Little is expected from women, when it comes to build a business in India that too in the logistics sector. Even the well-groomed and educated ones, who have the resources don’t want to enter. It’s said to be one of the most unorganised and messy place, where you have to roll up your sleeve and deal with the dirt. Only very few people have the courage to do so.
We all have heard about the disruption in transportation and conveyance, that has happened with ola and Uber but have you ever imagined what it is like to transport good & services via roadways? How does your order reach you? Wonedered about the people behind it?
Well, Gazal Karla, a girl like you and me, thought of choosing to organise this sector as a part of her life’s mission. She launched a startup, called Rivigo, in 2014 August along with her co-founder. It’s is fondly called the ‘Uber of trucking business.”
GazalKalra is the Co-Founder at Rivigo, is a Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Harvard Kennedy School of Government (Masters in Public Administration, 2014, and IIT Delhi (2003-07). She was part of the World Bank Group, 2012, Parliamentary Associate, Office of Member of Parliament, 2009-2011, and McKinsey & Co, 2007-2009
With excellent track-record in her academic background, she decided to be risk-taker and build her own business. She says, she has always been ambitious and a problem solver. She planned to come back to India after her professional degrees with a list of workable and potentially disruptive ideas.
Karla was keen to hear her friends listen to the ideas and share opinions. She was desperate to develop something that could be path-breaking and very use full for the masses. It’s easier said than done, to make the right connections at the right time, however, the day had arrived when she would meet her co-founder.
Deepak Garg, her ex-colleague from McKinsey & Co. texted her and said, “We have to meet for a coffee, this is a world changing idea.” Gazal couldn’t say no to such a message and went on to meet him.
Finally, both of them have been able to achieve what the set out to achieve, Gazal and Deepak, as a team have built a trucksfirst company, for the clients who need a hassle-free, reliable, professional and super-express logistics services.
By using simple processes, advanced technology, smartphone-app and trained & professional staff, they are able to manage long haul logistics seamlessly across the country. The company coordinates delivery trucks going between different cities, the trucks don’t stop, but several drivers change in between the journey. Their innovative idea, aims to significantly improve the truck driver ecosystem and operational efficiencies while doing so.
In a conversation at the Women Economic Forum, Gazal Kalra revealed to BW Businessworld that, “My vision is to make the transportation and logistics sector of India strongest in the world. As you know this sector is the backbone of any economy, and in India there are about 1 crore truck drivers who see this as their only livelihood, but seasonal work doesn’t pay them well. Their basic needs are not looked after, they also want to spend time with their family and hence nobody wants to a truck driver. Soon, India and other nations like the US will run out of truck-drivers! It’s a big problem to be addressed.”
She went on to say that, “Our services are just like air shipment by road, we are tracking data of drivers, customers and toll tax on the roads as well. This data is not even available with the government. We have brought a smile on our drivers faces, as the go home each day after 12 hours and that’s a big achievement. Also, our customers are happy as the logistics cost has gone down. Not just that we are creating employment near highways, we are making smartphone experience for people who weren’t connected an engaging experience, aligning ourselves with digital India. Since, I have loved this sector so much, I want to change the way females look at this profession, where even males don’t want to work.”
This Gurugram-based startup had earlier raised about Rs 500 crore from some of the country's largest private sector lenders and Private equity firm Warburg Pincus has invested $75 million (about Rs. 500 crore) earlier in November 2016. The three-year-old company will use the proceeds to improve its technology and ramp up hiring, among other things.
BW Reporters
Soumya is a young writer and journalist, with bachelors in Multimedia and Mass Communication. She is an alumini of the Asian College of Journalism, and finds politics and sustainability intriguing beats to work with.
