“Having been a deal hunter in United States, a marketer running online businesses, I decided to bring my interest, my skills, and business opportunity together. Thus, I decided to launch CouponRani.com in July 2012.” Ravi Trivedi, Founder, CouponRani
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| Ravi Trivedi, Founder, CouponRani |
ST:
Please tell us more about your online coupon start-up.
Please tell us more about your online coupon start-up.
Ravi
Trivedi: CouponRani is
one of the top coupon sites in India, with more than a million visits per month
and has the maximum merchants of 3600+ listed on the website. Now, it has grown
to be the one-stop destination for all online shoppers to get all the latest
and working online coupons that will help them save money. We have listed
coupons and offers for varieties of categories including fashion&
accessories, beauty & makeup, travel, mobile recharges, bill payments, etc.
We assure sharing exclusive and hot deals from leading and popular online
stores like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, Paytm, Jabong and many more with our
customers and also have exclusive coupons and partnership with several
merchants like HealthKart, Zivame, Tolexo, etc. We have Real Time Coupon Notification
‘PING’ and Coupon API Services for partners. We are expanding globally and
present currently in Malaysia. CouponRani were incubated by Srijan Capital.
Trivedi: CouponRani is
one of the top coupon sites in India, with more than a million visits per month
and has the maximum merchants of 3600+ listed on the website. Now, it has grown
to be the one-stop destination for all online shoppers to get all the latest
and working online coupons that will help them save money. We have listed
coupons and offers for varieties of categories including fashion&
accessories, beauty & makeup, travel, mobile recharges, bill payments, etc.
We assure sharing exclusive and hot deals from leading and popular online
stores like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, Paytm, Jabong and many more with our
customers and also have exclusive coupons and partnership with several
merchants like HealthKart, Zivame, Tolexo, etc. We have Real Time Coupon Notification
‘PING’ and Coupon API Services for partners. We are expanding globally and
present currently in Malaysia. CouponRani were incubated by Srijan Capital.
ST:
What was your idea/inspiration behind starting up a new venture in online
coupon market segment?
What was your idea/inspiration behind starting up a new venture in online
coupon market segment?
Ravi
Trivedi: It was when I
moved back from the US in 2011, I thought to become an entrepreneur. I found
that E-commerce market was growing rapidly in India then. Hence, I thought that
a coupon site would be needed for customers looking for discounts and can
benefit from this trend.
Trivedi: It was when I
moved back from the US in 2011, I thought to become an entrepreneur. I found
that E-commerce market was growing rapidly in India then. Hence, I thought that
a coupon site would be needed for customers looking for discounts and can
benefit from this trend.
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| CouponRani Team |
Having been a deal hunter in United States, a
marketer running online businesses, I decided to bring my interest, my skills,
and business opportunity together. Thus, I decided to launch CouponRani.com in
July 2012.
marketer running online businesses, I decided to bring my interest, my skills,
and business opportunity together. Thus, I decided to launch CouponRani.com in
July 2012.
ST:
What are the business opportunities in online coupon market in India? How
different it is from other digitally advanced countries?
What are the business opportunities in online coupon market in India? How
different it is from other digitally advanced countries?
Ravi
Trivedi: Online
couponing is a growing industry globally but remains extremely competitive.
Right now given the ecommerce slowdown in India, the short term would be little
painful for all the players. However, in long term I believe we should see
strong industry growth in next 5 to 10 years. We have ventured into Malaysia
and realized that each country is different in consumer preferences, and how
they use coupons.
Trivedi: Online
couponing is a growing industry globally but remains extremely competitive.
Right now given the ecommerce slowdown in India, the short term would be little
painful for all the players. However, in long term I believe we should see
strong industry growth in next 5 to 10 years. We have ventured into Malaysia
and realized that each country is different in consumer preferences, and how
they use coupons.
ST:
What is your view about challenges in Indian online coupon market? What is your
industry growth projection in next 3 years’ time?
What is your view about challenges in Indian online coupon market? What is your
industry growth projection in next 3 years’ time?
Ravi
Trivedi: Coupon
industry in India is currently facing industry headwinds. Due to funding crunch in ecommerce companies,
the amount of couponing and discounting has reduced, currently. Stores like Snapdeal, recently completely
shut down their affiliate program. Then, there is a fundamental need to
differentiate and add extra value to customer. For Example – offering Exclusive
Coupons.
Trivedi: Coupon
industry in India is currently facing industry headwinds. Due to funding crunch in ecommerce companies,
the amount of couponing and discounting has reduced, currently. Stores like Snapdeal, recently completely
shut down their affiliate program. Then, there is a fundamental need to
differentiate and add extra value to customer. For Example – offering Exclusive
Coupons.
But since this is a slower period for ecommerce
and ecommerce affiliates, I think the next 3 year growth will be much higher,
given lower base now. I envision 20 to 30% annual growth.
and ecommerce affiliates, I think the next 3 year growth will be much higher,
given lower base now. I envision 20 to 30% annual growth.
ST:
What challenges do you face in your day to day professional life, if any?
What challenges do you face in your day to day professional life, if any?
Ravi
Trivedi: The challenges
I face in professional life are similar to what any entrepreneur faces,
Trivedi: The challenges
I face in professional life are similar to what any entrepreneur faces,
e.g.
How to get the best talent onboard?
How to keep them motivated?
How to be efficient in your work, and maintain
work/life balance?
work/life balance?
ST:
How big is your team? Are you planning to hire more?
How big is your team? Are you planning to hire more?
Ravi
Trivedi: CouponRani was
initially started off with just two people on board but now we are a team of 17
hardworking people and a few working remotely as well. We are always looking
out to hire opportunistically. We are
looking for strong digital marketers who could work well in our environment.
Trivedi: CouponRani was
initially started off with just two people on board but now we are a team of 17
hardworking people and a few working remotely as well. We are always looking
out to hire opportunistically. We are
looking for strong digital marketers who could work well in our environment.
ST:
What are your future plans?
What are your future plans?
Ravi
Trivedi: To grow
CouponRani, I believe that if we continue to focus on becoming the go to
destination for shopaholics and online shoppers for getting extra savings, then
we will remain relevant. We want to be the place where users find coupons that
work and they understand the T&C clearly.
We also want to be a destination where consumers can save more with our
exclusive coupons.
Trivedi: To grow
CouponRani, I believe that if we continue to focus on becoming the go to
destination for shopaholics and online shoppers for getting extra savings, then
we will remain relevant. We want to be the place where users find coupons that
work and they understand the T&C clearly.
We also want to be a destination where consumers can save more with our
exclusive coupons.
Interviewed by Startup Terminal Bureau
