Startup Showcase – Instamojo

Here’s the story of Instamojo– helps you to sell online & collect payments by sharing a link via sms, email and social networks.

Catch them on – https://www.instamojo.com/

In conversation with Sampad Swain, Co–Founder of Instamojo – 

Tell us about the story of your startup – Why did you start this, how did you start, when did you startup?

It all started in late 2010 (Instamojo was founded in early 2012) when Sampad (one of the founders) started a newsletter comprising of video interviews as a side project. Later he wanted to monetize the newsletter but couldn’t as there wasn’t an easy, hassle-free solution which just works. Soon he realized that the problem was much deeper. The prevalent solutions for selling stuff online were really painful & had too much friction. Instamojo Founders This led to present day Instamojo. We are striving to simplify online commerce with focus on design, delivery and distribution. While Instamojo was started as a side project but now it has taken a life of its own.

How did the co founders come together?

We know each other for more than 5 years now – met over social networks, side projects and previous ventures.

What challenges did you face and how did you deal with them?

Primary challenges being inception of a radically new idea. We were super early adopters of social media for Instamojo and being almost 24×7 available on customer support to help the early adopters understand our product & use them for their benefit.

What is your aspiration for the venture?

It’s too early for us — right now, most importantly we are trying to create an amazing product experience for our customers.

What did you learn from the journey so far?

Think long term and have enough money to experiment.

If you had to start all over again, what would you do differently?

Nothing much. So far we have been extremely lucky and fortunate to have amazing customers who give us valuable feedback to improve our product, a great bunch of investors & advisors who have been helping us all along.

Author: Prajakt Raut

Prajakt Raut is the founder of Applyifi.com, and author of the book for startups - ‘Starting Up & Fund Raising’ Prajakt personal goal in life is to encourage and assist a 100,000 people to become entrepreneurs. _____________ Prajakt is the founder of Applyifi - an online platform that provides startups a 36-point scorecard and assessment report on the venture's investment readiness [www.applyifi.com], and helps them improve their odds of getting funded. Prajakt is also the founding partner of The Growth Labs, a platform where growth-stage companies get sharp, incisive advice from senior professionals and experienced entrepreneurs. [www.thegrowthlabs.in] Before starting Applyifi, Prajakt was the head of operations at IAN, founding member of a leading incubator, and the Asia-Director for TiE (2004 - 2007). Previously Prajakt had co-founded Orange Cross, a healthcare services company, and was part of the founding team member of Idealake Technologies. While in college Prajakt had founded a printing business and has spent over 10 years working in leading advertising agencies. Prajakt’s book, ‘Starting Up & Fund Raising’, helps startups understand an investor’s perspective, and helps them improve their odds of getting funded. The book also helps entrepreneurs understand the building blocks of a business. View all posts by Prajakt Raut