Chandigarh-based start-ups venture into new markets with unique offerings

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 26

The absence of policy in Chandigarh could not deter the indomitable spirit of start-ups in the city. Spread across various sectors, start-ups are striving to create a new market with their innovative offerings.

For example, a city-based SOS Party aims to create a tech driven platform for artists where they get paid gigs.

The start-up claims that it is a community of super skilled artists from around the world, who are trained to deliver phenomenal highly engaging experiences.

“The artists are talented and trained and we want to enable them to earn through their passion. The entertainment and team building sector is much unorganised right now. We plan to become the Urban Company for the artists and expand wellness and connection activities to not just corporates, but also to families, communities and resorts,” said Arjun Tuli, founder, StayonSkill(SOS) Technologies Pvt Ltd.

“During pandemic when resorts and travel were closed, we started doing wellness events for corporates. We have curated online and offline events for companies like Google, Amazon, Cisco etc with the help of trained artists,” Tuli added. The company has also raised a funding of Rs1.5 crore.

Similarly, notwithstanding competition from established players, city based start-up, Lapalap, claims to offer cheaper discounted online grocery and it’s growing ever since its launch in October this year. Currently, the start-up is serving Chandigarh market only and offering Omni channel – both delivery and in-store pick up (Touch and feel) option.

“Amid pandemic, except for grocery, chemist and vegetables, the demand for other merchandise came to a standstill and many of them closed down. So, we have created an online store for grocery and offering discount to the tune of 50 to 60 per cent,” said Sandeep Gandotra, founder, Lapalap.

“Compared to ‘kiryana’ stores, we are providing maximum discounts to consumer, keeping a side a limited margin,” he added. As the demand for groceries and health-related products registered a sharp increase, especially during the lockdown, the local ‘kiryana’ and departmental stores have become cynosures of small businesses.

Similarly, the trio team of Isha Dhaliwal, Abhishek Dhaliwal and Minni Singh founded, “This Life Matters Pvt Ltd”, a beverage company for retailing Kombucha, a fermented tea. Known for its health benefits, the craze for this slightly sweet and fizzy beverage in India is believed to have started in Goa. The company claims the beverage is good for digestion problem, arthritis, and its other benefits are weight loss, clean lungs, and detoxification.

“People, who had Kombucha, came back to us and gave more orders not only for themselves, but for their near and dear ones also after experiencing various health benefits,” said Minni Singh. Currently, they are retailing the product in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Delhi, Noida and Rajasthan.