Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul><li>Gurugram-based home services startup <keyword id="2811049" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="UrbanClap">Urbanclap</keyword> plans to launch in 4 Indian cities in the next quarter. </li><li>The startup recently announced its plan to expand to Abu Dhabi.</li><li>Two new services – men’s grooming and on-demand maid for cleaning – which are currently live in Delhi will soon be launched across India. </li></ul>Urbanclap was a small startup based out of Gurugram in 2014, offering home services digitally. Today, it has operations across 10 cities in India, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It recently announced its Abu Dhabi expansion, and plans to grow its UAE business twice over, on a monthly basis. What’s more, the company has plans to become a ₹100 billion company! In an interview with Business Insider, <keyword id="3012564" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Varun-Khaitan">Varun Khaitan</keyword>, co-founder, Urbanclap said that there are many plans in store for their India business as well. Urbanclap will soon launch in four more cities by the next quarter. Two new services – men’s grooming and on-demand maid for cleaning – which are currently live in Delhi will be launched across India. “Our investments are on constantly improving the business,” said Khaitan. Profitability vs Scale UrbanClap recently raised ₹16 million from Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy, according to paper.vc, a business intelligence firm. It has marquee investors like Ratan Tata, SAIF Partners, Accel Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners on board, and raised a total funding of $110 million. The startup has about 6 lakh users per month with 20,000 service professionals on-board. But the main question is – how far is profitability? “If we want to, we can turn profitable in the next three months. Instead, we want to invest in our future and build our scale to one day make Urbanclap a ₹100 billion company,” said Khaitan. Recently, Urbanclap <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/urbanclap-revenue-up-309-losses-down-25-in-fy18/articleshow/64008938.cms?from=mdr">reported </a>a 309% jump in its operational revenue to ₹450 million for 2017-18. The losses however were at ₹750 million. “In the last three years, our jump in revenue has been significant while the losses in quantum have remained flat. The amount of burn remaining flat with revenue increases, is a sign of scale. If you want to keep growing, you will have to be investing for tomorrow’s growth,” said Khaitan. An offer they couldn’t refuse All the founders Abhiraj Bahl, Raghav Chandra and Khaitan, came back from the US hoping to build a business. They had the common goal of solving a problem for the masses. After extensive research, the idea of helping people run their homes appealed to them. They also realized that professionals like electricians and beauticians too barely make any money due to middlemen or employers. “We realised very early on that the problem that we were solving was not just building a marketplace and connecting users. We ended up removing the middlemen and transitioning these employees or service professionals into microentrepreneurs,” said Khaitan. Service professionals like electricians, beauticians and carpenters had nothing to complain as Urbanclap made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. “We told them you keep 80% of the earnings, Urbanclap will keep 20%. Overnight their earnings went up. Today, every other service professional through Urbanclap earns makes an average of ₹40,000 per month. Hundreds of our beauticians make more than ₹1 lakh a month,” said Khaitan. Making a difference to professionals also improved service quality to consumers. When they started, the founders were hoping to have at least 100 users per day, by the end of 2015. However, they had 1000 per day. The founders got what they wanted – solving a systemic problem in the country – as opposed to building a business, to sell and chill in a yacht. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/EXCLUSIVE-This-Indian-startup-has-made-a-profit-solving-1100-police-cases-with-just-one-round-of-funding/articleshow/69871636.cms">EXCLUSIVE: This Indian startup has made a profit solving 1,100 police cases with just one round of funding</a>

INTERVIEW: Urbanclap claims it can turn profitable in 3 months but it won’t – here’s why

<ul><li>Gurugram-based home services startup <keyword id="2811049" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="UrbanClap">Urbanclap</keyword> has signed an MoU with <keyword id="161653" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Skill-Development-Corporation">National Skill Development Corporation</keyword> on World Skills Day.</li><li>With the partnership, Urbanclap will train 30,000 professionals and aims to create 1 million micro-entrepreneurs.</li><li>NSDC will help Urbanclap be a Skill India certified company.</li></ul>Indian home services startup Urbanclap has partnered with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on World Skills Day. Under the signed Memorandum of Understanding, NSDC will help Urbanclap become a 100% Skill India certified company. The startup meanwhile promises to create micro-entrepreneurial opportunities under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and will train 30,000 partners over the next year. “UrbanClap is committed to the vision of creating 1 million plus successful micro-entrepreneurs for India and contribute to the Skill India mission. Our association with NSDC will give this mission a boost and will enhance our capabilities in on-boarding and training new service partners,” said Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Co- founder, UrbanClap. NSDC falls under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and supports the skilling and upskilling of working professionals in the country. "As our cities grow smarter, the demand for professional services will increase further. This presents a huge opportunity for skilled workforce at all levels. Platforms like UrbanClap are a great example of e-market place which can support sustainable livelihood," said Manish Kumar, MD &amp; CEO, NSDC. Urbanclap has over 20,000 professionals in its network with over 6 lakh users. It claims that professionals like electricians, beauticians and carpenters earn better on their platform. “We told them you keep 80% of the earnings, Urbanclap keeps 20%. Overnight their earnings went up. Today, every other service professional through Urbanclap earns makes an average of ₹40,000 per month. Hundreds of our beauticians make more than ₹1 lakh a month,” co-founder Varun Khaitan had told Business Insider. UrbanClap recently raised ₹16 million from Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy, according to paper.vc, a business intelligence firm. It has marquee investors like Ratan Tata, SAIF Partners, Accel Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners on board, and raised a total funding of $110 million. Recently, Urbanclap <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/urbanclap-revenue-up-309-losses-down-25-in-fy18/articleshow/64008938.cms?from=mdr">reported </a>a 309% jump in its operational revenue to ₹450 million for 2017-18. The losses however were at ₹750 million. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/urban-clap-founder-reveals-new-business-plans/articleshow/69951901.cms">INTERVIEW: Urbanclap claims it can turn profitable in 3 months but it won’t – here’s why</a>

Urbanclap to become Skill India certified, will create a million micro-entrepreneurs in the country

Personal grooming is a growing industry in India and is raising hairs of many start-ups in India since the past two years. Many companies have sprung up in this space notably <keyword id="2811049" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="urbanclap">Urbanclap</keyword>, <keyword id="6439410" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="housejoy">Housejoy</keyword>, StayGlad,Yes Madam, MyGlamm, <keyword id="3023137" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="vanitycube">VanityCube</keyword>, and many more, just to provide customers a better service at a great price. According to reports, the grooming market in India is valued at nearly Rs 50,000 crore and 85% of the business here comes from women, notably professionals with increasing disposable incomes in cities. While the industry quickly grew in investment in 2015, the next year saw many of them shutting down due to high losses. While VanityCube was acquired by VLCC, Vyomo got acquired by Naturals and Quikr acquired StayGlad players like Urbanclap, MyGlamm and Housejoy have reported increased revenue in the past year steering the roadblocks. The problem with the current model The beauty services industry is a complicated one and isn’t particularly eased by technology after the booking is made. The service offered needs to be of great quality every time so that the customer makes repeated purchases on a regular basis. Till a brand is created, growth will not come as start-ups focus on signups. As a platform, the management cannot make sure that every service is quality-checked. While most start-ups including Urbanclap, focus on providing the service to the customer at their homes, many consumers find that the beauty care ritual is a better experience in salons because of the hygienic and professional environment. As I have used Urbanclap and Housejoy in the past, I noticed that they are not particularly more affordable compared to neighbourhood salons. The solution to these two problems have been devised by two startups which is making waves in Delhi NCR for being different in the approach. <keyword id="4425546" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Be-U-Salons">Be U Salons</keyword> Be U operates in the B2B2C space and aims to fix the gap between the demand and supply in the salon industry through on-ground operations and advanced technology. Unlike the conventional models, the company signs up small salon owners and don’t levy any franchise fee or capital expenditure on the part of the salons. The company brands the salons completely and has created categories under which everything including the products used, services offered and the prices are replicated to ensure quality is delivered. Instead they charge a 15% commission on the overall salon revenue which varies on the salon category Red, Blue or Green which falls under different revenue slabs. Vikas Johari, CEO &amp; Founder, Be U Salons told Business Insider, “When I entered the salon industry with Monsoon salons, I noticed that the industry is suffering due to inefficiencies and running costs such as real estate rentals, promoter services etc. While Monsoon became a great salon brand in Delhi, I realized that a tech-enabled solution could help scale up the franchise model in place.” Enter asset-light tech-enabled Be U model which has low or no capital commitment, benefits of economies of scale, focus on core activities, automation and standardization due to strong tech support which helps existing small salons to achieve better productivity and profitability. How it works Be U Salons has an mobile app on android and <keyword id="75489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IOS">iOS</keyword> platforms that enables customers to make easy online appointments, mobile payments and check transaction history record. The app also has scope for feedback, reviews and ratings, loyalty programmes, no waiting time and real time services which ensures that all partner salons provide quality service. Not just that, the app offers its customers attractive ‘’freebies” like a free haircut or 100% cashback on digital payments which ensures that once someone uses the app, they come back for the great value for money. Currently, the company has 70 plus outlets operating across Delhi-NCR, and services about 900-1000 customers per day. <keyword id="795759" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yes-Madam">Yes Madam</keyword> Yes Madam is a nascent startup that has come up in some areas of Delhi NCR like Noida, Greater Noida and <keyword id="44991" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ghaziabad">Ghaziabad</keyword>. While this startup also provides its personal grooming services at home, it has a unique billing system which makes it affordable to most working women. The company charges its customers on per minute basis for Rupees 6 on any beauty service they want with extra service charge for better brands. During peak hours or weekends, the company charges Rs. 8 per minute which makes it still more affordable compared to the competitors. 
	
	<div type="image" title="Screenshot_2017-08-01-10-27-26-1" msid="61155045" hostid="261"></div>





 With Yes Madam app, the customers have the freedom to use their own product and the beautician. Another way to book can be through the call centre and Whatsapp which makes this startup more inclusive to people that might not have a smartphone or omnipresent internet connection. These new startups are engaging more people while using the resources differently but it will be interesting to see who leaves a last impression behind.

These personal grooming startups are leveraging technology differently compared to Urbanclap

<ul><li><keyword id="6371031" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IKEA">Ikea</keyword>'s upcoming 400,000 square foot store in Hyderabad will have a 1,000-seater restaurant in the middle.</li><li>The restaurant will serve evergreen vegetarian dishes like <keyword id="75775" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Idli">idli</keyword>, sambar, veg ‘biryani’ as well as socially acceptable tweaks to its trademark beef and pork meatballs. </li><li>Food accounts for 5% to 10% of the furniture giant’s global revenue.</li></ul>Ikea, the world’s largest furniture retailer, is banking heavily on samosas and idlis to lure customers in <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>. Though food accounts for 5% to 10% of the furniture giant’s global revenue, the company expects the percentage contributed by the sale of its food items to be larger in India. Patrick Antoni, deputy country manager at Ikea India told the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/ikea-hopes-stomach-is-the-way-to-indian-buyers-hearts-its-books/articleshow/64581134.cms">Economic Times</a>, “We believe that we might have more customers eating than buying furniture, but the average ticket size of food is very small compared to furniture. So most likely, food will be the first contact point for people coming to the Ikea store.” In fact, its upcoming 400,000 square foot store in Hyderabad in <keyword id="68884" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Telangana">Telangana</keyword>, slated to open in July, will have a 1,000-seater restaurant in the middle. This would be Ikea’s largest restaurant in the world. The restaurant will serve evergreen vegetarian dishes like idli, sambar, veg ‘biryani’ as well as socially acceptable tweaks to its trademark beef and pork meatballs, which will morph into vegetarian and chicken meatballs. This is quite a strategic move on Ikea’s part considering India’s food service market is estimated to be worth over ₹3000 billion. And the model has been known to work, especially in malls. Other than its menu, the Swedish retailer is well aware of the fact that Indian consumers are not so hot on doing things themselves and Ikea furniture traditionally <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/ikea-to-localise-offers-to-ensure-success-in-india/articleshow/64565817.cms">follow</a> the “do-it-yourself ” (DIY) assembly model. In order to keep from losing out, Ikea plans to set up a 150-member team to help assemble furniture. It is also partnering with <keyword id="2811049" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="UrbanClap">UrbanClap</keyword>, a services app that provides carpenters along with a bunch of other services. With plans to open up 25 stores across India by 2025, looks like Ikea is committed to providing its customers what they need rather than sticking to tradition.

Swedish furniture giant Ikea plans to entice Indian customers with food

<ul><li>Around 76,000 students applied for internships every day in 2020, reveals a survey conducted by recruitment and training platform, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/76000-students-applied-to-internships-every-day-in-past-year-survey/articleshow/81967814.cms?from=mdr">Internshala</a>.</li><li>Internships have become an integral part of a college's student’s career trajectory in India, irrespective of their educational background.</li><li>These companies are hiring interns for different roles in different parts of the country.</li></ul>Students who want to enter the job industry, ideally, should get some hands-on experience with internships. Around 76,000 students applied for internships every day in 2020, reveals a survey conducted by recruitment and training platform, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/76000-students-applied-to-internships-every-day-in-past-year-survey/articleshow/81967814.cms?from=mdr">Internshala</a>. Internships have become an integral part of a college's student’s career trajectory in India, irrespective of their educational background. There was a 35% rise in students seeking internships in 2020 as compared to 2019, revealed the report. Business development, content writing, human resources, digital marketing, social media marketing, marketing, and research are some of the good profiles for a fresher to pursue. These companies are hiring interns for different roles in different parts of the country — 1. <keyword id="10387" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Microsoft">Microsoft</keyword> — Research World’s biggest multinational software company is looking to hire <a href="https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/job/931311/Research-Intern?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&amp;utm_source=google_jobs_apply&amp;utm_medium=organic">Research interns</a> where interns will learn and collaborate with experienced researchers. Eligibility: Candidates must be enrolled in a university as part of either doctoral, masters, or undergraduate programmes or be a recent graduate from such a programme. 2. <keyword id="15491" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel">Airtel</keyword> — Business Development The telecommunications company is seeking to hire <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/business-development-sales-internship-in-multiple-locations-at-bharti-airtel-limited1621837165">Business Development</a> interns at various locations -- Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Gandhinagar and Rajasthan for three months with a comprehensive stipend of ₹10,000 per month. Job role: Interns will have to handle distributors, work on channel sales and drive prepaid business, reporting, process compliance and generating revenue. 3. BYJU’S — Marketing Ed-tech company is looking out for <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/marketing-internship-in-multiple-locations-at-byjus-the-learning-app1620706014">Marketing interns</a> at various locations for four months with a stipend of ₹18,000 per month. Job role: The candidates will have to interact with school personnel and inform them about the ongoing projects, achieve weekly targets of interaction and closure, and meet the prospects for the business. 4.<keyword id="8681398" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Urban-Company">Urban Company</keyword> — Operations Urban Company (earlier UrbanClap), a home-service marketplace is looking for interns in <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/operations-internship-in-chennai-at-urban-company1622180187">Chennai</a> and <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/operations-internship-in-bangalore-at-urban-company1622197584">Bangalore</a> for one month with a stipend of ₹10,000 per month. Job role: The selected intern would have to work on supply on-board, quality control of supply base and initiate the user friendly flow. Urban Company also has a vacancy for Human Resources interns who can <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/human-resources-hr-work-from-home-job-internship-at-urban-company1622456109">work-from-home</a> for two months with a stipend of ₹10,000. Job role: The selected candidates will take interviews of prospective candidates,design the interview and reporting structure of the team. 5. Just Dial — Human Resources (HR) The local search services firm is hiring an <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/human-resources-hr-internship-in-chandigarh-at-justdial-limited1621499461">HR intern</a> in Chandigarh for three months with a stipend of ₹5,000 per month. Job role: HR will have to make cold calls to preferred candidates, organise job fairs and events. 6. ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) — Digital Marketing This global internet giant is actively looking for <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/digital-marketing-work-from-home-job-internship-at-bytedance1621925865">Digital Marketing</a> interns who can work-from-home for three months with a competitive stipend of ₹18,000 per month. Job role: The selected candidates will have to handle the daily operations of teachers on Youtube platforms, complete Youtube data collection, and establish partnerships with influencers in different industries. 7. IIT Bombay — Content Creation Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay is looking for <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/content-creation-work-from-home-job-internship-at-iit-bombay1621335538">content creators </a>who can work from home for six months with a stipend of ₹1,000 per month. Job role: The chosen candidates will have to come up with catchy stories to structure content, creating high quality power presentations. 8. IDBI Federal Life Insurance Company — Marketing The multinational insurance firm is looking for <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/marketing-internship-in-kolkata-at-idbi-federal-life-insurance-company1620757275">Marketing interns</a> in Kolkata for the period of two months with a comprehensive stipend of ₹5,000 per month. Job role: The selected candidates will have to formulate new ideas to add value, set and achieve performance targets, develop and enter into alliances and affiliations with other organisations. It is also hiring <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/human-resources-hr-work-from-home-job-internship-at-idbi-federal-life-insurance-company1620757033">Human Resources</a> interns who can work-from-home for three months with a stipend ranging between ₹4,000 - ₹7,000 per month. Job role: Candidates will have to plan, develop and implement a strategy for HR, establish and maintain appropriate systems for HR development. 9. Freecharge — Business Development The payment platform is hiring <a href="https://internshala.com/internship/detail/business-development-sales-internship-in-multiple-locations-at-freecharge-payments-technology-private-limited1622193927">Business Development interns</a> in Gurgaon, Noida and Delhi for three months with a stipend of ₹7,000 per month. Job role: Candidate will be responsible to contact new partners, work on merchant acquisition and operations. 10. Zoomcar — Graphic Designing The car rental startup is hiring graphic designing interns who can work-from-home for three months with a stipend of ₹5,000 per month. Job role: The selected candidates will assist the creative team and art director, work on multiple projects simultaneously, maintain high standards of graphic designs with quality control, according to the firm. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/these-are-the-hottest-jobs-in-the-cyber-security-industry-right-now-with-a-salary-package-of-up-to-23-lakh-per-annum/articleshow/82629876.cms">These are the hottest jobs in the cyber security industry right now, with a salary package of up to ₹23 lakh per annum</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/if-you-want-to-work-from-home-these-are-some-of-the-hottest-freelancing-jobs-in-high-demand/articleshow/81228585.cms">If you want to work from home, these are some of the hottest freelancing jobs in high demand</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/earn-money-online-here-are-some-exciting-part-time-work-from-home-jobs/articleshow/82449228.cms">These are some exciting part-time work-from-home jobs you can do to earn a few extra bucks</a>

Microsoft, Airtel, BYJU’S, IIT-Bombay and more — here is a list of companies looking for interns

<ul><li>Despite it being a year when people are social distancing and staying away from socializing or meeting friends and relatives, Urban Company has managed to convince people about the safety of its services, thereby resulting in people welcoming them into their homes.</li><li>It is this focus on safety and also the brand's continuous reiteration of its safety protocols in its communications that has won people's trust. It is already witnessing a resurgence in demand in most of its services categories.</li><li><keyword id="2144064" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tarun-Menon">Tarun Menon</keyword>, Director-Marketing, Urban Company spoke to us about all that the brand has been doing to get back into the hearts and homes of its consumers in this difficult year.</li></ul>Home services marketplace Urban Company (UC) has a good run so far this year. Not only has it seen good recovery in business during the various unlock phases, the platform also expects to see its revenue double in the current fiscal over last year. While the first few months of the lockdown meant that there was a complete shutdown for its business, owning to the fact that it offers in-home services, things are slowly falling into place now as consumers are again opening up to the idea of letting people into their homes. What is helping the brand get back on its feet is the fact that it has been focusing on offering safe at-home services and has been using its marketing campaigns to convey messages around how safe its services are. With the help of a brand ambassador like <keyword id="6354535" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="ayushmann-khurrana">Ayushmann Khurrana</keyword> who people connect with instantly, the brand has been able to win over its consumers’ trust and is already seeing positive results. In a recent conversation with Ad &amp; Media Insider, Tarun Menon, Director-Marketing, UC walked us through all that the brand has been doing to get back into the hearts and homes of its consumers. The year so far The year has been challenging for most businesses across the world. However, what differentiates the ones who have been able to bounce back from the ones that are still struggling to find their footing is their agility and the rate at which they were able to adapt to changing consumer sentiments and demands. Owing to the fact that UC offers in-home services, it meant that it would take the platform some convincing before people opened up their doors to the platform’s partners. However, things have been moving in a positive direction for the past few months as the brand has been witnessing consistent growth. Urban Company Co-founder <keyword id="3012564" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Varun-Khaitan">Varun Khaitan</keyword> stated in a recent interview that despite the months of lockdown, they are already crossing their pre-COVID peak by more than 30%. He also shared his optimism about seeing 2X growth in FY21 over FY20. On how things were right after the lockdown, and during the early phases of Unlock, Menon told us, “The first 2 months were quite a struggle, like all other businesses. However, the first categories that started to pick up were the ones that could be deemed as essential services, like plumbing, electricians, carpenters and subsequently appliance repairs.” Across the width of categories that UC is present in, there are some for which the pandemic provided tailwinds to and there were others for which the negative consumer sentiments acted as headwinds. UC had launched men’s grooming and haircuts at home in the last quarter of 2019. “That is a category that has seen tremendous growth in the past few months and its actually buoyed our business significantly,” Menon added. However, the platform has had to work tremendously hard on categories like Salon at home, owing to the fact that it is a high proximity service. That’s where its advertising has helped it win its consumers’ trust back. The brand launched its ‘UC Safe Salon campaign’ which comprised TVCs featuring TV actors like <keyword id="166349" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neena-Kulkarni">Neena Kulkarni</keyword> and <keyword id="27383" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shweta-Tiwari">Shweta Tiwari</keyword> who had themselves availed UC services. The aim was to spread the message about how safe its salon at home option was. “Following the launch of the campaigns, we've seen resurgence across all categories, some obviously moving faster than the others. And it's a function of sentiment and maturity across categories. To give you a sense of where we are relative to July, our salon category has grown by about 50-56% and that's been on the back of structural problem-solving, to deliver on the core quality of experience and safety. We’ve re-skinned the way we talk about ourselves in our communications,” he explained. The team built video communication for each of its services on its app to assure people about their safety protocols. And all these videos featured Tiwari. People responded to the videos, owing to the fact that Tiwari as a brand is relatable and trustworthy. The effort has also been towards coming up with offerings that drive value for consumers in the salon category. “Initiative like Super Saver Week and Salon Spree have helped us meet our monthly targets for the salon category,” he added. He also added that the pandemic provided tailwinds to the men’s grooming category which has seen around 57% growth since July and is coming close to the salon category in terms of volumes. Of new users and markets While the salon at home category had been a winner for UC, it launched its Men’s grooming services right before the lockdown. And owing to the fact that salons had to be shut for a long time, once the unlock process started, the brand saw a lot of demand for the men’s grooming services. And all of the people using these services are new users. It is also witnessing good demand for other services like painting and professional cleaning. And is the platform witnessing more demand from smaller cities? “A significant portion of our business still continues to remain in urban cities. However, our focus has also been on building demand in Tier II cities. We have tried to build relevance at a regional level through our influencer marketing programs, specifically in the salon and men's grooming business. On the salon business, through the month of September, we've worked with about 165 micro-influencers who have a following between the range of 5000- 50,000 but are locally relevant. The aim has been to drive resonance of salience on the message that UC salon services exist in your city, to reiterate our safety protocols and to introduce our roll-on waxing,” explained Menon. UC has also been trying to talk to the slightly older audience, to again assure them about the safety of their offerings, however, the demand is still being driven by the younger audience. Marketing strategies during and post lockdown Usually during the times of crisis, marketing budgets are the first to be cut off. For UC too, the marketing budgets were put on hold for the first two months of the pandemic. “However, once we saw some supply return to the platform, and there was a certain demand to supply ratio where demand was lagging, we activated our marketing budgets. It's been about tracking our numbers and coordinating with the rest of business to identify moments, categories and regions, in terms of building where demand needs to be built,” he explained. It is also spending its marketing monies in a phased manner. “Today we might be slightly below par to where we were pre-pandemic in terms of our marketing spends and that’s a conscious choice. We are spending and have invested on IPL. However, right now its more about optimizing our spends with a view of what the cost of conversion is, and build that based on the structural changes we’ve made to our business, to focus on quality and safety. The larger belief is that if we get these two things right and are able to drive it in a credible, demonstrable way when it comes to experiences, that in turn will lead to repeat business, and even word-of-mouth,” said Menon. TV and Digital continue to be the biggest spends for the platform. During the IPL, the brand launched a campaign with its brand ambassador of 2 years, Ayushmann Khurrana. The vision for Urban Company UC, which was formerly known as UrbanClap, was founded in 2014 with a handful of service professionals. In the last 6 years, the platform has diversified its business and has also expanded to global markets like Australia, Singapore, and the UAE. So where will the next phase of growth for UC come from? “There are several things we have been discussing, like introduction of new services within each category or the tier-ization of services to appeal to different price points and consumer sets. The company's ethos is to pilot, learn, iterate, fail fast, and then deploy. So there are active pilots across each of these, whether it is service expansion, depth of service or segmentation exercise,” shared Menon.

How Urban Company’s continued focus on safety and targeted communication is making people open their doors to the brand

Sumit Chhazed, Co-Founder, CredR 
 
"The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/StartupIndiaStartups-and-investors-are-smiling-their-way-out-of-Vigyan-Bhawan/articleshow/50606389.cms">startup plan</a> is quite a promising one and we are happy with few initiatives proposed by the government such as tax exemption for 3 years, no inspection for compliance under labour law and starting start- up in 1 day via mobile app. Also the government acknowledges failures to be part of building great start - ups and promises 90 days exit plan, which is well received by the start - up community. Efforts to seed entrepreneurial culture and supporting it through incubation set ups in universities should really propel product innovation. 
 
Government is looking to accentuate the Make in India and Make for India efforts. Plans to create 1000cr fund over next 4 yrs with incentive for tax capital gains to investors would really boost start - up risk appetite in the whole ecosystem. This is indeed a wonderful move from the government and we hope to see these initiatives executed in the near timeframe." 
 
Samar Singla, CEO and founder, Jugnoo 
 
Immense potential for entrepreneurship in India can be forseen with this campaign. By making the taxation and compliance norms easier, the government has taken some very positive steps in this direction. 
 
Raghav Chandra, Co founder, Urbanclap, 
 
This initiative of PM Modi is the right step in making the environment friendlier for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/StartupIndia-Standup-India-Softbanks-Masayoshi-Son-ishaving-a-roaring-love-affair-in-India-and-hes-in-no-hurry-to-move-on/articleshow/50601754.cms">entrepreneurs</a> and thus encouraging them to start up. We will wait for the fine print to understand exactly what the next steps will be. However, I can only say that outcome will be in the positive direction and we are very excited! 
 
Krispian Lawrence, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, Ducere Technologies – Makers of the world’s first haptic footwear Lechal 
 
The government's initiative to fast track start-ups patent applications is a very beneficial move to encourage start-ups. In addition, 80% rebate on patent filing and prosecution deals will allow start-ups to file and create intellectual properties which in the long run will end up being additional sources of revenue. This will spur product innovations in the country and allow Indian product companies to compete globally. Other encouraging aspects of the plan include self certification on labour and environment for all Start-Ups to be up in three years. 
 
Start-ups face a lot of challenges when setting up a business and if the government can ease smaller issues; it will help us to focus on scaling up the business. 
 
Shailesh Jain Co-founder, Mirraw.com 
 
It is delightful to know that our Prime Minister has taken into account small and medium size Start-ups that are not funded by huge investments. Specially, the tax benefits policy and ease on patent fee will extensively support a bootstrapped company like us where single money counts. India is a breeding ground for innovation and this intiative will give <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Startup-IndiaOla-Cabs-Bhavish-Aggarwal-is-conscious-thatsecurity-is-a-concern-more-measures-need-to-be-taken/articleshow/50602554.cms">opportunitie</a>s to many young minds to explore unique ideas. 
 
Anupam Tulsyan co-founder and managing director, Peachmode.com 
 
"We are going to witness a revolution in Start-up culture, with our country's PM validating the governing rules. Elimination of regulatory burden, faster certification and easy exit policy will encourage many youngsters to join the wagon. Tax redemption for 3 years is an important move by our Government that will help the new entrants to scale their business without VC's money. These tax redemptions will allow a bootstrapped company like us to be self-reliant and make profitable in the long run We have high hopes with Startup Indiamovement and sincerely believe that it will lead to many job creation in future. " 
 
Shaifali Agarwal Holani, founder and CEO, EasyFix 
 
What an initiative and a great day for India. Most populated India has sharpest brains of all times and this initiative will give a platform to many enthusiastic but under confident talents to come out of their ordeal. Encouraging privatisation will speed the pace at which India is developing and we will become a developed country soon. 
 
For us, EasyFix is a labour development &amp; construction focussed company, PM Modi said "he is trying to foster innovation and incubation" and our startup is looking forward to collaborating with Modi Govt for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Exclusive-Practo-Foundersays-Modi-govt-should-do-away-with-regulatory-hurdles-in-the-healthcare-sector/articleshow/50604175.cms">skill development</a> and labour development initiatives. We want to be able to contribute to the society &amp; transform the unorganised labour market by doing things right, and that is by better execution of skill development programs. 
 
Swati Gupta, CEO and Founder, Industrybuying.com 
 
Patent fee reduction of 80% will be huge for IP based startups who can not only protect their intellectual property , but patents once registered add to tangible valuation increase" 
 
"No inspections for 3 years will very much reduce the regulatory burden related to VAT set up in new states, warehouse procedures , new factory set ups and much more physical infrastructure related start ups. 
 
Puja Bansal, Founder &amp; Director, Myheera.com 
 
Listening to action plan today I m most exited about the tax exemptions which will release the maximum burden on a startup like us. Self certification compliance in which for three years you are not disturbed from the govt end and you are at ease of doing your best to perform and more focused on the idea and its implementation. Today a start up can register themselves in one day which truly will show more minds and ideas coming quickly and getting jumpstarted. The fund of 10,000 cr which has been created to boost the startups will bring so much confidence as this is coming from our own country. 
 
Incubation centers getting promoted along with pre incubation centers will surely again prevent many failures in startups. Now when we see the entire ecosystem is contributing to 'Make in India' the sentiments of manystartups will change with much more deliverables and may more opening and changing the world. India is full of talents and now when our govt has finally joined hands we will see it as a big game changer with entrepreneurs emerging from every corner of the country. Faster exits were again a breather for many startup who again feel morally down with their failures. It will not be late when india will become world’s largest start up hub. 
 
Manish Kumar, co-founder and CEO of GREX 
 
“The Prime Minister’s announcement of the Startup Policy had quite a few important and measurable benefits that the startups can gain from. Most importantly, the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister outlined a change in the principle approach of the government towards the economy – that the government wants to stay away from deciding and directing on what needs to be done. Instead, the Government looks at a policy of arm’s length enablement. This stand is a bold new change in the government policy and disruptive in its own right. 
 
Venture debt was miserably missing in the ecosystem. Startups have only been used to equity as a mode of capital. GREX is completely poised to launch venture debt in a few weeks’ time. This will help our partner Banks and NBFCs walk the road along with us more aggressively as credits become guaranteed. 
 
Another big thing that was anticipated but not announced is the addressal of concerns around notional valuation gains to investors over and above the fair market value. The incidence of such tax deductions today lie at startups’ end. The ecosystem will expect more details on this front. However, the Prime Minister’s assurance on this is welcome. Some other welcome steps in favor of companies and therefore their investors are retention of profits by the company for three years.” 
 
Kulpreet Kaur, Co-founder, Shop Pirate Coupons

	“The Indian government has kick-started ambitious Start-Up India mission that envisages technology business incubators and research parks. This was for the first time a government in India has launched an exclusive program for startups and the expectations were really high. The vision to set up 75 such startup support hubs in the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIEPRs) will help India to develop local brands that can create global footprints. In the past India has been a market for technological innovation created overseas. The time has come now that the Indians create technological products at home that can be marketed globally. 
	We have the skills and need a platform. 
	Start-Up India is going to go a long way in filling up this void. I would say today is the day, that will take new and young entrepreneurs to a next level as the issue from incorporation to talent to infrastructure, all have been discussed. Its appreciable that the major concern of B2B business which is 10% TDS and 14.5 % ST, have been noticed and government saying they will rationalize the same. <o:p></o:p>

	Also as rightly said by Anisha Singh, it’s important that women entrepreneurs should be looked upon as entrepreneurs, not just women entrepreneurs. It’s our work that should get noticed not our gender. However the change is need of time and to give this equality government has to encourage women entrepreneur. It’s good to see that certain provisions are made where there are funds allocations for women entrepreneur. Ecosystem is getting changed and allowing more women to work, which is a highlight of Start-Up India Initiative. Apart from this startup sector becoming unregulated will be better for the sector. Instead of looking at Singapore, we will now have our ecosystem in India. Hoping the budget session will further revolutionize the startups in India. Now the only concern will be 'Sell it India" that is a challenge that needs to be addressed next.<o:p></o:p>

	Amit Ramani, founder and CEO, Awfis Space Solutions Pvt Ltd
Honourable PM Modi's action plan demonstrates a startup like thought process. It provides simple yet innovative policies that can catalyse a revolution to transform India as the most innovative country and major player in global GDP, a feat India enjoyed around 300 years back.

You Searched For "urbanclap revenue" and got 7 results

INTERVIEW: Urbanclap claims it can turn profitable in 3 months but it won’t – here’s why

Sanchita Dash

Urbanclap to become Skill India certified, will create a million micro-entrepreneurs in the country

Sanchita Dash

These personal grooming startups are leveraging technology differently compared to Urbanclap

Tanya Dubey

Swedish furniture giant Ikea plans to entice Indian customers with food

Kavita Majumdar

Microsoft, Airtel, BYJU’S, IIT-Bombay and more — here is a list of companies looking for interns

Vaamanaa Sethi

How Urban Company’s continued focus on safety and targeted communication is making people open their doors to the brand

Samarpita Banerjee

#StartupIndia: Here's what startupreneurs have to say about PM Modi's Startup India polices

Purba Das

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides