platform for homeopathy medicines.

    With this acquisition, Tata 1mg will re-brand the website to www.1mgAyush.com and make homeopathic & ayurvedic medicines available to customers in New Delhi. The Indian government has also been actively supporting and developing the AYUSH categories, as a strong system of medicine that has evolved over a long period of time.

    After Tata Digital’s acquisition of the majority stakes in Tata 1mg, the company announced that they are looking forward to promising 60-minute deliveries in selected locations around the country. Tata 1mg is known for 4-5 hour deliveries in a bunch of locations, which will also be extended to other locations as well.

    “We are the platform that stands for consumer health and we believe the alternate forms of medicines are equally important. Having seen the importance of these alternative forms of medicines and our government’s support in promoting them, we aim at creating an exhaustive platform for all health solutions. The business will continue to work on a marketplace network model and partner with quality vendors in this sector,” said Prashant Tandon.

    FAQs

    What is 1mg?

    1mg is a digital consumer healthcare platform that makes healthcare accessible, understandable, and affordable. It allows users to find information about medicines prescribed by doctors and also buy them. Users can find drugs by ailments, class, companies, and brands.

    Who is Tata 1mg founder?

    Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal, and Vikas Chauhan are the founders of 1 mg company.

    Who is the CEO of 1mg?

    Prashant Tandon is the CEO & Co-Founder at 1mg.

    How does 1mg make money?

    1mg makes money with online diagnostics and lab testing services. These account for a majority of their annual revenues. Online medicine delivery, B2B healthcare solutions, and subscription-based care plans form up the rest of their yearly finances.

    Is 1mg an Indian company?

    Yes, 1mg is India’s leading consumer health platform.

    How do you order medication 1mg?

    You can send the list of medicines, your full address, contact number, and valid prescription to order@1mg.com.

    Does Tata 1mg provides franchise opportunity?

    Tata 1mg provides a franchise model, enabling individuals to partner with the brand and open their own 1mg store.

  • Tata Motors: Redefining the Automotive Industry with a Purpose

    From its beginnings as a locomotive manufacturer, the company has evolved into a diversified player producing automobiles, buses, trucks, defense vehicles, and electric cars. Renowned for its innovative spirit, Tata Motors has consistently delivered world-class solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

    With a strong manufacturing base comprising 10 facilities and 3 R&D centers in India, alongside 12 global JLR facilities, the company maintains a competitive edge through innovation and sustainability. As it forges ahead, Tata Motors aims to redefine mobility with ambitious EV investments, expanded product portfolios, and cutting-edge ICE vehicles. With a steadfast commitment to community building and transparency, Tata Motors is poised to set new benchmarks in the automotive industry, blending heritage with a vision for a sustainable and technologically advanced future.

    Learn more about Tata Motors, its founders, funding and investors, business and revenue model, startup story, growth, revenue, challenges, future plans, and more.

    Tata Motors – Company Highlights

    Name Tata Motors
    Headquarters Mumbai, India
    Sector Automobile manufacturer
    Founded 1945
    Founder Jamsetji Tata
    Website Tatamotors.com

    Tata Motors – About
    Tata Motors – Industry
    Tata Motors – Founders and Team
    Tata Motors – Startup Story
    Tata Motors – Mission and Vision
    Tata Motors – Name, Tagline and Logo
    Tata Motors – Business Model
    Tata Motors – Revenue Model
    Tata Motors – Challenges Faced
    Tata Motors – Funding and Investors
    Tata Motors – Investments
    Tata Motors – Mergers & Acquisitions
    Tata Motors – Growth
    Tata Motors – Online and Social Media Presence
    Tata Motors – Competitors
    Tata Motors – Future Plans

    Tata Motors – About

    Tata Motors is one of India’s most iconic automotive brands and a part of the renowned Tata Group. Based in Mumbai, this global powerhouse makes everything from cars and SUVs to trucks, buses, and vans. And guess what? It’s not just an India story! Tata Motors has vehicle assembly plants in places like the UK, South Korea, Thailand, Spain, and South Africa. They’re also eyeing new bases in Turkey, Indonesia, and Eastern Europe.

    Closer to home, Tata Motors is a big player in the Indian passenger car market, ranking among the top five brands. Whether it’s compact cars, midsize sedans, or utility vehicles, they’ve got you covered. Their manufacturing hubs are spread out across India, with facilities in Jamshedpur, Pune, Lucknow, Pantnagar, Dharwad and Sanand.

    When it comes to service, Tata Motors has your back with a massive network of over 3,500 touchpoints. With over 250 dealerships spanning 195+ cities across 27 states and 4 Union Territories, they’re just about everywhere. They boast the third-largest sales and service network in India, following Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.

    From innovation to accessibility, Tata Motors is truly driving India forward—and beyond!

    Tata Motors – Industry

    In 2022, India’s car exports surged 36%, with 4.5 million vehicles shipped in 2023-24, 76.8% being two-wheelers.

    • Electric Vehicles Charging Ahead: By 2024, India aims to produce 5 lakh EV three-wheelers, 55,000 EV four-wheelers, and 7,000 EV buses, with the EV market projected to reach $8 billion by 2025.
    • Auto Component Industry on the Rise: The auto component sector is set to hit $200 billion by 2026, driven by giants like Bharat Forge, Motherson Sumi Systems, and Sundaram-Clayton.
    • Investment-Friendly Policies: The government supports 100% FDI in auto parts under the automatic route.
      India’s automotive sector is accelerating toward innovation, sustainability, and global leadership!

    Tata Motors – Founders and Team

    Jamsetji Tata

    Jamsetji Tata - Founder, Tata Group
    Jamsetji Tata – Founder, Tata Group

    Jamsetji Tata founded the Tata Group.
    Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata was more than an industrialist—he was a trailblazer with a vision far ahead of his time. Born on March 3, 1839, in Navsari, Gujarat, into a Parsi Zoroastrian family of modest means, he defied the expectations of his lineage of priests to carve out a legacy as one of India’s greatest entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

    Jamsetji’s journey began with his father, Nusserwanji Tata, who was the first in the family to venture into business, breaking away from their traditional role as priests. Inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial leap, Jamsetji built the foundations of what would become the Tata Group, now India’s largest conglomerate.

    But his achievements went beyond building industries; they were rooted in a profound sense of purpose. Jamsetji believed in channeling his success into the nation’s progress, dreaming of a prosperous India at a time when the country was under colonial rule. His vision led to the establishment of Jamshedpur, a city that stands as a testament to his industrial genius and his commitment to the welfare of his people.

    What truly set Jamsetji apart, however, was his compassion. His humaneness, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, has secured him a lasting place in the history of modern India—not just as a pioneer of industry, but as a son of the nation who cared deeply for its future.

    J. R. D. Tata

    J.R.D. Tata - Founder, Tata Motors
    J.R.D. Tata – Founder, Tata Motors

    Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy was the founder of Tata Motors.
    Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy (JRD) Tata had a multicultural upbringing that shaped his career. After serving in the French Army, he returned to India in 1925, joined Tata Steel in Jamshedpur, and became a Tata Sons board member.
    JRD’s achievements spanned industries. In 1945, he founded Tata Motors, laying the foundation for India’s auto industry. In 1948, he launched Air India International, India’s first international airline, and served as Chairman of Air India and Director of Indian Airlines for 25 years.

    Honored as Honorary Air Commodore of India, JRD’s legacy reflects his visionary leadership and dedication to progress.

    Natarajan Chandrasekaran

    Natarajan Chandrasekaran - Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Group
    Natarajan Chandrasekaran – Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Group

    Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Group
    Natarajan Chandrasekaran, known as “Chandra,” rose from humble beginnings in a farming family in Mohanur, Tamil Nadu. He earned a Bachelor’s in Applied Sciences from Coimbatore Institute of Technology and a Master’s in Computer Applications from NIT Trichy, graduating in 1986.
    Mr. Natarajan joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in 1987, advancing to CEO in 2009. His leadership transformed TCS and in 2016, he became Chairman of Tata Sons and a Reserve Bank of India board member.

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    Tata Motors – Startup Story

    Tata Motors, originally known as Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), was established in 1945 with a focus on locomotive manufacturing. The company’s journey into the automotive sector began in 1954 when it partnered with Mercedes-Benz of Germany to produce commercial vehicles. Together, they set up a manufacturing facility in Jamshedpur and later that year, they rolled out their first goods carrier chassis with a 90-100 hp engine and a payload capacity of 3-5 tons.

    The roots of Tata Motors are deeply intertwined with the legacy of the Tata Group, founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868. Initially a commerce firm, the Tata Group diversified into industries like steel under the leadership of JRD Tata, who envisioned establishing a robust engineering base in India.

    A landmark moment came in 1983 when Tata Motors introduced the Tata 407, its first indigenous commercial vehicle. Known for its durability and versatility, the Tata 407 quickly gained popularity among Indian businesses, solidifying the company’s reputation as a leader in the commercial vehicle market.

    From locomotives to becoming a cornerstone of India’s automotive industry, Tata Motors’ evolution reflects its commitment to innovation and meeting the needs of a growing nation.

    Tata Motors – Mission and Vision

    Mission: They are driven by a passion for innovation, creating mobility solutions that enhance the quality of life while exceeding customer expectations. With a focus on integrity, accountability, and excellence, they aim to deliver sustainable and impactful solutions that address modern mobility needs.

    Vision: By FY 2024, they aspire to be the most admired Indian auto brand by consistently delivering superior financial returns, pioneering sustainable mobility, and building a highly engaged workforce. Their commitment to speed, teamwork, and customer focus ensures they remain at the forefront of the industry while shaping a better future for all stakeholders.

    Tata Motors Logo
    Tata Motors Logo

    Tata Motors has officially introduced Tata.ev, its dedicated electric vehicle (EV) brand, marking a new chapter in its journey toward sustainable mobility.

    Tata Motors Electric Vehicle (EV) Logo
    Tata Motors Electric Vehicle (EV) Logo

    Name: Tata Motors’ electric vehicle (EV) brand, Tata.ev, is a bold step towards a sustainable future, embodying innovation and environmental consciousness.

    Tagline: With its tagline, “Move with Meaning”, Tata.ev emphasizes its dedication to sustainability and creating meaningful impact through cutting-edge electric mobility solutions.

    Logo: The Tata.ev logo is a harmonious blend of simplicity and purpose. It features the words “Tata” and “ev” with a dot and a circular element around “ev.” The “Orbit” symbolizes the brand’s commitment to fostering a circular ecosystem, ensuring resources are reused and renewed.

    Brand Identity:

    • The logo is designed in Evo Teal, a color that reflects innovation, progress, and environmental stewardship.
    • The typeface, Inter, represents the brand’s accessibility and modern outlook, aligning with its mission to make sustainable mobility available to everyone.

    Legacy Influence: Tata Motors’ heritage is reflected in the enduring design of the Tata Group logo, originally crafted by the founder. This logo, with its iconic blue oval, the letter “T,” and the wreath of leaves, has evolved but remains a testament to the brand’s foundational values and progressive vision.

    Tata.ev represents the next chapter in Tata Motors’ legacy, blending its storied past with a commitment to a greener future.

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    Tata Motors – Business Model

    Tata Motors operates on a robust business model anchored in four key pillars: innovation and technology, global presence, a diversified product portfolio, and a strong brand reputation. This approach has enabled the company to cater to customers worldwide while maintaining a competitive edge in the global automotive industry.

    • Innovation and R&D Excellence: The company’s ‘Low-Cost Strategy’ has revolutionized the market, delivering exceptional value to customers while sustaining profitability.
    • Diversified Product Portfolio: Starting with its first passenger car, the Tata Standard in 1954, Tata Motors has expanded into producing a wide range of vehicles, including automobiles, buses, trucks, and defense vehicles. Over the years, successful models such as the Indica, Indigo, and Nano have cemented their reputation in the passenger car segment.
    • Understanding Markets and Maximizing Opportunities: By addressing the needs of the growing rural economy and recognizing increasing farmer incomes, the company has identified significant opportunities in its commercial vehicle segment. Meanwhile, economic slowdowns have intensified competition in the low-cost vehicle market, where Tata Motors’ expertise positions it as a leader.
    • Global Footprint and Facilities: The company operates 10 manufacturing facilities and 3 R&D/engineering and design centers in India. In addition, it boasts 12 global manufacturing and engineering sites dedicated to Jaguar Land Rover, underscoring its international reach and capability. Tata Motors’ extensive operations encompass manufacturing, logistics, financial services, sales, mobility solutions, customer service, and strategic sourcing.

    Tata Motors – Revenue Model

    Tata Motors employs a multifaceted approach to revenue generation, leveraging various streams to ensure financial stability and business growth.

    • Licensing and Royalties: The company licenses its proprietary technology to other organizations and earns royalties from the usage of its intellectual property. This strategy enables Tata Motors to generate consistent revenue from its innovations, even post-sale, maximizing the lifecycle value of its products.
    • Comprehensive Financial Services: Tata Motors provides customers with a suite of financial services, including leasing and insurance. These offerings enhance the affordability and appeal of Tata Motors’ vehicles by simplifying financing options and offering protection against potential financial risks. This approach strengthens customer trust and fosters long-term relationships.

    Tata Motors – Challenges Faced

    • Cost and Quality Balance: Developing the Tata Nano, the “people’s car,” required keeping costs low to make it affordable for Indian families while maintaining quality. Sourcing components globally added logistical challenges.
    • Affordable Access with Nano: Tata’s Market-Penetration Pricing Strategy with the Nano made cars accessible to families upgrading from motorcycles. It created a unique budget-friendly segment but added pressure on cost control.
    • Catering to Diverse Markets: Through a Global Localization Strategy, Tata serves both budget-conscious Indian buyers with models like Nano and premium markets globally with Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR).
    • Global Expansion with JLR: Acquiring JLR allowed entry into luxury markets like Europe and North America, boosting brand image but requiring competitiveness in high-end segments.
    • Strategic Versatility: Tata Motors combines affordability and luxury, demonstrating adaptability while tackling cost, quality, and global market challenges.

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    Tata Motors – Funding and Investors

    Tata Motors secures substantial funding through strategic partnerships like:

    Date Round Name Amount Investors/Facilitators
    Feb 24, 2021 Post IPO $359 million Facilitator : Citi, Credit Suisse
    April 27, 2016 Post IPO $45 million Facilitator : Malabar Capital Advisors
    Oct 24, 2014 Conventional $750 million Facilitator : Transwarranty
    Oct 13, 2010 Post IPO $750 million —
    April 2004 Post IPO $400 million —
    — Conventional — —

    Tata Motors – Investments

    Tata Motors has made significant investments in electric vehicles, innovation, and global expansion. They are as follows:

    Announced Date Organization Name Funding Round
    Oct 19, 2023 Freight Tiger Corporate Round
    Jul 10, 2018 TruckEasy Corporate Round

    Tata Motors – Mergers & Acquisitions

    Tata Motors’ strategic mergers and acquisitions, have expanded its global footprint and diversified its product portfolio. They are as follows:

    Acquiree Name Announced Date Price Transaction Name
    Freight Tiger Oct 19, 23 Rs. 1.5 crore Freight Tiger
    Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd Oct 7, 2010 — Tata Daewoo
    Trillex Srl Sept 1, 2010 €9.1 million Trillex Srl
    Tata Hispano Motors Carrocera Oct 20, 2009 – Tata Hispano Motors
    Miljo Innovasjon AS Oct 14, 2008 ₩12 million Miljo Innovasjon AS
    Jaguar Land Rover March 27, 2008 $2.3 billion Jaguar Land Rover

    Tata Motors – Growth

    Fiscal Year Operating Revenue (Cr.) Total Expenses(Cr.) Profit/Loss (Cr.)
    FY22 INR 47,263.68 INR 49,647.05 INR -1,390.86
    FY23 INR 65,757.33 INR 65,040.65 INR 2,728.13
    FY24 INR 73,303.08 INR 69,410.55 INR 7,902.08
    Tata Motors Financials FY24
    Tata Motors Financials FY24

    Tata Motors demonstrated significant financial improvement in FY24, achieving ₹7,902.08 crore in profit, a stark contrast to the losses recorded in FY22, showcasing its robust operational and strategic recovery.

    Tata Motors – Online and Social Media Presence

    Unique Digital Marketing Edge

    • Content Variety: Tata Motors emphasizes high-quality visuals, videos, and employee stories to humanize its brand and connect emotionally with its audience.
    • Localized and Relatable Campaigns: Posts in Hindi and content tailored to cultural events ensure resonance with diverse Indian audiences.
    • Rebranding Success: Through consistent digital engagement, Tata Motors has successfully navigated rebranding efforts, enhancing customer satisfaction and fostering brand loyalty.

    TATA MOTORS I TATA PRIMA 

    Why Tata Motors Stands Out

    Beyond their robust and durable automobiles, Tata Motors excels in:

    • Deploying creative and relatable digital marketing campaigns.
    • Showcasing superior product features through engaging multimedia content.
    • Strategically leveraging platforms to cater to varied audience preferences.

    Tata Motors – Competitors

    Tata Motors faces competition in India, while globally competing with brands across diverse automotive segments like the following:

    Tata Motors – Future Plans

    Electric Vehicles (EVs)

    • Investment of Rs 16,000–18,000 crore in EVs until FY30.
    • Launch six new EV models by March 2026.
    • Target a 20% share in the passenger vehicle market by FY30.
    • Expand EV product portfolio and improve EV range.
    • Achieve price parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.
    • Expand e-car dealerships to 50 cities within two years.
    • Integrate EVs with Rooftop Solar (RTS) solutions.
    • Tackle EV charging infrastructure challenges.

    ICE Vehicles

    • Focus on innovative designs and enhanced performance for ICE vehicles.
    • Launch of the Curvv ICE model in 2024 to cater to traditional car buyers.

    Community Building

    • Foster transparency by sharing detailed product information.
    • Empower customers for effortless decision-making.
    • Ensure competitive pricing and quality services.
    • Cultivate long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with users.

    Tata Motors’ future plans demonstrate a robust commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer-centricity, positioning the company as a leader in shaping the future of mobility across both electric and internal combustion engine segments while fostering long-lasting relationships with its community.

    FAQs

    What are Tata Motors best known for?

    Tata Motors is a leading global automobile manufacturer, providing a wide range of smarter, safer, and integrated mobility solutions.

    Who owns Tata Motors?

    Tata Motors is owned by Tata Group. The Tata Group operates across various industries, including telecommunications, hospitality, and steel.

    Who owns Jaguar Land Rover?

    Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is owned by Tata Motors, a part of the Tata Group. Tata Motors acquired JLR from Ford in 2008.

  • Cricbuzz: The Ultimate Cricket Hub Driving Fans and Revenue

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations.

    We all love watching and playing cricket right? “Cricket is my favorite sport” yelled a guy from that corner. Of course yes, it’s almost the entire Indian’s favorite sport! Imagine when the IPL‘s last over is on and there’s a power cut. Can you imagine how annoying, it’s for you, me, or any cricket lover?

    Anyway, no worries about that anymore. Cricbuzz is an Indian cricket news platform. It will provide you with all the desired news you want, in case of a power cut or you might be out of the station without a television.

    Learn more about Cricbuzz, its founders, business and revenue model, startup story, growth, revenue, challenges, and more.

    How Cricbuzz became the Biggest Cricketing News Sensation
    How Cricbuzz became the Biggest Cricketing News Sensation

    Cricbuzz – Company Highlights

    Company Name Cricbuzz
    Headquarters Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
    Founders Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agarwal, and Pravin Hegde
    Founded 2004, mobile app – 2010
    Annual Revenue $22 million (2020)
    Parent Organization/Owner Times Internet
    Website www.cricbuzz.com

    Cricbuzz – About
    Cricbuzz – Founders And Team
    Cricbuzz – Owner
    Cricbuzz – Startup Story And History
    Cricbuzz – Business Model
    Cricbuzz – Revenue Model
    Cricbuzz – Achievements
    Cricbuzz – Competitors
    Cricbuzz – Growth
    Cricbuzz – Creative Marketing Strategy and Active Social Media Presence

    Cricbuzz – About

    Cricbuzz is an Indian cricket news website owned by Times Internet. It features articles, news, and live coverage of cricket matches. This includes scorecards, videos, text commentary, team rankings, and player stats. This website also provides a mobile app. Cricbuzz is one of the most popular mobile apps for cricket news and scores in India.

    Check Cricbuzz website for Cricbuzz Live Cricket Score
    Cricbuzz Logo

    Cricbuzz – Founders And Team

    Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agarwal, and Pravin Hegde are the founders of Cricbuzz.

    Pankaj Chhaparwal | Founder and CEO, Cricbuzz
    Pankaj Chhaparwal | Founder and CEO, Cricbuzz
    • Pankaj Chhaparwal is the founder and CEO of Cricbuzz. He has been working here from the beginning itself. He pursued his education at L D College of Engineering, Gujarat University.
    • STAR has taken Piyush Agarwal. He pursued his education at the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University.
    • Pravin Hegde is the co-founder and CTO at Cricbuzz.
    • Sarah Waris is a Freelance Contributor at Cricbuzz. She joined the company in March 2019.
    • Abhideep Das is the Content Strategist and the Senior Producer at Cricbuzz. Before he was the Creative Producer of Digital Content for Kolkata Knight Riders. He was also an Editorial Consultant at Bayside Media Private Limited.

    Cricbuzz – Owner

    Times Internet is the owner of Cricbuzz. Times Internet is India’s largest digital products company. Its subsidiaries include Economic Times, Bangalore Mirror, Gaana, MX Player, MensXP, Times of India, Cricbuzz, IndiaTimes, CricPlay, Databack, Dineout, ETMoney, and more.

    Times Internet - Cricbuzz Owner
    Times Internet – Cricbuzz Owner

    Cricbuzz – Startup Story And History

    Three former Infosys employees started Cricbuzz. In November 2014, Times Internet, part of the Times of India group, bought a big share in Cricbuzz.

    In January 2015, Times Internet merged its cricket platform, GoCricket, with Cricbuzz. GoCricket’s website started redirecting users to Cricbuzz, and the GoCricket mobile app was also combined with Cricbuzz.

    Later, in August 2015, Cricbuzz sponsored the India-Sri Lanka test series.

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    Cricbuzz – Business Model

    Cricbuzz’s business model is mainly concerned with giving updated scores of the matches. It sells to OnMobile which has got a relationship with different mobile operators. Under this, users get the latest live score updates for a charge. This is the primary source of their income. Other than this source, the company runs various advertisements on its platform, which is also a source of revenue generation for the company. The company is in a partnership with InMobi to monetize mobile advertisements.

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    Cricbuzz – Revenue Model

    Cricbuzz makes money mainly through advertising and sponsorships:

    • Advertising: Cricbuzz earns a lot from display and video ads on its platform. Cricbuzz grabs a huge amount via Adsense and Admob on its site and app. The strategic placement of advertisements in a user-friendly manner near the content helps Cricbuzz Monetize.
    • Sponsorships: Big brands like Google, ESPN, Star Sports, BCCI, and ICC partner with Cricbuzz. These deals bring in more money, boost trust, and help Cricbuzz create more content.
    • High-Traffic Platform: Cricbuzz has many cricket fans visiting its platform, making it a great choice for advertisers.

    Cricbuzz’s revenue model mainly revolves around Advertisements something ubiquitous from which the companies usually earn. It also earns through the display of the Cricbuzz scores on Hike Messenger. Cricbuzz creates value for users, which also promotes itself to customers.

    It also earns money by sharing live cricket scores with telecom operators. These operators send score updates as messages to their users. Google AdSense also plays a big role in helping Cricbuzz make money.

    Cricbuzz Financials

    Metrics FY 2019-20 FY 2018-19 FY 2017-18 FY 2016-17 FY 2015-16
    Revenue INR 156.6 crore INR 133 crore INR 97.3 crore INR 70.5 crore INR 66.4 crore
    EBITDA INR 70.6 crore INR 69.6 crore INR 41.4 crore INR 15.4 crore INR 18.7 crore
    Net Profit INR 49.9 crore INR 48.6 crore INR 25.8 crore INR 11 crore INR 11.6 crore
    Cricbuzz Financials

    Cricbuzz’s revenue grew steadily from INR 66.4 crore in FY 2015-16 to INR 156.6 crore in FY 2019-20. Its EBITDA also rose from INR 18.7 crore to INR 70.6 crore during the same period. Net profit increased from INR 11.6 crore in FY 2015-16 to INR 49.9 crore in FY 2019-20, showing strong financial growth over the years.

    Cricbuzz – Achievements

    • With 496.25M organic traffic, Cricbuzz was ranked 26th worldwide by RankRanger for The Top Websites by Organic Rank.
    • In October 2019, the company was ranked 406 globally.
    • It was ranked 40 in India by Alexa Internet.
    • The site was the 7th most searched site in India for the year 2014.
    • The mobile app has over 100 million downloads and more for October 2019.
    • The website is used by more than 50 million users all over the world. It generated 2.6 billion page views in January 2015. Unbelievable!

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    Cricbuzz – Competitors

    The top competitors of the company are the International Cricket Council, ESPNcricinfo, Cricket Exchange, and Onecricket.

    • The International Cricket Council is the world governing body of cricket.
    • ESPNcricinfo is a sports news website only for the game of cricket.
    • Cricket Exchange provides its users with the fastest Live scores. With accurate Odds and sessions and everything. It keeps the users in touch with cricket.
    • Onecricket is something more than fantasy sports. It’s the best platform to follow cricket games, compete with your friends, and showcase your cricket knowledge.

    Cricbuzz – Growth

    During the 2015 World Cup. Cricbuzz was the most used cricket score website for cricketing news and updates. The company also received a massive number of visitors during the World Cup at a time. It was the most desired destination of all cricket lovers on mobile with over 1 billion visits during the World Cup alone.

    Cricbuzz – Creative Marketing Strategy and Active Social Media Presence

    To increase its popularity out of the circle of cricket fans, Cricbuzz started a social media campaign “Strategic Timeout”. Strategic Timeout is called out by IPL teams during mid-game to reformulate the strategy. The content was based on how social media influencers used the lockdown period strategically. This content leads the influencer followers to the Cricbuzz app and social media pages.

    Social Media Campaigns by Cricbuzz | StratupTalky
    Social Media Campaigns by Cricbuzz

    Cricbuzz has very active and interactive social media pages. It keeps posting new challenges and campaigns along with cricket world updates and talks. Some of the challenges are “Guess the champion”, “Strategic Timeout”, “Mask India” and “AbCricketBuzzega”. To hype up the upcoming season of IPL 2020 Cricbuzz recorded a rap “AbCricketBuzzega”.

    There was a possibility. There is a possibility. And there will always be a possibility to pump up money through cricket. Pitches are always the priority in this aspect. Now we see advanced synthetic pitches. These are used for shorter formats. A tinge of grass and sponge pitch is required for bowlers. This kind of thing will make the sport more interesting than before. Of course, it needs deep and strategic planning. Games are suspended due to rain. Soon, there will be closed-roof stadiums to avoid the most annoying part of live cricket.

    Cricbuzz Marketing Strategy | Advertisements | Commentary
    Cricbuzz is a platform to feature news, articles, and live coverage of cricket matches. Read to know about the marketing strategies of cricbuzz.
    StartupTalkyManav Makhija

    Conclusion

    Cricbuzz is a popular website and mobile application that provides up-to-date news, scores, and statistics for cricket matches around the world. It is a reliable source of information for cricket fans and offers a wide range of features such as live scores, commentary, and player profiles. It is considered one of the most popular cricket websites which provides all the information related to cricket.

    FAQs

    Who are the Cricbuzz founders?

    Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agarwal, and Pravin Hedge are the founders of Cricbuzz.

    How does Cricbuzz make money?

    Cricbuzz grabs a huge amount via Adsense and Admob on its site and app. The strategic placement of advertisements in a user-friendly manner near the content helps Cricbuzz Monetize.

    Who owns Cricbuzz?

    Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agarwal, and Pravin Hegde are the founders of Cricbuzz. Times Internet is the Parent Organisation/Owner of Cricbuzz.

    Who are the Top Competitors of Cricbuzz?

    The top competitors of Cricbuzz are the International Cricket Council, ESPNcricinfo, Cricket Exchange, and Onecricket.

    How much is Cricbuzz’s Revenue?

    Cricbuzz’s Revenue is nearly $22 million as of 2020.

    How does Cricbuzz website work?

    The Cricbuzz website features articles, news, and live coverage of cricket matches. This includes scorecards, videos, text commentary, team rankings, and player seats.

  • Info Edge: Pioneering Digital Innovation and Growth in India

    Info Edge (India) Limited is a pioneering Indian technology company renowned for its diverse portfolio of online businesses and strategic investments.

    Its flagship platform, Naukri.com, is one of India’s largest online job portals, complemented by other innovative platforms like 99acres.com for real estate classifieds, Jeevansathi.com for matrimonial services, and Shiksha.com, an education-focused portal. Info Edge’s operational excellence is amplified by its strategic approach to digital advertising, subscription-based services, and premium offerings tailored to meet the evolving needs of users and businesses alike.

    Beyond its core platforms, Info Edge has a robust track record of identifying and nurturing high-growth ventures and the company has made notable investments in transformative startups, demonstrating a sharp eye for innovation and long-term value creation.

    In this Startuptalky, we will learn more about Info Edge’s success story, its founders, business model, innovative revenue model, growth, challenges, investments, strategic partnerships, and more.

    Info Edge – Company Highlights

    Name Info Edge
    Headquarters Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
    Sector Recruitment Solutions and Real Estate
    Founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani
    Founded 1995
    Website Infoedge.in

    Info Edge – About
    Info Edge – Industry
    Info Edge – Founders and Team
    Info Edge – Startup Story
    Info Edge – Mission and Vision
    Info Edge – Name, Tagline and Logo
    Info Edge – Business Model
    Info Edge – Revenue Model
    Info Edge – Challenges Faced
    Info Edge – Funding and Investors
    Info Edge – Investments
    Info Edge – Acquisitions and Mergers
    Info Edge – Growth
    Info Edge – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
    Info Edge – Awards and Achievements
    Info Edge – Competitors
    Info Edge – Future Plans

    Info Edge – About

    Info Edge, a trailblazer in India’s consumer internet space, has been shaping the online classifieds market for nearly three decades. Established on May 1, 1995, as Info Edge (India) Private Limited, it transitioned into a public limited entity on April 27, 2006. The journey began with Naukri.com, India’s first online recruitment portal and since then, the company has carved a remarkable path, expanding into diverse sectors like matrimony, real estate, education, and more.

    What sets Info Edge apart is its culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, backed by a seasoned leadership team and a sharp focus on leveraging technology. With a footprint spanning 62 offices across 43 Indian cities and a workforce of over 4,000 professionals, the company thrives on creating cutting-edge products and solutions. From integrating mobile-first strategies to harnessing the power of social media, Info Edge remains at the forefront of digital transformation.

    The company’s reach isn’t limited to India. Through NaukriGulf.com, Info Edge has ventured into international markets, establishing a presence in key Gulf regions with offices in Dubai, Bahrain, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi. Whether driving recruitment, enabling property searches, or facilitating lifelong partnerships, Info Edge continues to redefine how online platforms serve users, setting the standard for excellence in the industry.

    Info Edge – Industry

    India’s real estate sector is a powerhouse, ranking second globally in generating employment and significantly contributing to the nation’s GDP. Currently accounting for around 5% of the GDP, this industry is projected to soar to a staggering $1 trillion by 2030. By 2025, its share in the GDP is expected to rise to an impressive 13%, underscoring its critical role in the country’s economic landscape.

    The growth trajectory of Indian real estate has been remarkable, with the sector expanding at an annual rate of approximately 30%. This upward momentum is fueled by the booming outsourcing industry, which encompasses technical consultancy, medical transcription, and call centers. These sectors alone have driven the demand for an additional 10 million square feet of real estate, further propelling the industry’s expansion.

    Info Edge – Founders and Team

    Sanjeev Bikhchandani

    Sanjiv Bikhchandani - Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Info Edge
    Sanjiv Bikhchandani – Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Info Edge

    Sanjiv Bikhchandani is the Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Info Edge.

    Sanjeev’s journey began in Delhi, where he graduated from St. Columba’s School in 1981. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, in 1984, followed by an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad in 1989. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to leave a marketing role at Hindustan Milkfood Manufacturers (now GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare India) in 1990 to embark on his ventures.

    Initially venturing into pharmaceutical trademarks and salary surveys, Sanjeev founded Info Edge in 1995. Two years later, he launched Naukri.com, a pioneering jobs portal hosted on an Indian server. The platform quickly gained traction and by 2005, it was India’s largest web-based employment site. Info Edge expanded its portfolio with platforms like 99acres.com (real estate), Jeevansathi.com (matrimony) and Shiksha.com (education).

    Beyond his success with Info Edge, Sanjeev is an accomplished investor, backing unicorns like PolicyBazaar and Zomato. He also supports budding innovators as part of the ‘Vision Circle’ of FYI (Foundation for Young Innovators), a unique initiative encouraging high school students to develop social enterprises.

    Sanjeev Bikhchandani | Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Info Edge | Naukri.com |
    Sanjeev Bikhchandani is an Indian Internet Entrepreneur who founded Info Edge (India) Limited in 1995. The company has launched different online portals like, Naukri.com, Jeevansathi.com, Shiksha.com, 99Acres.com and Naukrigulf.com.
    StartupTalkyMegha Rani

    Hitesh Oberoi

    Hitesh Oberoi - MD and CEO, Info Edge
    Hitesh Oberoi – MD and CEO, Info Edge

    Hitesh Oberoi is the Managing Director and CEO of the company.

    Hitesh Oberoi, an accomplished leader in the internet industry, serves as the Co-Promoter, Managing Director, and CEO of Info Edge, the company behind iconic platforms like Naukri.com, 99acres.com, and Jeevansathi.com. With nearly two decades of experience in the internet space, Hitesh has been instrumental in shaping India’s digital ecosystem.

    Before joining Info Edge, Hitesh spent almost four years at Hindustan Unilever Limited, where he worked as Regional Planning and Distribution Manager for the Ice Cream Division. His strong academic foundation includes a B.Tech from IIT Delhi (1994 batch) and an MBA from IIM Bangalore.

    Hitesh’s contributions extend beyond business operations. He is a charter member of TiE (New Delhi) and has previously served as Chairman of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). He is also a founding member of the Board of Trustees at Ashoka University, further reflecting his commitment to fostering education and innovation.

    Info Edge – Startup Story

    Info Edge was founded by Sanjeev Bikhchandani in 1995, initially by reproducing classified ads from newspapers on its website. Together with Hitesh Oberoi and their CFO, Ambarish Raghuvanshi, Sanjeev built Info Edge into a dotcom enterprise that, by 2008, employed 1,500 people, generated revenues of INR 273 crores and boasted a market capitalization of INR 2,100 crores. Info Edge’s flagship platforms include Naukri.com, Jeevansathi.com, Brijj.com, 99acres.com, and Shiksha.com.

    Reflecting on the early days, Sanjeev recounted the challenges, including the difficulty of securing an INR 30,000 bank limit in 1991. At the time, Naukri was a small operation and he realized the need for like-minded individuals and a fundamentally different business model. That’s when Hitesh joined the journey.

    Hitesh, then working at Hindustan Unilever, considered an offer to join a new venture started by Pradeep Kar of Microland. However, after consulting with Sanjeev, who suggested he consider joining Naukri instead, Hitesh decided to take the leap. He set up operations from Sanjeev’s home and took charge of marketing. Drawing from his commercial experience, Hitesh hired a few sales representatives who sold annual subscriptions for INR 6,000. By investing INR 20,000 per salesperson, including office costs, they were able to generate INR 50,000 in revenue per hire. Realizing the profitability of this model, the team continued scaling the salesforce, which eventually became a cornerstone of the company’s growth. Today, Naukri.com is responsible for one in three lateral hires in corporate India.

    Ambarish Raghuvanshi, who became the third pillar of Info Edge, joined after Sanjeev persuaded him to consider the company’s headhunting division. At the time, Ambarish had taken voluntary retirement from Bank of America and was exploring new opportunities. Sanjeev convinced him to lead the financial services practice within the headhunting division and later invited him to take on the role of CFO—a position Ambarish accepted, bringing fiscal discipline that gained recognition in the stock market.

    Sanjeev described his decision to bring Hitesh on board as pivotal, recognizing his energy, ambition, and willingness to leave a stable corporate job to join a startup. These qualities reminded Sanjeev of himself a decade earlier. He emphasized that the team’s hiring philosophy evolved, prioritizing values such as teamwork, competence, humility, and an entrepreneurial spirit while steering clear of self-promoters and those unwilling to share credit.

    Under Sanjeev’s leadership, Info Edge launched Naukri.com in 1997 with support from family and friends, followed by Jeevansathi.com in 1998, 99acres.com in 2005, and Shiksha.com in 2008. The company went public in 2006 under the ticker symbol “Naukri” and expanded its reach with ventures like NaukriGulf.com in 2006 and FirstNaukri.com in 2009 for campus recruitment.

    Info Edge – Mission and Vision

    Vision
    Info Edge envisions creating world-class platforms that transform lives, empowering individuals and organizations through innovative and impactful solutions.

    Mission
    Info Edge strives to continuously delight its customers in both current and new businesses by delivering superior value through enhanced offerings on the internet and other platforms.

    Info Edge Logo
    Info Edge Logo

    The sleek and modern design of Info Edge’s logo mirrors its forward-thinking approach and innovative spirit. Its carefully chosen color palette conveys trust, stability, and dynamism—qualities integral to the company’s identity. Each element of the logo is thoughtfully crafted to resonate with their core values: customer delight, entrepreneurship, knowledge, results, and trust.

    Info Edge Tagline: The tagline “Transform Lives” reflects Info Edge’s unwavering commitment to making a meaningful impact. Through platforms like Naukri.com, Jeevansathi.com, and 99acres.com, they connect job seekers with opportunities, help families find compatible matches, and assist in real estate transactions. These endeavors empower users and foster positive transformations in their lives.

    Info Edge – Business Model

    Info Edge is a leader in the recruitment sector with platforms such as:

    • Naukri.com: A premier employment website catering to job seekers and recruiters.
    • Naukrigulf.com: A job portal tailored to the Middle East market.
    • Quadrangle: An offline executive search service connecting top talent with organizations.
    • FirstNaukri.com: A dedicated platform for fresher hiring, bridging the gap between employers and new graduates.

    The company has extended its expertise into real estate, education, and matrimony through:

    • 99acres.com: A comprehensive real estate classifieds platform for buying, selling, and renting properties.
    • Shiksha.com: An educational portal aiding students in making informed decisions about courses and institutions.
    • Jeevansathi.com: An online matrimonial service facilitating meaningful connections.

    Info Edge has made strategic investments in numerous successful online ventures, including:

    • Zomato: A leading food delivery and restaurant discovery platform.
    • Policybazaar: An innovative insurance aggregation and comparison service.
    • Shopkirana, Shipsy, Gramophone, and Adda247, among others, expanding their footprint in diverse digital domains.

    Info Edge – Revenue Model

    Info Edge is an Indian technology powerhouse with a diversified revenue model built on multiple streams that capitalize on its robust online platforms and strategic investments.

    Info Edge Revenue Breakdown
    Info Edge Revenue Breakdown
    1. Advertising
      Info Edge leverages display ads, sponsored listings, and banner advertisements across its websites, such as Naukri.com and 99acres.com, to generate substantial revenue from advertisers seeking to reach its vast user base.
    2. Subscription Fees
      These features, offered on platforms like Naukri.com and 99acres.com, include premium search tools, analytics, and targeted user engagement functionalities.
    3. Premium Services
      These include profile boosters for job seekers and premium matchmaking services on Jeevansathi.com.
    4. Strategic Investments
      Info Edge’s forward-looking investment strategy involves holding minority stakes in successful ventures like Zomato and PolicyBazaar.

    Info Edge – Challenges Faced

    • Writing Off Investments
      Info Edge recently wrote off an investment of INR 276 crore in 4B Networks. This decision was driven by concerns over the company’s sustainability, high cash burn rate, and difficulties in raising capital, reflecting the challenges of managing portfolio investments in dynamic markets.
    • Slowdown in IT Hiring
      As the operator of Naukri.com, Info Edge has been affected by reduced hiring activity in the IT sector. This slowdown is attributed to softer demand within the IT industry, impacting one of the company’s core revenue streams.
    • Evolving Consumer Preferences
      Meeting the rapidly changing preferences of users has been a persistent challenge. Info Edge has had to focus on creating products that are device-agnostic and adaptive to modern consumer behavior, which requires continuous innovation and agility.
    • Quarterly Financial Performance
      Info Edge has encountered challenges in its quarterly financial results, including a decline in profit and earnings per share (EPS). This underscores the difficulty of balancing growth with operational efficiency in fluctuating economic conditions.

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    Info Edge – Funding and Investors

    The funding details of Info Edge are as below:

    Date Transaction Name Money Raised Lead Investors
    December 11, 2020 Post-IPO Equity – Info Edge $51 million Temasek Holdings
    January 1, 2019 Post-IPO Equity – Info Edge — Lightbox

    Info Edge – Investments

    Info Edge has made investments in the following companies:

    Date Name Funding Round Money Raised
    November 7, 2024 Nexstem Seed Round $3.5 million
    August 30, 2024 Clean Electric Series A Rs. 48.5 crore
    July 27, 2024 Gnani.ai Series A Rs. 30 crore
    May 16, 2024 Gramophone Venture Round Rs. 15 crore
    October 1, 2023 RayloT Solutions Inc. Seed Round $400K
    September 4, 2023 Sploot Seed Round $800K
    July 10, 2023 BrainSightAI Venture Round Rs. 99 lakhs
    April 4, 2023 Stealthed Pre Seed Round Rs. 5 crore
    January 24, 2023 Gramophone Corporate Round Rs. 9.31 crore
    October 1, 2022 Adda247 Series B Rs. 280 crore

    Info Edge – Acquisitions and Mergers

    Info Edge has acquired the following companies:

    Acquiree Name Date Price
    Coding Ninjas Oct 6,2022 Rs. 140 crore
    Aisle Jan 24, 2022 Rs. 150 crore
    DoSelect July 6,2021 Rs. 21 crore
    Zwayam Jun 14, 2021 Rs. 61 crore
    iimjobs.com May 28,2019 Rs. 91 crore
    Ambition Box Apr 13, 2017 –

    Info Edge – Growth

    Info Edge Financials 2023 2024
    Operating Revenue INR 2345 crore INR 2536 crore
    Total Expenses INR 1858 crore INR 1830 crore
    Profit/Loss INR -70 crore INR 594 crore

    In FY23, Info Edge reported an operating revenue of INR 2,345 crore, which grew by 8.2% to INR 2,536 crore in FY24. Total expenses decreased slightly from INR 1,858 crore in FY23 to INR 1,830 crore in FY24, a 1.5% drop. The company moved from a loss of INR 70 crore in FY23 to a profit of INR 594 crore in FY24, showing significant financial improvement.

    Info Edge Financials FY24
    Info Edge Financials FY24

    Info Edge – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns

    Advertising and Marketing Strategies:

    • CTV Advertising and Live Sports Marketing: Info Edge used CTV advertising and live sports marketing for its brand 99acres.com, targeting a male audience interested in buying or renting homes.
    • Co-branded Vignettes: For Naukri.com, Info Edge partnered with CreativeWorks to create a co-branded vignette for the Hotstar Special Ghar Waapsi.

    Revenue Streams:

    • Display Ads, Sponsored Listings, and Banners: Info Edge generates revenue from advertising on its platforms, including display ads, sponsored listings, and banners across websites like Naukri.com and 99acres.com.
    • Subscription Fees: Info Edge collects subscription fees from employers and real estate agents who pay for advanced features and tools on Naukri.com and 99acres.com.
    • Premium Services: Info Edge offers premium services such as Naukri FastForward and Jeevansathi eAdvantage, which are available for a fee.

    Info Edge – Awards and Achievements

    Info Edge has been awarded with the following awards:

    • World’s Best Workplaces 2024
    • ICAI Excellence Award 2015

    Info Edge – Competitors

    Some competitors of Info Edge (India) Ltd include:

    • Just Dial Ltd
    • Matrimony.com Ltd
    • IntraSoft Technologies Limited
    • Jupiter Infomedia Limited
    • PB Fintech Ltd
    • Affle (India) Ltd
    • Tanla Platforms Ltd

    Info Edge – Future Plans

    Info Edge (India) is projected to experience robust growth, with earnings expected to grow by 37.6% per annum and revenue increasing by 13.7%-13.8% annually. Additionally, Earnings Per Share (EPS) is forecast to rise by 31.8% per year, with a projected Return on Equity (ROE) of 4.7% over the next three years. This optimistic outlook aligns with the company’s strategic investments and diversified portfolio, including Naukri.com, 99acres, and stakes in Zomato and PolicyBazaar.

    Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder of Info Edge, emphasized that profitability in real estate and a resurgence in IT hiring would be pivotal drivers for this growth trajectory in the next 3-4 years.

    Long-Term Investment Strategy

    The flagship platforms, Naukri.com and Jeevansathi, are expected to continue expanding, driven by signs of recovery in the IT sector. The job market is showing green shoots of growth, signaling a potential rebound from the slowdown. Info Edge’s strategy of early investments in promising ventures, increasing stakes in successful businesses, and maintaining a patient, long-term approach has been a cornerstone of its success.

    FAQs

    What is Info Edge?

    Info Edge is an India-based company that provides internet-based services through its mobile applications and web portals. Its services include recruitment, real estate, matrimonial, and education.

    When was Info Edge founded?

    Info Edge was founded by Sanjiv Bikhchandani in 1995.

    Who are the competitors of Info Edge?

    The main competitors of Info Edge include:

    • Just Dial Ltd
    • Matrimony.com Ltd
    • IntraSoft Technologies Limited
    • Jupiter Infomedia Limited
    • PB Fintech Ltd
    • Affle (India) Ltd
    • Tanla Platforms Ltd

  • Hyundai Motor Company: Shaping Tomorrow’s Mobility

    Established in 1967, the South Korean conglomerate has expanded its footprint across the world, with a presence in over 200 countries. Hyundai’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its diverse product range, which includes compact cars, sedans, SUVs and cutting-edge electric and hybrid vehicles.

    Known for its emphasis on quality, technology and design, Hyundai has successfully built a reputation for delivering vehicles that cater to both traditional automotive markets and the evolving landscape of eco-friendly, electric mobility.

    In this StartupTalky article, we will learn how Hyundai’s strategic initiatives, its startup story, founders, business model, revenue model, subsidiaries, competition, market expansions and technological advancements are setting the stage for a more sustainable and digitally connected future, keeping them ahead of competitors in the ever-evolving automotive market.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Company Highlights

    Name Hyundai Motor Company
    Headquarters Seoul, South Korea
    Sector Automotive
    Founded 1967
    Founder Chung Ju-yung
    Website Hyundai.com/in/en

    Hyundai Motor Company – About
    Hyundai Motor Company – Industry
    Hyundai Motor Company – Founders and Team
    Hyundai Motor Company – Startup Story
    Hyundai Motor Company – Mission and Vision
    Hyundai Motor Company – Name, Tagline and Logo
    Hyundai Motor Company – Business Model
    Hyundai Motor Company – Revenue Model
    Hyundai Motor Company – Challenges Faced
    Hyundai Motor Company – Investments
    Hyundai Motor Company – Mergers and Acquisitions
    Hyundai Motor Company – Growth
    Hyundai Motor Company – Subsidiaries
    Hyundai Motor Company – IPO (India)
    Hyundai Motor Company – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
    Hyundai Motor Company – Awards and Achievements
    Hyundai Motor Company – Competitors
    Hyundai Motor Company – Future Plans (India)

    Hyundai Motor Company – About

    Hyundai is home to one of the world’s most impressive car manufacturing plants. Located in Ulsan, South Korea, this mega facility can produce a whopping 1.6 million vehicles every year! With a global workforce of around 75,000 employees, Hyundai has built a strong presence, selling its cars in 193 countries through a vast network of 5,000 dealerships and showrooms. As of November 2024, Hyundai proudly stands as the third-largest carmaker globally, just behind automotive giants Toyota and Volkswagen.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Industry

    India’s automotive industry is a powerhouse, ranking as the fourth-largest globally in both production and valuation according to 2022 figures. By 2023, it had climbed even higher, becoming the world’s third-largest automobile market in terms of sales.

    The sector’s significance to the economy is immense. As of April 2022, the Indian auto industry was valued at over $100 billion, contributing 7.1% to the nation’s GDP and accounting for 8% of its total exports. However, car ownership remains relatively low, with only 8% of Indian households owning a vehicle, as highlighted by the 2021 National Family Health Survey. Additionally, India has just 22 automobiles per 1,000 people, a stark contrast to more developed markets.

    The industry boasts a diverse lineup of manufacturers driving innovation and growth. Major players include Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor India, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland. Other contributors to this dynamic market are Eicher Motors, Royal Enfield, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Sonalika Tractors, Force Motors and even specialized entities like Vehicle Factory Jabalpur and Kerala Automobiles Limited. These companies collectively form the backbone of India’s thriving automotive sector.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Founders and Team

    Chung Ju-yung

    Chung Ju-yung - Founding Chairman, Hyundai
    Chung Ju-yung – Founding Chairman, Hyundai

    Chung Ju-yung is the Founding Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company. Born in 1915 in what is now North Korea, Chung Ju-yung was the eldest son in a modest farming family. At just 18 years old, he left his rural home in search of a better life, embarking on a journey that would define him as one of the most influential figures in modern Korea.

    Chung’s early years were marked by determination and resilience. He worked various jobs, including railway construction, bookkeeping and dock work. In 1938, he ventured into entrepreneurship with a rice store, but the oppressive policies of the Japanese occupation forced its closure within a year. Undeterred, he continued to pursue opportunities, eventually repairing trucks for the U.S. Armed Forces after World War II. This experience laid the foundation for his entry into engineering and construction, where his business would later take on global, multibillion-dollar projects.

    One of Chung’s most legendary achievements was his foray into shipbuilding—a field in which he had no prior experience. His boldness paid off when he secured a contract worth millions to build a ship. This audacious move would grow into Hyundai Heavy Industries, now the world’s largest shipbuilder.

    Through relentless effort, ingenuity and a commitment to hard work, Chung built a series of businesses that were instrumental in transforming South Korea into an economic powerhouse. Despite his immense success, he remained humble, disciplined and focused on his work, embodying the values of simplicity and perseverance.

    In his later years, Chung turned his attention to a cause close to his heart: the reunification of Korea. He dedicated himself to fostering dialogue and understanding between North and South Korea. His actions were often symbolic, such as driving 1,000 cattle across the border to North Korea, representing hope and unity. His efforts to bridge the divide between the two Koreas are seen by many as his most significant legacy.

    💡
    Chung’s life philosophy continues to inspire: “Failures, not successes, teach us the most valuable lessons. We need not remember our successes; others will do that. Instead, we must learn from our losses and failures—forgetting them leads to repeated mistakes.”

    Unsoo Kim

    Unsoo Kim - Managing Director, Hyundai Motor
    Unsoo Kim – Managing Director, Hyundai Motor

    Unsoo Kim is the Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India Limited, bringing over 30 years of experience with Hyundai Motor Company. He joined the company in 1991 and has since held various leadership roles across the globe, gaining extensive expertise in business planning, strategy and operations.

    Mr. Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Seoul National University in Korea. His diverse career includes significant assignments in multiple global markets, where he has contributed to Hyundai’s strategic initiatives and operational growth.

    Before his current role at Hyundai Motor India, Mr. Kim was the Executive Vice President of Global Operations at Hyundai Motor Company. His previous tenure with Hyundai Motor India spanned four years, including a key role as the Executive Director of the Corporate Planning Division from 2014 to 2015.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Startup Story

    Chung Ju-yung was a pioneering South Korean entrepreneur and the founder of Hyundai Group, one of the largest conglomerates in South Korea. His visionary leadership was instrumental in shaping the country’s rapid economic growth, particularly in the aftermath of the Korean War. Chung’s ambitious ventures played a crucial role in rebuilding South Korea’s infrastructure and establishing its presence on the global industrial stage.

    In 1946, shortly after Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule, Chung founded Hyundai and Hyundai Civil Industries to capitalize on the country’s need for post-war reconstruction. He won major government contracts and became a key figure in developing South Korea’s transportation and energy infrastructure, including the Soyang Dam (1967), the Gyeongbu Expressway (1970) and the Kori Nuclear Power Plant.

    One of Chung’s most remarkable achievements was his expansion into shipbuilding. With no prior experience in the industry, he established the Ulsan shipyard, which became the world’s largest. Under his leadership, the first vessel was completed in just three years, a testament to his relentless drive and innovative approach. In 1975, he introduced the Hyundai Pony, South Korea’s first domestically produced car, followed by the Hyundai Excel in 1986, both of which were developed with European expertise.

    Chung also founded Hyundai Heavy Steel Company, which introduced a revolutionary non-dock shipbuilding method. His efforts not only helped make Hyundai a global leader in shipbuilding but also expanded its reach into various industries, making it one of South Korea’s most influential chaebols. His ability to secure contracts from both the United States Forces Korea and the United Nations Command played a significant role in his company’s early success and his determination helped Hyundai overcome the challenges of post-war South Korea.

    Through sheer perseverance and vision, Chung Ju-yung not only built a business empire but also contributed significantly to the modernization of South Korea, leaving a lasting legacy in both the business world and the nation’s infrastructure development.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Mission and Vision

    Mission

    Hyundai’s mission is to deliver a customer-centered experience by offering innovative products and services that enhance mobility and promote eco-friendly lifestyles. The company is committed to ensuring safety and comfort, achieving cost competitiveness in the global market and driving technological advancements in areas like robotics, artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing.

    Vision

    Hyundai envisions a sustainable future by leading the transition to zero-emission vehicles, establishing a hydrogen ecosystem and developing software-defined vehicles by 2025. By neutralizing carbon emissions by 2045, Hyundai aspires to create a cleaner, greener planet while revolutionizing the automotive industry.

    Hyundai Logo
    Hyundai Logo

    The name “Hyundai” comes from the Korean word for “modernity,” embodying the company’s commitment to innovation and progress.

    Tagline: Hyundai’s current slogan, “New Thinking, New Possibilities,” reflects its forward-thinking philosophy and mission to push boundaries. Another tagline, “Next Awaits,” was introduced as part of a “Progress” communication campaign, emphasizing the brand’s focus on future innovation.

    Logo: Hyundai’s iconic “H” logo is more than just the first letter of its name. It symbolizes two people shaking hands—one representing the company and the other its customers—illustrating Hyundai’s dedication to trust and customer satisfaction. The silver color of the logo adds a touch of sophistication and modernity, aligning with the brand’s ethos.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Business Model

    Hyundai’s business model thrives on relentless innovation and a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction. The company integrates advanced manufacturing techniques with stringent quality control to produce vehicles that prioritize safety, efficiency and performance. Leveraging digital transformation, Hyundai employs data analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance product development and strengthen customer engagement. Sustainability lies at the heart of its strategy, reflected in initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and advancing green technology. With a diverse range of powertrains—including fuel cell, battery-electric, hybrid and mild-hybrid options—Hyundai caters to a wide spectrum of consumer needs, supported by smart safety features, cost-effective operation and industry-leading warranties.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Revenue Model

    Hyundai Motor Company’s revenue model is multifaceted, driving income through diverse streams. Vehicle sales form the backbone, spanning entry-level models to luxury and commercial segments, addressing varied market demands. After-sales services, including parts and accessories, contribute significantly by providing long-term value to customers. Hyundai also capitalizes on licensing agreements and strategic partnerships, particularly in automotive technology and sustainable mobility. The company’s expanding portfolio of electric and hybrid vehicles taps into the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation, positioning Hyundai as a leader in the green mobility market while ensuring robust financial growth and stability.

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    Hyundai Motor Company – Challenges Faced

    The following challenges highlight the complex landscape Hyundai must navigate to sustain its growth and reputation in the Indian market:

    Economic and Consumer Challenges

    Hyundai faces significant challenges due to declining consumer sentiment, particularly in rural areas where sales have dropped noticeably. The imposition of an infrastructure cess, ranging from 1-4% in the Indian Budget, has further strained the automobile market, raising costs for consumers and affecting demand. These economic pressures have required Hyundai to reassess its pricing strategies and market positioning to remain competitive.

    Policy Uncertainty

    Frequent changes in government policies in India present another hurdle. Hyundai, which plans to raise INR 25,000 crore by selling a 17% equity stake in its local unit, has highlighted concerns about the instability of policy frameworks. Having invested nearly INR 30,000 crore since its entry into India in 1996, the company emphasizes that stable government guidelines are essential for confidently making technological upgrades and maintaining a steady flow of investments into the country.

    Environmental and Ethical Concerns

    As a car manufacturer, Hyundai faces growing scrutiny regarding its environmental impact, particularly in India, where air pollution is a critical issue. The company must adopt stringent measures to reduce emissions and align with the government’s push for sustainable transportation. Additionally, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is gaining importance, demanding that Hyundai address ethical concerns and contribute proactively to environmental conservation and community development.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Investments

    Hyundai Motor Company has actively participated in strategic investments and partnerships, showcasing its commitment to technological advancements and innovation. Among its most notable exits are IonQ, SoundHound and SES (SolidEnergy Systems).

    Announced Date Organization Name Funding Round Price
    Jun 5, 2024 42dot Corporate Round ₩ 253 million
    May 29, 2024 Obsidian Sensors Convertible Round –
    May 3, 2024 Surff Seed Round –
    Mar 18, 2024 AmpUp Venture Round $276.6K
    Mar 18, 2024 Terracle Series A ₩ 10.5 billion
    Oct 23, 2023 Koop Technologies Corporate Round –
    Jun 27, 2023 BOS Semiconductors Seed Round ₩ 2 billion
    Apr 25, 2023 42dot Corporate Round ₩1.1 trillion
    Dec 1, 2022 Gbike Series C $1 million
    Jul 21, 2022 Floatic Seed Round ₩ 3.4 million

    Hyundai Motor Company – Mergers and Acquisitions

    Hyundai has strategically expanded its capabilities through notable mergers and acquisitions, including:

    Acquired On Acquired Company Price
    Aug 15, 2022 42dot $328 million
    Feb 2021 Doosan —
    Dec 10, 2020 Boston Dynamics $1.1 billion

    Hyundai Motor Company – Growth

    Although Hyundai Motor India continues to be the second-largest car manufacturer in India, trailing behind market leader Maruti Suzuki, it faces growing competition from domestic players like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, which have gained traction, particularly in the SUV segment. The company also achieved a significant milestone as revenues crossed INR 60,000 crore, driven by higher production capacity utilization and an increasing share of SUVs in its portfolio.

    Hyundai Financials 3rd Quarter 2023 3rd Quarter 2024
    Revenue KRW 40.99 trillion KRW 42.93 trillion
    Operating Profit KRW 3.89 trillion KRW 3.58 trillion
    Net Profit KRW 3.30 trillion KRW 3.21 trillion
    Hyundai Motor’s Third Quarter Revenue and Profit
    Hyundai Motor’s Third Quarter Revenue and Profit

    Revenue Growth

    Hyundai Motor Company reported a 4.7% year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching KRW 42.93 trillion for Q3 2024. 

    Profit Margins

    Operating profit for the quarter rose to KRW 3.58 trillion, with an impressive operating profit margin of 8.3%. The company achieved a net profit of KRW 3.21 trillion, showcasing strong financial health and efficient operations.

    Unit Sales

    Global sales totaled 1,011,808 units, marking a steady performance amid declining global automotive demand. Sales in the North American market increased by 9.3%, while the Korean market saw a growth of 1.8%, highlighting Hyundai’s strategic market positioning.

    Shareholder Returns

    Hyundai maintained its commitment to shareholders by declaring a Q3 dividend of KRW 2,000, aligning with its established shareholder return policies.

    Market Position and Sales

    In FY2023, the company achieved record domestic sales exceeding 600,000 units, alongside strong export performance. 

    Financial Performance

    HMIL demonstrated remarkable financial growth in FY2023, with net profit surging by 62.3% year-on-year to reach ₹4,709 crore.

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    Hyundai Motor Company – Subsidiaries

    Hyundai Motor Company’s subsidiaries include:
    1. Hyundai Motor India
    2. Hyundai Motor Indonesia
    3. Hyundai Motor America
    4. Hyundai of Canada
    5. Hyundai Motor of South America
    6. Hyundai do Brasil
    7. Hyundai China
    8. Beijing Hyundai
    9. Hyundai Japan
    10. Hyundai Motor Philippines
    11. Hyundai Motor Europe

    Hyundai Motor Company – IPO (India)

    Hyundai Motor India’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) was a significant event, marking the company’s entry into India’s equity market with a book-built issue of INR 27,870.16 crores. The issue was entirely an offer for sale, with 14.22 crore shares up for sale. The IPO bidding process began on October 15, 2024 and closed on October 17, 2024. The allotment of shares was finalized on October 18, 2024, with the shares listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) on October 22, 2024.

    Despite the oversubscription, with the offering being more than two times oversubscribed, the shares closed at INR 1,819, lower than the initial public offering price of INR 1,960. The price band for the shares was set between INR 1,865 ($22.18) and INR 1,960. The IPO raised a total of INR 278.56 billion, or $3.3 billion, making it the largest IPO in India by the amount raised.

    Looking forward, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. is committed to continuing its investment in India by enhancing its product portfolio, advancing technological capabilities and bolstering its research and development (R&D) efforts post-IPO.

    Hyundai Motor Company – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns

    The all-new SANTA FE | AI Campaign Compilation Film

    Hyundai Motor’s AI-Driven Campaign: “Open for Imagination”

    Hyundai Motor is redefining marketing creativity with its innovative AI-generated campaign for the all-new SANTA FE SUV. The campaign, titled “Open for Imagination,” encourages Instagram users and adventure enthusiasts to visualize their dream destinations in a unique, interactive way.

    AI-Powered Creativity

    The campaign uses a customized text-to-image AI model to generate bespoke images that seamlessly incorporate the all-new SANTA FE into fantasy settings. From lush mountainscapes to futuristic cityscapes, the SUV’s bold, boxy styling, large tailgate and spacious interior provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventure and imaginative exploration.

    Interactive Social Media Experience

    On Hyundai Worldwide’s official Instagram account, users can create personalized images of dream destinations featuring the SANTA FE. This interactive experience highlights the SUV’s ‘Open for More’ concept, inviting users to dream big and explore the limitless possibilities it offers.

    Engaging Influencer Activation

    Social media influencers brought the campaign to life by using voice recognition technology integrated with the AI model. Sitting inside a real SANTA FE, they visualized dream destinations projected on a large LED screen, showcasing how the SUV can complement any adventure.

    Inspiring Outdoor Adventures

    By merging cutting-edge AI with the all-new SANTA FE’s adventurous spirit, Hyundai is inspiring users to “open for more” in their lives—whether it’s through outdoor exploration or imagining the impossible.

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    Hyundai Motor Company – Awards and Achievements

    Hyundai’s 2024 Accolades and Global Recognition

    Hyundai Motor Company continues to garner international acclaim. Here’s a roundup of Hyundai’s recent achievements:

    World Car Awards 2024

    • World Performance Car: The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N earned top honors, showcasing Hyundai’s prowess in delivering exhilarating driving experiences combined with cutting-edge electric technology.
    • Hyundai’s sister brand Kia EV9 dominated with two awards:
      • World Car of the Year
      • World Electric Vehicle

    TopGear.com Electric Awards 2024

    • The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N was crowned Best EV Hot Hatch, highlighting its impressive combination of electric performance, sporty design and practicality.

    2024 Red Dot Award

    • The Hyundai SANTA FE secured a win in the Product Design: Cars and Motorcycles category, a testament to its bold aesthetics and innovative design language.

    iF Design Awards

    • Hyundai boasts a stellar record with over 20 iF Design Awards, marking a decade of consistent design excellence in categories spanning transportation and innovation.

    2023 GOOD DESIGN Awards

    • Hyundai received six top honors, including four in the Transportation category, reflecting the brand’s commitment to innovative and user-centric automotive solutions.

    The Car Connection’s Best Electric Car To Buy

    • For the second consecutive year, the IONIQ 5 was recognized as the Best Electric Car To Buy, underlining its unmatched appeal in the EV market.

    2022 Top Safety Pick by IIHS

    • The Hyundai NEXO earned this prestigious safety accolade, reinforcing Hyundai’s dedication to advanced safety features and reliability.

    Brand Valuation

    • Hyundai Motor Company’s global influence is highlighted by its brand valuation reaching $23 billion, securing the 30th spot globally in Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2024 rankings.

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    Hyundai Motor Company – Competitors

    Hyundai operates in a highly competitive global automotive market, contending with several major manufacturers. Some of which are: 

    Hyundai Motor Company – Future Plans (India)

    Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) has set ambitious goals for its expansion in India, with plans to invest INR 32,000 crore between 2023 and 2032. This investment is aimed at reinforcing its leadership in the Indian automotive market, with a focus on sustainable growth and cutting-edge technologies. Key initiatives include:

    Increase in Production Capacity

    Hyundai intends to raise its production capacity from 824,000 to 1.1 million units by 2028. This expansion is designed to cater to the growing demand for vehicles in both domestic and export markets, ensuring Hyundai can meet the needs of its expanding customer base.

    Development of New Products and Platforms

    As part of its expansion strategy, Hyundai plans to develop new products and platforms, focusing on both traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative will help Hyundai diversify its product offerings to appeal to a broader audience.

    Introduction of New Models

    Hyundai will continue to innovate by launching new models, including vehicles catering to the growing demand for electric and hybrid cars. This will support its efforts to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving automotive market.

    Strengthening Presence in the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Market

    Hyundai is committed to strengthening its position in the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) market in India. With the rise in demand for eco-friendly alternatives, Hyundai aims to expand its BEV offerings, contributing to the nation’s shift toward greener transportation.

    Launching Hybrid Vehicles

    In addition to fully electric models, Hyundai plans to launch hybrid vehicles, offering customers more choices in reducing their carbon footprint while enjoying the flexibility of both electric and gasoline powertrains.

    Localization of EV Supply Network

    A key aspect of Hyundai’s strategy is to localize the EV supply network in India, including the production of battery systems, cells and drive systems. This initiative aims to reduce costs, improve supply chain resilience and support the development of a sustainable EV ecosystem within the country.

    Carbon Neutrality by 2045

    Hyundai is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. The company’s roadmap includes electrifying its product lineup and investing in alternative energy sources such as hydrogen. This effort aligns with Hyundai’s global sustainability goals and aims to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.

    Software-Defined Vehicles

    Hyundai plans to leverage data from vehicles, traffic signals, infrastructure and satellite navigation to create a new mobility system. By integrating these data sources, Hyundai aims to build software-defined vehicles that offer enhanced connectivity, improved navigation and smarter, more efficient mobility solutions for the future.

    Creation of Mobility Hubs

    In a bold vision for the future, Hyundai plans to develop mobility hubs that integrate air taxis, autonomous vehicles and social interaction spaces. These hubs are designed to facilitate seamless, multi-modal transportation options and create new community spaces for consumers to interact with the future of mobility.

    FAQs

    Is Hyundai a Chinese or Korean car?

    Hyundai is a Korean car brand. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, and is one of the largest automakers in the world.

    Who is the owner of Hyundai?

    Hyundai Motor Group is the owner of Hyundai.

    Who are the main competitors of Hyundai?

    The main competitors of Hyundai include Ford, Volkwagen, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, General Motors, Renault, Fiat, and more.

  • SportsSkill: How It’s Revolutionizing the Sports Ecosystem with Performance Tracking and Progress Monitoring

    The global sports technology market is projected to reach USD 53.1 billion by 2030. Within this industry, a new entrant making its mark is SportsSkill. Co-founded by Abhinav Sinha and Chetan Desai, SportsSkill is bridging a key gap in the sports ecosystem. The company provides a tech-driven platform that gives real-time performance insights for athletes, coaches, and parents.

    In this article, explore more about SportsSkill, its founders, business model, funding, challenges, growth, and more.

    SportsSkill – Company Highlights

    Company Name SportsSkill
    Headquarters Pune, Maharashtra, India
    Sector SportsTech
    Founder Abhinav Sinha, Chetan Desai
    Founded 2021
    Website sportsskill.app

    SportsSkill – About
    SportsSkill – Industry
    SportsSkill – Founders
    SportsSkill – Startup Story
    SportsSkill – Mission and Vision
    SportsSkill – Name and Logo
    SportsSkill – Products/Services
    SportsSkill – Business and Revenue Model
    SportsSkill – Launching Company Strategies
    SportsSkill – Customer Growth and Retention Strategies
    SportsSkill – Challenges Faced
    SportsSkill – Funding
    SportsSkill – Growth
    SportsSkill – Future Plans

    SportsSkill – About

    Founded in 2021 by Abhinav Sinha and Chetan Desai, SportsSkill is a tech-driven platform designed to bridge the gap in the sports ecosystem. With decades of experience in squash and tennis, the founders recognized the need for a structured way to track and analyze sports performance. SportsSkill connects athletes, coaches, and parents, offering actionable insights on performance, fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.

    SportsSkill is designed as a B2B2C platform, ensuring seamless operation for schools, academies, and parents. It’s not just about athletes—it’s about the entire ecosystem.

    The company has received an overwhelming response since its inception. Recently, in rural Maharashtra, they supported a young squash player who has since risen to become one of the top players in India, reinforcing the motivation behind starting the company.

    SportsSkill – Industry

    SportsSkill operates within the rapidly expanding sports technology industry, encompassing innovations to enhance athletic performance, coaching, and fan engagement. As of 2024, the global sports technology market is valued at approximately USD 16.8 billion. It is projected to reach USD 53.1 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.1% during 2024–2030.

    SportsSkill’s target market includes athletes, coaches, educational institutions, and sports academies seeking data-driven tools to improve performance and training methodologies. It aims to capture a significant portion of this burgeoning sector by focusing on user acquisition and engagement metrics.

    Over the next five years, the team at SportsSkill anticipates the sports technology industry will experience substantial growth, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, wearable technology, and data analytics. These innovations are expected to become integral to training regimens, injury prevention, and fan interaction, leading to widespread adoption across various sports disciplines.

    In alignment with these industry trends, SportsSkill envisions becoming a global leader in sports technology within the next 5–10 years. Its strategic plans include expanding its user base to 5 million across regions such as MENA, the USA, and Europe.

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    SportsSkill – Founders

    Abhinav Sinha (left) and Chetan Desai (right) - SportsSkill Founders
    Abhinav Sinha (left) and Chetan Desai (right) – SportsSkill Founders

    SportsSkill was founded by Abhinav Sinha and Chetan Desai, who shared common interests and met a couple of times in events and tournaments. Their shared passion for sports was the foundation of this partnership. Both of them have been deeply involved in sports for decades—Chetan has over 55 years of experience in tennis, and Abhinav has more than 20 years of experience in squash. Their professional journeys gave them firsthand insight into the gaps in the sports ecosystem, particularly the lack of accessible, data-driven training tools. These shared observations naturally led them to collaborate and start SportsSkill.

    Chetan brings his vast experience in sports and a deep understanding of grassroots challenges. His ability to connect with players and coaches on a fundamental level has been instrumental in shaping the platform. Chetan oversees the sports ecosystem side of the business, focusing on understanding the needs of coaches, athletes, and institutions. He works closely on user engagement and product validation. 

    Abhinav’s background complements Chetan’s background, focusing on operational strategy and product development to ensure the platform delivers measurable impact. He focuses on technology, operations, and scaling the business.

    Together, they drive the strategic direction of the company. They are a small but dedicated team headquartered in Pune. Their passion for sports, innovation, and collaborative approach, along with their focus on the grassroots level, helps them ensure every team member is aligned with their mission to democratize sports technology.

    They prioritize hiring individuals who are not only skilled but also share a passion for sports and technology. Their mindset is simple: hire for attitude and train for skills. Whether it’s developers for their tech platform or community managers working directly with grassroots players, they look for people who understand the transformative power of sports.

    Advisors and Mentors

    SportsSkill benefits from the mentorship and advisory support of KP Balaraj, a seasoned professional with extensive private equity experience and a national-level athlete background. His dual expertise in finance and sports provides invaluable insights, guiding the company’s strategic direction and growth initiatives. His involvement underscores SportsSkill’s credibility and potential within the sports technology sector.

    SportsSkill – Startup Story

    Abhinav Sinha and Chetan Desai have been lifelong athletes—Chetan has over 55 years of experience in tennis, and Abhinav has more than 20 years of experience in squash. Through their experiences, they realized a stark gap in the sports ecosystem. While there’s a structured system for tracking academic performance in schools, sports lack a similar framework. Players, parents, and even coaches didn’t have access to meaningful, data-driven insights to guide their journey. That’s when the idea struck: Why not create a platform that bridges this gap and democratizes sports technology?

    The ideation process was deeply rooted in Abhinav and Chetan’s experiences and observations in India and abroad. They identified the key pain points—lack of performance tracking, insufficient fitness, mental well-being integration, and limited tech adoption in grassroots sports. To validate the idea, they contacted coaches, academies, and parents to understand their challenges. The response was overwhelmingly positive; they were excited about a holistic platform to track an athlete’s progress.

    Prototyping began with a simple framework for SportsSkill. They focused on making the system intuitive and accessible, especially for grassroots players. During this time, they spoke extensively with academies in Pune and Hyderabad and experienced professionals like KP Balaraj, a national-level athlete, who eventually became one of SportsSkill’s key investors. Their feedback validated the concept and gave the co-founders confidence to move forward.

    The initial reactions from those Abhinav and Chetan spoke to were encouraging but also instructive. Many pointed out the need for affordability and seamless integration into existing systems. These insights shaped their approach, ensuring SportsSkill was impactful and accessible to athletes across all levels. The journey from ideation to prototyping has been enriching, and their support and feedback have propelled them to where they are today.

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    SportsSkill – Mission and Vision

    SportsSkill’s vision, both in the short and long term, is deeply rooted in the commitment to democratizing sports technology. The aim is to make it accessible to every athlete, coach, and institution, regardless of their level or location. This long-term commitment is a testament to the belief in the transformative power of sports technology.

    In the short term, by 2025, the company aims to deepen its impact in India and expand into global markets like MENA, the USA, and Europe. This involves scaling the platform, enhancing features like matchplay analysis and performance tracking using big data, and developing products tailored specifically for schools to integrate sports tech into educational systems.

    In the long term, by 2027-28, the team envisions a world where every athlete, whether in a metro city or a remote village, can access advanced training tools, data-driven insights, and personalized coaching. This vision guides their long-term strategy and underscores their commitment to leveling the playing field for talent everywhere.

    At the core of running SportsSkill is a deep belief that sports should be more than just an extracurricular activity—a discipline that shapes lives. SportsSkill’s motto, ‘Believe to Achieve,’ reflects this ethos. It’s not just about training harder; it’s about providing the right tools and insights to empower athletes to unlock their full potential while building a supportive environment for parents, coaches, and schools to nurture this journey.

    SportsSkill Logo
    SportsSkill Logo

    The name SportsSkill was born from the idea of celebrating the diverse and dynamic nature of sports. Every sport demands a unique combination of skills—be it physical, mental, or strategic. From an athlete’s strength and agility to a player’s precision and focus, skills are the building blocks of excellence in sports.

    By combining the words sports and skill, the co-founders created a name that reflects their mission: to highlight the importance of developing, mastering, and celebrating these abilities. It’s simple, memorable, and universal—resonating with athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts alike.

    At its heart, SportsSkill represents more than just the act of playing; it symbolizes growth, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of improvement. It’s a name that encapsulates the spirit of sports and the skills that make them extraordinary.

    SportsSkill – Products/Services

    SportsSkill is a sports technology company that bridges the gap between athletes, coaches, parents, and institutions by providing data-driven tools to enhance performance and overall development in sports. Coaches, parents, and athletes can access performance metrics, track progress over time, and receive actionable recommendations for improvement. The platform also gamifies training with features like SkillCoins to motivate and keep athletes engaged. By integrating elements like fitness, nutrition, mental well-being, and technical skills, SportsSkill offers a 360-degree approach to sports training. Over the next few years, SportsSkill looks to integrate more AI, machine learning, and relevant sensor technology.

    A major gap is the need for more structured data and performance insights in grassroots and amateur sports. Athletes often train in silos without actionable feedback, and parents and coaches struggle to track development. SportsSkill resolves this by centralizing data and providing real-time feedback, enabling smarter training and better talent nurturing. Additionally, it fosters a social environment that promotes knowledge sharing and inspiration through videos and resources tailored for athletes.

    Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

    • Holistic Data Integration: Combines data from various sources—like human intelligence, AI, wearables, sensors, and used inputs—into one intuitive dashboard.
    • Affordability and Accessibility: Low-cost subscription plans make it feasible for grassroots players and schools.
    • Personalization: AI-driven insights tailor training to individual needs, addressing everything from skill improvement to injury prevention.
    • Gamification: Rewards athletes with SkillCoins, encouraging engagement and motivation.
    • Scalable Ecosystem: A B2B2C model connects athletes, schools, academies, and parents, making it suitable for grassroots and professional environments.

    Innovation

    • Technology: Going forward, SportsSkill will employ more AI and machine learning to analyze and interpret data. The platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with emerging tech like smart bands and sensor-equipped gear. The system processes data from multiple sources to provide meaningful, actionable user insights. Big data analytics is also key, enabling predictive insights and long-term tracking. Alongside SportsSkill, they operate Chance2Sports, a nonprofit initiative to identify and nurture talent from underserved regions. This program connects seamlessly with SportsSkill by scouting young talent, providing tools and training, and helping them secure sponsorships.

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    SportsSkill – Business and Revenue Model

    SportsSkill operates on a B2B2C business model, catering to athletes, coaches, schools, and sports academies. The platform integrates seamlessly into existing sports ecosystems to deliver personalized training, performance tracking, and data-driven insights. SportsSkill provides a unified platform for tracking and improving athletic performance. The platform is subscription-based, designed to be affordable and accessible to grassroots players, schools, and institutions. This ensures scalability while keeping the barrier to entry low for users from diverse economic backgrounds.

    Revenue Model

    • Subscription Plans: The core revenue stream comes from low-cost subscriptions, making the platform accessible to users across different demographics.
    • Institution Partnerships: Revenue is also generated through collaborations with sports academies, schools, and organizations that adopt SportsSkill’s technology for their training programs.
    • International Strategic Partnerships: This is another source of revenue generation for SportsSkill.
    • Premium Features: These will soon be available, which will be revenue-generating. 

    SportsSkill – Launching Company Strategies

    Before launching, Abhinav and Chetan validated the POC with several people across all capacities, from the sports angle with established coaches/academies and sportspersons across different sports to established individuals in the corporate sector who viewed the POC from a business and revenue/scalable model. This helped them get the first 100 users as well.

    SportsSkill – Customer Growth and Retention Strategies

    At SportsSkill, the team is thrilled to see significant traction within a short time. Guided by the belief that “Customer is King,” they actively engage with the users, gathering their valuable feedback to ensure they evolve in tandem with the ever-growing demands of the sports community.

    To enhance user engagement and create a dynamic experience, they have incorporated features designed to keep players motivated and immersed:

    • Skill Coins: A rewarding system that gamifies skill development, incentivizing consistent practice and achievements.
    • Challenge Feature: A platform for players to test their abilities, compete with others, and push their limits.

    These sticky features are more than just tools—they reflect SportsSkill’s commitment to building an ecosystem that serves, excites, and empowers the users. As the company grows, the focus remains on innovation, customer satisfaction, and fostering a vibrant community of sports enthusiasts.

    SportsSkill – Challenges Faced

    One of the major challenges the co-founders faced early on was convincing investors and stakeholders about the potential of sports technology. Integrating tech into grassroots and amateur sports was still relatively niche when they started. They met over 50 investors initially, many of whom didn’t fully understand the space or its growth potential. This made fundraising particularly challenging. However, when Abhinav and Chetan connected with KP Balaraj, his dual private equity and sports expertise validated their vision. His insights and eventual investment boosted their confidence and lent credibility to their efforts.

    Another significant challenge was building trust among grassroots players, coaches, and parents unfamiliar with tech-driven training tools. To address this, they focused on creating a simple, user-friendly platform and kept subscription costs low to ensure accessibility. All these efforts were validated when schools and academies across Pune, Hyderabad, and Indore embraced the platform.

    Experimentation and learning have been integral to SportsSkill’s journey. For example, they introduced gamification through SkillCoins to encourage engagement among athletes. This worked well, keeping players motivated and involved. On the other hand, while they initially envisioned a broader geographic expansion, they soon realized the importance of focusing on a few cities first to establish a strong foundation before scaling further.

    Current challenges include scaling the platform, maintaining affordability, and addressing diverse user needs. The sports tech industry in India is still maturing, and while they see growing interest, integrating advanced tools like wearables and AI remains a work in progress. Additionally, ensuring seamless adoption in rural areas requires consistent training and awareness-building among coaches and parents. SportsSkill’s focus remains on solving these issues through innovation and strategic partnerships.

    SportsSkill – Funding

    SportsSkill raised funding from KP Balaraj, a seasoned investor with experience in private equity and sports. While the specific amount, stage, or valuation was not mentioned, this investment played a critical role in validating the company’s vision and scaling its operations.

    The funding has enabled SportsSkill to refine its platform, expand operations to cities like Hyderabad, Baroda, Pune, Indore, and Kolkata, and enhance its grassroots programs such as Chance2Sports. It also provided the resources to build affordable and accessible sports technology tailored to schools and academies.

    SportsSkill – Growth

    SportsSkill's Abhinav with Athletes
    SportsSkill’s Abhinav with Athletes

    SportsSkill is growing steadily, expanding its reach, building partnerships, and offering innovative solutions to transform sports training in India. Its growth can be better understood through the following points:

    Operating Locations:

    SportsSkill is headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, and has established operations in cities like Hyderabad, Baroda, Indore, and Kolkata, with plans to expand further.

    Userbase and Notable Clients/Partners:

    The platform caters to sports academies, schools, coaches, and players across India. It impacted over 1000 users, focusing on racket sports and expanding into team sports. Key partnerships include collaborations with sports academies and grassroots programs like the Chance to Sports initiative.

    SportsSkill’s success is reflected in its strong user response, including positive feedback from schools, academies, and parents. Its efforts to integrate affordable, AI-driven tools have created significant value in underserved areas.

    Investor Confidence:

    A major milestone in the company’s journey was securing investment from KP Balaraj, whose expertise in private equity and personal background as a national-level athlete validated SportsSkill’s vision and scalability.

    SportsSkill – Future Plans

    Over the next 1-2 years, SportsSkill plans to focus on enhancing its product features and expanding its business footprint. The company aims to integrate big data analytics to improve performance tracking, matchplay insights, and goal setting while also developing specialized features tailored for schools to integrate sports technology into educational systems.

    On the business front, SportsSkill is targeting global markets, including MENA, the USA, and Europe, as part of its broader strategy to reach 5 million users. At the same time, it plans to strengthen its presence in Indian cities and onboard new locations.

    Additionally, grassroots initiatives like Chance2Sports will continue to play a key role in identifying untapped talent, providing advanced training tools, and offering sponsorship opportunities, ensuring holistic growth across all levels of the sports ecosystem.

    FAQs

    What is SportsSkill?

    SportsSkill is a sports technology company that bridges the gap between athletes, coaches, parents, and institutions by providing data-driven tools to enhance performance and overall development in sports.

    Who are the founders of SportsSkill?

    Abhinav Sinha and Chetan Desai are the co-founders of SportsSkill.

    What is the business model of SportsSkill?

    SportsSkill operates on a B2B2C business model, catering to athletes, coaches, schools, and sports academies.

  • Razorpay Success Story – How is it Facilitating the SMEs with Effortless Online Payment Mechanisms?

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations.

    Smartphones and the internet certainly took the world by surprise, but, at the same time, they signaled a world full of advanced technologies that would extend efficiency and availability for everyone living in it. The growth of cutting-edge software and technology thus helped in opening the gates to limitless opportunities for all the thriving sectors of the world. The banking and payments industry is one of the sectors where these developments have ushered in some major transformations. Digital payments or online payments are some of the many advantages that the new-age technologies have brought forth. The growing ways of payments and instant online payments of today are not only benefitting the banking and finance industry but the merchants and the general public as well all across the globe.

    In the same field, with the vision to revolutionize the online payment mechanisms by providing transparent and developer-friendly APIs with hassle-free user integration, Razorpay was launched by Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur in the year 2014.

    Razorpay is an Online Payment Solution in India allowing businesses to accept, process, and disburse payments with its product suite. It helps the business entities gain access to all the modern payment modes like credit and debit cards, net banking, UPI, and other popular wallets in the country namely JioMoney, Mobikwik, Airtel Money, FreeCharge, Ola Money, and PayZapp. Razorpay’s online payment solutions can be integrated by both web and mobile applications.

    Here’s more about Razorpay, its Founders, Team, Industry, Mission and Vision, Name, Tagline, Logo, Business and Revenue Model, Competitors, Future Plans, “when was Razorpay established?” and more.

    Razorpay – Company Highlights

    Company Name Razorpay
    Headquarters Bangalore
    Sector Fintech, Financial Services
    Founders Shashank Kumar, Harshil Mathur
    Founded 2014
    Valuation $7.5 billion (as of December 2024)
    Website razorpay.com

    Razorpay – About and How it works
    Razorpay – Industry
    Razorpay – Founders and Team
    Razorpay – Startup Story | How did it start?
    Razorpay – Mission and Vision
    Razorpay – Name, Tagline and Logo
    Razorpay – Business Model and Revenue Model
    Razorpay – Partnerships
    Razorpay – Competitors
    Razorpay – Funding and Investors
    Razorpay – ESOPs
    Razorpay – Acquisitions
    Razorpay – Growth and Revenue
    Razorpay – Products and Features
    Razorpay – Investments
    Razorpay – Challenges
    Razorpay – Awards and Recognition
    Razorpay – Future Plans

    Razorpay – About and How it works

    As mentioned earlier, Razorpay enables online payments by providing developer-friendly APIs, powered by an effective integration process. Razorpay also offers a comprehensive dashboard to manage payments, as well as other plugins and integration suites for all major backend technologies and e-commerce platforms. With its efficient products, Razorpay is bettering the online payment systems for startups and other companies and improving the individual experience too.

    In September 2017, Razorpay launched four products – Route, Smart Collect, Subscriptions, and Invoices, which allow businesses to manage multiple aspects of money movement including collection, reconciliation, and disbursal.

    During the same time, Razorpay also announced that it was entering the SME lending space with its subsidiary venture called Razorpay Capital. It is a lending platform that is designed to support Small and Medium Enterprises with instant and easy access to lenders. This initiative is aimed at solving liquidity and cash-flow challenges by providing these firms with quick settlements and collateral-free loans. A beta version of the platform was launched in September 2018 and has already disbursed $30 million in loans.

    Also, Razorpay added two new features to its services offered. These are respectively called ‘Partial payments’ and ‘Batch Uploads’.

    • Partial Payments – It allows the end-users to make payments in part against a particular order ID instead of making the entire payment at once
    • Batch Uploads – It lets the business entities generate and process links in bulk rather than creating individual links by uploading a single file containing collect order details.

    Razorpay X (Comprehensive Banking Platform) is an AI-driven API banking platform, which is set to fundamentally transform how businesses move money. The account number provided enables businesses to manage all forms of pay-outs (salary, vendor payments through NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI) and receivables on Razorpay itself. Posing as a unique solution, businesses can now do everything and more with Razorpay that they were existentially doing with banks till now. Lately, there has been a significant enhancement to the existing online payment mechanism. Razorpay has also launched more new features to its checkout. These are essentially called Affordability, Personalization, and Native OTP.

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    Razorpay – Industry

    The Indian market for fintech has seen massive growth in the past decade and has been hailed as the world’s fastest fintech industry in terms of growth where over 67% of around 2,100 fintech companies have been set up if we look back at the last 5 years.

    As per the Razorpay Team, the Indian fintech market will touch INR 6.2 lakh crore by 2025. It also added that COVID-19 has accelerated the company’s digital payments segment.

    Razorpay – Founders and Team

    Razorpay is co-founded by IIT Roorkee alumni Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur.

    Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur – Founder Razorpay

    Harshil Mathur

    The CEO and Co-founder of Razorpay Harshil Mathur is an IIT Roorkee alumnus who completed BTech in Technology. Mathur further went on to join Y-Combinator in the W15 batch in 2015. Harshil started his career as a Wireline Field Engineer at Schlumberger. After his brief stint with the company, Mathur then decided to found Razorpay in 2014 with Shashank Kumar.

    Shashank Kumar

    Shashank Kumar is known as the Co-founder and CTO of Razorpay. He was also a former IIT Roorkee student who completed his BTech in Computer Science before attending Y-Combinator in 2015. After completing 3 months as a research intern in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Minnesota, Kumar joined another internship at Microsoft as a Software Development Engineer. Concluding 3 months as a Microsoft intern, Kumar eventually joined as a Vice President at SDS Labs before he joined as a Software Development Engineer at Microsoft. He worked as an employee with the software giant for less than 2 years and then decided to part his ways and co-founded Razorpay.

    Razorpay – Startup Story | How did it start?

    This startup idea originated when the co-founders were working on the crowdfunding portal and in the process came to realize how muddled the online payment mechanism was in India. Besides, they also discovered that the US-based payment systems are not ideal for the Indian markets, especially if we look at the credit card penetration. Following these, they changed tracks to work on the payments problem in India, where the implementation of technology was really tough. Furthermore, the rate of payment failures was also considerably high and the pricing that was available earlier lacked transparency.

    “We realized that most online payment gateway solutions were extremely cumbersome to get started on, especially for start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises. When we contacted a few payment gateway companies, we were asked for our past operational records, presence of physical offices, security deposits, and very high set-up fees. Online reviews of most payment gateways in India confirmed similar bad experiences,” said Mathur.

    They, thus, started to build a friendly online payment gateway that would be easy to integrate and use. After conducting some market surveys in the initial stages to verify the feasibility of the idea and then accumulating a positive response from potential customers, the co-founders decided on starting to work full-time on the Razorpay idea.

    This initiative originated in Jaipur as a part of the winter batch of Y Combinator’s startup program in 2015. Eventually, both these co-founders quit their respective jobs at Microsoft and Schlumberger after being supported by Startup Oasis in Jaipur, set up jointly by the Rajasthan Industrial Investment Corporation (RIICO) and IIM Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE). Razorpay is also regarded as the second India-focused company to be chosen by the Y-Combinator program, the first being ClearTax.

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    Razorpay – Mission and Vision

    As part of Razorpay’s mission and vision, the company ensures that “businesses find it easy to accept and receive payments.”

    Founded by IIT Roorkee alumni, Razorpay believes in revolutionizing money management for online businesses. The company aims to do it by providing clean, developer-friendly APIs and hassle-free integration. It offers a fast, affordable, and secure way for merchants, schools, eCommerce, and other companies to accept and disburse payments online. Furthermore, Razorpay also helps its users to own a fully-functional current account and avail of working capital loans.

    Razorpay is currently operating with the tagline #PoweringDisruptors.

    Razorpay Logo

    Razorpay – Business Model and Revenue Model

    Razorpay charges 2% fees on every subscription collection transaction made through their gateway. With the emergence of Razorpay 2.0, the company has seen a growth in its revenue streams. It now contributes about 30% of Razorpay’s total revenue generation. This online payment portal is now looking to increase its average product adoption from one to two. The team expects RazorpayX and Razorpay Capital to contribute close to 35% of the total company’s revenues.

    Razorpay – Partnerships

    Razorapy has partnered with many companies; some of the companies are:

    Razorpay, in collaboration with Peak XV Partners and Lightspeed, launched a Venture Investment Programme to fund 10-15 early-stage startups annually. The program will invest up to $1 million per startup across fintech, healthcare, education, logistics, and hospitality sectors.

    Razorpay is partnering with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to enhance digital payment security on December 2, 2024.

    Razorpay has partnered with Truecaller in order to create great shopping experiences that improve convenience for both customers and companies on August 31, 2023.

    Razorpay partnered with Axis Bank and the NPCI of India to launch Turbo UPI on May 30, 2023.

    Razorpay partnered with Mastercard in July 2021, and this partnership helped the company, together with two other companies, Rupay and Visa, launch TokenHQ.

    Company partnered with Sokin in August, 2020; it is the first European business to do so with Razorpay. Through this arrangement, customers will have access to a rapid, secure, and legal means of transferring money back home.

    Razorpay and Shiprocket announced a partnership in August, 2020 that will accelerate daily operations for logistics companies while reducing many inefficiencies.

    RazorpayX partnered with Visa will introduce corporate cards to support small business owners in November, 2020.

    Razorpay and PayPal have partnered to integrate with and accept payments from global clients in year 2020

    Razorpay – Competitors

    The online payments market is fairly crowded when it comes to ventures operating in the sector. In a market scenario like this, Razorpay competes with both well-established and new entities. Some of the prominent Razorpay competitors are:

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    Razorpay – Funding and Investors

    Razorpay has raised total funding of $816.3 million, as of June 6, 2022. Razorpay last raised around $75 million on May 9, 2022, in a secondary transaction ESOP sale.

    The company raised $375 million in the previous Series F funding round with the help of Alkeon Capital, Lone Pine, and TCV, who were the lead investors of the round the company saw on December 19, 2021. Furthermore, this round also saw other existing investors like Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital India, GIC, and Y Combinator. The Series F round is expected to help the company ramp up its banking suite, RazorpayX. With this round, the company has now become the most valued fintech startup in India. The valuation of Razorpay was last confirmed to be $7.5 billion on December 2024.

    The company’s October 2020 funding round led by Sequoia Capital India, GIC, and existing investors of $100 million has given Razorpay a “Unicorn” Status amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

    Razorpay – Unicorn Status

    “We at Razorpay have always been a payments company, and our focus has always been financial solutions. With this funding we want to go further in our reach. We aim to build deeper tech products and solutions, as we always have done” – Says Harshil Mathur, Co-Founder & CEO, Razorpay

    Here are the funding details of Razorpay below:

    Date Funding Round Deal Amount Lead Investors
    May 9, 2022 Secondary Market round $74.18 mn Lightspeed
    December 19, 2021 Series F $375 mn Alkeon Capital, Lone Pine Capital
    September 20, 2021 Venture Round – Salesforce
    April 19, 2021 Series E $160 mn GIC, Sequoia Capital
    October 12, 2020 Series D $100 mn GIC, Sequoia Capital
    June 18, 2019 Series C $75 mn Ribbit Capital, Sequoia Capital
    January 15, 2018 Series B $20 mn Tiger Global
    July 1, 2016 Corporate Round – Mastercard
    October 27, 2015 Series A $9 mn Tiger Global
    March 23, 2015 Seed Round $2.6 mn –

    Razorpay – ESOPs

    Razorpay’s journey in ESOP buybacks began in November 2018 when it organized its first ESOP sale for 140 employees. Subsequently, in November 2019 and March 2021, the company conducted its second and third ESOP sales, with 400 and 750 eligible employees, respectively. The March 2021 ESOP buyback was valued at $10 million.
    Razorpay announced a major ESOP buyback program, where approximately 650 existing and former employees sold their shares, collectively valued at nearly $75 million. These shares were sold at a 15% discount compared to the company’s preference shares, following the entry of Lightspeed and Moore Strategic Ventures into the company’s cap table. This $75 million ESOP buyback initiative marks Razorpay’s fourth and largest to date, positioning it as the second-largest buyback in the Indian startup ecosystem, with Flipkart’s Rs 600 crore ESOP buyback in 2021 standing as the largest of such buybacks.

    To date, Razorpay has awarded ESOPs to more than 1,940 employees, both current and former, creating significant wealth opportunities for its workforce.

    Razorpay – Acquisitions

    Razorpay has acquired eight companies as of September 12, 2023. The acquisition of BillMe was the latest acquisition on September 12, 2023. The acquisition of PoshVine on September 27, 2022, was followed up with the acquisition of Ezetap on August 18, 2022, and IZealiant Technologies on March 16, 2022. The company acquired Curlec on February 8, 2022, and TERA Finlabs on July 19, 2021. The last two of acquisitions are Opfin on November 23, 2019, and ThirdWatch on August 5, 2019.

    Here’s a listing of the 8 acquisitions of the company:

    Acquiree Name Date Price
    BillMe September 12, 2023 –
    PoshVine September 27, 2022 –
    Ezetap August 18, 2022 –
    IZealiant Technologies March 16, 2022 –
    Curlec February 8, 2022 –
    TERA Finlabs July 19, 2021 –
    Opfin November 23, 2019 –
    ThirdWatch August 5, 2019 –

    Razorpay – Growth and Revenue

    Razorpay has managed to record an exponential growth rate since its inception, and currently, the company powers payments for more than 5 million small and large businesses, including Facebook, Ola, Swiggy, Zomato, Indian Oil, Cred, and more. The Bangalore-based fintech services company claims to process total payments worth around $50 billion annually and records a healthy growth rate of 40% – 45% month-on-month.

    The company is now hailed as the most valued, privately-held fintech company with a valuation of $7.5 billion, and the second-most valued Indian fintech service company after One97 Communications Ltd. The valuation of Razorpay witnessed a seven-fold jump in its valuation since 2021 when it was valued at a little over $1 bn.

    Some of the growth highlights of Razorpay at a glance are:

    • The merchant count increased to 3,00,000 in 2019, which is currently estimated at over 8 million, and may rise to 10 million too in FY22.
    • Razorpay achieved $60 bn in total payment volume (TPV) via its platform in 2021, 20% above $50 bn, which was targeted for the year.
    • Razorpay witnessed an impressive 3X increase in its transaction volume, which was registered at around 400% in September 2021.
    • The fintech startup has deployed its ZealPro product suite across 50+ banks spread over 18+ countries in Asia and Africa.
    • On the disbursement side, Razorpay powers more than 5% of the IMPS transactions.
    • Out of the Indian unicorns, more than 34 of them are powered by Razorpay, when last reported in December 2021.

    Razorpay Became Payment Aggregator After the RBI Sanction

    Razorpay received in-principle approval from the RBI against the payment aggregator license, as per reports dated July 8, 2022. Pine Labs was another company that received the same, as its wholly-owned business Setu received the same via its subsidiary, Agya Technologies, which is now an account aggregator. PhonePe and NSDL E-Governance were two other entities that received the same in 2021.

    Company also released the first product of its kind in the world: Buy Now Pay Never (BNPN) on April 1,2022.

    Financials

    Razorpay Financials FY22 FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 1,481 INR 2,279 crore INR 2,475 crore
    Total Expenses INR 1,476 crore INR 2,283 crore INR 2,454 crore
    Profit/Loss Profit of INR 7.3 crore Profit of INR 7.2 crore Profit of INR 33.5 crore
    Razorpay Financials
    Razorpay Financials

    EBITDA

    Shadowfax Financials FY22 FY23
    EBITDA Margin 3% 2.5%
    Expense/Rs of Op Revenue INR 1 INR 1
    ROCE 3% 2%

    Razorpay – Products and Features

    Razorpay has launched many products and features some of the prominent features are:

    • Curlec By Razorpay (July 2023): Razorpay introduced its first international payment gateway, Curlec By Razorpay, tailored for the Malaysian market.
    • MoneySaver Export Account (July 26, 2023): Razorpay launched a special solution for Indian exporters called the MoneySaver Export Account.
    • Turbo UPI (May 2023): In collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Axis Bank, Razorpay introduced “Turbo UPI.”
    • Payment Reconciliation Service (April 27, 2023): Razorpay, as a member of ONDC, became the first payment gateway to launch a payment reconciliation service for buyer and seller apps.
    • Affordability Widget (January 20, 2023): Razorpay unveiled the Affordability Widget as part of its Affordability Suite.
    • Foreign Exchange Service (January 30, 2023): Razorpay initiated a foreign exchange service to assist startup founders in repatriating venture capital raised abroad to Indian bank accounts.
    • UPI Autopay on QR (Global Fintech Fest 2023): Razorpay and NPCI jointly unveiled “UPI Autopay on QR” at the Global Fintech Fest 2023.
    • Accept Credit Card Payments via UPI (January 20, 2022): Razorpay became the first company to enable merchants to accept credit card payments through UPI.
    • Digital Lending Platform (November 2022): Razorpay launched a digital lending platform catering to NBFCs and fintech companies.

    Razorpay – Investments

    Razorpay has seen 4 major investments to date. The latest investment of Razorpay was in HostBooks on June 10, 2022. The Gurgaon-based fintech startup, which has raised its Series A funding round worth $3 mn, where Razorpay was counted as the lead investor. Biswajit Mishra and Kapil Rana founded HostBooks in 2009, which is currently serving as a cloud-based platform that provides accounting and compliance functions to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). HostBooks will use these funds to scale up operations and the product suite they have.

    The previous investment of Razorpay was in the Seed Round of NextPay, a payments fintech that supports SMEs in the Philippines.

    Date Company Name Funding Round Deal Value Lead Investor
    June 10, 2022 HostBooks Series A $3 mn Yes
    July 28, 2021 NextPay Seed Round $1.6 mn –
    July 7, 2021 Shiprocket Series D $41 mn –
    June 18, 2021 MSMEx Seed Round $1 mn Yes

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    Razorpay – Challenges

    Razorpay had its share of challenges and yet another challenge came up in the form of cybercrime. Razorpay underwent a theft of Rs 7.3 cr against which the Bengaluru-based fintech company has filed a complaint with the South-East cybercrime police. The cybercrime was conducted over a period of 3 months and the police are trying to track down the hacker, as far as the reports dated May 20, 2022. The Head of legal disputes and law enforcement, Abhishek Abhinav Anand of Razorpay, filed a complaint when the company failed to reconcile the receipts of Rs 7,38,36,192 against 831 transactions, on May 16th, 2022.

    Razorpay-Alt News Controversy

    The Alt News Co-founder Mohammed Zubair was arrested on June 27, 2022, in response to a tweet made by him in March 2018, which had the picture of a banner of “Honeymoon Hotel” repainted as “Hanuman Hotel”. However, as the case proceeded, it came out that Alt News didn’t receive foreign funding from countries like Syria, Australia, Singapore, Pakistan, and the UAE, but the money it got was only from donations from the Indian banks via Razorpay. This had Razorpay suspend all its payments that ensured donations to Alt News. However, following clarity on the issue, the reputed payment gateway service provider has unblocked and reinstated the merchant account. Nevertheless, Razorpay was strongly criticised for suspending the Alt News donation links and admitting the sharing of the donors’ data with the investigating agency. Alt News also stated that the payment gateway-providing company shared the donors’ data without asking for any consent from the fact-checking website. The Razorpay CEO, Harshil Mathur has finally opened up and mentioned that the data that Razorpay shared was “within the scope of the investigation”, as per reports dated July 9, 2022.

    Razorpay – Awards and Recognition

    The various awards and recognitions that Razorpay received throughout the years include:

    • 2022- At the ET Startup Awards, Razorpay received the “Startup of the Year” award.
    • 2018 – Recognised as one of India’s Top 50 Mid-Sized Workplaces in the category of “Great Places to Work.”
    • 2018 – Awarded by IAMAI as the “Best Digital Payment Facilitator.”
    • 2018 – Awarded by LinkedIn as India’s 25 Most Sought-after Companies to Work for.
    • 2017 – Was a runner-up for the “Financial Express Software Product of the Year.”
    • 2017 – The co-founders Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur got selected for the ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’.
    • 2017 – Backed the Bronze Award for the Best POS Innovation by PYMNTS.com.
    • 2016 – Made it in the Nasscom ‘League of 10’ Companies.

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    Razorpay – Future Plans

    Razorpay announced its strategic decision on February 23, 2024, in line with its aggressive intentions to conduct an initial public offering (IPO) within the next two years. This financial move is a major turning point in Razorpay’s future trajectory and reflects the company’s deliberate attempts to position itself favorably for the impending IPO.

    As it gets ready to have a significant impact on the public markets soon, Razorpay’s dedication to maneuvering the financial environment with accuracy and foresight is demonstrated by the reverse flipping technique.

    FAQs

    What is Razorpay?

    Founded in 2014, Razorpay is a Bangalore-based fintech company that stands as a popular payment gateway service provider for online payments. With a wide variety of payment modes that Razorpay enables the merchants to have access to, it allows businesses and individuals to accept, process, and disburse payments via its product suite. With its fast and effective products, Razorpay is revolutionizing the online payment systems for startups and others.

    When was Razorpay established?

    Razorpay was established in 2014 by Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar.

    What is the transactional limit for Razorpay?

    Razorpay encourages transactions up to a maximum payment of INR 5,00,000. However, the Razorpay limit per transaction can also be increased by speaking to Razorpay customer service support.

    How much does Razorpay charge per transaction?

    Razorpay charges around 2% per transaction according to its standard plan designed for small and medium-sized businesses and individuals.

    Does Razorpay refund money?

    In case of an incomplete or failed payment, Razorpay refunds the amount back to the source.

    What are the Razorpay competitors?

    Some of the Razorpay competitors are:

    What is the total Razorpay funding?

    Razorpay has received $816.3 million in funding to date, as of December 2024.

    What is the Razorpay helpline number?

    The Razorpay helpline number to contact the company is 1800-123-1272.

    How to change the business name on Razorpay?

    The process of changing Razorpay business name is easy and efficient for the users to follow. They simply need to go to the Customized Checkout section, and then navigate to Change Business Name and Description to do effortlessly. This will help them change the business name that appears on the Checkout section of the Payment Link’s payment request page.

    Does Razorpay charge for UPI?

    No, Razorpay doesn’t charge for UPI transactions.

    Does Razorpay login need money?

    No, Razorpay login is via an easy process after the user has already signed up with the Razorpay company. There are no setup or maintenance fees for Razorpay account and the Razorpay login doesn’t even need money.

  • Infra.market: The Success Story of India’s Newest Construction Material Startup

    Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by Infra.Market.

    A lot of companies put their construction projects on hold as they are expensive and need a lot of time to implement the plan. For a company to successfully implement the construction they have to consider a lot of other things.

    Thankfully, given the rise of innovation and technology, some companies deliver construction solutions to help organisations. Infra.Market is one of those companies which ties up with various contract manufacturers to create multi-product building materials through leveraging technology.

    Here’s more about Infra.Market’s startup story, founders and team, its business and revenue model, acquisitions, challenges, awards, and more.

    Infra.Market – About
    Infra.Market – Industry
    Infra.Market – Founders and Team
    Infra.Market – Startup Story
    Infra.Market – Mission and Vision
    Infra.Market – Name, Tagline and Logo
    Infra.Market – Business Model
    Infra.Market – Revenue Model
    Infra.Market – Shareholding
    Infra.Market – Funding and Investors
    Infra.Market – Growth
    Infra.Market – Challenges Faced
    Infra.Market – Competitors
    Infra.Market – Partnerships
    Infra.Market – Acquisitions
    Infra.Market – Awards and Achievements
    Infra.Market – Future Plans

    Infra.Market – Company Highlights

    Startup Name Infra.Market
    Headquarters Thane, Maharashtra
    Sector Wholesale building materials
    Founder Aaditya Sharada, Souvik Sengupta
    Founded 2016
    Valuation $2.51 billion (as of December 2024)
    Website infra.market.com

    Infra.Market – About

    This company is a unicorn in construction solutions that are engaged in creating one of India’s one of its kind multi-product building supplies brands. By utilising technology and scaling innovation, Infra.Market is aiming to revolutionise the ecosystem.

    The company has a large product line that includes a diverse selection of construction materials along with lifestyle products that will help in improving many interiors in buildings.

    Today, the company is one of the fastest-growing companies in India with quality units in economics and profitability metrics. Infra. Market is India’s only multi-category product brand.

    Infra.Market – Industry

    Infra.Market belongs to the wholesale building materials sector. The emergence of different sectors like retail, hospitality, entertainment, education, etc has made a major contribution to the growth building materials industry.

    The construction and building material industry is estimated to grow at a Compound Annual Growth rate of 1.61% in the next five years. The building material industry today stands at around $240 billion in terms of market size.

    Infra.Market – Founders and Team

    Aaditya Sharada

    Aaditya Sharada, co-founder of Infra.Market
    Aaditya Sharada, co-founder of Infra.Market

    He graduated from IIM, Ahmedabad. He has overall 10 years of experience in the building materials and infrastructure sector. Aaditya founded Infra.Market in 2016 making him one of the founders of Infra.Market.

    Souvik Sengupta

    Souvik Sengupta, co-founder and CEO of Infra.Market
    Souvik Sengupta, co-founder and CEO of Infra.Market

    He is a chartered accountant of having an experience of more than 7 years in P&L ownership and management. Before starting his own company, Infra.Market, Souvik has also founded a couple of companies like Equiphunt and Chemical.Market.

    He also serves on the Board of Members at RDC Concrete (India) Pvt Ltd and Shalimar Paints alongside being the CEO of Infra.Market. Souvik Sengupta did his graduation Sydenham College in Mumbai and a master’s degree from IIM, Bangalore.

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    Infra.Market – Startup Story

    The company was launched in 2016 by Aaditya Sarada along with with his fellow Souvik Sengupta. After having spent 10 years in the infrastructure and construction sector, Aaditya came to the conclusion that the construction sector is still unorganised.

    Aaditya says,

    “The sector required a consolidated platform that could simplify and promote the access and usage of materials required across the construction lifecycle,”

    To make up for this disorganized sector, Infra.Market was established as an end-to-end construction solution startup. The company takes up the entire procurement process carefully in online mode ensuring transparency in pricing and quality.

    Infra.Market is now among the unicorn clubs this year with a more than $2.51 billion valuation.

    Infra.Market – Mission and Vision

    The tech-based building material startup is making great efforts to become one of the leading sectors across product verticals and wants to deliver a unique platform for its customers in India and overseas.

    Here’s what Souvik says,

    “Our vision is to provide end-to-end construction solutions and build a national-level wholesale, retail, and eCommerce platform with in-house logistics and warehousing.”

    Infra.Market Logo
    Infra.Market Logo

    The company’s main tagline is “Transforming construction through technology”

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    Infra.Market – Business Model

    The company’s business model is all about the one-stop solution provider for all construction material requirements. They have a comprehensive range of materials that improves the overall levels of the interior.

    Infra.Market has technology such as:

    B2B App

    This app helps customers to visualise the chain of construction materials right from purchase to delivery.

    In-Store VR Tech

    They also provide AR tech to experience a realistic view inside of the home and to re-imagine home interiors.

    Retailer App

    This for customers to have easy management of the business and to keep track of things in one place like – purchasing, financing, inventory management, delivery, etc.

    Social Commerce

    This platform is meant for influencers and freelancers to earn extra income through Infra.Market.

    Infra.Market – Revenue Model

    Over the years, Infra.Market has earned its revenue through various projects across the nation. They have done projects on Chennai Metro, Delhi Metro, Mumbai Metro, Kochi Metro, NHAI projects, and Delhi-Meerut RRTS.

    The company makes profits by giving out solutions on how to improve an infrastructure design. Currently, they have over 4000 retail stores in 17 states in India with operations expanding globally.

    Infra.Market – Shareholding

    Infra.Market shareholding as of October 2024 (source: Tracxn):

    Infra.Market Shareholding Percentage
    Souvik Sengupta 11.9%
    Aaditya Gajendra Sharda 11.9%
    Tiger Global Management 21.2%
    Accel 16.8%
    Nexus Venture Partners 8.4%
    Evolvence India 5.8%
    Bizarro Advisory 5.9%
    Bizarro Productions 1.0%
    ESOP Pool 10.1%
    Others 7%
    Infra.Market Shareholding
    Infra.Market Shareholding

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    Infra.Market – Funding and Investors

    Infra.Market has received a total funding of $726.6 Million over 15 funding rounds.

    Date Funding Round Deal Amount Lead Investors
    Jul 12, 2024 Debt Financing $17.78 million Yubi
    May 28, 2024 Venture Round $50.5 million MARS Unicorn Fund
    Jan 24, 2024 Debt Financing $12.1 million SK Finance
    Jun 13, 2022 Venture Round $50 million Mars Growth Capital
    Feb 10, 2022 Debt Financing $30 million Navi Technologies
    Dec 27, 2021 Debt Financing $240 million Avendus Capital
    Aug 2, 2021 Series D $125 million Tiger Global Management
    Jul 7, 2021 Debt Financing $12.1 million Alteria Capital
    Feb 25, 2021 Series C $100 million Tiger Global Management
    Jan 13, 2021 Debt Financing $6.8 million InnoVen Capital

    Infra.Market – Growth

    Infra.Market Financials FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 11,847 crore INR 14,530 crore
    Total Expenses INR 11,608 crore INR 14,272 crore
    Profit/Loss Profit of INR 155 crore Profit of INR 378 crore
    Infra.Market Financials
    Infra.Market Financials

    Infra.Market – Challenges Faced

    With having to deal with the construction industry, which is a key part of developing the economic segment of the country, Infra.Market is always surrounded by challenges.

    The company contributes about 9% of the country’s GDP, which is a huge responsibility on its shoulders. To keep up with this commitment, they always have to be on their toes.

    The competition is massive in the construction sector, with many newcomers coming to compete with them.

    Infra.Market – Competitors

    Infra.Market competes with the following competitors:

    • BuildNext
    • Infra Bazaar
    • Materialtree
    • Brick2Wall
    • Moglix
    • Power2SME
    • Zetwerk

    Infra.Market – Partnerships

    Pepperfry

    On October 16, 2024, Pepperfry and Infra.Market have partnered to enhance customer experience by combining offerings. Infra.Market stores will feature Pepperfry products, while Pepperfry stores will offer Infra.Market’s IVAS services. This partnership creates a one-stop shop for furniture, home décor, renovation, and building materials.

    Infra.Market – Acquisitions

    This startup plus unicorn made its first acquisition in 2021.

    Infra.Market, via its parent company Hella Infra Market Pvt. Ltd., is set to acquire a majority stake in Strata Geosystems India for INR 910 crore from Glen Raven Technical Fabrics LLC and other Indian shareholders.

    Infra.Market has acquired a Hyderabad-based construction equipment rental service, Equiphunt for a $10 million deal.

    Other companies in which they have a 100% stake are RDC Concrete and a 24% stake in Shalimar Paints.

    Infra.Market – Awards and Achievements

    Infra.Market has won some prestigious awards like:

    • Accredited with Forbes Tycoon of the Year – 2021
    • Emerging Company of the Year by Construction World – 2021
    • Business Excellence Award by BNI CEO Connect – 2019
    • Fastest Growing Small Business by Small Business Awards – 2018

    Infra.Market – Future Plans

    The company is trying hard to push technology in the construction sector. The company is planning to take its AR/VR technology worldwide and give a better experience to its users. They aim to expand their 4000 retail stores to more numbers.

    FAQs

    What does Infra.Market do?

    Infra.Market is a B2B startup that sells construction materials.

    Is Infra.Market a unicorn?

    Infra.Market entered the unicorn club in Feb 2021.

    What is the valuation of Infra.Market?

    The company has a valuation of $2.51 billion as of December 2024.