Friends Launch Eco-Friendly Logistic Startup, Earn ₹1.7Cr in 10 Months

The story of logi-tech startup Dropon Delivery began with a conversation among friends Prashant Jaiswal, Aalap Pandya, Mit Pandya, and Jui Pandya, which led to a groundbreaking idea. 

During an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia, Prashant Jaiswal, co-founder & CTO of Dropon Delivery, recalls, “One day, we were discussing the challenges in the logistics sector and the environmental impact of fuel-operated vehicles.

That’s when the idea struck us: why not use electric vehicles (EVs) for delivering goods?”

In 2022, the Indian logistics market was valued at approximately US$ 274 billion. It is projected to grow to US$ 563 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.5%, one of the highest globally. However, this rapid expansion raises significant environmental concerns. Reports indicate that CO2 emissions from the industry have worsened over the years. 

Warehouses, ports, and freight currently contribute to 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and by 2050, the logistics industry is expected to become the largest emitter of carbon dioxide. This realization led to the launch of the eco-friendly Dropon Delivery startup, which officially started on September 19, 2023.

All About Dropon Delivery:

The Gujarat-based logistics startup Dropon Delivery is a last-mile, on-demand delivery service that provides quick and efficient delivery solutions to businesses and individual consumers. The startup’s core values are sustainability, efficiency, and community support. By focusing on EVs, Dropon Delivery aims to reduce the carbon footprint in the environment.

“Our mission is to offer a reliable delivery service while ensuring our operations are environmentally friendly,” Prashant states while talking to Startup Pedia. 

Dropon Delivery offers various services to meet the different needs of its customers:

Two-Wheeler EV Delivery: Ideal for cost-conscious customers, EV deliveries are priced lower than petrol deliveries.

Two-Wheeler Petrol Delivery: For customers who need urgent deliveries and are less concerned about cost, petrol deliveries offer faster service.

Three-Wheeler EV Delivery: Used mainly by local companies, vendors, and traders, these vehicles can transport large quantities of goods at a lower cost.

Delivery charges depend mainly on the distance covered and the time taken to fulfil the order and not on the quantity and volume of the product. The startup provides both EV and petrol two-wheelers and EV 3-wheelers catering to customers who prioritize either cost or speed.

“We also offer our delivery personnel the option to rent bikes from us or use their own vehicles, providing flexibility and helping them start earning immediately,” Prashant adds during the conversation with Startup Pedia.

This approach has enabled Gujarat’s logi-tech startup to quickly build a reliable network of delivery personnel.

Journey of Dropon Delivery:

Dropon Delivery App was initially launched on 19th September 2023  with 40 vehicles based out of Ahmedabad. Within just 10 months, the Gujarat logi-tech startup burgeoned to  400+ drivers and expanded across Gandhinagar too. It has served around 25,000+ customers and completed over 100,000+ orders so far.

“Word-of-mouth marketing played a crucial role in our early days,” Prashant recalls.

Initial traditional marketing efforts, including newspaper advertisements and physical strategies, helped establish the brand. The company’s reputation for affordability and reliability spread quickly, leading to a growing customer base.

As the number of delivery orders increased, the logi-tech startup’s financial growth also increased month by month. The bootstrap startup has now generated Rs. 1.7 crore revenue in just 10 months.

“By September 2024, we aim to reach Rs. 2.6 crore in revenue and continue growing at our current fast pace,” Prashant adds while talking to Startup Pedia. 

While elaborating on plans, Prashant mentioned in an interview with Startup Pedia that the startup is planning to expand to different cities like Surat, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and other metro cities, which will eventually boost the overall growth of the logi-tech startup.

“We are currently engaging with potential investors to secure seed funding to support our next phase of growth. In light of our significant progress, we have opened our seed round of investments. We invite interested investors to join us and contribute to the green revolution,” Prashant shares with Startup Pedia. 

Know the Co-founders of Dropon Delivery:

While the two co-founders, Prashant Jaiswal and Aalap Pandya, come from middle-class families, Mit Pandya and Jui Pandya have been running a successful electronics business. Prashant Jaiswal, 29, has a background in IT and worked as a consultant and freelancer before co-founding Dropon Delivery. 

“I’ve always been passionate about technology and startups. Before Dropon, I helped multiple startups establish their apps and stabilize their operations,” he says. 

Aalap Pandya, 34, holds an MBA in finance and has nearly a decade of experience in the banking sector. He manages the operations at Dropon Delivery. Mit Pandya, 34, the CEO, has over 10 years of business experience and initially invested in the company. Jui Pandya, a PhD in Chemistry, oversees the B2B segment, bringing a scientific approach to the logistics challenges.

The company’s headquarters is in Ahmedabad, with a team of over 28 employees across IT, marketing, sales, and operations.

“We are essentially a tech company in the logistics sector, managing everything through advanced algorithms and tech solutions,” Prashant emphasizes.

Vision and Plan Ahead:

Looking ahead, Dropon Delivery aims to become a leading tech-driven logistics startup in India.

“Our long-term goal is to revolutionize the logistics sector by focusing on environmental sustainability and technological innovation,” Prashant envisions.

The company plans to continuously adopt evolving technologies to generate effective and green solutions.

“We are planning to expand our fleet to include four-wheelers and further enhance our service offerings,” Prashant reveals.

The company also aims to launch in new cities and achieve significant revenue milestones.

Dropon Delivery stands as a testament to the power of innovative thinking and environmental consciousness in the logistics industry. From a conversation among friends to a rapidly growing business, the startup’s journey is inspiring. 

As Prashant puts it, “We are not just in the business of delivery; we are in the business of making a positive impact on the environment and the community,” he concludes in his interview with Startup Pedia.