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<keyword id="1042120" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uber">Uber</keyword>DOST (Hindi for 'friend') is an India-first initiative for anyone to act as Uber affiliates. It's an app where anyone can sign up on Uber and refer <keyword id="44435" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="drivers">drivers</keyword> to join the platform and earn from it. 
 
While drivers usually have their own solid network, the referral policy has been introduced so that it benefits both the organization as well as the drivers. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/exclusive-this-indie-musician-raised-more-than-two-lakhs-in-six-hours-through-crowdfunding-for-his-upcoming-album/articleshow/57082834.cms">ALSO READ: Exclusive: This Indie-musician raised more than Two Lakhs in Six Hours through crowdfunding for his upcoming album</a> 
 
How does it work? 
 1. <keyword id="3371106" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="UberDOST">UberDOST</keyword> lets everybody register and refer drivers to join Uber platform in return for a one-time payout once the driver completes a set number of rides 
2. UberDOST offers people a flexible, source of extra income which they could pursue full-time or part-time; rapidly growing base of UberDOST in India now 3. UberDOST is an India-first innovation that has been exported to other markets in <keyword id="6368397" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-East-Asia">South East Asia</keyword> under the same name 
 
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We got in touch with four UberDOSTs to figure out how this program has impacted them.

Here's
how Uber is letting you earn from its platform 'UberDost'

If you are good at judging someone on the basis of their driving skills, Uber could make you earn in lakhs in the form of referral commissions. All you have to do is to help the cab aggregator find competent drivers, for which you would be paid a decent sum, which could go up to in lakhs. 
 It was about 11 months ago that Uber had faced a shortage of drivers, because of which it decided to start a programme, called <keyword id="3371106" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="UberDOST">UberDost</keyword>, under which it monetarily rewards people who refer good drivers to the company. 
 
The program is currently run in three cities, viz. Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad. While in Bengaluru the referral bonus is Rs 5,000, in Mumbai and Hyderabad one can earn Rs 3,000 per successful referral, which is when the driver completes 60 trips with the company. 
 
"We are in a hyper growth environment and wanted to find strategic partners who can help us scale our supply," said Nikhil Goel, product manager, international growth, Uber, "At the same time, several tour and travel companies are suffering because everything's moving online. They have a network of professional commercial drivers, and with this new platform, they can refer them to us." 
 
Image source

Referring drivers to Uber could make you earn in lakhs

<keyword id="3371106" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="UberDOST">UberDOST</keyword> (Hindi for ‘friend’) is an India-first initiative for anyone to act as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> affiliates. It’s an app where anyone can sign up on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> and refer drivers to join the platform, and this can get them anything from $15 to $75. 
 
The app developed in San Francisco in collaboration with operations teams in Bengaluru (previously Bangalore) started off in India almost a year back, and has picked up in some cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The one-time payout for referrals varies as per average fares and pricing in each city. There are no limits to the number of referrals, and you don’t have to be a driver-partner yourself. 
 
“Several tour and travel companies are suffering because everything’s moving online. These people have a network of professional commercial drivers, and with this new platform they can refer them to us. That’s how the idea came around. It”, Bhavik Rathod, General Manager, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> South and West says. 
 
Interestingly, there are no plans of launching UberDOST in the US, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a>’s native market. “The use-case may or may not exist there (in the US). Indian driver-partners often need assistance to sign up. It’s too early to comment”, Rathod says. 
 
This comes amidst media reports of stiff competition among cabs that’s resulted in a rougher ride for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> and <keyword id="1042120" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uber">Uber</keyword> drivers in India. A report even claims this year has seen a slump of over 70% for most. 
 
Uber refused to share the exact number of UberDOSTs in India, but agreed the figure’s in a ‘couple of thousands’. 
 
<a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/48572841.cms">Image Source</a>

This
India-first Uber referral app pays up to Rs. 5k for every driver you refer

Here's how Uber is letting you earn from its platform 'UberDost'

The distance from an idea to a successful startup cannot be covered alone. Valuable companions such as mentors, networking events, great support staff and inspiring people work as a catalyst. But even before that, what sets the tone of the journey is the environment you choose to work in. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Relive-Romantic-Bollywood-Movie-Experiences-with-Airbnb/articleshow/57147388.cms?_ga=1.185946281.1652533578.1473921169">ALSO READ: Relive Romantic Bollywood Movie Experiences with Airbnb</a> 
 
Initially bootstrapped firm owners would prefer working out from their homes, but with more and more co-working spaces mushrooming, startup owners do not have much to worry about. Cool offices spaces now come really cheap. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Hereshow-Uber-is-letting-you-earn-from-its-platform-UberDost/articleshow/57083396.cms?_ga=1.184925225.1652533578.1473921169">ALSO READ: Here's how Uber is letting you earn from its platform 'UberDost'</a> 
 One such place is ONE Co.Work – a co-working space focused on fulfilling the vision of <keyword id="6362513" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Startups">startups</keyword> and helping them move from an idea to a successful venture. How you may think. They have gained exponential recognition and are catering to the needs of over 100 start-ups and entrepreneurs with their target market comprising of solopreneurs, musicians, SMEs, small business owners, freelancers and anyone who desires a flexible and affordable working space. 
 
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ONE Co.Work’s payment models are designed on convenient hourly, daily, weekly and monthly basis to suit the on-the-move millennial professional. As for what this place offers, check out what’s in store for startup owners who have been on the lookout for a cool and affordable workplace:

Check out ONE Co.Work, a co-working space which is changing the way freelancers work

You’re probably one of those people who was scared of math as a kid, and many children still find doing mathematics a chore which becomes more boring and uneventful especially as you grow older. 
 Students often overlook the fact that math concepts are interwoven in their daily lives and not as abstract as it may seem. This is exactly what <keyword id="2900267" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Byju">Byju</keyword>’s wants to highlight with its new gamified app for lower grades, the BYJU’S Math App. 
 
The application has been designed to offer younger children a platform to explore the world of maths through games, interactive videos, and quizzes. 
 Ideated, designed and developed in-house, the class 4 and 5 app merges appealing features of game design and technology with innovative and rich interactive videos that create a whole new and fun way for students to strengthen their foundation in math. This app is available both on <keyword id="75489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IOS">iOS</keyword> and <keyword id="6355645" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="android">Android</keyword>. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/romantic-airbnbs-tailor-made-for-literature-lovers/articleshow/57127602.cms?format=slideshow">ALSO READ: Romantic </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/romantic-airbnbs-tailor-made-for-literature-lovers/articleshow/57127602.cms?format=slideshow">Airbnbs</a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/romantic-airbnbs-tailor-made-for-literature-lovers/articleshow/57127602.cms?format=slideshow"> tailor-made for literature lovers</a> 
 
The BYJU’S Math App combines games, simulations and fun byte sized videos from India’s best teachers who teach abstract math concepts visually and contextually. This unique combination makes the whole process of learning math easier as well as helps students understand how it is applied and used in real life. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-uber-is-letting-you-earn-from-its-platform-uberdost/articleshow/57083396.cms?format=slideshow">ALSO READ: Here's how Uber is letting you earn from its platform 'UberDost'</a> 
 
Overall, the app offers videos that explain concepts in a very simple manner by using analogies, animations, graphics and on-air projections. The app has learning games that help students understand concepts and the testing games that help them reinforce the concepts learned. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/relive-romantic-bollywood-movie-experiences-with-airbnb/articleshow/57147388.cms?format=slideshow">ALSO READ: Relive Romantic Bollywood Movie Experiences with Airbnb</a> 
 
In fact, each game has multiple stages with different difficulty level. Every win is rewarded through points to boost the player’s confidence and nurture their interest to learn math.

Byju’s new gamified app wants
to make studying Maths real fun for students

Trouble seems to be mounting on cab aggregators with the protests by <keyword id="6354720" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola">Ola</keyword>, Uber drivers in Delhi-NCR gathering more steam as it enters its fifth day today. 
 What’s more worrying is that <keyword id="4159125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sarvodaya-driver-association-of-delhi">Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi</keyword>, one of the groups leading the protests, has reiterated that the indefinite strike will continue until all demands are addressed by the app-based cab aggregators or the Delhi government. The Union claims to be representing the plight of 1.5 lakh of drivers in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram and other cities. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Byjus-new-gamified-app-wantsto-make-studying-Maths-real-fun-for-students/articleshow/57166026.cms?_ga=1.143439797.1652533578.1473921169">ALSO READ: Byju’s new gamified app wants to make studying Maths real fun for students</a> 
 
Earlier last week, thousands of drivers gathered at Janpath in the national capital for their indefinite strike against "unfair low fares fixed by companies" and "lack of basic amenities” from Ola and Uber. They alleged that as against Rs 30,000 they had been taking home monthly when they started driving the cabs, they are only able to make Rs 4,000 monthly for themselves and that too, despite working 18-20 hours. 
Several protesters angrily accused the cab aggregators of falsely luring them to buy cars by making financing easy and convincing them that they would earn more money than they have been from their existing sources of income. 
 
Hailing from economically weak backgrounds, several drivers sold off their property or jewelry and other assets to arrange the money for down payment. However, after the cab aggregators 
recently fixed the price at Rs 6/km (25% commission of which goes to Ola and Uber), the drivers alleged they get approximately Rs 4/km. A few drivers from the Union also alleged that despite being in the same area, Ola and Uber’s own fleet of cars have been getting more bookings than them as a result of which it has become difficult for them to meet their targets. 
 
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With Rs 4,000 left in hand, drivers say they are unable to meet all their family expenses. There isn’t enough money to repay loans and owing to bouncing cheques, the situation has worsened with financers even confiscating cars. 
 
At Janpath, one of the protesters alleged, “We were better off before becoming Ola, Uber drivers. We had some arrangements even then. We were surviving and meeting our daily needs. Now, we are left with nothing. Where should we go? We will continue the strike till our demands are met.” 
​ 
Due to the protests, commuters have been left worst affected with no cabs in their vicinity. While on Ola's app, there were no cabs available at times during evening peak hours, Uber's app showed taxis with inflated fares on a few routes. Meanwhile, the companies have been resorting to surge pricing during peak hours in both morning and evening since the strike has begun. 
 
What Ola, Uber have to say 
Ola said that they’re doing their best to get more taxis on the road and working closely with local authorities to end the strike. 
“Offering a seamless mobility experience has always been our priority. We are concerned about the inconvenience being caused to some of our customers across Delhi-NCR over the last few days. We’d like to reassure them that we are working closely with the local authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest," an Ola spokesperson said. 
Meanwhile, Uber also claimed it is also working closely with the government and trying to make sure that their driver partners are safe while they are on the road. 
 
“We welcome this court order, which prohibits unions, their leaders and anybody else from obstructing the activities of Uber driver partners as they go about their business. We hope it will enable drivers to get back behind the wheel, something many have been telling us they wish to do. We're sorry that our service has been disrupted and for any inconvenience, this has caused to our customers” a spokesperson from Uber said. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-uber-is-letting-you-earn-from-its-platform-uberdost/articleshow/57083396.cms?format=slideshow">ALSO READ: Here's how Uber is letting you earn from its platform 'UberDost'</a> 
 
Even as the strikes may have left Ola and Uber in a fix, quite predictably, they are concerned about retaining their customer base. Drivers meanwhile have been left in a lurch, knocking on every door possible to get justice. It remains to be seen whether this long-standing impasse between drivers and cab aggregators will see a logical conclusion anytime soon.

Here’s
what Ola, Uber have to say as protests by drivers refuse to die down

<keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>, the poster child of the Indian startup ecosystem, was devalued for the seventh time in January 2017, by <keyword id="4205639" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="fidelity-partners">Fidelity Partners</keyword>. At a $5.56 billion valuation, Flipkart’s shares were valued at $52.13 in November 2016, down by 36.1 percent from $81.55 per share as of August 2016. The domino effect hit the cab aggregator <keyword id="6354720" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola">Ola</keyword> next with the US-based investment firm <keyword id="4205636" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="vanguard-world-fund">Vanguard World Fund</keyword> marking down Ola by over 40 percent. 
 According to their regulatory filing with the <keyword id="108474" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Securities-and-Exchange-Commission">US Securities and Exchange Commission</keyword>, the current valuation for Ola is now $3 billion, with its shares dropping from $311.27 per share in the previous quarter to $182.70 apiece. During their peak, Ola had raised $500 million at a valuation of $5 billion. 
 That’s not all. According to reports, e-commerce giant <keyword id="541988" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="SnapDeal">Snapdeal</keyword> is reportedly looking at raising funds at a lower valuation of $4 billion. At their last fundraising round, they raised $200 million at a valuation of $6.5 billion. 
 
Valuations are normally decided according to a company’s market share, its gross margins, and its rate of growth, among other factors, but is anyone talking about the elephant in the room? Does a number decide a company’s worth or does the mettle lie someplace else? 
 
What’s The Big Deal about Valuations? 
 
While Valuations and devaluations are part of the game, they are a mix of market environment, risk appetite, a fund manager’s biases, hot new trends, fear of missing out, the multiples comparable are commanding, and of course, expected cash flows and margins. 
In 2015, we lauded the entry of Flipkart, Ola and Snapdeal in the Unicorn club. The first quarter of 2015 saw over $1.7 billion funding in start-ups and all we hear now are downturns with reality hitting the magic creatures to the ground and forcing them to compete in a horse race for fund-raising. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-uber-is-letting-you-earn-from-its-platform-uberdost/articleshow/57083396.cms">ALSO READ: Here's how Uber is letting you earn from its platform 'UberDost'</a> 
 
While there were muffled concerns of profitability and unit economics, the dynamics took a harder turn when in the middle of 2016 the world economic dynamics shifted. 
 
Suddenly, the pouring funding started slowing down, news of firing rounds, internal tiffs, and investor involvement began to cloud the startup skyline. 
 
Now the lauded valuations started to seem bloated and overhyped, and the cost-cutting started and it doesn’t seem to end. 
 
 
 
 
The secret is in the Business Model 
 <keyword id="824043" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider">Business Insider</keyword>, while digging deeper into factors ailing the startup ecosystem in India, realized that business models had to be one of the core ingredients to a startup’s success or failure. So, we got in touch with key players, notable investors and successful companies that had a say in the functions of the industry. 
 
What clearly emerged was that there were mainly three business models that most start-ups and unicorns, followed in India- 
 
1) Cut prices to gain industry share and chase profit later 
2) Set up person-to-person exchanges 
3) On-Demand Model 
 
Now we break down the models to see why Indian start-ups think they’d work and why they haven’t succeeded yet. 
 
Investors’ Point of View 
 <keyword id="262067" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mahesh-Murthy">Mahesh Murthy</keyword>, Co-Partner, Seedfund, one of India’s most vocal investors told us what’s wrong with the Indian startup ecosystem,”The problem is that we are idolizing businesses that are not ‘New’. There is nothing elusive or different about the companies we look up to, they are just copycats.’’ 
 Seedfund, which is an early stage VC firm has invested in companies like Redbus.in, Chumbak, Carwale, and Voonik. “Real businesses need little or no marketing. The cost of acquiring a customer shouldn’t be higher than your investment in your product which is what is happening right now’’<keyword id="20148" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="murthy">Murthy</keyword> comments on the viability of the business models of India’s best-known <keyword id="6362513" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Startups">startups</keyword>. 
 “Innovation for the sake of innovation is useless. Most consumers prefer the companies that are competitors to Flipkart, Snapdeal, and Ola and that speaks volumes. We are just looking for great service coupled with great value for money and <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> and Uber give us that while the other companies don’t hit the mark while getting celebrity endorsements with full-page ads.’’ 
 “Rule Number 1 of business: Never lose money. Rule Number 2: Don’t forget Rule Number 1,” said <keyword id="71133" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Warren-Buffet">Warren Buffet</keyword>, probably the most popular investor in the world. 
 <keyword id="542474" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reid-Hoffman">Reid Hoffman</keyword> from <keyword id="28120" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Linkedin">LinkedIn</keyword> and now a VC says that as a VC, you should be able to put your money into a startup and walk away from your investment and at the most, you are best placed to understand a sector if you have built a business in it or at the very least, worked in it. For Indian start-ups, we see the opposite happening with Flipkart who recently appointed <keyword id="6379357" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kalyan-Krishnamurthy">Kalyan Krishnamurthy</keyword> as CEO, who is an ex-employee at Flipkart’s key investor, Tiger Global. 
 
What is a business model? 
 
A business model explains which consumer pain a startup chooses to relieve, why your solution works better than competing ones and how big a wedge a company can drive between what customers are willing to pay and the costs. 
 
Breaking down the Business Models 
 
There are broadly the following business models at play when it comes to start-ups that hold the public eye in India: 
 
1. Cut prices to gain an industry share and chase profit later: Target a huge market and sell a product at the lowest price with fast delivery and great service. As the company grows, expand the product line, negotiate volume discounts with suppliers, invest in technology, customer response time and cut waste from the operations. Then deliver the lower costs to customers in the form of lower prices. 
 
This was Amazon’s model which is still one of the fastest growing companies in India and the world. Although it was founded back in 1994, Amazon didn’t actually make a profit until 2001. Amazon has some profitable projects, but the money made from them is typically used as investments to fund other Amazon businesses and ventures. The company invests its profits in new lines of businesses and uses them to expand. In short, Amazon seems to value growth over profits. 
 
 
 
​ <keyword id="8589" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="padmaja">Padmaja</keyword> <keyword id="980938" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ruparel">Ruparel</keyword>, President, Indian Angel Network doesn’t believe in this model simply because she thinks that Indian consumers are flighty, “There is a constant need to lure the consumer to stick with you which is tricky when you’re not the only player in the market. Your focus here is on how quickly you can grow the market and not on your business strategy.’’ Ruparel believes in investing in a much more stable business model, “We are old-fashioned for sure as our focus is on businesses building a top-line and a bottom-line. We ascertain a business by unit economics and even though the cycle might be slightly longer, B2B start-ups create a sustainable business.” 
 
“The consumer is surely attuned to buying online which was their aim, but only some players will remain in this market. Consolidation is inevitable as loss-making businesses can’t stay afloat for long, but only time will tell who will remain the top dogs here,’’says Padmaja when asked about the future for consumer-centric start-ups. 
 
India’s perspective: “E-commerce companies like Snapdeal and Flipkart are following a similar model to that of Amazon in India. The difference is that Amazon can afford to lose money in India as it is profitable in other markets. The former players are just playing in India where they’re losing money trying to compete with Amazon,” comments Mahesh Murthy. 
 
2. Set up person-to-person exchanges: A house owner in a town has a huge house that has idle rooms that aren’t occupied. The young professionals living in the city need accommodation in different towns to work flexibly but they don’t want to own a house or live in expensive hotels. It seems to be working for <keyword id="719382" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbnb">Airbnb</keyword> which doesn’t own any inventory and millions of people have taken advantage of these services, and Airbnb now has a market value estimated at $30 billion—roughly the same size as the <keyword id="183920" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Marriott-International">Marriott International</keyword> hotel chain. 
 
Vikram Gupta, CEO, IvyCap Ventures, “India is not a mature market where you can write off $100 million checks to companies that are spearheaded by college graduates or in some cases, dropouts. The entire ecosystem is disturbed as new companies were getting funding at overhyped valuations. The market has started to finally stabilize and we see investors going back to the revenue as a yardstick for company’s growth instead of the GMV. The businesses are coming back to realistic valuations and while they might have money left in the bank, they are looking to reduce their cash burn rate.” 
 
 
 
India’s perspective: Companies like <keyword id="2808667" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="OYO">OYO</keyword> are trying to work with small hotels and guesthouses and have even leased their own properties but the burn-rate is consistent. With simplifying its business model and focusing on one aspect; people sharing their homes with people and minimal revamping, Airbnb has revolutionized how the world sees hotel accommodation forever. 
 
3. On-Demand Model: Smartphones have driven transformational shifts in how we consume goods and services, and many consumers have become acclimated to purchasing at the press of a button. The on-demand model allows a startup to leverage new technology while utilizing existing infrastructures. Another benefit lies in the use of freelance labor with its obvious advantages in cost cutting. 
 
Uber is a great example of the sharing economy where they connect the supply to the demand of taxis without investing in their own fleet. 
 
India’s perspective: <keyword id="6362049" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola-Cabs">Ola Cabs</keyword> is Uber’s biggest competitor in India and while both companies burn a lot of money trying to lure customers to get into a taxi, Uber is currently the world’s most valuable startup at $69 billion. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/online-cab-players-in-2016-completed-nearly-half-a-billion-rides-with-250-y-o-y-growth-in-india/articleshow/57273938.cms">ALSO READ: Online cab players in 2016 completed nearly half a billion rides with 250% y-o-y growth in India</a> 
 
Winner Speak 
 V. Krishnan, Co-founder, and Director of <keyword id="1675768" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Justdial-Ltd">JustDial Ltd</keyword> who likes to call his company an ‘18-year old startup’ says that for a successful business you don’t need an extraordinary idea, “The problem with start-ups today is that they don’t focus on profitability. To create a profitable business, you need extraordinary execution, not an idea. Giving money to people to use your services doesn’t make sense. The Indian customers are not loyal to brands, but to offers. Our goal was to create a world-class business and a world-class company.’’ 
 
For the first ten years of JustDial’s existence, the company didn’t raise any funding. The company ran on a shoe-string budget and used its own money to survive. In 2006, when internet penetration and broadband gained traction in India, the company was ready with its fully functional website to complement its telecom services. From 2-3% internet users to now 85% internet users, the company has grown to 200 Cr web searches annually, without any cashback or incentives. The company is probably one of the rarely profitable internet companies in the country today. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/65-of-start-ups-feel-indian-startup-eco-system-may-be-in-a-tech-bubble-report/articleshow/57205211.cms">ALSO READ: 65% of start-ups feel Indian startup eco-system may be in a tech bubble: Report</a> 
 
“The core business of start-ups isn’t ready but there is marketing happening. India is going to be giving you a lot of opportunities. Everyone wants to create a company, raise a great valuation and sell it off to do something bigger; the attitude is wrong," he signs off. 
​ 
Business Insider got in touch with Flipkart, Ola, Snapdeal, and Uber for this story but the companies chose to not comment on the same. 
 
​ 
 
Business Insider’s Take 
 
While popular Indian start-ups struggle to survive without additional funding coming in, we see some internet companies like JustDial and BookMyShow staying afloat, without investor-intervention. 
 
When it comes to businesses and business models, investors and successful companies agree that the tried and tested works; build a business with a strong product that you can alter as technology develops. The business of losing money can only take you so far if you don’t put it to good use. 
 
There’s a difference between investment into a product and burning money, and the start-ups better realize that before they get acquired or relinquished by the players who created the game that they’re set to lose. 
 
The market is big enough for companies that create value for customers not just for start-ups that create customers; the difference is everything. 
 
(Graphics: All figures in INR crores for the financial year 2015- 2016. Source: <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Companies/vtqiTC9VgJgnUfOAH2QdiL/Flipkart-still-Indias-top-startup.html">Mint Research</a>) 
 
**For Oyo, the result is from Apr-Dec 2015. 
*BookMyShow is the only company mentioned that has profits.

You Searched For "UberDOST" and got 8 results

Here's how Uber is letting you earn from its platform 'UberDost'

Tanya Dubey

Referring drivers to Uber could make you earn in lakhs

BI India Bureau

This India-first Uber referral app pays up to Rs. 5k for every driver you refer

Saikat Pyne

Here's how Uber is letting you earn from its platform 'UberDost'

Check out ONE Co.Work, a co-working space which is changing the way freelancers work

Tanya Dubey

Byju’s new gamified app wants to make studying Maths real fun for students

Tanya Dubey

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