Sridhar Iyer worked for about four months to develop this mobile application. The 25-year-old computer science graduate has connected nearly 700 two-wheeler, car, and heavy vehicle mechanics in the unorganised sector in Erode and 200 of their customers are also using the app now.
He launched it in June 2014 as a trial project and rolled out the prototype on Android platform in January this year. The app will be launched on iOS shortly, he says.
Spending about Rs. 70,000 for the development, he now wants to expand the app usage to the remote areas of Erode district and launch it in Coimbatore district, too. He plans to come out with a system to ensure financial security to the mechanics.
Customers can locate the nearest mechanic shop, know the profile of the mechanic, and even fix the date and time for servicing of their vehicle – all through the app. For those who have not downloaded the app, he has a helpline in Erode that the customers can use. The app also has a grading system to rate the mechanics. Mr. Iyer is also guided by a leading automobile company in developing the application.
This venture is among the few start-ups in the region that have interested the regional investors here who have formed a group to promote angel investing in start-ups in Coimbatore region (Coimbatore chapter of Native Angel Network).
Another such start-up is in Coimbatore. Buddies Café at Peelamedu was started by 25-year-old D. Nirmal Raj three years ago. He serves 60 varieties of tea, including yellow tea (Chinese traditional tea), hand-crafted white tea, and authentic handmade green tea. Working out of a 500-sq.ft outlet in Peelamedu, he brews the tea in front of the customers, explains to them about the varieties, etc. Working from 9.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m., apart from 25 to 30 walk-ins,
Mr. Nirmal also serves tea against orders from corporates.
He sources some of the varieties from China, Japan and Africa. Having invested Rs. 10 lakh so far, he now plans to set up a model outlet and later expand the network of outlets on franchise model. Since he also serves organic teas, he wants to add millet-based and organic food products at the outlet. “Tea is health drink and the varieties offered and quality are the focus in the venture,” he says.
