It was early October 2012 when Sharad Gupta and Anjali Garg at last selected a technology partner after RFP and due-diligence process from 63 participants to create 10kya, a 360 degree adventure and sports platform. By early December 2012, this company could not create the platform and went out of business. Other shortlisted vendors wanted to start from ground zero and take another 3 months to give them the beta site. Both the founders being non-technical started having second thoughts on going ahead with a business which would always depend upon technology to stay ahead. However, they decided not to accept defeat and instead chose to create the platform themselves. The self reliant approach helped them create a beta site within next 30 days. Their grueling hard work paid off and 10kya came into being.
10kya offers a 360 degree platform for outdoor lovers, where they not only buy/hire outdoor gear or book adventure activities, but they also sell/rent their own pre-owned products to other customers. For instance an outdoor lover in Sydney can sell or give on rent her tent or backpack. Therefore, the business is not bound by international trade boundaries. Known as the leader in outdoor and adventure niche, 10kya does not restrict itself to selling products but offers a 360 degree platform for outdoor lovers where customers become suppliers and vice versa. The platform allows customers to buy specialized gear and clothing, book adventure tours, workshops and activities, rent outdoor and photography goods.
The Uniqueness of 10kya as a Brand
An intriguing brand name and a
10kya offers a 360 degree platform for outdoor lovers, where they not only buy/hire outdoor gear or book adventure activities, but they also sell/rent their own pre-owned products to other customers. For instance an outdoor lover in Sydney can sell or give on rent her tent or backpack. Therefore, the business is not bound by international trade boundaries. Known as the leader in outdoor and adventure niche, 10kya does not restrict itself to selling products but offers a 360 degree platform for outdoor lovers where customers become suppliers and vice versa. The platform allows customers to buy specialized gear and clothing, book adventure tours, workshops and activities, rent outdoor and photography goods.
The Uniqueness of 10kya as a Brand
An intriguing brand name and a
Sharad Gupta
CEO
As a 360 degree platform for all kinds of adventure sports on land, air or water, some of the most popular offerings by 10kya includes Camping, Target Sports (Air Rifle and Archery), Cycling, Fishing and Rock-Climbing/Caving. "We are a hybrid marketplace where we directly sell/rent products from our stocks. We have direct dealerships with leading international brands. The most unique feature is, the customers can also list their expertise on hire, products on rentals and pre-owned products on sale," he says.The customers at 10kya are primarily working professional aged between 24-50 years of age.
The company is gradually building a relevant customer base by selling or renting products in this phase, with an aim to remarket to them and engaging them with the platform. "We sell not only on 10kya, but also on some leading marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart and Ebay. The customer base is now over 50,000. Our target is to reach 100,000+ base by mid 2017," he adds. For long term business development, 10kya engages students at IITs, NITs and IIMs through events and sponsorships. They also sponsor several expeditions to build their brand name and goodwill.
In the years to come, team 10kya envisages of reaching a properly segmented 100,000 customer base. Further they wish to aggressively remarket their platform to them and invite them to list themselves on our platform, in order to offer their expertise or their pre-owned products on sale/rental to other customers. "Our long term vision is to take this platform to the world, where a sky-diving operator in Switzerland can list on our platform and customer from USA could book a sky-diving session," he concludes.
Panel
Key Management
Sharad Gupta, CEO
Sharad has worked for over 25 years in IT and telecom companies like Airtel, Etisalat, HCL, prior to promoting 10kya. He is credited with some path breaking customer service initiatives in the country.Sharad handles technology, development, customer experience & marketing for 10kya.Besides and accomplished professional Sharad is an avid photographer and traveller.
In the years to come, team 10kya envisages of reaching a properly segmented 100,000 customer base. Further they wish to aggressively remarket their platform to them and invite them to list themselves on our platform, in order to offer their expertise or their pre-owned products on sale/rental to other customers. "Our long term vision is to take this platform to the world, where a sky-diving operator in Switzerland can list on our platform and customer from USA could book a sky-diving session," he concludes.
Panel
Key Management
Sharad Gupta, CEO
Sharad has worked for over 25 years in IT and telecom companies like Airtel, Etisalat, HCL, prior to promoting 10kya. He is credited with some path breaking customer service initiatives in the country.Sharad handles technology, development, customer experience & marketing for 10kya.Besides and accomplished professional Sharad is an avid photographer and traveller.
