Back

Two young entrepreneurs in Bengaluru decide to flip the script on how startups raise money, and they do it with a twist that would make any investor/founder sit up and take notice. Meet Vikas Bardia and Kislay Verma, the brains behind Shoffr - an electric ride-hailing startup that's basically telling traditional funding models, "Thanks, but we'll do this our way." They've raised $1.1 million through a unique user-only community investment approach. Their investor breakdown is fascinating: - 30% of investors are founders who've collectively raised over $2.5 billion - 10% of investors are women, including one of the joint-highest investors - 66% of investors are based in Bangalore - 47% are first-time startup investors The numbers tell a story of their own. In just 15 months, they've: - Expanded to 75 electric vehicles - Reached profitability - Achieved an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of over $1.5 million - Done all this with less than ₹50 lakhs in equity capital - Secured 75% of revenue from repeat users What makes Shoffr different? They're not just another ride-hailing app. They're solving real problems. Instead of throwing money at flashy advertisements, they're investing in actual user experience and challenging giants like Ola and Uber. Their fundraising strategy is driven by three key reasons: 1. Wealth creation for early adopters 2. Creating a strong market signal 3. Building a supportive community - with over 100 investors They're navigating tricky regulatory landscapes, with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs imposing restrictions on startup fundraising. But they're doing it all while maintaining a laser focus on sustainable growth. Shoffr isn't just a ride-hailing service. It's a movement. A statement that says community matters, user experience is king, and sometimes, the most revolutionary ideas come from simply listening to the people who use your product. Keep an eye on these guys. They're just getting started.