Tag: 📄Company Profiles

  • Ferns N Petals – Gift Flowers and Spread Happiness

    Embarking on the journey of finding the perfect gift for your loved ones is always an exciting endeavor. With special occasions like anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, or birthdays, there’s a wonderful opportunity to express your feelings through thoughtful and heartfelt gifts.

    When it comes to giving, Ferns N Petals excels as the biggest flower and gift shop in India, bringing happiness and enduring memories to millions of people across the globe. This reputable company, which boasts an extensive network of over 320 store locations, is now synonymous with celebrations, making it the perfect place to find that unique present.

    In this article, we will delve into the successful journey of Ferns N Petals, its founder, business model, funding, competitors, and more.

    Ferns N Petals – Company Highlights

    STARTUP NAME FERNS N PETALS
    Headquarters Gurgaon, Haryana, India
    Sector Gifts and Online Shopping
    Founder Vikaas Gutgutia
    Founded 1994
    Website fnp.com

    Ferns N Petals – About
    Ferns N Petals – Industry
    Ferns N Petals – Founder and Team
    Ferns N Petals – Startup Story
    Ferns N Petals – Mission and Vision
    Ferns N Petals – Name, Tagline, and Logo
    Ferns N Petals – Business Model
    Ferns N Petals – Revenue Model
    Ferns N Petals – Esops
    Ferns N Petals – Challenges Faced
    Ferns N Petals – Funding and Investors
    Ferns N Petals – Growth
    Ferns N Petals – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
    Ferns N Petals – Awards and Achievements
    Ferns N Petals – Competitors
    Ferns N Petals – Future Plans

    Ferns N Petals – About

    Since its establishment in 1994 as a dedicated flower bouquet delivery service, Ferns N Petals has grown into India’s largest florist chain, boasting over 400 store locations. The company, which started out as a floral-focused business, now provides a wide range of services, including retail, e-commerce, weddings, events, gardens, handicrafts, and more.

    What sets Ferns N Petals apart is not just its extensive offerings but also its unwavering commitment to creating exceptional experiences for every celebration. The brand makes gifting easy with an easy to use online platform and a commitment to quality, making sure that every gift conveys happiness and thoughtfulness.

    Ferns N Petals is essentially a curator of emotions, dispersing joy and preserving memories for each unique occasion, rather than just a supplier of gifts.

    Ferns N Petals – Industry

    The gift industry in India is experiencing a significant transformation, with personalized gifts taking center stage. With a predicted value of USD 87.12 billion by 2029, the market, valued at USD 75.02 billion billion in 2024, is expected to increase significantly. This impressive increase is ascribed to the growing inclination for bespoke services and presents that are made by hand.

    The gift business is seeing a move toward personalized offers that go beyond the traditional as consumers look for special and meaningful ways to express their thoughts. The market is expected to develop at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.74% through 2031, meeting the increasing demand for unique and considerate presents in India’s dynamic environment.

    Ferns N Petals – Founder and Team

    Vikaas Gutgutia is the Co-Founder and the Managing Director of Ferns N Petals.

    Vikaas Gutgutia, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Ferns N Petals
    Vikaas Gutgutia, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Ferns N Petals

    Vikaas Gutgutia

    Vikaas Gutgutia, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Ferns N Petals, is a visionary entrepreneur whose journey from Bihar to Kolkata has left an indelible mark on the gifting industry. His academic endeavors brought him to the completion of National High School in Kolkata for his higher secondary education, and Bhawanipur Education Society College for his Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree.

    Vikaas Gutgutia’s dedication and innovative spirit have been pivotal in establishing Ferns N Petals as India’s largest gifting solutions provider. He won the Best Online Retailer of the Year award at the 2013 Asia Retail Congress in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the online retail industry. This achievement demonstrated his dedication to excellence in the rapidly changing world of e-commerce.

    Ferns N Petals – Startup Story

    Vikaas Gutgutia’s journey from a small village in Bihar to the helm of Ferns N Petals is a testament to his resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Gutgutia was inspired by his father and uncle’s flower company when he moved to Kolkata for higher education, especially by his uncle’s air-conditioned flower shop, which was the first of its kind in Kolkata. Gutgutia learned the craft of creating bouquets and floral arrangements after hours by immersing himself in the complexities of the floral industry.

    Even though Gutgutia had never considered becoming an entrepreneur, he jumped at the chance to use borrowed money to create the first Ferns & Petals store after relocating to Delhi. At first, Gutgutia struggled in a market dominated by street and sidewalk flowers, realizing that he would have to start the business from scratch.

    Gutgutia persisted in the face of obstacles, such as the Delhi government closing its store. Carrying a cordless phone to stay in touch with his devoted clientele, he approached banquet halls in search of new prospects and in 1997 signed a contract with the Taj Palace Hotel. After seven difficult years, Ferns N Petals turned the corner, building its brand and gaining traction in the wedding ceremonies and floral requirements industry. Over 15 more shops were eventually established. The company started turning a profit in 2001, which signaled the start of its prosperous path.


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    Ferns N Petals – Mission and Vision

    Mission: The mission on the company’s website states, “Wow every customer every time, through premium products, services, value-for-money is driven by innovation, technology & people-first approach.

    Vision: The vision on the company’s website states, “To be the most trusted gifting brand to celebrate the joy of giving.”

    Ferns N Petals Logo
    Ferns N Petals Logo

    FNP, formerly known as Ferns N Petals.

    Ferns N Petals – Business Model

    Ferns N Petals (FNP) has evolved its business model over the years, expanding beyond traditional flower deliveries. The business currently provides floral arrangements along with cakes, cards, chocolates, and a variety of other presents. As part of its diversification within the gifting industry, FNP operates under the FNP Tahiliani brand in nine verticals: events, e-commerce, gardens, weddings, retail, franchising, rentals, handicrafts, and luxury stores.

    Additionally, the business opened an FNP School of Floral Designing abroad. FNP’s business plan is straightforward: it consists of offering customized presents, cards, chocolates, frames, and floral arrangements in different combinations. Furthermore, the organization makes gifting more flexible and enjoyable by offering customers exclusive deals on occasion.

    FNP has launched a rapid 30-minute delivery service across 36 cities, including major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai, as well as tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Ludhiana, Bhopal, and Ranchi. This initiative aims to enhance customer experience by offering swift, reliable service for time-sensitive deliveries, solidifying its position as a leader in the gifting and floral delivery industry.


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    Ferns N Petals – Revenue Model

    Ferns N Petals generates revenue through a diversified set of streams, some of the prominent ones are listed below:

    Product Sales: Cakes, flowers, and personalized presents are the company’s main sources of income, making up the majority of its operational revenue.

    Service Charges: Additional income streams come from service-related charges, encompassing delivery, convenience, and packing and forwarding fees from customers, enhancing the overall customer experience.

    Initiatives for Diversification: Ferns N Petals demonstrates strategic diversification by diversifying its revenue sources by entering the hospitality industry through Udman Hotels and providing wedding and event planning services through FNP Weddings and Events.

    Marketing and Promotion: In order to increase brand awareness, draw in new clients, and hold onto current ones, the business makes strategic investments in marketing and promotional operations. To sustain a strong market presence, these activities include social media campaigns, offline and online advertising, and partnerships.

    MediJourney: Ferns N Petals launched MediJourney on 28 January 2024, a medical tourism vertical offering personalized healthcare solutions worldwide. This new venture expands its revenue streams by combining healthcare coordination with travel and wellness services.

    Ferns N Petals – Esops

    Ferns N Petals, launched its first Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in September 2021, allocating 2% of its outstanding shares. The program is a noteworthy attempt to acknowledge and recognize the critical contributions of the initial batch of 35+ eligible employees.

    This calculated action highlights Ferns N Petals’ dedication to worker welfare and promotes a feeling of collective achievement among all members of the staff. The company’s goal of continuous growth and employee-centric policies is in line with the use of ESOPs.

    Ferns N Petals – Challenges Faced

    Ferns N Petals faces significant challenges in the flower business. Because bouquets are difficult to redo, their intrinsic perishable nature and complex assembling procedure present a special problem. Since the hands of artists are primarily responsible for quality, uniformity is a difficult undertaking. As Gutgutia grows its retail network, this difficulty intensifies and makes it more difficult to maintain constant quality control.

    In the early years, Gutgutia employed traditional flower artists from the Midnapore region of West Bengal to work at the outlets in order to solve this concern. Nevertheless, Ferns N Petals’ retail operation was completely shut down by the COVID-19 epidemic, which made it even more difficult to maintain uniformity and quality in the floral business.

    Ferns N Petals – Funding and Investors

    Ferns N Petals has raised INR 200 crore in one funding round.

    Here are the funding details:

    DATE STAGE AMOUNT INVESTORS
    Mar 11, 2022 Private Equity Round INR 200 crore Lighthouse Funds

    Ferns N Petals – Growth

    Ferns N Petals is experiencing remarkable growth. The company is embracing a mobile-first approach with the relaunch of its app on January 19, 2024, featuring a sleek interface for an enhanced shopping experience. The revamped app prioritizes personalization on the Homepage, with new features like Gift of The Day and Gift Finder for a seamless and tailored interaction.

    Some of the growth highlights of Ferns N Petals are:

    • Ferns N Petals is curated with 139,821 Gift Ideas as of January 2024.
    • It operates more than 400 franchise outlets in 133 cities across India as of January 2024.
    • It has more than 400 stores in India as of October 2024.
    • The company delivers the gifts to over 70 countries.
    • The company receives 10,000 orders per day as of October 2022.
    • The company serviced 1,200 orders per day between UAE and Singapore as of October 2022.

    Financials

    Ferns N Petals Financials
    Ferns N Petals Financials
    Ferns N Petals Financials FY22 FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 579 crore INR 607.3 crore INR 705.4 crore
    Total Expenses INR 578 crore INR 723 crore INR 736.7 crore
    Profit/Loss Profit of INR 10 crore Loss of INR 109.5 crore Loss of INR 24.26 crore

    Expenses

    Ferns N Petals’ total expenses rose from INR 723 crore in FY23 to INR 736.7 crore in FY24.

    EBITDA

    Ferns N Petals FY22-FY24 FY22 FY23 FY24
    EBITDA Margin 2% -14.9% -1.21%
    Expense/Rupee of ops revenue INR 1 INR 1.19 INR 1.04
    ROCE 6% -80.95% -21.57%

    Ferns N Petals – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns

    Ferns N Petals Campaign

    Ferns N Petals (FNP) introduced a captivating three-film campaign featuring Mithila Palkar and The Great Khali. With its distinctive gifting campaign, which highlights the vibrant and energetic connection between the on-screen best friends Khali and Palkar, it masterfully captures the essence of considerate gift-giving. The endearing series highlights their positive dynamic, encouragement of one another and cooperative efforts in choosing the ideal gifts for a variety of regular occasions.

    Ferns N Petals – Awards and Achievements

    Ferns N Petals has won numerous accolades.:

    • 2016: Floral Designer of the Year – FNP Weddings & Events honored by EEMA for outstanding floral design.
    • 2015: Lagan Mandap Appreciation Award – FNP Weddings & Events recognized for contributions to wedding planning.
    • 2015: Delhi NCR 50 Hot Brands Award – Ferns N Petals acknowledged for brand prominence in the region.
    • 2014: Specialty e-Retailer of the Year – Awarded by Franchise India Group for excellence in e-retail.
    • 2013: Internet E-retailer of the Year – Recognized at the Asia Retail Congress for online retail excellence.

    Ferns N Petals – Competitors

    The competitors of the company are:

    • IGP
    • Floweraura
    • Winni

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    Ferns N Petals – Future Plans

    Ferns N Petals has announced it is venturing into the food and beverage industry with the launch of The U Kitchen, as per a news report on January 23, 2024. With this growth, the company hopes to establish itself as a flexible brand by providing a wide range of meals, including continental, French, Asian, Korean, Japanese, European, and Indian street food in addition to regional Indian dishes.

    The calculated action reflects Ferns N Petals’ goal of greater market relevance and highlights the company’s dedication to innovation and diversity.

    FAQ

    Is Ferns and Petals an Indian brand?

    Yes, Ferns N Petals (FNP) is an Indian brand.

    Who is the CEO of Ferns and Petals?

    Pawan Gadia is the Global CEO & Director of Ferns and Petals.

    What is the full form of FNP company?

    The full form of FNP is Ferns N Petals.

  • Asian Paints: A Leader in Innovation in the Paint Industry

    Asian Paints is the leading paint company in India and primarily focuses on the manufacturing, selling, and distribution of paints, coatings, and other products related to home décor, bath fittings, and more. Asian Paints is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Talking about Asian Paints, it is a leading name in the paint industry, known for its innovative products, high-quality solutions, and strong customer focus. It is the largest paints corporation in India and the third-largest in Asia. Asian Paints is also known as the holding company of Berger International.

    The manufacturing operations of Asian Paints are currently spread across 15 countries in the world, including India and the Middle East. As per Statista, Asian Paints generated an operating revenue of INR 30800 crore in FY24.

    Read to know more about the Asian Paints Case study, where you will learn about Asian Paints founders, history, tools and products, its intriguing business model, distribution strategy, supply chain network, marketing strategies & successful campaigns led by Asian Paints, Asian Paints acquisitions, and a distinct global analysis of Asian Paints.

    Asian Paints success story
    Case Study on Asian Paints

    Asian Paints Information

    Company Asian Paints
    Headquarters Mumbai
    Founded 1 February 1942
    Founders Champaklal Choksey, Chimanlal Choksi, Suryakant Dani, Arvind Vakil
    CEO Amit Syngle (1 Apr 2020 – Present)
    Key People Ashwin Dani (Chairman) Manish Choksi (Vice Chairman) Amit Syngle (CEO) Abhay Vakil (Non Executive Director)
    Revenue INR 308.5 billion (2024)
    Type Public

    Asian Paints – Industry
    Asian Paints – Startup Story and History
    Asian Paints – Logo and Tagline
    Asian Paints – Vision, Mission and Goals
    Asian Paints – Tools, Products and Services
    Asian Paints – Global Analysis
    Asian Paints – Marketing Strategies
    Asian Paints – Marketing Campaigns
    Asian Paints – Business Model & Supply Chain
    Asian Paints – Growth
    Asian Paints – Weaknesses
    Asian Paints – Acquisitions
    Asian Paints – Challenges
    Asian Paints – Future Plans

    Asian Paints – Industry

    Asian Paints came out as the market leader in the paints segment, when last seen in 2023-2024. The company boasted of having a market share of around 59%. Talking about the organized segment, Asian Paints led the decorative market segment, while Kansai Nerolac led the industrial segment. The India Paints and Coatings Market is valued at USD 9.56 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 15.00 billion by 2029, with a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.38% during this period.

    The current market share of Asian Paints has been recorded at 59% of the Indian paints industry.

    Market Share of Paint Companies in India
    Market Share of Paint Companies in India

    Asian Paints – Startup Story and History

    Asian Paints was started in 1942 by four entrepreneurs: Champaklal H. Choksey, Chimanlal N. Choksi, Suryakant C.Dani, and Arvind R. Vakil. Champaklal and others initially functioned out of a garage in Bombay that was rented at INR 75 per month. The main aim behind the launch of Asian Paints was to found the world’s biggest and the most successful paint company operating in India.

    Asian Paints was known as ‘The Asian Oil & Paint Company’ in the beginning; the name was randomly picked up at that time from a telephone directory. It was a set up as a partnership firm of four friends when it was started in 1942.

    In 1945, the partnership firm turned itself into a private limited company following a turnover of INR 0.35 million that year.

    During World War II and the Quit India Movement of 1942, there was a temporary ban on paint imports. As a result, companies such Shalimar Paints and Asian Paints took it up themselves to sustain the demand for paints. Asian Paints reported an annual turnover of INR 23 crores in 1952.

    In 1957, Asian Paints achieved a breakthrough when its R&D department developed a process for producing international-quality phenolic and maleic acid resins in a simple coal-furnace through hand-stirring. In the same year, the company set up a plant at Bhandup, Mumbai to cater to the rising demand for paints in the urban areas. By 1967, Asian Paints has already became the leading paints manufacturer in India.

    Dropping The Mascot

    In September 2012, Asian Paints unveiled a new brand identity and a logo made by Soha Ali Khan, dropping its iconic mascot Gattu in the process. Gattu, the impish boy, was made by famous Indian cartoonist R.K. Laxman in 1954. The new identity was conceived after the company conducted an extensive consumer survey in some major Indian cities.

    Asian Paints Logo
    Asian Paints old Logo

    Asian Paints – Logo and Tagline

    Though Asian Paints has come up with numerous taglines, the tagline “Har ghar kuch kehta hai” is one of the iconic of the Asian Paints taglines.

    The logo of Asian Paints is:

    Asian Paints Logo
    Asian Paints Logo

    Asian Paints – Vision, Mission and Goals

    Asian Paints aims to be one of the top five companies in the decorative coatings industry (worldwide) by enlarging its expertise in emerging markets.

    • The company is also working to assure environmental compliance and sustainability by focusing on waste minimization and water conservation at all of its plants across India.
    • Asian Paints’ mission is to provide paints as per market demand while ensuring the desired level and quality of customer satisfaction. Asian Paints emphasizes the continuous availability of the right product mix at the right time.
    • Simultaneously, the company intends to take over the industrial coatings business by forming alliances with established global partners.

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    Asian Paints – Tools, Products and Services

    The Asian Paints tools and products primarily belong to these categories:

    1. Paints and Coatings: Interior and exterior paints, wall textures, wood coatings, metal finishes.
    2. Waterproofing Solutions: Wall, roof, and floor waterproofing.
    3. Home Décor: Wallpapers, stencils, and home improvement products.
    4. Chemicals: Adhesives and industrial coatings.
    5. Painting Tools: Brushes, rollers, spray machines, and color visualizer tools.
    6. Digital Tools: Color selection apps, shade cards, and home décor visualizers.

    Services

    1. Home Painting Services: End-to-end professional painting solutions.
    2. Consultation Services: Expert advice on color and design.
    3. Waterproofing Services: Inspection and treatment for leakage issues.
    4. SmartCare Services: Specialized solutions for surface and structural problems.

    Asian Paints – Global Analysis

    Asian Paints runs its business in 15 countries and has 26 paint-manufacturing facilities worldwide servicing customers in over 65 countries. Besides the brand ‘Asian Paints’, the group operates around the world through its subsidiaries: Asian Paints Berger, Apco Coatings, SCIB Paints, Taubmans, Causeway Paints, and Kadisco Asian Paints.

    Asian Paints’ global setup is as follows:

    • Asian Paints operates in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka), where Asian Paints has 15 manufacturing units, and is called Asian Paints Causeway in Sri Lanka
    • The company is present in South East Asia, in Indonesia, where the company has 1 manufacturing plant
    • Asian Paints operates in South Pacific, where it has 2 manufacturing plants in total and serves Fiji, Samoa Islands, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. In Fiji, Asian Paints is known as Apco Coatings and Taubmans and in Samoa Islands, it is known as Taubmans, while in the remaining countries, Asian Paints is known as Apco Coatings
    • Asian Paints operates in the Middle East (Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Dubai, Qatar), where it has 5 manufacturing plants. It is known as SCIB Paints in Egypt and Asian Pains Berger in the rest of the countries
    • Asian Paints has set up 3 manufacturing plants in Ethiopia, and is known as Kadisco Asian Paints
    • Taubmans in South Pacific (Fiji and Samoa)
    Revenue Share From International Operations for Asian Paints Limited in the Financial Year 2024, by Region
    Revenue Share From International Operations for Asian Paints Limited in the Financial Year 2024, by Region

    Asian Paints – Marketing Strategies

    • Nationwide Reach: Unlike its competitors who concentrate only on the urban areas, Asian Paints embraces countrywide distribution through a widespread network of 70,000 dealers. The company maintains a large network of regional offices, company depots, and sales personnel to assist dealers across India.
    • Smart Branding: Along with initiatives to build customers’ trust, Asian Paints also focuses on its communication and brand strategy. In 2000, Asian Paints appointed the Bangalore-based “Momentum” as consultants for a new advertising strategy meant to foster an attractive public image.
    • Lower Costs and Emotional Advertising: Asian Paints reduced the cost of raw materials to bring down the price of its paints. It came up with another advertising strategy that created an emotional connection with the customers.
    • Custom Products: Asian Paints is quite strong in production-marketing coordination. Its policy of offering tailor-made products to fulfill customer needs has resulted in an ever-increasing product range.
    • Award-Winning Excellence: Corporate reputation has been a major plus point for Asian Paints. The image is that of a successful, well-managed, and trustworthy company. Asian Paints is the recipient of several accolades and awards.
    • Technology Driven: Asian Paints placed a huge emphasis on technology and marketing in its initiatives. It implemented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) solutions for rationalizing processes.
    • Brand Partnerships: By partnering with PPG INC, a leading manufacturer of automotive coatings, Asian Paints seeks to meet the ever-growing requirement of automotive coating, industrial powder, protective coating, industrial light coating, and industrial container coating in India.

    The above-mentioned steps resulted in a strong emotional connection between Asian Paints and its customers. The strategies lured in new customers while retaining the existing ones.

    Asian Paints – Marketing Campaigns

    Asian Paints have made cricketer Virat Kohli its brand ambassador in April 2024, who featured for the NeoBharat Latex Paint ad.

    Asian Paints NeoBharat Latex Paint | Har Ghar Khelega, Har Ghar Khilega

    Some of the major Asian Paints campaigns are:

    • “Don’t lose your temper, use Tractor Distemper”: This slogan belonged to the very first campaign launched by Asian Paints. The campaign showed the popular mascot ‘Gattu’ with a paint bucket in his hand.
    • “Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai”: This campaign established Asian Paints as a premium brand with an emotional touch. The idea behind the campaign was that each color had a story to tell. Asian Paints tried to encourage the initiative of painting one’s home for festive occasions like Diwali, marriage, childbirth, etc.
    • “Where The Heart Is”: This campaign proved to be a masterstroke strategy for Asian Paints. It featured celebrities such as Sushant Singh Rajput, Saurav Ganguly, Radhika Apte, Mandira Bedi, and others who described the significant role Asian Paints played in their lifestyle through color and home décor.

    The campaign featuring Sushant Singh Rajput

    • #PeopleAddColour: The recent campaign created a heart-warming depiction of paying guests not being inferior to one’s family. It showed how rooms refurbished with Asian Paints decals brought paying guests closer to their landlords.
    • ‘Budget wala paint’: This Ad campaign ‘Budget wala paint’ promotes Tractor Sparc Emulsion. By highlighting the budget issues faced by consumers, Asian Paints launched a pocket-friendly paint that offers a rich-looking finish at an affordable price.

    The Creative Marketing Strategy of Asian Paints
    Asian Paints is one of the most successful and largest paint company. Lets deep dive to understand its marketing strategy.


    Asian Paints – Business Model & Supply Chain

    Asian Paints is one of the companies that started identifying the trends and of consumption quite early in its game and eventually constructed innovative and effective strategies around the same. Asian Paints boasts of a market cap of $2332.76 billion as of November 2024, and this would have hardly been possible had it not targeted the right section of people with quality products, powered by the right marketing mix.

    Asian Paints has developed its business on the B2C business models, where the brand manufactures and distributes products direct to consumers and via retailers and distributors.

    No doubt Asian Paints brainstormed amazing advertising campaigns that led to its marketing wins time and again. For instance, when the company launched Gattu the mischievous kid in 1954, the mascot immediately appealed to all the Indian consumers, especially the middle-class society.

    Furthermore, the company spent around INR 8 crores to buy a mainframe computer to become the first private company to own a computer, which was a bold move indeed. This computer was used for analyzing data and helped the company in forecasting their demands and enhancing their service levels across the supply chain, whereas the other companies continued to use computers generally for payroll and administration works even later.

    Asian Paints continued with its judicious investments to improve its supply chain efficiency and always aimed to stay a step ahead of its competitors and rivals, which it did throughout the years.

    The company launched its IPO as early as 1982 and used the proceedings to expand its business and launch a wide range of exciting new products. The supply chain practices that Asian Paints developed, always remained matchless in the paints industry in India. The eye for innovation with a sole focus on the consumer side of the paint industry is something that Asian Paints is distinguished for and which fueled the company to pursue with other sub-brands like Ultima, Royale, and more. All of which enjoyed their own individual successes.

    The company also believed in scaling up its operations and improving its factories and their capacities for expansion with cutting-edge machinery, and a wise investment in their IT operations.

    Along with being one of the most prominent and trustworthy names in the paints industry, Asian Paints also holds its presence in a wide range of products and industries including kitchen, bath fittings, and an array of other services like waterproofing solutions, color consultancy, interior designing and more.

    The supply chain practices that Asian Paints developed always remained matchless in the paints industry in India. Asian Paints has vast distribution network and channels through which it distributes its products and services with the help of retailers, wholesalers, and distributors. The company now operates in more than 14 countries and has already set up 26 paint manufacturing plants enjoying consumers from over 60 countries in total.

    Berger International Limited, Taubmans, SCIB Paints, and Kadisco, and Apco Coatings are some other subsidiaries of Asian Paints that operate globally.

    Target Market of Asian Paints

    Asian paints target a whole range of customers, including but not limited to homeowners, corporates, automobile companies, wholesalers, and distributors.

    • The retail customers of Asian Paints are usually the people of 20 years and above from middle, upper-middle, and higher-income groups.
    • The corporate customers of the company belong from private companies, government bodies, and other institutions.

    Asian Paints – Growth

    Starting before the Indian independence, in 1942, Asian Paints has witnessed a long and successful journey indeed. Within 25 years of its existence, Asian Paints became a corporate workforce and emerged as the leading paints company of India. It has been leading India’s paints market since 1967 and is, today, twice the size of any paints company in India.

    Asian Paints is present in the Decorative paints department, where the company boasts of products that caters to Interior Wall Finishes, Exterior Wall Finishes, Enamels and Wood Finishes. Asian Paints is also present in the Industrial Coatings space, where the company operates through two 50:50 joint ventures with PPG, Inc, USA.

    Asian Paints also diversified into chemical products due to vertical integration, when it produced products like Phthalic Anhydride and Pentaerythritol, which are used in the paint manufacturing industries, but the company discontinued the production of Phthalic Anhydride since the end of July 2017. The Home Improvement and Decor segment also has Asian Paints’ products in the form of Sleek and Ess Ess, which can be seen in the Kitchen and Bath fittings space.

    The company has recently forayed into the Surface Disinfectants and Santisation segment by launching Viroprotek. Furthermore, Asian Paints is also offering the sanitisation service, San Assure and Safe Painting service to its customers since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

    Some more growth highlights of Asian Paints are:

    • Asian Paints has INR 35,000 crores consolidated revenue milestone in FY2024
    • The company is present in 65 countries and has 26+ paint manufacturing facilities in the world
    • It services consumers from over 60 countries globally
    • Asian Paints currently enjoys the possession of over 50% of the market shares

    Asian Paints Financials

    Asian Paints reported a 42.4% drop in net profit for Q2FY25, which stood at INR 694.64 crore, down from INR 1,205.42 crore last year. Revenue also decreased by 5.3% year-on-year, falling to INR 8,003.02 crore from INR 8,451.93 crore.

    The company reported INR 30,727.7 crore in revenue in FY23-24 from the sale of products and services, marking a 2.6% increase from previous year. EBITDA stood at INR 7,855.0 crore, up by 23.9%, while free cash flow reached INR 3,571.0 crore, a growth of 18.5%. The Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) was 41.2%, reflecting an 8.4%

    Asian Paints registered its revenue from operations in Q4 FY22 at INR 7892.67 crore , thereby witnessing an 18.66% jump. The consolidated sales of Asian Paints also saw a rise of over 20% from Q4 FY2021, which became INR 7890 crore. The PBDIT of the company witnessed a 12.8% surge, which was INR 1156.31 crore and became INR 1304.88 crore.

    The consolidated sales of Asian Paints increased by 34.6% from INR 21,485.20 crore in FY21 to INR 28,923.48 crore in FY22. However, the PBDIT decreased from INR 4304.35 crore in FY21 to become INR 4303.42 crore in FY22.

    Asian Paints Shareholding

    Being one of the largest paints manufacturer in the world, Asian Paints’ shares attract the investors’ attention always. The majority of its stakes are held by the Promoter and Promoter Groups, who are followed by the Institutions, which hold over 25% of the stakes, as of November 2024.

    Asian Paints Shareholding Pattern
    Asian Paints Shareholding Pattern

    Asian Paints – Weaknesses

    • Asian Paints owns only 15% of the market share in the industrial paints segment. It lags behind Goodlass Nerolac which has a market share of 43%. Since the segment is pegged to grow massively in the future, a fallback in this category can be a disaster for Asian Paints.
    • Low international business growth: Though Asian Paints is clearly a winner in India, and is expected to continue dominating the Indian markets, the company has not scaled much outside India, which is one of the weaknesses of the company that needs to be overcome in the times upcoming.
    • Production and inventoring issues: In the decorative paints segment of the paints industry, the customers’ tastes are ever-changing, these changing customer tastes puts huge pressure on the brands like Asian Paints, which needs to constantly update their production and inventory to satisfy the customers.
    • Widening product mix puts a strain on production distribution, accounting, and administration. At the same time, the company’s innovation strategy for new products is inadequate.

    Asian Paints – Acquisitions

    Asian Paints has acquired 4 companies to date. The last of its acquisitions was that of Nanova, which came in on February 15, 2024. Here’s a list of the Asian Paints acquisitions:

    Company Acquired Date Deal Value
    Nanova February 15, 2024 Undisclosed
    White Teak April 1, 2022 $14.17 million
    Sleek International March 20, 2013
    Berger International September 6, 2002

    Asian Paints – Challenges

    Being one of the pioneering companies that shaped the Indian industry of paints, Asian Paints had to face numerous odd obstacles since it started its journey. Numerous companies have cropped up and gone but Asian Paints remained the same old favourite of the Indians.

    Crude Oil Prices

    One of the major challenge that Asian Paints will likely face is the increase of the prices of crude oil and their derivatives. Zinc oxide, titanium oxide, solvents like turpentine and other additives are all based out of crude oil and its derivatives. Therefore, an increase/decrease of the prices of them directly affects the prices of the paints and other products of Asian Paints. Besides, the raw materials make up around 55-58% of its total expenses, which is huge indeed, and any changes in the same, would impact the expenses and the profit/loss scale of Asian Paints.

    Fall of Asian Paints Shares

    The shares of Asian Paints has reportedly fell by around 7% on May 25, 2022. The company has noted over 9% fall of its share in the last two days on May 25th and 26th, 2022. One of the most prominent reasons for the fall of the Asian Paints shares is the announcement by Grasim, where the company has announced that it will be increasing its capital expenditure in the paint business by nearly Rs 10,000 crore over the 2-3 years upcoming. This is done by the Aditya Birla-owned company to increase its production capacity. This move by Grasim is will certainly increase competition in the market. Asian Paints, which has currently been found to possess over 50% of the market share, might also see a decline of its total market share in the upcoming years.

    Asian Paints’ shares are currently trading at INR 2439 per share, which is much less than its high price of INR 3590.

    Covid Waves

    Asian Paints had also seen the worse during the Covid-19 onslaught, where along with witnessing a dip in its sales and services, the company also witnessed demand uncertainty and more.


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    Asian Paints – Future Plans

    The company aims to achieve INR 1 lakh crore in revenue over the next decade by expanding its product range, said MD and CEO Amit Syngle.

    The company is also transforming its home decor business into a complete one-stop shop, offering products like lighting, doors, windows, fabrics, furniture, as well as bath and kitchen essentials.

    Asian Paints aims to consolidate its dominant market position in India by launching new products that will be in line with the developments that the Indian market is seeing both in the decorative paints and industrial coating segments.

    Conclusion

    Asian Paints started a revolution in India through unique color shades, themes, and refreshing patterns. It brought ‘home decor’, often seen as a luxury, within the reach of the Indian middle-class population. With an imposing market share, an impressive resilience and its unique business and revenue model, the company has still got the mettle to rule! This case study on Asian Paints shows its focus on product variety, technology, and brand strength has made it a leader in the Indian paints and home decor market.

    FAQs

    What is Asian Paints?

    Asian Paints is an Indian multinational paints company that offers a wide range of products and services involving manufacturing, selling and distribution of paints and coatings, bath fittings in home decor, santisers and sanitisation services and more.

    When was Asian Paints founded?

    Asian Paints was founded on February 1, 1942.

    Who are the founders of Asian Paints?

    Champaklal Choksey, Chimanlal Choksi, Suryakant Dani, and Arvind Vakil are known as the founders of Asian Paints.

    What is the Asian Paints color bucket price?

    The Asian Paints color bucket prices start from around Rs 500/litre.

    What is the Asian Paints market share?

    Asian Paints market share is currently around 59%, as of November 2024.

    Which is Asian Paints origin country?

    Asian Paints’ country of origin is India. The company is currently headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

    What is in the Asian Paints product portfolio?

    The Asian Paints product portfolio consist of paints and textures, wallpapers, products of health and hygiene, and other services.

    What is the USP of Asian Paints?

    The USP of Asian Paints lies in its strong brand reputation, wide range of high-quality products, custom solutions for customers, and quick delivery. The company also focuses on innovation, offering advanced technology like color visualization tools and eco-friendly products.

    How has Asian Paints’ consumer-focused approach enabled it to consistently meet the needs and preferences of customers in the paint industry?

    Asian Paints’ consumer-focused approach helps it meet customer needs by offering personalized products, color tools, and eco-friendly options. Its strong customer service and distribution network ensure satisfaction, keeping it ahead in the paint industry.

  • Paper Boat: The Refreshing Success of a Bold Brand

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

    India is a land of diversity. This variance extends to language, culture, food, attire, and whatnot. From Jal-jeera, the popular drink of north India, to kokum sherbet, the specialty of Maharashtra, the Indian food culture is earmarked with different beverages as one traverses across the Indian geography. The entry of global beverage brands in the Indian market, complemented by the fact that traditional Indian drinks are not as easily available as packaged ones, has severely affected the popularity of these specialties.

    To ensure traditional Indian drinks don’t fall into oblivion, Paper Boat, a Gurugram-based startup is going above and beyond. It has now established itself as a well-known brand with a vision to preserve ethnic recipes through innovation. The Paper Boat company is also catering to local and personalized tastes.

    Paper Boat – Company Highlights

    Startup Name Paper Boat
    Headquarters Gurugram
    Founders Neeraj Kakkar, James Nuttall, Suhas Misra, and Neeraj Biyani
    Industry Juice and Beverages
    Founded 2009
    Parent Organization Hector Beverages
    Website paperboatdrinks.com

    Paper Boat – About
    Paper Boat – Target Market Size
    Paper Boat – Founders And Team
    Paper Boat – History And Launch
    Paper Boat – Name, Tagline, And Logo
    Paper Boat – Products
    Paper Boat – Funding And Investors
    Paper Boat – Marketing Strategies
    Paper Boat – Startup Challenges
    Paper Boat – Competitors
    Paper Boat – Partnership
    Paper Boat – Acquisitions
    Paper Boat – Growth
    FAQs

    Paper Boat – About

    Hector Beverages was founded in 2009 by Neeraj Kakkar. The Paper Boat company was launched by Hector Beverages in 2013. Before launching it, Hector Beverages launched ‘Frissia‘, a protein drink, followed by the energy drink ‘Tzinga‘ in 2011.

    With the launch of Paper Boat juice company, in 2013, Hector Beverages shifted its focus to the traditional Indian drinks segment. Paper Boat is India’s fastest-growing consumer brand today, selling 11 different traditional-nostalgic Indian foods and beverages such as Aam Panna, jaljeera, chikki, and much more.

    Paper Boat, the juice company has distributors all over India with 48 SKUs. The single-serving flexible packages use Doypack, and interestingly, NASA uses the same for sending beverages with astronauts. In August 2019, the company collaborated with Tetra Pak and introduced holographic packaging for two of its juice variants: Alphonso Aamras and pomegranate juice. This new packaging is both appealing and easy to hold.

    Paper Boat also offers seasonal drinks like thandai, serbet-e-khaas, rose tamarind, and panakam. The company has carved a niche and is targeting Indians in other countries.

    Paper Boat – Target Market Size

    In 2024, the India Packaged Juice Market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 1,309.22 million. Growing at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2024 to 2033, it is expected to reach USD 2,211.90 million by 2033.

    Paper Boat – Founders And Team

    Neeraj Kakkar, James Nuttall, Suhas Misra, and Neeraj Biyani form the founding team of Paper Boat.

    Founders of Paper Boat (Neeraj Kakkar, Neeraj Biyani, James Nutall and Suhas Misra)
    Founders of Paper Boat (Neeraj Kakkar, Neeraj Biyani, James Nutall and Suhas Misra)

    Neeraj Kakkar is the CEO of Hector Beverages. Before Hector Beverages, Neeraj had an impressive stint with Coca-Cola for around 8 years. He is a graduate of Wharton Business School. Neeraj was a bright student and was a Palmer scholar at the University of Pennsylvania’s business program.

    Neeraj Biyani is the co-founder and COO. He is an SRCC and MDI alumnus; Neeraj considers N. R. Narayana Murthy as his inspira­tion. Neeraj worked with Agro Tech Foods Limited and Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. before joining Hector Beverages.

    James Nutall is the co-founder of Paper Boat and was the CFO. James is also a Wharton alumnus. After pursuing his chemical engineering from Brigham University, he worked with Dow Chemicals for six years. James exited the company in 2015.

    Suhas Misra is the co-founder and Director at Hector Beverages. Suhas did his MBA from IIM Calcutta (class of 2003) and joined Coca-Cola from campus. He moved to Nokia in 2005 before starting ChannelPlay, India’s first integrated sales process outsourcing company (www.channelplay.in), in 2006.

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    Paper Boat – History And Launch

    The idea for Paper Boat blossomed during an office lunch between the co-founders in the early years. As they were mulling over potential business ideas, the flask of Aam Panna that Suhas Misra’s mother would pack him every day ignited a thought. Commercial production of ethnic Indian drinks, hitherto unavailable in the market, struck well with all.

    Hector Beverages, the parent company of Paper Boat, established its first production plant in Manesar in 2009. However, the Manesar plant couldn’t keep up with increasing demand. The plant also didn’t have the facilities for the manufacture of coconut water and sugarcane juice, drinks that the company was looking forward to launch. This led to the setting up of a second, much larger manufacturing unit in Mysore, Karnataka in 2014. While the Manesar plant has a production capacity of 80 bottles/minute, the Mysore plant is capable of 380 bottles/minute.

    Paper Boat Juice Company
    PaperBoat Logo

    The name Paper Boat was coined by design and brand consultancy Elephant Design. Two other names suggested by Elephant Design were Good Ol’ and Lost and Found. In the end, Paper Boat was chosen as it evoked childhood memories of kids drinking nimbu-pani, sherbet, etc.

    Sources at Elephant Design revealed that the name ‘Paper Boat’ was inspired by a well-known Jagjit Singh gazal,Who Kagaj Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti Wo Barish Ka Pani’ by Sudarshan Faakir.

    Paper Boat’s tagline is ‘drinks and memories’.

    Paper Boat – Products

    Paper Boat company offers more than 11 types of ethnic drinks and juices: Jal jeera, aam Panna, aam ras, Alphonso aam, Jamun Kala khatta, chilli guava, nimbu pani, kokum, neer more, kanji, sugarcane juice, lychee ras, apple, and orange. It also has a range of milk-based beverages like buttermilk, badam milk, and thandai. The brand also launched coconut water in 2018. Apart from these, Paper Boat produces two seasonal drinks associated with Indian festivals—Panakam (available during Ram Navami) and Sherbet-e-Khas (available during Eid).

    In 2017, the brand expanded its offering by launching its drinks in 1 liter Tetra Prisma Aseptic cartons, replacing the 500 ml packs. This move widened the brand’s reach to include the multi-serve category.

    Hector Beverages entered the traditional Indian food sector in 2016. Besides the Paper Boat drinks, Hector Beverages’ products include traditional delicacies like peanut chikki, banana chips, aam papad, bakarwadi, namak para, gur para, and shakar para. For producing chikki, the company procures groundnuts directly from a farmers’ collective near Rajkot at the fair-trade minimum price. Paper Boat chikki is a fair-trade product, a certification to attest that everyone involved in the making of a product is fairly employed and paid.

    Hector Beverages uses a priority customer feedback analytics platform to survey customers on a large scale through WhatsApp. Most of the recipe modifications are made after conclusions are derived from the survey.

    “Our intellectual property is the recipe. A small decimal change in pressure or temperature can alter the taste of our product and the unique differentiation can be lost”, said Neeraj Biyani, Co-founder and COO.

    Paper Boat – Funding And Investors

    Paper Boat has raised a total of $153.4 Million in funding 15 rounds. Its latest funding of $48.5 million was raised on August 25, 2022, from a Series C funding round.

    Date Stage Amount Investors
    August 2022 Series C $48.5 million GIC
    July 2020 Series C $3.8 million Sofina
    February 2020 Debt Financing $1.3 million Trifecta Capital Advisors
    November 2019 Venture Round $2.7 million A91 Partners, Advent International
    March 2019 Venture Round $1.5 million A91 Partners
    November 2016 Venture Round $3 million
    July 2015 Series C $28.7 million Hillhouse Capital Group, Sofina
    May 2013 Series B $8 million Sequoia Capital India
    May 2011 Series A $2.5 million

    The company boasts of Narayana Murthy as one of its investors. Paper Boat issued 10 million compulsorily convertible debentures to A91 Partners on a preferential basis at INR 10.

    Paper Boat – Marketing Strategies

    As a brand relying on age-old recipes and memories, Paper Boat’s marketing strategy revolves around nostalgia, childhood, and innocence. The company’s beverages are drinks that consumers grew up drinking and carry a strong association with.

    Their television advertising campaign comprises a series of simple, evocative ads that reflect childhood nostalgia. Paper Boat’s debut campaign was penned and narrated by the renowned poet and lyricist Gulzar; the latter campaign was written by lyricist Swanand Kirkire.

    Apart from its television ads, the brand has also released a range of short films celebrating childhood memories and nostalgia as part of the Paper Boat marketing strategy. ‘Ride Down the River of Memories’, ‘Waiting for Ma’, ‘My Struggles with the Treasure Chest’, and ‘Hum Honge Kamyab’ (We shall Overcome) are all short films aimed at bringing out the child in us. The videos used animation, narration, and strong characterization to tell a moving tale.

    As an extension of its marketing campaign, Paper Boat has also ventured into book publishing. It has published reprints of the classics ‘Three Men in a Boat’ and ‘Jungle Book’; these were given away with the beverages in gift boxes and sales offers.

    In 2017, the brand published Half Pants Full Pants by Anand Suspi, a collection of real-life tales about growing up in Shimoga.


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    Paper Boat – Startup Challenges

    Limited distribution is one of the biggest challenges for Paper Boat. In terms of design restrictions, the team faced issues when it came to the colors. Paper Boat’s personality is in sync with the colors on the pack. On a doypack, the colors react differently. But the substrate on Tetra Pak is different. This was an obstacle.

    Paper Boat – Competitors

    PaperBoat’s major competitors are Dabur India, PepsiCo, Coca Cola, B Natural, and Nourishco.

    While Dabur India has entered the functional drink market with aam panna, beverage giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have also ventured into the non-carbonated drinks space. B Natural, an ITC-owned brand, is posing competition for Paper Boat through a wide variety of Indian beverages made without the use of any concentrate. Noursihco, a joint venture between Tata Global Beverages Pvt. Ltd. and Pepsico India Holdings Pvt. Ltd., is giving serious challenge to Paper Boat.


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    Paper Boat – Partnership

    The company has partnered with Indo Nissin Foods Japanese giant Indo Nissin Foods to expand into suburban and rural areas. This collaboration aims to boost Paper Boat’s distribution and brand presence in tier-II cities and beyond. Paper Boat is also partnering with large e-commerce and grocery delivery companies to make sure its products are available to everyone at all times.


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    Paper Boat – Acquisitions

    Tata Global Beverages wanted to acquire Paper Boat in February 2018, but the deal didn’t progress.

    Paper Boat – Growth

    In 2017, Paper Boat reported sales of $9.5 million (INR 69 crore) in 2016-17. Paper Boat’s total revenue grew by 70% to $16.25 million (INR 118 crore) in 2017-18. In the financial year 2019, Hector Beverages posted a revenue of $26.1 million (INR 189.56 crore), a 62% increase from $16.1 million (INR 116.94 crore) in FY18. In FY19, the company also managed to marginally cut down its losses by 1.92% to $8.2 million (INR 59.88 crore) from $8.4 million (INR 61.03 crore) in FY18.

    Hector Beverages, the maker of Paper Boat has reported a 20% increase in the financial year 2020. The company’s revenue grew from $26.8 million (INR 195 Cr) in the financial year 2019 to $32.3 million (INR 235 Cr) in the financial year 2020.

    Hector Beverages’ valuation was $120.8 million (INR 876 crore) in March 2019. Paper Boat has two factories that produce up to 10 million pouches per month.

    As per November 2018 stats, the company distributes its products in over 50,000 outlets and exports them to over 10 countries. The company is moving to America, Britain, France, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, U.A.E, and Malaysia since Indian origin individuals reside in these countries in huge numbers.

    In India, significant business for Paper Boat comes from six cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai.

    Financials

    Paper Boat Financials FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 504 crore INR 584.9 crore
    Total Expenses INR 599.1 crore INR 642.3 crore
    Profit/Loss Loss of INR 90.56 crore Loss of INR 47.14 crore
    Paper Boat Financials
    Paper Boat Financials

    In 2024, Paper Boat’s revenue from operations increased by 16.1%. The company reported revenue of INR 585 crore in FY24 which is a hike up from INR 504 crore in FY23. Paper Boat’s total expenditure also rose by a marginal 7.2% to INR 642.3 crore in FY24, a slight increase from the previous year, which was INR 599.1 crore in FY23. The company on the other hand did manage to lower its losses significantly, from INR 90.56 crore in FY23 to INR 47.14 crore in FY 24. Which is an impressive 47.9% decline from the previous financial year.

    Paper Boat Short Film

    FAQs

    Is paper boat an Indian company?

    Paper Boat is India’s fastest-growing consumer brand, selling different traditional Indian beverages and foods.

    Who is the founder of Paper Boat?

    Neeraj Kakkar, James Nuttall, Suhas Misra, and Neeraj Biyani are founders of Paper Boat.

    Why is paper boat called paper boat?

    Paper Boat” is reminiscent of playing with paper boats as a childhood memory. It’s a nostalgic feeling. The company’s name revolves around this nostalgia.

    What is special about paper boat?

    The company’s aim is to preserve traditional recipes of India using innovation to make ethnic Indian drinks. Paper Boat does not use artificial coloring or preservatives in its products.

  • Inside HDFC Bank: From Financial Stability to Social Impact

    HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector lender by market capitalization, has cemented its position as a leader in the banking industry with its focus on retail and digital banking. 

    Beyond banking, HDFC Bank’s revenue model strikes an effective balance between interest-based earnings and diversified income streams, bolstered by treasury operations and non-interest revenue sources. Its robust financial metrics, including a strong CASA ratio and healthy capital adequacy, highlight its readiness for long-term sustainable growth.

    From HDFC ERGO’s insurance solutions to HDFC Credila’s pioneering role in education financing and HDFC Property Fund’s real estate focus to the philanthropic efforts of the HT Parekh Foundation, the bank seamlessly integrates business growth with social impact.

    In this Startup Talky, we will explore HDFC Bank’s journey, its revenue model, growth strategies, and the innovative ecosystem that sets it apart as a market leader.

    HDFC Bank – Company Highlights

    Name HDFC Bank
    Headquarters Mumbai
    Sector Banking & Financial Services
    Founder Hasmukhbhai Parekh
    Founded 1977
    Website www.hdfcbank.com

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

    HDFC Bank – About

    HDFC Bank Limited, based in Mumbai, stands as India’s leading private sector bank by assets and ranks among the top ten banks worldwide by market capitalization as of May 2024. This financial powerhouse has carved out a significant presence, not just domestically but also on the global stage.

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has designated HDFC Bank, alongside the State Bank of India and ICICI Bank, as “Domestic Systemically Important Banks” (D-SIBs), signaling their crucial role in India’s financial ecosystem. These banks, often labeled as “too big to fail,” are integral to maintaining economic stability.

    In terms of market value, HDFC Bank boasted a capitalization of $145 billion as of April 2024, making it the third most valuable company listed on Indian stock exchanges. Following its merger with the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), the bank expanded its workforce to over 173,000 employees, placing it among India’s largest employers.

    HDFC Bank – Industry

    As of July 2024, India’s mutual fund industry managed an impressive Assets Under Management (AUM) worth INR 64.97 lakh crore (US$ 780.70 billion). From April 2023 to March 2024, systematic investment plans (SIPs) contributed a robust INR 2 lakh crore (US$ 24.04 billion).

    Equity mutual funds also witnessed significant traction. By December 2021, these funds saw a cumulative net inflow of INR 22.16 trillion (US$ 294.15 billion). In December 2022 alone, the net inflows hit INR 7,303.39 crore (US$ 888 million), recovering from a 21-month low of INR 2,258.35 crore (US$ 274.8 million) in November of that year.

    Another pivotal sector is India’s rapidly growing insurance industry. In FY23, life insurance companies recorded first-year premiums totaling US$ 32.04 billion. Meanwhile, the non-life insurance sector garnered premiums of INR 1.87 lakh crore (US$ 22.5 billion) by December 2022.

    Adding to India’s financial ecosystem, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) announced a partnership with Ebix Inc to launch a dedicated insurance distribution platform. The market also saw vibrant activity in the IPO space, with US$ 7.17 billion raised across 40 IPOs in FY23. The number of companies listed on the BSE has grown exponentially, rising from 135 in 1995 to 5,415 by June 2024.

    HDFC Bank – Founders and Team

    Hasmukhbhai Thakordas Parekh

    Hasmukhbhai Thakordas Parekh Founder of HDFC Bank
    Hasmukhbhai Thakordas Parekh Founder of HDFC Bank

    H. T. Parekh, the visionary founder of HDFC, transformed the dream of homeownership for India’s middle class into a reality. Born in Surat and raised in a humble Mumbai chawl, Parekh’s journey from modest beginnings to leading one of India’s most valuable financial institutions is truly inspirational. A graduate in economics from Mumbai and a BSc in Banking and Finance from the prestigious London School of Economics, Parekh’s career spanned roles as a lecturer, stockbroker, and later a key leader at ICICI, where he retired as Chairman and Managing Director. Not content with resting on his laurels, Parekh founded HDFC at the age of 66 in 1977, laying the groundwork for a financial powerhouse valued today at INR 4.14 lakh crore—outshining even icons like Dhirubhai Ambani. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Parekh’s life epitomizes resilience, vision and a lasting impact on India’s banking and housing sectors.

    Sashidhar Jagdishan

    Sashidhar Jagdishan MD and CEO of HDFC Bank
    Sashidhar Jagdishan MD and CEO of HDFC Bank

    Sashidhar Jagdishan, the MD and CEO of HDFC Bank, is a homegrown leader who has spent 24 years shaping the bank’s extraordinary journey. A proud “Mumbai boy,” Jagdishan grew up in the serene suburb of Matunga, attending Don Bosco High School before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Mumbai University. With a Chartered Accountant qualification and a Master’s in the Economics of Money, Banking & Finance from the University of Sheffield, UK, his academic pedigree laid a solid foundation for his career. Starting at Deutsche Bank in financial control, Jagdishan joined HDFC Bank in 1996 as a manager and climbed the ranks to lead the institution after the legendary Aditya Puri. Today, as the torchbearer of India’s largest private sector bank, Jagdishan exemplifies dedication, expertise, and the ability to drive growth in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.


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    HDFC Bank – Startup Story

    HDFC’s transformative journey began in 1978 when it issued its first loan, setting the stage for a groundbreaking venture in India’s housing finance sector. By 1984, under the visionary leadership of H. T. Parekh, the company was approving loans exceeding INR 100 crore annually. Parekh’s relentless dedication earned him the Padma Bhushan in 1992, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in financial innovation.

    The story took a monumental leap in 1994 when HDFC Ltd secured approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to establish a private sector bank. Incorporated in August 1994, HDFC Bank began operations as a Scheduled Commercial Bank in January 1995, with its first office at Ramon House, Churchgate, Mumbai. This move aligned with the RBI’s efforts to liberalize India’s banking sector, marking the birth of a financial institution destined for greatness.

    HDFC Bank’s early years were defined by its unwavering commitment to trust, customer-centricity and operational excellence. Guided by these core values, the bank quickly built a reputation for reliability and innovation, capturing the trust of customers across the nation.

    HDFC Bank’s journey to becoming a financial titan included key mergers and acquisitions. In 2000, it merged with Times Bank, marking India’s first voluntary bank merger. This was followed by the 2008 acquisition of Centurion Bank of Punjab (CBoP) in a share-swap deal, further solidifying its footprint in the Indian banking landscape.

    Decades later, the historic merger of HDFC and HDFC Bank created a financial behemoth valued at INR 4.14 lakh crore. From a single loan to a banking empire, the HDFC journey stands as a shining example of resilience, vision, and determination—transforming lives and reshaping India’s financial ecosystem.


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    HDFC Bank – Mission and Vision

    Vision

    HDFC Bank envisions being recognized as a world-class Indian bank that embodies trust, transparency, and service excellence. It strives to lead the banking industry by setting benchmarks in innovation, customer satisfaction, and financial stability, creating value for all stakeholders while contributing to the nation’s economic progress.

    Mission

    HDFC Bank’s mission is built on a twofold objective. The first is to be the preferred banking partner for both retail and wholesale customer segments by offering tailored and superior financial solutions. The second is to drive healthy profitability growth while maintaining a balanced approach to risk management. The bank is committed to delivering on these goals through a foundation of trust, transparency, and an unwavering dedication to service excellence.

    HDFC Logo
    HDFC Logo

    Tagline: “We understand your world”

    HDFC Bank’s tagline reflects its deep commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of its customers, ensuring a personalized and seamless banking experience.

    Logo: The bank’s innovative musical logo, MOGO, serves as a vibrant representation of its values, harmonizing tradition with modernity while creating a distinct identity that connects with customers on a sensory level.

    Core Values: HDFC Bank’s identity is rooted in its steadfast core values:

    • Customer Focus: Placing customer satisfaction at the forefront of its operations, the bank offers tailored solutions to meet diverse financial needs.
    • Product Leadership: Continuously innovating and introducing market-leading financial products that redefine convenience and accessibility.
    • Sustainability: Upholding environmental and social responsibility by integrating sustainable practices into its operations.
    • People-Oriented Services: Fostering a culture of inclusivity, empathy and service excellence, ensuring meaningful engagement with customers and employees alike.

    Business Model of HDFC Life Insurance Company
    HDFC Life Insurance Company offers insurance solutions. Let’s get an insight of how HDFC Life make money. Know about HDFC Life Business Model.


    HDFC Bank – Business Model

    HDFC Group has built a dynamic and diversified business structure that caters to a wide spectrum of financial needs. Its various subsidiaries and initiatives contribute to its standing as a leader in the financial services sector.

    Comprehensive Protection with HDFC ERGO

    HDFC ERGO, the general insurance arm of the group, offers a diverse portfolio of insurance products, including health, motor, and other general insurance solutions. Known for its straightforward and efficient claims process, it ensures customer confidence with its commitment to reliability and transparency.

    Empowering Customers Through HDFC Sales

    Initially established to promote HDFC’s home loans, HDFC Sales has expanded to become the one-stop distribution network for the entire group’s offerings. From mutual funds to insurance and wealth management products, it provides seamless access to financial solutions under one umbrella.

    Shaping Futures with HDFC Credila

    Launched in 2006, HDFC Credila stands as India’s first company exclusively dedicated to education loans. Partnering with colleges across the country, it specializes in tailored loan solutions, empowering students to pursue their academic goals with ease.

    Driving Real Estate Investments via HDFC Property Fund

    As one of the largest private equity entities focusing on Indian real estate, HDFC Property Fund manages assets worth ₹72 billion. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the real estate landscape through strategic investments and fostering growth in the sector.

    Transforming Lives with HT Parekh Foundation

    The HT Parekh Foundation, the group’s philanthropic initiative, works tirelessly to uplift underprivileged communities. By addressing critical challenges in areas like education, healthcare, and livelihood, the foundation embodies HDFC’s commitment to societal betterment.


    The Successful Business Model of HDFC Bank
    HDFC Bank is one of India’s largest private sector banks. Let’s look at its successful business model and understand how does HDFC Bank operate.


    HDFC Bank – Revenue Model

    HDFC Bank’s revenue model reflects a balance between core lending operations and diversified income streams. By blending interest-based earnings with dynamic treasury operations and non-interest income, the bank ensures long-term profitability while delivering value to its customers and stakeholders.

    1. Interest Income: Core of Banking Operations

    The primary source of revenue for HDFC Bank comes from the interest earned on loans, advances, and investments in government securities and other financial instruments. These loans cater to a wide range of segments, including retail, corporate, and priority sectors, forming the backbone of the bank’s financial operations.

    2. Non-Interest Income: Diversified Earnings

    HDFC Bank generates substantial revenue from non-interest sources, emphasizing service-based offerings:

    • Fees and Commissions: Derived from services like credit card transactions, remittances, and trade finance.
    • Cash Management Services: Efficient solutions for businesses, contributing to steady income streams.
    • Other Financial Services: Advisory and wealth management services also add to this segment.

    3. Treasury Operations: Strategic Financial Management

    The bank’s treasury department plays a crucial role in generating income through:

    • Trading Activities: Profits from trading in foreign exchange, government securities, and other market instruments.
    • Asset Management: Effective handling of cash and liquid assets to maintain optimal liquidity.
    • Risk Management: Mitigation of interest rate and liquidity risks to safeguard financial stability.

    HDFC Bank  – Challenges Faced

    HDFC Bank is leveraging its operational strength and market leadership to address these challenges. By recalibrating its strategies and focusing on sustainable growth, the bank aims to enhance long-term value for its customers and shareholders.

    1. Deposit Growth vs. Credit Growth

    The pace of deposit growth has raised concerns as it has not kept up with the bank’s credit expansion, creating a credit-deposit gap. To address this, the bank plans to prioritize deposit growth over advances, aiming to bring down its credit-deposit (CD) ratio to more sustainable levels.

    2. Rising Cost of Deposits

    The cost of deposits has surged due to recent interest rate hikes and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) draining surplus liquidity from the market. This has increased funding expenses, prompting the bank to adopt a cautious approach toward loan pricing and deposit mobilization.

    3. Changing Consumer Preferences

    A noticeable shift in consumer preferences toward mutual funds, equities and real estate has impacted deposit growth. The bank is working on tailored products and innovative strategies to attract deposits and retain customer loyalty.

    4. Increased High-Cost Borrowing

    Post-merger, the share of high-cost borrowing in the bank’s total liabilities has risen significantly, from 8% to 21%. This change has led to increased interest expenses, posing a challenge to profitability. The bank is focusing on optimizing its borrowing mix to mitigate this impact.

    5. Balance Sheet Realignment

    HDFC Bank is undergoing a strategic realignment to integrate operations post-merger and ensure regulatory compliance. While this may result in slower growth in the short term, the bank is focused on stabilizing key metrics like net interest margin (NIM), credit-deposit ratio, and liquidity coverage ratio (LCR).

    6. Concerns Over Elevated Valuations

    HDFC Bank’s elevated valuations, especially as one of the most heavily-owned stocks in the market, have drawn scrutiny. Investors and analysts are closely monitoring the bank’s ability to deliver consistent growth amid heightened expectations.

    HDFC Bank – Funding and Investors

    HDFC Bank has been strategically investing in branch expansion, technology upgrades, and customer-centric solutions, driving growth and strengthening its market leadership. Their total funding amount is currently at $2 Billion after 5 rounds of funding. They are as follows:

    Date of funding Funding Amount Round Name Investors
    May 17, 2024 Post-IPO Debt $500M International Financial Corp.
    Feb 7, 2024 Post-IPO Debt $750M
    April 12, 2023 Post-IPO Debt $300M The export-import Bank of Korea
    Dec 23,2023 Post-IPO Debt $400M International Financial Corp.
    Dec 5, 2022 Post-IPO Equity $6.8M Life Insurance Corp.

    HDFC Bank – Mergers and Acquisitions

    HDFC Bank has expanded through mergers like Times Bank and Centurion Bank of Punjab, creating a robust and diversified banking entity. And many more like:

    Date Organization Name Funding Round Money Raised
    April 16, 2024 GPS Renewables Debt Financing INR 4.1Cr
    March 20, 2024 Fam Infinity Grant INR 425 K
    Feb 17, 2024 Fruitoholic Debt Financing
    Feb 7,2024 Cashinvoice Series A INR 282 Cr
    Jan 30, 2024 Blackopal Group Debt Financing INR 250 Cr
    Dec 11, 2023 Thirumals Paper Arizona Pvt Ltd. Debt Financing INR 50 Cr
    Jun 28, 2023 Bonito Debt Financing INR 400 Cr
    Jun 15, 2023 IdeaForge Venture Round INR 600 Cr
    April 24, 2023 Goa Digit-Life Insurance Debt Financing INR 218.6 Cr
    Feb 21, 2023 MintOak Innovations Series A INR 1.7 Cr

    HDFC Bank – Growth

    1. Advances Growth: HDFC Bank has demonstrated robust growth in its advances, with a significant year-on-year increase of 54.39%. This growth outpaces the bank’s 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.71%, reflecting strong demand for credit and the bank’s ability to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

    2. Revenue Growth: The bank’s revenue has surged by 99.35% year-on-year, significantly outperforming its 3-year CAGR of 37.37%

    3. Profit Growth: HDFC Bank has consistently delivered strong profitability, posting a 25.03% profit growth over the past 3 years. 

    4. Income Growth: The bank’s income has grown by 28.82% over the past 3 years

    5. CASA Ratio: The bank’s Current Account and Savings Account (CASA) ratio stands at a healthy 38.19% of total deposits. 

    6. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR): HDFC Bank maintains a strong Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 18.80%, which is well above the regulatory requirement.

    Financials (Consolidated)

    HDFC Financials FY23 FY24
    Total Income INR 204,666 Cr INR 407,995 Cr
    Total Expenses INR 158,517 Cr INR 342,548 Cr
    Net Profit/Loss INR 46,149 Cr INR 65,447 Cr
    HDFC Financials (Consolidated)
    HDFC Financials (Consolidated)

    Top 10 Indian Companies by Their Market Valuation (2024)
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    HDFC Bank – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns

    HDFC Parivartan National Ad Campaign

    HDFC Bank’s Parivartan Launched a  National Ad Campaign on ESG (June 6, 2022)

     In celebration of World Environment Day, HDFC Bank launched a compelling national advertising campaign focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives under its flagship program, Parivartan. The campaign was aimed at raising awareness about pressing environmental and social issues, urging the public to act today for a better tomorrow.

    Powerful Message Through Film: The campaign consisted of four unique and thought-provoking films, conceptualized by Leo Burnett, which utilize dramatic visuals to underscore the urgency of the current environmental and social challenges. Each film highlights a different cause supported by HDFC Bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. The visuals depict a bleak future that will become inevitable unless action is taken now and demonstrate how restorative measures are already underway through HDFC Bank’s Parivartan initiatives.

    Call to Action for Change: The films showcase real steps being taken by the bank to address critical social and environmental issues. Through these narratives, the bank invites viewers to join in making a positive change, reinforcing HDFC Bank’s role as a socially responsible corporate entity. The campaign aims to spark a movement toward collective action to build a sustainable future.

    Nationwide Activation and Street Play: In addition to the film campaign, HDFC Bank has planned an impactful activation across more than 40 locations nationwide. The bank will host short street plays at over 125 busy traffic signals, encouraging commuters to turn off their engines while waiting at the signals. This initiative seeks to reduce air pollution and promote sustainable habits among the public.

    Parivartan’s CSR Focus Areas: HDFC Bank is one of the largest corporate CSR spenders in India, with Parivartan focusing on key areas such as climate care, rural development, education, skill development, healthcare and hygiene, and financial literacy. Through its extensive CSR work, the bank continues to champion social and environmental causes, aiming to make a significant impact on society and the environment.

    This campaign represents HDFC Bank’s ongoing commitment to integrating ESG principles into its core operations, encouraging others to join in the effort to create a better and more sustainable future for all.

    HDFC Bank – Awards and Achievements

    1. Conscious Corporate of the Year 2023 – Awarded by the Economic Times Awards.
    2. India’s Best Bank – KPMG Study (2016)
    3. Most Valued Brand in India – BrandZ Rankings
    4. Best Managed Public Company – FinanceAsia (2015)
    5. Best Bank in India at Euromoney Awards (2021)

    HDFC Bank – Competitors

    Despite fierce competition, HDFC Bank stands out as India’s largest bank by market capitalization and the fourth-largest in the world.

    1. ICICI Bank

    2. Kotak Mahindra Bank

    3. Punjab National Bank (PNB)

    4. Bank of Baroda (BoB)

    HDFC Bank – Future Plans

    1. Branch Expansion: HDFC Bank is set to significantly expand its physical footprint, with plans to open 1,000 branches in 2024. Over the next three to five years, the bank aims to reach a total branch count of 13,000–14,000, enhancing its network to attract granular deposits and strengthen its presence in underpenetrated markets.

    2. Core Banking System Migration: On July 13, 2024, HDFC Bank will migrate its Core Banking System (CBS) to a modern platform, underscoring its commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, scalability, and customer experience.

    3. Credit-Deposit Ratio Management: To maintain financial stability and optimize liquidity, the bank plans to grow advances at a slower pace than deposits. This strategy aims to lower the credit-deposit (CD) ratio to pre-merger levels, ensuring a balanced and sustainable growth trajectory.

    4. Employee Retention Initiatives: HDFC Bank is addressing employee attrition and aims to bring it down to 15% through targeted retention programs, better work-life balance initiatives, and career growth opportunities.

    5. Technology Infrastructure: The bank has made significant strides in technology modernization by upgrading its core banking system, launching new digital solutions, and relocating its primary data centers to advanced facilities in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

    6. Focus on MSME Lending: With an aggressive branch expansion strategy and a strong focus on MSME lending, HDFC Bank aims to capture growth opportunities in this segment. Analysts from Motilal Oswal Securities project the merged entity to achieve a loan growth of 12% for FY24, with a recovery to a 17% CAGR in loan growth over FY24–26.

    FAQ

    How did HDFC Bank start?

    HDFC Bank was founded in 1994, and promoted by the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), to provide banking and financial services after India’s banking sector liberalization.

    Is HDFC the No. 1 bank in India?

    Yes, HDFC Bank is India’s largest private bank by market capitalization and assets.

    Who is the CEO of HDFC?

    The CEO of HDFC Bank is Sashidhar Jagdishan.

  • The Sleep Company: How It is Revolutionising Comfort and Redefining the Future of Sleep

    Sleep is quintessential for an individual to perform their best, profession be what may. Especially in the present scenario where every person seems to be racing with time, there seems to be ignorance when it comes to the most basic yet essential needs like sleep and personal health. The Sleep Company, with the help of sleep science, has been engaged in producing sleep products that ensure healthy and happy sleep to its customers. With the help of smart grid technology, It provides the best sleeping mattress online.

    The Sleep Company is a Mumbai-based startup that is set to alter the unhealthy sleeping patterns of most individuals.

    In this article, let’s explore the world of The Sleep Company—its founders, business model, funding, growth, and more.

    The Sleep Company – Highlights

    Startup Name The Sleep Company
    Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
    Industry Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing
    Founders Priyanka Goyal Salot and Harshil Salot
    Founded 2019
    Website thesleepcompany.in

    The Sleep Company – About
    The Sleep Company – Industry
    The Sleep Company – Founders and Team
    The Sleep Company – Startup Story
    The Sleep Company – Mission and Vision
    The Sleep Company – Name, Tagline and Logo
    The Sleep Company – Business Model
    The Sleep Company – Challenges Faced
    The Sleep Company – Funding and Investors
    The Sleep Company – Shareholding
    The Sleep Company – Growth
    The Sleep Company – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
    The Sleep Company – Competitors
    The Sleep Company – Future Plans

    The Sleep Company – About

    The Sleep Company provides products that can help upgrade the quality of sleep for the consumers out there. Their first product that has been launched is The Sleep Company Smart Grid Mattress.

    With a mission to upgrade the quality of sleep for each and every one, The Sleep Company has conducted drive awareness for Smart Grid Technology for sleeping products like mattresses to be the one-stop solution for Happy and Healthy Sleep. Ultimately, The Sleep Company wants to improve the lives of consumers and provide products that are truly delightful.

    The column structure of the Smart Grid is designed to intuitively adapt to the contours of an individual’s body. This occurs when the walls firmly support the back to maintain a straight spine while buckling down on smaller body parts, like the hips and shoulders, to hug them. This guarantees that a person can easily and comfortably sleep through the entire night. As a result, it addresses the primary issues of improving and increasing sleep quality as well as relieving or eliminating neck, back, or other types of physical pain. The ultimate comfort and pain relief have been demonstrated by the patent-pending Smart Grid Technology.

    The Sleep Company Product

    There are certain key gaps that The Sleep Company wants to bridge; these include:

    1. Humans spend one-third of their life on a mattress and sleep has become one of the most “deprived” yet most “critical” part of our life. More than half of the population struggle with some or the other sleep problems—some form of body pains, insomnia, lifestyles issues—and sadly, this category has been the one where we have not seen much innovation.
    2. Need for a more efficient and transparent buying process: Cut all middlemen to offer the best possible pricing and make the buying experience more pleasurable than stressful as of today.

    The Sleep Company – Industry

    The COVID-19 epidemic contributed to the substantial growth in the furniture business in 2021, as individuals invested in creating more comfortable living spaces and spent more time at home. But in 2022, as COVID-19 limits were loosened and inflation increased, the market faced serious difficulties.

    As per Statista, the Indian furniture business brought in US$5.48 billion in sales in 2024, and it is expected to rise at an annual pace of 6.42% (CAGR) between 2024 and 2029. The industry is booming because of things like a rising middle class and a greater focus on interior design. According to Statista, e-commerce platforms’ accessibility has played a major role in this achievement.


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    The Sleep Company – Founders and Team

    Priyanka Goyal Salot (Co-Founder and CEO) and Harshil Salot (Co-Founder) of The Sleep Company (Left to Right)
    Priyanka Goyal Salot (Co-Founder and CEO) and Harshil Salot (Co-Founder) of The Sleep Company (Left to Right)

    Priyanka Goyal Salot and Harshil Salot are the co-founders of The Sleep Company.

    Priyanka Goyal Salot

    Priyanka, being passionate about brand building, focuses on marketing and consumer growth. She graduated from IIM Calcutta in 2009 and then worked for 8 years in the industry, working at P&G as the country category leader for brands like Ariel, Tide, and Pampers.

    Harshil Salot

    Harshil manages finance and manufacturing. He graduated from IIM Calcutta in 2009 and then worked for a year in financial strategy. Post that, Harshil started heading the family business, where he developed a huge knack for manufacturing world-class products to export to European and US markets.

    The Sleep Company – Startup Story

    It is a popular belief that personal experiences always lead us to do something bigger in a better manner, and this holds true for the founders of The Sleep Company.

    With a determination to find the solution, they have traveled across the globe to understand and to do research on different sleep technologies and how they could really develop something that is far superior to what is on the market today. They looped in sleep experts and scientists from DRDO to work on new technology, and after two years of research, Smart Grid Technology was born, proven to provide Ultimate Comfort & Pain Relief.

    So as to get validation for their product, Priyanka and Harshil relied on two sources:

    1. First, being technical validation, they performed tests like pressure mapping for Smart Grid Mattress vs. other kinds of products like memory foam, coir, spring, or latex mattresses.
    2. In-market study with consumers to see how tangibly the products helped provide comfort and prevent body pains like back pain, and neck pain.

    The ideation for products at The Sleep Company started in 2017. R&D was the phase where they spent a lot of time so as to ensure that they developed a product that was far superior and delivered on its promise. After R&D, they designed products by putting together a lot of combinations and testing them with their consumers.

    Finally, The Sleep Company has established their manufacturing unit to ensure the best quality products, where each layer of The Sleep Company mattress has been designed with Sleep Science as the foundation.


    This startup from Kolkata wants to Bring out the Garfield in You 😀
    The history of sleeping solutions is as long as human history itself. Early-man
    used to sleep on the ground and gradually, in an attempt to make the sleeping
    experience more pleasurable, man started using feathers, straw, grass etc. With
    the development of human intelligence came the concepts of bed…


    The Sleep Company – Mission and Vision

    The Sleep Company mission is to enhance people’s sleep quality and provide them with the restful night’s sleep they deserve since they take comfort extremely seriously.

    To Become World’s Best Comfort Technology Company, changing the way people Sleep & SIT. The Sleep Company is obsessed with customer service and keeping the customer happy, always. As we all know, customer is king, and we at The Sleep Company believe in just that. We are not happy until you are completely satisfied and we will not sleep until we do our best to give you the best sleep of your life. Which is why we believe in excellent customer service to be at your aid 24/7.

    The Sleep Company Logo
    The Sleep Company Logo

    As the name suggests, The Sleep Company is here to ensure that they be the one-stop solution for anything that can help upgrade the quality of “Sleep” for everyone.


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    The Sleep Company – Business Model

    The Sleep Company has implemented a direct-to-consumer (D2C) business model as a means of strategically positioning itself within the industry. By using this strategy, the business avoids using traditional retail channels and offers its cutting-edge goods directly to consumers via its website and other online platforms. These products include mattresses with SmartGRID technology, beds, chairs, pillows, and more.

    Company is able to maintain competitive pricing and more control over the client experience thanks to their direct-to-consumer (D2C) strategy. The company prioritizes product innovation, working on research and development projects with professionals such as Dr. Tripathi, an ex-DRDO scientist, and leveraging SmartGRID technology to improve the comfort and quality of its products. With a wide range of products and a dedication to providing outstanding customer service, The Sleep Company has effectively carved itself a position in the market by prioritizing innovation, technology, and direct customer engagement.

    The Sleep Company – Challenges Faced

    The Sleep Company had several challenges when it set out on its innovative path, especially when developing the ground-breaking Smart Grid technology. The crew traversed a difficult but worthwhile route, navigating everything from the nuances of R&D to the complexity of manufacturing. They overcame the obstacles to create a distinctive and ground-breaking device that completely transforms the sleeping experience.

    But the lack of a national asset-light fulfillment network created more obstacles for The Sleep Company’s growth trajectory. This created significant challenges that caused order fulfillment delays and pickup problems, particularly for large shipments. The business decided to develop a single Air Waybill for Multi-Parcel Shipments after seeing the necessity for operational efficiency. The delicate nature of their robust yet plush mattresses added to the challenge, creating worries about possible product damage. The Sleep Company’s drive for expansion necessitates handling logistical intricacies such as product preservation, pickup scheduling, and delivery delay mitigation.

    The Sleep Company – Funding and Investors

    The Sleep Company has raised total of $49.3 million in over four rounds of funding.

    Here are the funding details:

    DATE STAGE AMOUNT INVESTORS NAME
    Dec 6, 2023 Series C $22.1 million Fireside Ventures, PremjiInvest
    Nov 3, 2022 Venture Debt $991K Alteria Capital
    Oct 25, 2022 Series B $21.4 million Premji Invest, Alteria Capital
    Jul 1, 2021 Seed Round $5.85 million Fireside Ventures

    The Sleep Company – Shareholding

    As per Tracxn, below is the shareholding pattern of The Sleep Company (as of December 2023):

    Shareholder Percentage
    Priyanka Goyal Salot 49.4%
    Premji Invest 23.8%
    Fireside Ventures 19.8%
    ESOP Pool 5.8%
    Others 1.2%
    The Sleep Company Shareholding
    The Sleep Company Shareholding

    The Sleep Company – Growth

    The Sleep Company accomplished an amazing feat in November 2021 by celebrating its second anniversary with a stellar INR 100 crore run rate. This laid a solid foundation for the company to attain the INR 1,000 crore milestone within the next four to five years. With an astounding 400% growth in just two years after its founding, the company has quickly risen to the position of one of the top four brands on Amazon. Company is trusted by over 200,000 customers.

    The Sleep Company stands out in a congested industry thanks to its unrelenting dedication to innovation, which is demonstrated by their cutting-edge products that come with patented SmartGRID technology. The Sleep Company’s quick expansion indicates that the market is embracing its cutting-edge and unique products, even if other mattress manufacturers continue to use memory foam that is decades old.

    Financials

    The Sleep Company Financials FY23 FY24
    Operating revenue INR 127.1 cr INR 312.3 cr
    Total expenses INR 166.7 cr INR 378.7 cr
    Profit/Loss Loss of INR 37.06 cr Loss of INR 58.69 cr
    EBITDA Margin -26.47% -15.92%
    The Sleep Company Financials
    The Sleep Company Financials

    The Sleep Company – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns

    The Sleep Company Campaign

    With two talented co-stars and Anil Kapoor leading the way, the powerful message “Raat Ke 2 Baje, Neend Ke 12 Baj Gaye?” ensures a comfortable night’s sleep. Kapoor’s speech strives to connect with the viewer by highlighting the universal desire for quiet evenings and encapsulating the heart of the film through relatable heroes fighting sleep disturbances.

    The Sleep Company x Sima Taparia Ad Campaign

    The Sleep Company teams up with matchmaker Sima Taparia for a new campaign promoting its SmartGRID mattress. The fun ad highlights comfort in relationships and mattresses, with a 10-year warranty and a 100-night free trial.

    The Sleep Company – Competitors

    Some of the top competitors of The Sleep Company include:

    • Wakefit
    • Sunday Mattress
    • Flo
    • Sleephyhead

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    The Sleep Company – Future Plans

    The Sleep Company has been lucky to get a lot of love from the customers in the first few months of launch only. Their objectives going forward is to continue providing great products and services and ramp up their manufacturing.

    The Omnichannel mattress brand, The Sleep Company, plans to launch an IPO by FY 2027, aiming to expand its market presence and strengthen its growth trajectory.

    FAQs

    Who is the Founder of The Sleep Company?

    Priyanka Goyal Salot and Harshil Salot are the Co-Founders at The Sleep Company.

    What does The Sleep Company do?

    The Sleep Company provides products that can help upgrade the quality of sleep for the consumers out there. Their first product that has been launched is The Sleep Company Smart Grid Mattress.

    What are Smart Grid Mattress?

    The Mattress Intelligently adapts to every human body type. Smart Grid helps distribute weight and hence provides comfort to different body parts.

    What are the products provided by The Sleep Company?

    The Sleep Company provides mattresses, pillows, mattress protectors, cushions, recliner bed, chair, bedding, recliner sofa and other sleep accessories.

  • Yubi: What Makes This Company a One-Stop Solution for the Debt Market?

    It is considered that investing in debt is one of the most beneficial forms of investment that yields returns. It is also the most important marketplace today, as it keeps the economy moving. Secured debts and unsecured debts are the two major kinds of the debt market.

    The most interesting fact about the debt market is that it also provides more funding options for public and private sector initiatives, reducing the reliance on institutional finance. Moreover, the debt market also improves the utilization of resources by releasing immobile retail investments such as gold.

    Founded in 2020, ‘CredAvenue’, now known as ‘Yubi’, is one of the leading debt marketplaces in India today. The company was founded by Gaurav Kumar and Vineet Sukumar in Chennai.

    Uncover more about Yubi’s Founders, Startup Story, Funding and Investors, Acquisitions, Business Model and Revenue Model in the article ahead.

    Yubi – Company Highlights

    STARTUP NAME YUBI
    Headquarters Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
    Sector Financial Services
    Founder Gaurav Kumar
    Founded 2020
    Valuation $1.5 billion (as of November 2024)
    Website go-yubi.com

    Yubi – About
    Yubi – Industry
    Yubi – Founders and Team
    Yubi – Startup Story
    Yubi – Mission and Vision
    Yubi – Name and Logo
    Yubi – Products and Services
    Yubi – Business Model
    Yubi – Revenue Model
    Yubi – Growth
    Yubi – Funding and Investors
    Yubi – Mergers and Acquisitions
    Yubi – Investments
    Yubi – Competitors
    Yubi – Future Plans

    Yubi – About

    Initially, the company was named CredAvenue and was designed as a credit infrastructure component that serves as a one-stop shop for all debt market players in India, as well as the first port of contact for overseas investors.

    It provides a comprehensive platform for investors, which will allow them to discover, analyze, and execute deals in a timely manner. Furthermore, the company offers smooth online execution of all debt instrument transactions and delivers real-time alerts on different transaction stages that are actionable.

    CredAvenue changed its name to ‘Yubi’ in June 2022 with a new vision to hold the long-term goal of being omnipresent in the loan ecosystem. Its goal is to heighten the debt market in India and release the true potential of enterprises that have inadequate access to capital.

    CredAvenue was formed to deal with different types of capital requirements, like bonds, co-lending, loans, etc. But with the new formation, ‘Yubi’ aims to grow and capture the global debt marketplace by becoming the one-stop solution for its customers.

    Check out what the founder and CEO of Yubi, Gaurav Kumar, said about the rebranding,

    “This is an exciting transformation and a solid foundation for the constantly evolving nature of our business. Yubi represents the beginning of our global ambitions as we prepare to launch our first international office in UAE, successfully debuting in the MENA region. Another reason for the brand identity change stems from our conversations with customers and other stakeholders on how technological integration because of data security concerns around financial information remains one of the key deterrents in the advancement of digital finance. We aim to bridge this trust deficit, and in this effort of humanizing the brand, we’re confident of further building our platform, which thrives on new opportunities for people and businesses alike.”

    The video shows the company’s objective behind the new name

    Yubi – Industry

    The investment tech sector is anticipated to become the fastest-growing fintech area in India with a growth rate of 30% between 2022 and 2030, according to data research by Statista.

    The financial software as a service industry is predicted to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% over the same time frame, trailing closely behind. With these developments, it is anticipated that by 2030, the Indian fintech market as a whole will be valued at more than two trillion dollars.

    Yubi – Founders and Team

    Gaurav Kumar and Vineet Sukumar are the Co-Founder of Yubi.

    Gaurav Kumar

    Gaurav Kumar (Co-Founder and CEO) of Yubi
    Gaurav Kumar (Co-Founder and CEO) of Yubi

    Gaurav Kumar is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gaurav Kumar. Before establishing Yubi, Gaurav Kumar was associated with many organizations and also founded a couple of other companies, like Northern Arc Capital in 2008 and Vivriti Capital in 2017. Gaurav serves as the Board Member of Corpository, which is an acquired company of Yubi. He graduated from the Anand Institute of Rural Management (IRMA). In August 2024, Gaurav Kumar invested INR 250 crore ($30 million) in his startup, marking one of the largest founder-led capital infusions in recent tech history.

    Yubi – Startup Story

    Yubi set out on a mission to transform India’s debt markets and unlock the unrealized potential of its businesses with just 8 personnel and a daring concept in 2020. The founders of Yubi recognized the difficulties brought on by restricted finance access and decided to lead change via innovation. Thus, Yubi previously (CredAvenue) a cutting-edge platform designed to handle a variety of capital needs, from loans to securitization—was established.

    The founders of CredAvenue realized they needed a more comprehensive brand to reflect their changing goals and objectives as the company quickly gained popularity and broadened its reach. With this conclusion came the creation of Yubi, a company that has the potential to completely alter the loan financing market in India.

    Yubi – Mission and Vision

    The company’s mission on its website states “to create a ubiquitous, transparent, responsible, and trusted solution for finance that can truly transform your dreams into reality.”

    The company’s vision is “to expand the debt market and fully unleash the potential of Indian businesses that have been hampered by limited access to funding.”

    Yubi – Name and Logo

    Yubi Logo
    Yubi Logo

    Yubi’s name was changed from CredAvenue to Yubi in the later months of 2022.

    With the aim to remain everywhere in the debt market world, the name ‘Yubi’, is derived from the term ‘ubiquitous’, which strongly reflects its objective.

    Yubi – Products and Services

    The Chennai-based startup offers six different products which are designed to cater to different needs, these are as follows:

    • Yubi Pools – This platform is for securitization and portfolio monitoring.
    • Yubi Co.lend – This product is created for banks and NBFCs to partner in co-lending and offer joint loans to borrowers.
    • Yubi Loans – This digitized platform offers a seamless experience to speed up the loan process.
    • Yubi Flow – This platform is meant for an end-to-end supply chain for trading finance solutions.
    • Yubi Invest – This platform is India’s leading fixed-income platform to offer solutions for all fixed-income investment requirements. Some of the products under this platform are Market Linked Debentures, Non-Convertible Debentures, Commercial Papers, And Perpetual Bonds.
    • Yubi Build – This platform is meant for Real Estate and Infrastructure Financing.

    Yubi – Business Model

    Yubi serves as a digital marketplace middleman, connecting businesses in need of debt financing with a large network of more than 750 lenders and investors. Yubi has streamlined the borrowing process by facilitating transactions for over 2000 businesses through its online platform.

    Yubi is a global company with six offices that operates by integrating technology and finance in a fluid way to offer businesses all over the world a variety of financing options. This strategy demonstrates Yubi’s dedication to changing the debt finance industry and enabling companies to grow and prosper.

    Yubi – Revenue Model

    Yubi makes revenue from different resources; some of the prominent ones are:

    Take Rate fee: The take rate fee that Yubi charges for facilitating loans through its platform is the company’s main source of income. Yubi currently makes a substantial portion of its revenue from a commission of 46 basis points each disbursal.

    Assets Under Management (AUM): The expansion of Yubi’s AUM is directly related to the revenue model of the company. The company receives income from the interest and fees connected to these assets as loans are disbursed via Yubi’s platform.

    Transaction Volume: Yubi guarantees a consistent flow of transactions between lenders and borrowers by utilizing its digital marketplace. Since each transaction results in commission income, Yubi’s revenue is directly impacted by the volume of transactions.

    Yubi – Growth

    Yubi’s growth highlights are:

    • It has a presence in 6 locations as of February 2024
    • The company has 8 products as of February 2024
    • It has 2000+ enterprises as of February 2024
    • Yubi has 750+ lenders as of February 2024
    • In March 2022, Yubi turned into a unicorn startup.

    In 2024, Yubi and AI4Bharat have partnered to develop India’s first Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) engine aimed at advancing financial inclusion in the country. In 2022, Yubi collaborated with SBI to enhance credit accessibility for priority sectors.

    Financials

    Yubi Financials FY22 FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 166 crore INR 327.6 crore INR 483.7 crore
    Total Expenses INR 216 crore INR 922.9 crore INR 938.8 crore
    Profit/Loss Loss of INR 57 crore Loss of INR 509.83 crore Loss of INR 395.8 crore
    Yubi Financials
    Yubi Financials

    EBITDA

    Yubu Financials FY22 FY23 FY24
    EBITDA Margin -8% -105.1% -39.74%
    Expense/₹ of Op Revenue INR 1.30 INR 2.73 INR 1.94
    ROCE -2% -30% -29.28%

    List of 116 Unicorn Startups in India | Top Unicorns in India
    India has already seen 116 unicorn startups. Here’s an exhaustive list of all unicorn companies in India, including those that joined the unicorn club in 2024.


    Yubi – Funding and Investors

    Yubi has received $226.7 million of funding in three rounds.

    The list of funding details are:

    Date Funding Round Fund Amount Investor
    July 14, 2023 Secondary Market
    March 6, 2022 Series B $137 million B Capital Group, Dragoneer Investment Group, Insight Partners
    September 29, 2021 Series A $90 million Sequoia Capital India

    Yubi – Mergers and Acquisitions

    Yubi has acquired three companies to date.

    Here are the details:

    Company Name Date Amount Transaction Name
    FinFort May 25, 2023 FinFort acquired by Yubi
    Corpository Apr 26, 2022 INR 100 crore Corpository acquired by Yubi
    SPOCTO Feb 14, 2022 SPOCTO acquired by Yubi

    In August 2024, Yubi Group consolidated its acquired entities, Corpository and FinFort, under the new brand name Accumn, a platform designed to enhance AI-driven credit decision-making and monitoring.

    Yubi – Investments

    Date Company Name Funding Round Amount
    July 23, 2024 Auxilo Debt Financing – Auxilo $12 million
    July 12, 2024 Infra.Market Debt Financing – Infra.Market $18 million
    June 14, 2024 KrazyBee Debt Financing – KrazyBee $32 million
    August 12, 2022 Lendingkart Convertible Note – Lendingkart $6 million
    Feb 10, 2022 Infra.Market Debt Financing – Infra.Market $30 million

    Yubi – Competitors

    Yubi competitors are:

    • Creditas Solutions
    • Crediwatch
    • Skit
    • Saarthi.ai

    Yubi – Future Plans

    Yubi’s future plans involve migrating to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) to enhance its IT capabilities. By leveraging OCI services like Compute VMs, Object Storage, and OCI Database with PostgreSQL, Yubi aims to secure flexible computing capacity for projects of all scales.

    The adoption of OCI promises high-performance computing and cost-effective cloud storage, boosting the efficiency of its IT operations. This move signifies Yubi’s strategy to merge open-source technology with OCI for improved performance and reduced costs, positioning the company for success in a competitive landscape.

    FAQs

    Is Yubi an NBFC?

    No, Yubi is not an NBFC.

    What is the meaning of Yubi?

    Yubi is a Japanese word meaning graceful.

    Where is Yubi based?

    Yubi is based out of Chennai, India.

  • Furlenco – Quality Products Have No Fear Of Time

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

    Human activities need furniture. For example, for sleeping, we need a bed; for our food intake, we need a dining table, and so on. However, our stays and their duration vary with time and place. Therefore, buying furniture, which is expensive too, is definitely not the solution. However, we can always rent them, just like any other item!

    Movable furniture dominates the space today. What has truly transformed the furniture space with the emergence of the internet and the spread of eCommerce websites and apps is the shopping for our home and office furniture, which has now taken the online route.

    Be it antique or modern, furniture is central to our lives today. However, transportation was really an issue because furniture is bulky, and transporting them without a mess is hard, if not impossible. To straighten up all such issues, online furniture companies were born.

    Furlenco is one such online furniture rental platform. Living and desiring better is easier now with Furlenco. Award-winning furniture is available here as well. Read the Furlenco success story here and learn more about the Furlenco company, Furlenco Founders, Owners, Furlenco Competitors, Furlenco’s Business Model, Revenue, Logo, Funding and more.

    Furlenco – Company Highlights

    Startup Name Furlenco
    Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka, India
    Sector Furniture Rental, Home Decor
    Founder Ajith Mohan Karimpana
    Founded 2012
    Parent Organization Kieraya Furnishing Solutions Private Limited
    Website furlenco.com

    Furlenco – About
    Furlenco – Startup Story
    Furlenco – Founder and Team
    Furlenco – Logo
    Furlenco – Business Model
    Furlenco – Revenue Model
    Furlenco – Shareholding
    Furlenco – Funding and Investors
    Furlenco – Growth
    Furlenco – Partnership
    Furlenco – Challenges
    Furlenco – Competitors
    Furlenco – Future Plans

    Furlenco – About

    Furlenco Subscription Service

    Furlenco is an online furniture company, which is driven by a different set of ideas, thereby enabling people to start living better than today. Furlenco makes living better by giving consumers home decor and award-winning furniture on rent. All the furniture of Furlenco is designed by experts. Designs are inspired by the urban living citizens of India. The lifestyle and the requirements both are changing every day. That is why new designs are coming.

    Furlenco – Startup Story

    In the year 2010, Ajith Mohan Karimpana came back to Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, from New Jersey, USA. When he used to stay in the USA, he wanted to sell his furniture there. After selling it, he got 10% back of what he paid for it. He bought the furniture around two years ago. That was the time when he felt the pain of both buying and selling furniture. From that day on, he was determined. He wanted to provide everyone with beautiful furniture. He made this idea his life’s mission. Because everybody desires beautiful things at a cheaper price. This way, Furlenco was born.


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    rush from one showro…


    Furlenco – Founder and Team

    Ajith Mohan Karimpana is the founder of Furlenco.

    Ajith Mohan Karimpana, Founder and CEO of Furlenco
    Ajith Mohan Karimpana, Founder and CEO of Furlenco

    Ajith Mohan Karimpana is the CEO and the founder of Furlenco. He began his career as a Senior Consultant at Morgan Stanley. After that, he joined Goldman Sachs. There he worked for 5 years and 10 months as a Senior Analyst and Vice President. He completed his schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya. He pursued a BTech degree in Industrial Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar.

    Ashwin Venkatraman is the Chief Operating Officer at Furlenco. He began his career as an Industry and Development Manager at Google. He was also the Director and the Product Head at InMobi.

    Furlenco New Logo
    Furlenco New Logo

    Furlenco – Business Model

    The business model of Furlenco is very simple. The company provides furniture, home appliances, and home decor on rent to its consumers. It enables people to lease tables, chairs, beds, couches etc on a monthly basis. People usually after losing a high value by selling furniture need furniture again. Furlenco is established for such kinds. The company brings the furniture to the customer’s doorstep. In 2023, Furlenco introduced a bold new brand identity, featuring a refreshed logo and mint blue color that reflects vibrancy, freshness, and adaptability for future growth.


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    Furlenco – Revenue Model

    The revenue of the company is generated from the rental income. From decorations to home appliances, all are recognized on the basis of the terms of the contract of hiring. Delivery charges are also included in the list. The company is providing a 15% discount on rent for orders worth INR 1000 per month or above. For their UNLMTD plan, the company has a few deals in its backpack.

    Plans Number of Items Per Item Price Total Price
    Essentials 4 INR 874 INR 3499/Month
    Basic 6 INR 699 INR 4199/Month
    Lite 9 INR 588 INR 5299/Month
    Premium 12 INR 491 INR 5899/Month
    Luxury 15 INR 459 INR 6899/Month

    Furlenco – Shareholding

    Below is the Furlenco shareholding pattern as of March 2024 (source: Tracxn):

    Shareholder Percentage
    Ajith Mohan Karimpana 2.6%
    Lightbox 10.6%
    House of Korea 56.1%
    Sheela Group 18.2%
    Angels 1.7%
    ESOP Pool 1.9%
    Others 8.9%
    Furlenco Shareholding as of March 2024
    Furlenco Shareholding as of March 2024

    Furlenco – Funding and Investors

    Furlenco has raised $265.2 million so far. Furlenco is funded by 21 investors, as per the latest records.

    Date Transaction Name Money Raised Lead Investor
    July 17, 2023 Corporate Round $36.5 million Sheela Foam
    February 23, 2022 Debt Financing $10 million Klub
    August 24, 2021 Debt Financing $15 million TradeCred
    July 5, 2021 Series D Round $140 million Zinnia Global Fund
    January 21, 2021 Debt Round Rs 20 crore Black Soil Capital and Crescent Enterprises Limited
    November 9, 2020 Debt Financing Rs 53 crore Aditya Burman, Rangoli Resorts
    April 2, 2020 Venture Round $10 million
    February 11, 2020 Series C Rs. 16 crore
    August 23, 2019 Debt Financing Rs 9 crore Chowdry Associates

    Furlenco – Growth

    UNLMTD

    Furlenco introduced the UNLMTD annual subscription service on July 15, 2021, which allows users to purchase the appliances and furniture they desire all at once and for a single price.

    Offline Store

    On September 6, 2023, Furlenco announced the opening of two physical locations in Bengaluru as part of an omnichannel growth plan.

    Furlenco Financials

    Furlenco reported operating revenue of INR 139.56 crore in FY24, which used to be a higher amount in the previous year at INR 155.78 crore in FY23. The company also saw a marginal increase in total expenses at INR 282.12 crore in FY24, which is a slight increase of around 1.3% from INR 285.9 crore in FY23. Furthermore, Furlenco saw a slight increase in their losses that reached INR 130.22 crore in FY24 as opposed to the lesser INR 128.38 crore in FY23.

    Furlenco Financials FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 84.31 crore INR 129.24 crore INR 155.78 crore INR 139.56 crore
    Total Expenses INR 175.55 crore INR 288.1 crore INR 285.9 crore INR 282.12 crore
    Profit/Loss Loss of INR 87.58 crore Loss of INR 151.47 crore Loss of INR 128.38 crore Loss of INR 130.22 crore
    Furlenco Financials
    Furlenco Financials

    EBITDA

    During the changeover of the fiscal year from FY23 to FY24, Furlenco experienced a significant decline in its financial measures. From -20.31% in FY23 to -41.61% in FY24, the EBITDA margin fell sharply, suggesting a substantial drop in earnings in comparison to total revenue. The company incurred INR 2.02 in expenses for every rupee earned in operating revenue during the previous fiscal year. Its total current assets amounted to INR 89.58 crore, which included INR 35.37 crore held as cash and bank balances.

    Furlenco FY23-FY24 FY23 FY24
    EBITDA Margin -20.31% -41.61%
    Expense/Rs of Op Revenue INR 1.84 INR 2.02

    Furlenco – Partnership

    Airbnb

    Furlenco and Airbnb have partnered in December 22,2016 to provide customized interior design services for homes. Through the agreement, hosts on the homesharing platform can choose from a variety of distinctive furnishings selections.

    Cashfree

    In January 2022, Cashfree Payments announced a partnership with Furlenco, and with this partnership, it is helping the subscription-based furniture rental company Furlenco to provide its clients with the quickest possible security deposit refund experience.

    Furlenco – Challenges

    Being a player operating in one such industry like furniture rental and home decor, which is experiencing a growth spurt and is seeing a lot of competition lately, Furlenco is always put to the test. Scaling its business and making it profitable is a real challenge for Furlenco as of June 2022.

    Furlenco Layoffs

    Furlenco was in the news on March 26, 2022, as the company laid off around 180-200 employees because of the restructuring process that it was then going through. These layoffs came at the back of the scale-down of the operations of Furlenco, whcih was previously available across numerous metro and non-metro cities like Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and more.

    Furlenco Scale Down of Operations

    The online furniture rental company has temporarily suspended operations in Kolkata and other cities including Mysore, Chandigarh, and Jaipur.

    Furlenco – Competitors

    The top competitors of the company are RentoMojo, Rentickle and GrabOnRent.

    • RentoMojo is the #1 competitor of Furlenco. It is a rental platform that provided appliances, electronics, and furniture for rent. It was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Bengaluru.
    • Rentickle is one of the top rivals of Furlenco. The company offers furniture, appliance, and home furnishing essentials for rent. It was founded in the year 2015.
    • GrabOnRent is the 3rd competitor of Furlenco. It used to provide fitness related equipment, furniture, an air cooler, and a laptop. It was founded in the year 2015. The company had to shut down in 2020.

    Furlenco – Future Plans

    The goal of the company is to elevate the standards of urban living consumers. The company has launched its operations in Mumbai because they feel that Mumbaikars are super enthusiastic about the new concepts. Furlenco is aiming to expand its business towards Tier 2 cities soon. It aims to open offline stores in major cities by 2026 as part of its omnichannel growth plan. It seeks to blend online and offline shopping for a better customer experience.

    In 2021, Furlenco announced plans to invest INR 2,300-2,500 crore over five years. It aims to generate INR 650 crore ($90 million) in free cash annually by FY26. In the next 10 years, the company wants to see itself as the “Pioneers” of the sharing economy.

    Starting from furniture to vehicles and everything, the company wants to offer its users everything in rent, which is generally seen as a financial burden if bought new.


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    FAQs

    Who is the founder of Furlenco?

    Ajith Mohan Karimpana is the founder and CEO of Furlenco.

    Who are the competitors of Furlenco?

    RentoMojo, Cityfurnish & Rentickle are some of the competitors of Furlenco.

    How does Furlenco work?

    Furlenco rents furniture and appliances to its consumers on a monthly basis.

    Is Furlenco profitable?

    No, the furniture rental company reported an operating revenue of INR 139.56 crores in 2024. Furlenco saw an increase in their losses that reached INR 130.22 crore in FY24 as opposed to the lesser INR 128.38 crore in FY23. The company aims to become fully profitable in the next 12 to 18 months.

    Can we buy furniture from Furlenco?

    Furlenco offers furniture designed in-house. It’s present in Pune, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR. Rentomojo offers both individual products and affordable packages.

  • MyGardenEmporium: How It’s Transforming Urban Spaces and Inspiring Sustainable Living Across India

    India’s lawn and garden industry is growing, with revenue reaching $14.96 billion in 2024. It is expected to rise by 4.53% each year until 2029. Leading this movement, MyGardenEmporium brings urban greenery to people’s doorsteps. The company offers gardening, landscaping, and community projects to inspire sustainable living. By helping people connect with nature, MyGardenEmporium is making a real impact.

    In this article, explore more about MyGardenEmporium, its founder, business model, marketing strategy, challenges, growth, and more.

    MyGardenEmporium – Company Highlights

    Company Name MyGardenEmporium
    Headquarters Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
    Sector Agritech, Gardening, Landscaping
    Founder Nithin Hassan
    Founded 2024
    Website mygardenemporium.com

    MyGardenEmporium – About
    MyGardenEmporium – Industry
    MyGardenEmporium – Founder and Team
    MyGardenEmporium – Startup Story
    MyGardenEmporium – Mission and Vision
    MyGardenEmporium – Name, Tagline, and Logo
    MyGardenEmporium – Products/Services
    MyGardenEmporium – Business and Revenue Model
    MyGardenEmporium – Launching Company Strategies
    MyGardenEmporium – Customer Growth and Retention Strategies
    MyGardenEmporium – Challenges Faced
    MyGardenEmporium – Marketing Campaigns
    MyGardenEmporium – Growth
    MyGardenEmporium – Funding
    MyGardenEmporium – Technology and Innovation
    MyGardenEmporium – Recognitions and Achievements
    MyGardenEmporium – Competitors
    MyGardenEmporium – Future Plans

    MyGardenEmporium – About

    MyGardenEmporium is a sustainability-focused venture on a mission to bring nature back to our cities, creating greener, healthier urban spaces that inspire and thrive. Founded by Nithin Hassan, MyGardenEmporium provides a carefully curated selection of garden essentials—from vibrant plants and seeds to eco-friendly tools and fertilizers—all designed to empower environmentally conscious practices. But it is more than a garden store; they transform spaces through their landscaping services, turning everyday areas into lush green sanctuaries.

    In line with the commitment to community and environmental impact, MyGardenEmporium reinvests 20% of its profits in initiatives that empower rural women and support children’s education, bringing the vision of sustainable growth full circle. At its core, the company aims to balance urban expansion with a steadfast dedication to preserving greenery, creating a world where cities and nature coexist harmoniously.

    MyGardenEmporium – Industry

    MyGardenEmporium operates within the gardening and landscaping industry, which has seen a surge in demand due to increased interest in sustainability and urban greening. The global gardening and landscaping market, valued at over $100 billion, is projected to grow steadily as more urban populations prioritise sustainable living and mental well-being through natural spaces.

    The primary target market includes urban households, commercial properties, and environmentally conscious individuals and institutions across India, where the gardening and landscaping market is growing significantly. Based on urbanisation trends and increasing environmental awareness, the company estimates a potential target market in India of around $3 billion by 2028.

    Currently, MyGardenEmporium is in its early growth phase, aiming to capture a 1-2% share of this market within five years by focusing on quality, community-driven services, and sustainable products. This calculation is based on competitor analyses, consumer surveys, and market reports that detail urban gardening and landscaping trends in India.

    In the next five years, the industry is expected to lean heavily towards eco-friendly practices, with increased interest in carbon footprint reduction, biodiversity, and smart gardening solutions. Urban areas will see a growing demand for green spaces in homes, offices, and public spaces, aligning with government and corporate sustainability goals.

    Within five years, MyGardenEmporium aims to become a recognised leader in urban landscaping and gardening in India, known for its sustainable products and impactful community initiatives. In ten years, the company envisions expanding internationally, setting standards for eco-friendly urban spaces, and actively contributing to the global movement for sustainable cities while maintaining a community-first approach that uplifts and empowers local communities.


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    MyGardenEmporium – Founder and Team

    Nithin Hassan - Founder and CEO, MyGardenEmporium
    Nithin Hassan – Founder and CEO, MyGardenEmporium

    Nithin Hassan founded MyGardenEmporium after two decades of experience in Silicon Valley, where he held key roles at Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon. His personal passion for sustainability and a commitment to social impact inspired him to launch this company, aiming to blend environmental responsibility with community empowerment.

    Nithin is the sole founder and currently leads the company, bringing together a team of dedicated professionals skilled in horticulture, sustainable design, and e-commerce operations. Their tasks are divided based on expertise: Nithin focuses on strategic vision, technology development, and business partnerships, while the team manages key operational areas like product management, customer service, and community outreach.

    MyGardenEmporium runs with a dedicated small team of professionals and contractors who manage and maintain the platform to ensure a seamless customer experience. They’ve built partnerships with trusted vendors to supply high-quality plants and garden essentials, which allows them to focus on service quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous innovation. The company’s work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, emphasising flexibility, teamwork, and a shared passion for sustainability.

    Hiring Philosophy

    MyGardenEmporium values individuals who are passionate about the environment, driven to make a difference, and bring a hands-on approach to problem-solving. The hiring focus is on individuals with skills in horticulture, customer engagement, and e-commerce, with a preference for those who share the company’s commitment to sustainability and community impact.

    MyGardenEmporium – Startup Story

    The inspiration for MyGardenEmporium came from witnessing the drastic loss of greenery in Bangalore due to rapid urbanization. Nithin recognised how critical greenery is to mental well-being, air quality, and stress reduction, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when access to fresh air and nature became essential. Combining his passion for sustainability with his experience in the tech industry, Nithin envisioned creating a platform that would make greenery accessible to urban dwellers and help counteract environmental degradation.

    To validate the idea, Nithin conducted a series of surveys targeting urban residents, green enthusiasts, and industry experts. He also researched consumer trends indicating a rise in eco-conscious lifestyles and analysed competitor offerings to identify gaps, particularly in sustainable and community-focused gardening services. The findings confirmed a growing demand for garden products and services that emphasise environmental responsibility.

    Leveraging his background in coding and technology, Nithin built an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) on his own. This initial version included a curated selection of plant offerings, essential gardening tools, and basic landscaping services, showcased through a user-friendly website. This hands-on approach allowed him to test the concept, refine product offerings, and gather early feedback, setting the stage for a scalable platform focused on sustainable urban greening.

    Nithin took a hands-on approach by personally delivering plants to customers, using these interactions to gain direct feedback. He also shared his vision with close friends, family, and colleagues in the tech industry, as well as mentors within his startup network. The response was overwhelmingly supportive, with many resonating with Nithin’s mission to reintroduce greenery into urban spaces. This positive feedback, especially the enthusiasm for the social impact aspect, strengthened his conviction that MyGardenEmporium could create a significant, positive change.

    MyGardenEmporium – Mission and Vision

    The company’s long-term vision is to bring a “farm-to-table” experience to urban communities through sustainable agriculture. At the heart of this vision is a large-scale hydroponic facility dedicated to cultivating fresh produce. This initiative will be showcased at Project Promenade, an immersive experience center where visitors can engage in farm life through a unique farm stay centered around hydroponics. Project Promenade offers a hands-on connection to sustainable agriculture, inviting people to reconnect with nature and understand the value of fresh, locally-grown produce.

    In the next 1-2 years, MyGardenEmporium aims to become the leading platform for eco-conscious individuals and businesses seeking quality garden essentials and landscaping solutions. By partnering with vendors in major cities and establishing retail experience centers, they’re making urban greenery accessible nationwide. To enhance the offerings, they’re integrating AI-driven features, like the “AI Plant Doctor” for real-time plant health monitoring and an optimized inventory management system for seamless service. Aligned with the commitment to rural empowerment, they’re focused on creating job opportunities and supporting sustainability projects, expanding MyGardenEmporium’s impact well beyond urban gardening.

    MyGardenEmporium’s core belief is that sustainability and urban development must go hand-in-hand. Founded on the understanding that greenery is essential—not a luxury—for mental well-being, environmental health, and community resilience, they envision a world where urban spaces are green, vibrant, and sustainable. The company’s mission is to inspire a deep connection between people and nature, leading the transformation of cityscapes through sustainable greenery and creating healthier, more tranquil environments for future generations.

    Motto: “Transforming Spaces, Enriching Lives”

    MyGarden Emporium’s motto embodies the commitment to greening urban spaces while empowering the local communities that drive sustainable change.

    MyGardenEmporium Logo
    MyGardenEmporium Logo

    The name MyGardenEmporium was inspired by a vision to create a one-stop destination where everyone could find the essentials for a personalised and sustainable garden, right in the heart of urban living. The word “Emporium” reflects a wide, curated selection that caters to every type of green enthusiast, from beginners to seasoned gardeners, making it accessible and inviting.

    The tagline, “Transforming Spaces, Enriching Lives,” captures the dual mission of the company: promoting urban greenery while investing in social causes like women’s empowerment and children’s education.

    The logo combines elements of nature and growth, featuring a sprouting plant to symbolise the beginning of something new, fresh, and impactful. It visually represents the company’s dedication to promoting life and well-being in every space. The entire process—from the name to the logo—was inspired by the goal of creating a brand that not only sells products but also connects with people’s aspirations for a greener, more meaningful life.

    MyGardenEmporium – Products/Services

    MyGardenEmporium DIY Products
    MyGardenEmporium DIY Products

    MyGardenEmporium is dedicated to bringing nature back into urban environments through high-quality gardening products and personalised landscaping services. The company provides an extensive selection of plants, seeds, tools, and eco-friendly gardening essentials. Additionally, MyGardenEmporium offers customised landscaping and lifetime maintenance services, transforming everyday spaces into vibrant, sustainable green zones.

    How It Works

    Customers can explore and purchase products on the MyGardenEmporium website, where they can also schedule landscaping consultations and maintenance services. The platform is designed for user ease, guiding customers through the selection process and offering tailored recommendations based on their unique space requirements and preferences.

    As urban areas expand, green spaces often disappear, leaving residents with limited access to nature and its health benefits. MyGardenEmporium addresses this by making greenery accessible, convenient, and sustainable, helping urban dwellers create natural retreats in their homes and offices, and improving air quality, mental well-being, and environmental impact.

    USP and Innovation

    MyGardenEmporium’s unique value lies in its focus on sustainable, high-quality products backed by community impact. The company stands out through its personalised landscaping and lifetime maintenance services, along with a commitment to donating a portion of profits to empower rural women and support children’s education. By reinvesting in communities, MyGardenEmporium combines social responsibility with urban greening.

    The platform leverages an e-commerce infrastructure with intelligent recommendations for plant care and landscape design, enhancing the customer experience with intuitive navigation and tailored suggestions. Sustainability is central to the tech framework, which tracks carbon impact reductions and optimises delivery logistics for minimal environmental impact.

    Pivot History

    Initially focused solely on retailing gardening products, MyGardenEmporium quickly pivoted to offer personalised landscaping and maintenance services. This shift came after early feedback revealed strong demand for customised solutions that helped customers fully utilise and maintain their green spaces.

    MyGardenEmporium – Business and Revenue Model

    MyGardenEmporium operates as an e-commerce platform dedicated to providing sustainable gardening products and personalised landscaping services. The company sources high-quality plants, seeds, tools, and eco-friendly gardening essentials from trusted vendors and offers these through its user-friendly online platform. Additionally, MyGardenEmporium provides customised landscaping consultations and lifetime maintenance services, catering to individuals and businesses alike who wish to incorporate greenery into their spaces.

    Revenue is generated through direct sales of gardening products and service fees for landscaping and maintenance solutions. The pricing range varies depending on the product or service category. Standard products like plants and seeds are available from INR 200 to INR 5,000, while premium services such as landscaping design and long-term maintenance packages are priced based on scope and complexity, with tailored solutions for each client.

    MyGardenEmporium maintains competitive profit margins by partnering directly with vendors and negotiating bulk supply rates. This ensures quality while keeping prices accessible. On average, profit margins range from 15% to 25% on products and slightly higher on landscaping services. The company operates without a commission structure, as the focus remains on direct sales and value-added services to support its sustainability-driven mission.


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    MyGardenEmporium – Launching Company Strategies

    Launching MyGardenEmporium started with a grassroots approach focused on building a community and gaining early traction. With zero users initially, the company prioritised a few key strategies that proved successful in acquiring the first 100 customers:

    1. Local Partnerships and Events: MyGardenEmporium partnered with local nurseries and eco-friendly businesses to cross-promote. By participating in gardening and sustainability fairs, the company showcased its products and services to an engaged audience, resulting in a direct boost in early sales and interest.
    2. Social Media Marketing: Leveraging social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook, helped build brand visibility. MyGardenEmporium created visually appealing content, such as plant care tips, urban gardening ideas, and transformation stories, which resonated with green enthusiasts. Targeted ads and engaging content reached people interested in sustainability, nature, and gardening.
    3. Word of Mouth and Referrals: To encourage customer referrals, the company launched a referral program offering discounts on future purchases. Satisfied customers shared their experiences with friends and family, expanding the company’s reach organically.
    4. Personalised Service: I personally delivered plants to early customers, using these interactions to gather direct feedback and refine offerings. This personal touch created a strong customer connection and fostered trust, leading to positive reviews and recommendations.
    5. Community Initiatives: MyGardenEmporium aligned its social impact mission with the launch strategy. Initiatives like donating a portion of profits to local women’s empowerment projects resonated with customers who valued sustainability and community support.

    These combined efforts helped MyGardenEmporium gain visibility, build trust, and establish a solid base of loyal customers within its first few months.

    MyGardenEmporium – Customer Growth and Retention Strategies

    MyGardenEmporium’s journey from 100 to 10,000 customers has been driven by promoting customer loyalty through personalised experiences and community-focused values. Key strategies for achieving this growth include:

    1. Targeted Content Marketing: By sharing engaging, informative content on topics such as gardening tips, sustainability practices, and plant care, the company attracted eco-conscious customers. Regular blog posts, instructional videos, and DIY garden transformations on social media have consistently drawn new followers and customers.
    2. Email Marketing and Exclusive Offers: Building an email list from the beginning helped in maintaining close connections with customers, offering seasonal deals, plant care advice, and exclusive content. Personalised emails with tailored product recommendations have been key in driving repeat purchases and boosting the retention rate.
    3. Referral and Loyalty Programs: Their referral program has transformed satisfied customers into brand ambassadors, rewarding them with discounts and incentives for introducing new customers. Additionally, their loyalty program awards points for repeat purchases, fostering engagement and encouraging ongoing interaction.
    4. Partnerships with Local Nurseries and Influencers: Collaborations with local nurseries and gardening influencers have helped extend MyGardenEmporium’s reach. Influencers share product reviews, gardening tips, and transformation stories, which increase visibility and drive traffic. Partnerships with eco-conscious brands create opportunities for cross-promotional campaigns, expanding the company’s presence.
    5. Community and Social Impact Initiatives: By committing to community projects like women’s empowerment and educational programs, they have garnered strong support from customers who feel connected to a broader purpose. This approach has enhanced brand loyalty and promoted word-of-mouth referrals.
    6. Viral Marketing Campaign: MyGardenEmporium’s “Bring Home a Plant, Grow a Greener World” campaign encouraged customers to share photos of their green spaces on social media, tagging MyGardenEmporium for a chance to win prizes. This campaign reached thousands of new people organically, sparking a surge in new customers.

    Through a purely organic growth approach, MyGardenEmporium prioritises high-impact, low-cost strategies like community engagement, influencer partnerships, and organic referrals to maximise its reach without any marketing spending.


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    MyGardenEmporium – Challenges Faced

    One of the biggest challenges that Nithin faced was the logistical complexity of shipping live plants online. Shipping delicate, perishable items like plants requires careful handling to ensure they arrive at the customer’s doorstep in perfect condition. Many traditional shipping methods weren’t viable, and they encountered initial issues with plants arriving damaged due to mishandling during transit.

    To address this, Nithin and the team experimented with several packaging solutions, seeking one that was both protective and cost-effective. They developed an innovative packing method that stabilises the plants during shipment, protects them from temperature fluctuations, and minimises moisture loss. This solution has reduced damage rates significantly and improved customer satisfaction.

    They are also tackling challenges around scalability, as demand grows faster than anticipated. Balancing high-quality service while managing a growing volume of orders is their current focus. They’re testing new strategies for streamlining operations without compromising on quality, including improving their inventory management systems and collaborating with eco-friendly logistics partners. These adjustments are vital as they continue expanding MyGardenEmporium’s reach.

    MyGardenEmporium – Marketing Campaigns

    Nithin of MyGardenEmporium Educating Kids about Nature and Sustainability
    Nithin of MyGardenEmporium Educating Kids about Nature and Sustainability

    The most successful marketing campaigns at MyGardenEmporium have been a blend of community-focused initiatives and customer-driven programs that resonate deeply with the company’s values of sustainability and social impact.

    1. “For Every 10, Give 1” Plant Giveaway: For every 10 plants sold, the company gifts one plant, encouraging customers to feel they’re part of a movement to bring more greenery into the world. This has created a sense of shared responsibility and led to high engagement and loyalty.
    2. Impact-Driven Profits: They’re committed to making a difference by sharing 20% of the profits with rural schools and supporting rural women’s empowerment. This initiative has built strong brand loyalty, as customers appreciate that their purchases directly support impactful causes.
    3. Garden Happiness and Meaningful Gifting: With the message “Garden Makes You Happy, Gifting Plants Gives Real Meaning,” the campaign focuses on the emotional and environmental benefits of plants. This unique perspective on gifting has resonated with eco-conscious consumers, driving both sales and referrals.
    4. Nature and Sustainability Education for Kids: Nithin and his team are passionate about teaching the next generation. By visiting schools to distribute DIY gardening kits and teaching kids about nature and sustainability, they engage with young minds while encouraging a connection with parents who support green education.
    5. Referral and Loyalty Programs: The referral program rewards customers for sharing MyGardenEmporium with friends and family, while their loyalty program offers redeemable points for repeat purchases. This has created a community of dedicated, recurring customers who actively advocate for the brand.

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    MyGardenEmporium – Growth

    MyGardenEmporium is flourishing as a prominent brand in India’s online plant and garden supply market, with a strong focus on sustainability and community impact. It delivers plants across the country, bringing nature closer to homes.

    Key Metrics and Growth Highlights:

    • Revenue: Since the launch on June 1, 2024, the brand experienced steady month-over-month growth, achieving over INR 20 lakh in revenue within just 4 months. Starting with about 5 plant sales per day, it now averages 30 to 50 daily, demonstrating strong customer demand and engagement with MyGardenEmporium. In under 5 months, the brand sold over 10,000 plants and garden supplies, underscoring its impact and the growing appeal of sustainable, nature-centred lifestyles.
    • Userbase: With over 10,000 loyal customers, 20% of whom are repeat buyers, MyGardenEmporium’s community continues to grow.
    • Market Share: MyGardenEmporium has captured 12% of India’s online plant and garden supply sector, solidifying its position as a leading garden-centric platform.
    • GMV: Since launching on June 1, 2024, MyGardenEmporium has achieved a Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) of over INR 25 lakh, driven by strong customer engagement and an expanding product range. Offering a wide selection of plants, gardening supplies, and eco-friendly products, the brand successfully catered to a growing eco-conscious community, resulting in the sale of over 10,000 plants and supplies within the first five months. This GMV milestone is a testament to MyGardenEmporium’s impact, blending environmental responsibility with social purpose in a way that resonates with its customers.
    • MyGardenEmporium has partnered with major developers and apartment complexes to create green spaces for residential and commercial projects, enhancing the brand presence.
    • NPS: With an outstanding Net Promoter Score exceeding 90, MyGardenEmporium reflects exceptional customer satisfaction and loyalty. This achievement underscores its growth journey, powered by a deeply dedicated customer base and impactful partnerships.

    MyGardenEmporium – Funding

    MyGardenEmporium remains bootstrapped with INR 1 crore from personal and family sources, focusing on sustainable, self-sustained growth. The company is also open to exploring funding opportunities that align with its commitment to sustainability and community impact.

    MyGardenEmporium – Technology and Innovation

    Nithin Hassan, founder and CEO of MyGardenEmporium, relies heavily on in-house tools to streamline the company’s operations and ensure a seamless customer experience. MyGardenEmporium is also planning to integrate AI to enhance inventory tracking and management, helping the team meet customer demand efficiently. In addition, they are developing an “AI Plant Doctor” feature to monitor plant health, ensuring the delivery of high-quality plants and proactive care support. These innovations are essential to MyGardenEmporium’s growth, as Nithin and his team continue to prioritise quality and customer satisfaction.

    MyGardenEmporium – Recognitions and Achievements

    MyGardenEmporium’s biggest achievement is the trust and satisfaction of its customers. With a consistent 5-star rating and over 50% of customers returning, the company takes pride in the strong community it has built. Furthermore, MyGardenEmporium’s efforts have been recognised by global platforms like Business Insider, highlighting its journey and impact as a startup committed to sustainability and customer satisfaction. This recognition reinforces the company’s commitment to quality and nurturing lasting customer relationships.

    MyGardenEmporium – Competitors

    MyGardenEmporium does not have direct competitors, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for sustainability and urban greenery, offering a unique blend of products and services that extend beyond traditional gardening. While companies like Ugaoo and Urvan focus primarily on gardening, MyGardenEmporium differentiates itself by offering a broader range of services, including landscaping, community initiatives, and rural empowerment projects. This comprehensive approach sets the platform apart in the urban greenery space.

    MyGardenEmporium – Future Plans

    Over the next 1-2 years, MyGardenEmporium is set to expand by partnering with vendors across major Indian cities and establishing retail experience centres, making urban greenery more accessible nationwide.

    The company is also set to bring a “farm-to-table” concept to urban communities by developing a hydroponic facility for cultivating fresh produce. This initiative will be showcased in the upcoming Project Promenade, an immersive experience centre where visitors can engage in farm life through a unique farm stay. Project Promenade offers a hands-on connection to sustainable agriculture, encouraging people to reconnect with nature.

    MyGardenEmporium’s product offerings are evolving with the addition of AI-driven features, including an “AI Plant Doctor” for monitoring plant health and an enhanced inventory management system to improve service efficiency. Alongside expanding the company’s landscaping services to create green spaces in residential and commercial areas, Nithin and his team are deeply committed to rural empowerment. By generating employment and supporting sustainability projects, they aim to extend MyGardenEmporium’s impact well beyond urban gardening.

    FAQs

    What is MyGardenEmporium?

    MyGardenEmporium is a sustainability-focused venture on a mission to bring nature back to our cities, creating greener, healthier urban spaces that inspire and thrive. It provides a carefully curated selection of garden essentials—from vibrant plants and seeds to eco-friendly tools and fertilizers—all designed to empower environmentally conscious practices.

    Who is the founder of MyGardenEmporium?

    Nithin Hassan is the founder of MyGardenEmporium.

    What are the products and services offered by MyGardenEmporium?

    MyGardenEmporium provides an extensive selection of plants, seeds, tools, and eco-friendly gardening essentials. It also offers customised landscaping and lifetime maintenance services, transforming everyday spaces into vibrant, sustainable green zones.

  • Waaree Energies: Pioneering Solar Innovation

    Waaree Energies Ltd. stands at the forefront of India’s solar energy sector, driven by a commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality solar solutions across the globe. Established as a leader in solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing, Waaree has a vision to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the quality of life through accessible, green energy. With a robust manufacturing footprint, Waaree has quickly become India’s largest solar module producer, supporting the nation’s renewable energy goals and the global shift toward clean power. As it broadens its horizons through franchise networks and a growing portfolio of services, including engineering, procurement, and maintenance, Waaree Energies is building a comprehensive solar ecosystem. Its dedication to a sustainable future is evident in the accolades it has received, setting a benchmark in clean technology. With a clear roadmap, Waaree is set to redefine the solar energy industry in India and beyond.

    Read the Waaree Energies success story, about its founders, startup story, business model, revenue model, and more.

    Waaree Energies – Company Highlights

    Name Waaree Energies
    Headquarters Surat, Gujarat, India
    Sector Solar Power
    Founder Hitesh Chimanlal Doshi
    Founded 1990
    Website Waaree.com

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

    Waaree Energies – About

    Waaree Energies Limited is India’s leading solar PV module manufacturer, boasting a total installed capacity of 12 GW as of June 30 (CRISIL Report). Starting in 2007, WEL has focused on producing top-quality, affordable solar PV modules to help make sustainable energy accessible worldwide. By actively reducing carbon emissions, WEL is paving the way for cleaner energy solutions that positively impact quality of life. Today, the company operates four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities across India, extending its reach to global markets. Their goal is to lead the way toward sustainable living by inspiring individuals to embrace green energy as of June 30, 2023. With a strong connection to local communities, they are dedicated to making homes safer and more eco-friendly. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility program, Waaree supports initiatives that benefit people, protect the environment, and uplift communities.

    As of June 2023, Waaree has established itself as India’s leading solar module provider, with an installed capacity of 12 GW across its facilities in Chikhli, Surat, Tumb, and Nandigram, Gujarat. Waaree is also a significant player in solar module exports and has set ambitious plans for backward integration into solar cell manufacturing, aiming for substantial capacity by the close of FY24.

    Waaree Energies – Industry

    The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has set a target to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil-based electricity generation by 2030, aligning with the Prime Minister’s announcement at COP26. In 2023 alone, India added 13.5 GW of renewable energy capacity, representing an investment of approximately INR 74,000 crore (US$ 8.90 billion).

    Driven by strong economic growth, extreme heat waves, and the growing adoption of electric technologies like EVs and heat pumps, India’s electricity demand is projected to rise by 8% in 2024.

    In the 2024-2025 Interim Budget, the allocation for solar power grid development doubled to INR 8,500 crore (US$ 1.02 billion), compared to INR 4,970 crore (US$ 0.60 billion) the previous year. Additionally, INR 17,490 crore (US$ 2.10 billion) was dedicated to the Green Hydrogen Mission and the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Program.

    According to ICRA, India’s installed renewable energy capacity is projected to reach approximately 170 GW by March 2025, up from 136.57 GW in December 2023.


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    Waaree Energies – Founders and Team

    Hitesh Chimanlal Doshi is the Chairman and Managing Director of Waaree Energies.

    Hitesh Chimanlal Doshi - Chairman and Managing Director, Waaree Energies
    Hitesh Chimanlal Doshi – Chairman and Managing Director, Waaree Energies

    Hitesh Doshi’s journey began in a small village in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, where he was born into a family with humble means. His father ran a modest grocery store and the village had limited amenities—electricity and telephones were rare luxuries. Education beyond the 7th standard required him to travel daily to a neighboring village by bicycle, an experience that only strengthened his resolve to overcome challenges and seek opportunities for a brighter future.

    Growing up with financial constraints, Hitesh saw education as a pathway to improvement. He completed a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Shri Chinai College of Commerce & Economics, University of Mumbai, in 1987. His time in Mumbai, living in a hostel in Nagdevi, was transformative; he realized early on that he wanted more than a conventional job. Driven by the need for financial independence, he chose to explore trading and other small ventures while studying.

    In 1985, Hitesh took his first step into the business world, determined to ease his family’s financial burden. He borrowed INR 5,000 from a relative and launched a small venture focused on trading pressure and temperature gauges. Despite balancing studies and business, his efforts paid off, earning him a profit of INR 1,000 per month—enough to cover his college fees and living expenses.

    Hitesh Chimanlal Doshi’s path from a modest village to leading Waaree Group exemplifies resilience, innovation, and a visionary approach to business. His journey has not only secured his success but has also propelled Waaree Group to the forefront of India’s renewable energy industry.

    Beyond business, Doshi is dedicated to social impact. Actively involved in nonprofits focused on education, he prioritizes giving back to the community and supporting those in need.


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    Waaree Energies – Startup Story

    In 1989, Hitesh officially registered his company, Waaree Instruments, marking the start of his entrepreneurial journey. Initially manufacturing measuring instruments, he quickly identified the potential to diversify, adding thermometers to the product line. In 1992, Hitesh expanded further by leasing a 300 sq. ft. space in Andheri, setting up Mahaveer Thermo Equipments. This bold move laid the groundwork for what would become a remarkable venture, fueled by his vision and unrelenting determination.

    With a bank loan of INR 1.5 lakh, Hitesh Doshi took the next step in growing Waaree, investing in locally sourced lath machines and assembling a small team. Initially focused on thermometers, the company soon expanded its portfolio to include a range of industrial products.

    Waaree Group’s growth was fueled by strategic product diversification—expanding into pressure gauges, solar power equipment, LED lighting, and beyond. By 2007, Waaree embraced solar energy, launching a 30 MW solar module facility in Surat primarily for European clients, as the Indian market was still developing. This success led to exports across China, the U.S., and Japan.

    In 2011, Waaree Group made a pivotal move by selling its manufacturing unit to Switzerland’s Baumer Group, securing capital to deepen its investment in solar technology. Building on this momentum, Waaree formed an international partnership with Zucatti in Italy to produce solar panels, highlighting Doshi’s forward-thinking approach.

    Waaree continued its expansion in 2013 by acquiring Cesare Bonetti SpA, an Italian leader in level gauges and valves. This acquisition diversified Waaree’s offerings and expanded its workforce to over 200 employees across India and Italy. Today, the Waaree Group has a presence in 65 countries, with headquarters in Mumbai and offices worldwide.

    Hitesh Chimanlal Doshi’s path from a modest village to leading Waaree Group exemplifies resilience, innovation, and a visionary approach to business. His journey has not only secured his success but has also propelled Waaree Group to the forefront of India’s renewable energy industry.

    Waaree Energies – Mission and Vision

    Vision: Waaree Energies’ vision is to make sustainable energy accessible and affordable across all markets, driving down carbon emissions and setting a foundation for a cleaner future that enhances the quality of life now and for generations to come.

    Mission: Driven by their commitment to stakeholders, Waaree Energies aims to consistently elevate the quality of our products and services, ensuring continuous improvement and excellence in all we do.

    Waaree Energies Logo
    Waaree Energies Logo

    Waaree envisions a future powered by high-quality, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions, aiming to reduce carbon footprints and uplift the quality of life for current and future generations. Inspired by the #VocalForLocal initiative, Waaree has launched a campaign encouraging prosumerism with the tagline, “Solar lagao, Apni Bijli Swayam Banao – Atmanirbhar ban jao!” This campaign is about empowering individuals to generate their electricity through solar power, fostering a sense of energy independence. Waaree’s logo symbolizes innovation and commitment to sustainable energy, with a design that reflects its focus on solar power and a brighter, greener future.

    Waaree Energies – Business Model

    Waaree Energies is a leading Indian solar PV module manufacturer with a comprehensive business model that spans across:

    • Manufacturing: Waaree Energies produces solar PV modules using advanced technologies such as multicrystalline, monocrystalline, and TopCon. The company operates four manufacturing facilities in India and is expanding globally with a new plant in the US.
    • Sales: Waaree Energies markets its products through direct sales to businesses, a retail network of franchises, and international exports.
    • Services: Waaree Energies offers a range of services, including Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC), Operations and Maintenance (O&M), and the trading of ancillary solar products.
    • Research and Development: The company invests in R&D to develop more efficient and cost-effective solar solutions.
    • Geographic Expansion: Waaree Energies is actively exploring international markets to expand its global presence.
    • Government Initiatives: Waaree Energies leverages national and state-level solar energy policies, including the National Solar Mission, to further its growth.
    • Diversification: The company is diversifying its offerings by including solar storage solutions and EV charging infrastructure, aiming for a more sustainable energy future.

    Waaree Energies – Revenue Model

    Waaree Energies’ revenue model is built around multiple streams that support its solar energy business:

    • Direct Sales: The company sells solar products directly to enterprises, ensuring tailored solutions for large-scale projects.
    • Retail Sales: Waaree Energies utilizes a franchisee network to cater to rooftop installations and MSME customers, expanding its reach to local markets.
    • Exports: The company exports its solar products, primarily to the United States, tapping into the international market.
    • EPC Revenue: Waaree Energies generates revenue from providing Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services to domestic utilities and enterprise clients, ensuring efficient installation of solar systems.
    • O&M Services: The company offers Operations and Maintenance (O&M) services to maintain and optimize solar plants, contributing to their long-term performance.
    • Ancillary Product Trading: Waaree Energies also trades in ancillary products related to the solar industry, diversifying its offerings.
    • Export Incentives: The company capitalizes on export incentives, helping boost its international sales.
    • Scrap Sale: Waaree Energies generates additional revenue from the sale of scrap materials, maximizing value from all aspects of its operations.

    Waaree Energies – Challenges Faced

    Waaree Energies, despite being the largest manufacturer of solar PV modules in India with a significant installed capacity of 12 GW as of June 30, 2023, faces several challenges that could impact its operations and growth:

    1. Dependence on the U.S. Market: Waaree Energies has seen significant growth in export sales, especially to the United States, which accounted for 98.67% of its export sales in FY23. This heavy dependence on a single international market poses a risk. Changes in U.S. policies, such as trade tariffs, regulatory adjustments, or shifts in demand, could lead to a substantial revenue loss, leaving the company vulnerable to market fluctuations beyond its control.
    2. Regulatory and Policy Changes: The company operates in a highly regulated industry, dependent on favorable government policies and incentives that support the growth of the solar energy sector. Any adverse changes, including the reduction or elimination of incentives, changes in renewable energy regulations, or delays in approvals, could negatively impact Waaree Energies’ business. Furthermore, such shifts may increase compliance costs, require additional management resources, and potentially hinder new solar projects or reduce profitability.
    3. Solar Module Pricing Volatility: Waaree Energies faces considerable risks from fluctuations in solar module prices. While prices surged in FY22 and FY23, they saw a sharp 21% decline in early FY24 due to an oversupply of key components such as polysilicon. Although the company attempts to mitigate this risk through indexed pricing mechanisms, unexpected price drops could strain profit margins and affect revenue realization from ongoing contracts, making it challenging to maintain stable profitability.
    4. Material Cost Volatility: The company is heavily reliant on external suppliers for essential materials like solar cells, and glass and aluminum panels. Price volatility in these materials, driven by factors such as global market trends, currency fluctuations, and import duties, could escalate material costs. If Waaree Energies cannot secure stable and competitively priced materials, its operating margins could suffer, potentially eroding profitability and affecting its ability to maintain cost-effective production.

    Waaree Energies – Funding and Investors

    Waaree Energies has attracted substantial funding and investment, reflecting strong confidence in its growth potential within the solar energy sector. Their last funding round was on August 2, 2023.

    Date Valuation Investors
    Aug 2, 2023 INR 10 bilion ValueQuest Investments Advisors
    Oct 6, 2022 INR 10 billion
    Sept 07, 2022 $247.0 million Dharamshi Securities,Intensive Softshare, Cybage, Gold medal Electricals, Nalanda Commodities,
    Novel Engineering and Technology Consultants,
    Zephyr Engineering etc
    Angel Investors: Kireben Chovatia, Kalpraj Damji Dharamshi, Hemang Raichand Dharamshi,
    Vanaji Dharamshi etc
    Dec 21, 2017 INR 1 billion
    Dec 20, 2017 $15.6 million Centrum
    Dec 08, 2014 $177.0K Samir Shah, Trusha Jhaveri, Nilesh Gandhi
    March 08, 2014 $287.0K Sangita Shah, Manisha Gardi, Samir Shah, Trusha Jhaveri, Nilesh Gandhi

    Waaree Energies – Mergers & Acquisitions

    Waaree Energies has pursued strategic mergers and acquisitions to expand its market reach and strengthen its position in the renewable energy sector.

    Name Total Equity Current Stage
    LEO 1 $41.7M Series B
    Waaree Energies $263M Public
    Vidyakul $2.76M Seed
    Kashware $1.26M Seed
    Avishkaar $1.53M Seed
    Gold Farm $2.58M Seed
    cesare-bonneti.it Acquired

    Waaree Energies – Growth

    Waaree Energies Financials FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 6750 crore INR 11397 crore
    Total Expenses INR 6162 crore INR 10239 crore
    Profit before Tax INR 677 crore INR 1734 crore

    Waaree Energies has experienced impressive financial growth, with its revenue expanding at a remarkable 54% CAGR, from INR 1,996 crore in FY20 to INR 11,397 crore in FY24. This growth has been accompanied by a 107% CAGR in net profit, indicating strong demand for its products and effective market expansion strategies.

    The company’s operating profit margin improved significantly, rising from 5% in FY20 to 14% in FY24, underscoring its enhanced cost efficiency and the benefits of economies of scale. The adoption of advanced technologies like TopCon solar modules has further bolstered margin growth.

    Waaree Energies Financials FY24
    Waaree Energies Financials FY24

    Waaree Energies’ operating revenue grew by 69%, from INR 6,750 crore in FY23 to INR 11,397 crore in FY24. Total expenses increased by 66%, from INR 6,162 crore to INR 10,239 crore. Profit before tax jumped by 156%, from INR 677 crore to INR 1,734 crore.

    In FY24, Waaree achieved an exceptional ROCE of 43.6% and ROE of 33.4%, reflecting efficient capital utilization and robust profitability. These stellar returns demonstrate the success of Waaree’s growth strategy and its ability to generate high returns for its stakeholders.

    Waaree Energies is now India’s largest manufacturer and exporter of solar modules, with a capacity of 13.3 GW—a sixfold increase from 2 GW in FY21. The company holds a 21% market share in India and commands a 44% share of India’s solar module exports, solidifying its position as a dominant player in the industry.

    Waaree Technologies – IPO

    Waaree Energies launched its highly anticipated IPO from October 21–23, 2024, with a price range of INR 1,427–INR 1,503 per share and a lot size of 9 shares. The total issue size was 28,752,095 shares, aggregating to INR 4,321.44 crore. The IPO witnessed overwhelming demand, being subscribed 76.34 times, with retail investors booking 11.27 times, non-institutional investors (NIIs) 65.25 times, and qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) an impressive 215.03 times. On October 28, 2024, their shares were listed on the BSE and NSE at a premium, soaring 66.33% on the NSE and 69.66% on the BSE, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s legacy and growth potential.


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    Waaree Energies – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns

    Waaree Energies has partnered with Carat India, a Dentsu company, to amplify its commitment to sustainability and cleaner energy. Under this partnership, Carat India will manage Waaree’s television media strategy exclusively across India, while also assisting in planning and buying for print, radio, and digital platforms. Posterscope, Dentsu’s OOH specialist, will handle out-of-home advertising.

    Nilesh Malani, Chief Marketing Officer at Waaree Energies, expressed that choosing Carat as their media partner is a strategic decision to enhance Waaree’s brand presence and promote sustainable innovation throughout India.

    Waaree Energies – Awards and Achievements

    Waaree Energies has garnered multiple awards, highlighting its commitment to excellence and leadership in the solar industry. Among its notable achievements are:

    • REI Company of the Year and REI Jury Recognition Leadership in Solar Manufacturing awards at the 16th Renewable Energy India Expo.
    • In the 2023 PV Module Reliability Scorecard by PVEL, Waaree was recognized as a Top Performer for its reliable solar modules. 
    • Other recognitions include the Long Association Award from Enerparc Energy and India’s Greatest Brand honor by AsiaOne.
    • Economics Times Best Brand Award
    • Make in India Awards for Excellence
    • Additionally, Waaree Chairman Dr. Hitesh Doshi won the World CleanTech Award for Visionary Individual in 2021

    Waaree Energies – Competitors

    Waaree Energies operates in a highly competitive landscape within India’s solar energy industry, with several notable competitors:

    • Tata Power Solar Systems
    • Vikram Solar
    • Adani Mundra Solar
    • Goldi Solar
    • KPI Green Energy
    • SWELECT Energy Systems

    Waaree Energies – Future Plans

    Waaree Energies Ltd. has outlined a strategic plan focused on growth, innovation, and sustainable energy advancements:

    1. Rooftop Solar (RTS) Expansion: Waaree expects rooftop solar to become a substantial revenue stream, projected to account for at least 30% of total revenue in the coming years. CEO Amit Paithankar highlighted RTS as pivotal to Waaree’s growth, forecasting it to significantly boost its revenue and align with India’s 100 GW RTS goal by 2030, despite associated challenges.
    2. Global Expansion: The company is building a 3 GW solar module manufacturing facility in the U.S., with 1.6 GW slated to be operational by March 2025. Waaree also aims to penetrate the European Union and Middle Eastern markets to enhance its global presence.
    3. Manufacturing Capacity Increase: Waaree plans to raise its solar module manufacturing capacity from 13.3 GW to 21 GW by 2027, aiming to meet domestic and international demand.
    4. Operational Diversification: Establishing a U.S. manufacturing facility marks a significant move to localize production, providing flexibility and logistical advantages.
    5. Hydrogen Exploration: Committed to clean energy innovation, Waaree is exploring hydrogen technologies as part of a broader effort to create a sustainable energy ecosystem.

    FAQs

    What is Waaree Energies?

    Waaree Energies is one of India’s leading solar energy companies. It specializes in manufacturing solar panels, providing solar energy solutions, and offering engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services.

    When was Waaree Energies founded?

    Waaree Energies was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Mumbai.

    Who is Waaree Energies founder?

    Hitesh Chimanlal Doshi is the Chairman and Managing Director of Waaree Energies.

    Who are the main competitors of Waaree Energies?

    The main competitors of Waaree Energies include Tata Power Solar Systems, Vikram Solar, Adani Mundra Solar, Goldi Solar, KPI Green Energy, SWELECT Energy Systems, and more.

  • MyGate – Security Management Solution for Gated Communities

    Security is a necessity for anyone with a residence, be it an apartment or a bungalow. Though builders promise full-proof security to residents, many gated societies still rely on manual security checks. Some societies do adopt technologies like CCTV cameras, alarms, and electronic monitoring systems.

    However, those technologies come with drawbacks, such as regular maintenance, and they sometimes fail to record the details of each entrant. The biometric recognition system, though helpful, is overpriced and suffers occasional lapses in its accuracy rate.

    Mobile app-based security management solutions are the latest trend in the field of security management for homes. MyGate, a Bangalore-based company, is among the most popular app-based security management providers in India.

    Here’s more about the MyGate Founders and Team, Funding and Investors, Challenges Faced, Competitors, Mission and Vision, Acquisition, and more.

    MyGate – Company Highlights

    STARTUP NAME MYGATE
    Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka, India
    Sector Community Management, Security Management
    Founders Vijay Arisetty, Shreyans Daga, and Abhishek Kumar
    Founded 2016
    Website mygate.in

    MyGate – About
    MyGate – How it Works?
    MyGate – Industry
    MyGate – Founders and Team
    MyGate – Startup Story
    MyGate – Launch
    MyGate – Mission and Vision
    MyGate – Name and Logo
    MyGate – Products and Services
    MyGate – Business Model
    MyGate – Revenue Model
    MyGate – Challenges Faced
    MyGate – LayOff
    MyGate – Funding and Investors
    MyGate – Growth
    MyGate – Competitors
    MyGate – Future Plans

    MyGate – About

    MyGate offers an app-based security and community management solution that caters to the security needs of over 4 million homes in 27 major Indian cities. It ensures that only verified visitors enter your society.

    Moreover, the MyGate app can be used to perform tasks such as finding the top-rated maids and maintenance staff, paying maintenance bills, booking amenities like function halls or badminton courts, staying connected with other members of society, and much more.

    MyGate – How it Works?

    Once the managing community of a gated society signs up with the MyGate app, the MyGate team creates a back-end database of the society’s security personnel along with the required digital profiles.

    It trains the guards and deploys the app within 3-7 days. Once the management committee subscribes to MyGate’s services, the society residents can then use the app without paying any extra charges. The MyGate app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.

    The society committee can also ask for a demonstration. The MyGate team offers a detailed demo of the onboarding process, deployment, and app usage to security personnel, residents, etc.


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    MyGate – Industry

    Mordor Intelligence’s analysis indicates that the Indian market for network security and cyber risk management is expected to develop significantly over the next several years. Based on current estimates, the market size is expected to reach USD 0.66 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow rapidly to USD 1.34 billion by 2029.

    This projected growth indicates a noteworthy Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.10% for the 2024–2029 prediction period. In addition to highlighting the growing need for cutting-edge tactics and solutions to counteract emerging cyberthreats, the research emphasizes the growing significance of network security and cyber risk management in India.

    MyGate – Founders and Team

    MyGate was founded by Vijay Arisetty (Chairman and Co-Founder), Abhishek Kumar (Co-Founder and CEO), and Shreyans Daga (CTO and Co-Founder) in 2016.

    Abhishek Kumar(Co-Founder and CEO), Vijay Arisetty (Chairman and Co-Founder), and Shreyans Daga (CTO and Co-Founder), Co-Founders of MyGate
    Abhishek Kumar(Co-Founder and CEO), Vijay Arisetty (Chairman and Co-Founder), and Shreyans Daga (CTO and Co-Founder), Co-Founder of MyGate

    Vijay Arisetty (Chairman and Co-Founder, MyGate)

    He is an NDA and ISB alumnus, and he was a helicopter pilot with the Indian Air Force for 10 years before taking the entrepreneurial plunge. He played an important role in managing the disaster relief operations (by air, land, and sea), handling the security of air bases, VVIP flying, pilot training, and military flying operations.

    He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra (Peacetime Gallantry Award) in 2004 for his valour in rescuing over 300 tsunami victims within 3 hours in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Vijay also served as a Vice President at Goldman Sachs for 4 years. He is an experienced entrepreneur, having previously founded two other startups: Pyngcabs (2011) and Kitchens Food (2014). Aurm, an asset protection firm, as of 2024 appointed Vijay Arisetty as its founder and chief executive officer (CEO).

    Abhishek Kumar (CEO and Co-Founder, MyGate)

    He is an IIT Kanpur graduate and holds an MBA degree from IIM Ahmedabad. Before founding MyGate, Abhishek was a Vice President at Goldman Sachs for six years. He was responsible for driving business strategy and execution, key initiatives (e.g., outsourcing), economic architecture models, finance, and hiring. He was also a part of ON Semiconductors for close to 5 years and was with i2 Technologies for around 3 years.

    Shreyans Daga (CTO and Co-Founder, MyGate)

    Shreyans is an IIT Guwahati and ISB alumnus who is deeply passionate about technology. He had previously worked with 9.9 Media, RSG Media, and Oracle before he co-founded MyGate. Over a span of 14 years, he built several apps and websites and continues to work on innovative products.

    MyGate has 1,001–5,000 team members. A large technology team works from the headquarters in Bangalore. The company has offices in each of the 11 cities it operates in to ensure seamless onboarding of gated communities.


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    MyGate – Startup Story

    The idea behind MyGate was born out of Vijay’s personal experience of living in a gated society.

    Moving into a gated community made Vijay realize the loopholes and deficiencies in security. Despite the increasing number of people entering society, there was no system in place to monitor delivery boys, maids, etc. This gave him the idea of digitizing security checks and enabling verification at the main entrance of his apartment.

    After speaking with members of different societies that included a gatekeeper (and even working as a security guard for a few days to understand the challenges), Vijay was adamant about conceiving such a product.


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    MyGate – Mission and Vision

    The company’s mission is “to transform the journey of community living.”

    The company’s vision on it’s website states “enabling digital and smart security for gated communities.”

    MyGate parent company is “Vivish Technologies.”

    MyGate Logo
    MyGate Logo

    MyGate – Launch

    MyGate was launched in Bangalore in the second half of 2016. Being the first in its category, it took some time for people to accept MyGate’s offerings. A few successful trials in large gated communities around Bangalore did the job and people in the city began adopting MyGate. The company initially did not market its services and relied on word-of-mouth publicity.

    “The key strategy has been focusing on the customer and solving their problems. This has led us to develop a number of innovative features, such as Kid Checkout Permission and Automatic Number Plate Recognition. We believe that continuous focus on the customer is all we need to maintain our momentum ” – MyGate app founder Vijay Arisetty quoted


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    MyGate is enhancing the security of housing societies by using innovative technologies, thereby providing exceptional customer experience. As told by MyGate founder Vijay Arisetty, residents of gated societies face two major hurdles:

    1. Unlike 15 years ago, housing societies today are frequented more by strangers than guests, friends, or relatives. With the boom in the Indian e-commerce segment, people now heavily rely on online shopping. And this means more home deliveries. The steady stream of unverified visitors (in the form of delivery boys and similar personnel) is a security concern.
    2. People prefer housing societies because they are supposed to be more convenient to live in owing to the amenities available. However, residents don’t always get the maximum benefit out of these amenities.

    MyGate – Products and Services

    MyGate App

    MyGate’s app is designed to solve these issues through the following services:

    • Visitor management: Ensures seamless entry of guests.
    • Daily staff management: Notifies the resident when his or her staff enters the premises and automatically maintains the staff’s attendance. This feature also helps residents find the best-rated help in the community.
    • Child security: Provides security guards with an easy way to seek permission from guardians (residents) if the children attempt to venture outside the residential complex.
    • Delivery management: MyGate helps dwellers receive deliveries even if they are not at home.
    • Booking amenities: Lets society dwellers book amenities such as the clubhouse or the tennis court from the app itself.
    • Multiple property management: Helps manage multiple properties from a single app.
    • Communications management: Let residents make announcements, plan events, and discuss community-related issues.
    • Accounts and payments: Simplifies accounts and payments for the managing committee and residents.
    • Helpdesk: Residents can write up on any issue, be it a dysfunctional elevator or erratic water supply. They also get real-time updates on the issues raised.
    • Insurance: in collaboration with Acko General Insurance, has secured an aggregator license from IRDAI, enabling it to distribute insurance policies with exclusive pricing and an expanded range of products.
    • Smart Home Ecosystem: By unifying devices like video doorbells and security cameras within a single app, MyGate enhances user convenience and establishes itself as a significant contender in the smart home technology market.

    Some major USPs of the MyGate app are:

    • Easy to use: MyGate has an intuitive interface that’s easy to understand and use.
    • Customer Support: The MyGate team trains guards and addresses their concerns to ensure a great experience for the residents.
    • Minimal Hardware: Since it is an app-based solution, it doesn’t require maintenance or expensive hardware.
    • Quick Setup: MyGate onboards residents and staff and trains the concerned personnel within a week of joining hands with the residential community.

    Over the years, we have made the application much more sophisticated, creating greater value add – Vijay Arisetty

    MyGate has inked partnerships with several e-commerce players to create a system that offers a secure and hassle-free delivery experience.

    MyGate – Business Model

    MyGate has strategically positioned itself as more than just a visitor tracking app, evolving into an extensive society management platform with a diverse business model. By enabling locals to buy and sell things among themselves, the Society Marketplace feature promotes a regionally focused and community-driven economy. This facilitates a grassroots marketing strategy by providing small enterprises with a promotional route in addition to providing a simple platform for individual sellers.

    MyGate Homes is a real estate marketplace where property owners can post their houses for sale or rental in addition to the Society Marketplace. Co-tenant matching made possible by the ‘share’ section encourages tenants to make effective use of their living spaces. Although these services may come with listing costs, the platform makes money off of the expanding trend of online real estate transactions.

    Moreover, the app offers more than just real estate transactions now that it has the MyGate Home Services option. It offers locals a variety of necessary services like painting, cleaning, pest control, and moving and packing. With the integration of these services, MyGate becomes a full-featured society management tool, going up against well-known competitors like NoBroker and Urban Company.

    MyGate’s business strategy incorporates ease, community involvement, and a comprehensive approach to society administration, resulting in a multifunctional platform that caters to a range of requirements in residential communities. This development establishes MyGate as a flexible solution provider that meets its users’ needs for a wider range of everyday activities in addition to security and visitor management.

    Mygate in 2024 decided to shift its narrative from a community management app to enhance the everyday living experiences of residents. They announced their new corporate brand identity as ‘The Living Experience Tech Company’.

    MyGate – Revenue Model

    MyGate makes revenue from different resources, some of the prominent ones are:

    Revenue from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) through Subscription:

    A sizable amount of MyGate’s revenue comes from subscription fees that Resident Welfare Associations pay. These associations purchase a subscription to the MyGate platform in order to improve security, expedite visitor control, and gain access to a number of features that are advantageous for cohabitation.
    MyGate’s financial sustainability is bolstered by the recurring revenue stream that the subscription model offers.

    Home Services Fees:

    Transaction fees or service charges are probably included with MyGate’s Home Services function, which offers a range of services like painting, cleaning, pest control, and movers and packers. MyGate may get payment from vendors or service providers utilizing the platform in exchange for enabling these connections.

    Value-Added Services to Generate Extra Income:

    For a higher price, MyGate might look into providing associations and residents with premium or value-added services. This could include cutting-edge security measures, tools for analytics and reporting, or other specialized services made to meet the needs of a particular community.

    Fees for transactions on the Society Marketplace:

    Transaction fees could be a source of revenue for the Society Marketplace function, which allows for peer-to-peer transactions inside the community. A minor fee may be imposed on sellers or purchasers during app transactions, which helps to generate money.

    Revenue from Insurance

    MyGate, in partnership with Acko General Insurance, has secured an IRDAI aggregator license to distribute insurance policies. This move enables MyGate to expand its offerings with exclusive insurance plans, diversifying its revenue model by tapping into the growing demand for accessible financial products.

    MyGate – Challenges Faced

    A significant challenge faced by MyGate was training the security guards. Initially, MyGate expected communities to deploy the solution on their own and train their guards. This approach worked for the communities with tech-savvy residents, but not all of them. The company ensures that the guards are well-trained by offering training sessions as and when required.

    The team quickly realized that, with the huge churn in the security industry, a single training session would not work. Therefore, MyGate has over 200 people, ensuring that communities enjoy a great product experience with well-trained guards.

    MyGate – LayOff

    MyGate made the unfortunate decision to undergo a round of workforce reductions, resulting in the displacement of approximately 200 employees between December 2022 and February 2023. Prior to this significant event, the company had maintained a team of around 600 dedicated professionals.

    Regrettably, the restructuring primarily impacted employees holding mid-management and junior roles within the organization. This strategic shift has undoubtedly led to a significant transformation within the company’s internal dynamics and operational structure.

    While such decisions are often made with the intention of adapting to changing market conditions and optimizing resource allocation, they undoubtedly have profound implications for the individuals and teams affected. The aftermath of these changes will likely shape the future trajectory of MyGate as it strives to maintain its competitive edge and navigate the evolving landscape of its industry.

    “MyGate is doing well, and we are actively hiring to expand our teams in certain areas. We are a high-performance culture—from time to time, we part ways with employees who aren’t a good fit at MyGate, or if our requirements and opportunities warrant the same,” a spokesperson for the company said.

    MyGate – Funding and Investors

    MyGate has raised $79.5 million in four rounds of funding to date from various investors.

    Funding details of MyGate are as follows:

    Date Stage Amount Investors
    Nov 23, 2022 Series B $12.09 million Acko, Urban Company
    October 17, 2019 Series B $56 million Tencent, Tiger Global, JS Capital and existing investor Prime Venture Partners
    October 15, 2018 Series A $8.7 million Prime Venture Partners
    January 1, 2016 Seed Round $2.14 million Prime Venture Partners

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    MyGate – Growth

    MyGate major growth highlights are:

    • It has a presence in 25,000+ cities as of February 2024
    • It has 4 million+ homes as of February 2024
    • It has presence 27 major cities as of February 2024
    • MyGate has received 1.2 billion visitor entries as of February 2024
    • The company has resolved over 6 million helpdesk tickets as of February 2024

    Financials

    MyGate Financials FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24
    Operating Revenue INR 8.4 crore INR 40.1 crore INR 71 crore INR 96.2 crore
    Total Expenses INR 145.0 crore INR 192.3 crore INR 304 crore INR 129.5 crore
    Profit/Loss Loss of INR 111 crore Loss of INR 118.1 crore Loss of INR 76 crore Loss of INR 39.8 crore
    MyGate Financials
    MyGate Financials

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    MyGate – Competitors

    Some of the top competitors of MyGate are Apartment Adda, Apna Complex, NoBroker Hood, Digital Gorkha, and Biizlo. Jio Gate is another emerging competitor.

    MyGate – Future Plans

    MyGate is concentrating on employee-centric projects, with major investors like Tiger Global, Acko, Urban Company, and x to 10X. The company’s recent declaration of a 51-employee Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) repurchase demonstrates its dedication to appreciating and rewarding its staff.

    In the future, MyGate intends to grow this initiative with the goal of establishing a work environment that encourages cooperation, creativity, and mutual success. In order to become an employer of choice in the competitive market, MyGate wants to improve job satisfaction, retention, and attraction of top talent by providing employees with a stake in the company’s future.

    A crucial component of MyGate’s strategic approach to employee benefits, the ESOP buyback program is in line with the company’s overarching goal of having a flourishing and engaged workforce.

    Vijay Arisetty, Abhishek Kumar, and Shreyans Daga are preparing to accelerate their efforts towards launching an Initial Public Offering (IPO) within the next three years.

    FAQs

    Who are the Founders of MyGate?

    MyGate was founded by Vijay Arisetty, Abhishek Kumar, and Shreyans Daga in 2016.

    How much is MyGate’s Revenue?

    MyGate’s operating revenue is reported at INR 96.2 crore during FY24, which grew by 35.3% from INR 71.1 crore in FY23.

    What is MyGate?

    MyGate offers an app-based security and community management solution that currently caters to the security needs of over 4 million homes in 27 major Indian cities.

    How much does MyGate App cost?

    MyGate’s monthly pricing varies but it starts off at INR 4000 per Device/Month.