A new book-sharing platform is taking Mumbai by a storm on social media. Called ClapShare, the website and android app is offering a free book to anyone who signs up, and relies on the age old barter system for book-sharing.
Started by three IIT-Bombay graduates in April this year, ClapShare is a peer-to-peer book sharing platform, available online and as an Android app, that allows one to share dusted books in one’s personal library with others.
How it works
The ClapShare team picks up and delivers the books at the convenience of the users. The first book is delivered for free, but subsequent requests incur a small rental fee and a delivery charge of Rs. 25. Users can keep a book for a maximum of 60 days.
Ashish Bhansali, 30, who cofounded the company with Kamal Saboo, 33 and Yogendra Goyal, 34, says the service is gaining ground with almost 40-50 delivered daily in Mumbai, and its satellite suburbs of Navi Mumbai and Thane.
“With ClapShare, people are rest assured their items are being tracked and kept regulated. The platform is providing them an alternative to the only option that they had in the past, which is to buy. We utilise the long term sustainability of a book by allowing owners to make better use of their possessions by instilling trust in them and giving them variety,” Mr. Bhansali told The Hindu .
Asked if the trio planned to expand the service across India, Mr. Bhansali said, “Since the business involves mediating a lot of transactions, we need more capital to spread across India. It’s definitely on our agenda.”
