New Delhi-based PML Solutions Pvt Ltd, which runs PickMyLaundry, a mobile platform that facilitates booking and delivery of laundry services, has raised $100,000 from Green House Ventures (GHV).A startup accelerator launched by serial entrepreneur and Indian Angel Network member Vikram Upadhyaya. The start up was established end of January 2015, and began its operations at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
The company has partnerships with various laundry service providers for washing, dry-cleaning and wardrobe management services. They picks up laundry from customers’ doorsteps and delivers clean clothes within 48 hours. Going forward, it plans to quicken the pace of services by offering ‘In-a-day delivery’ or ‘overnight delivery’ options.
Gaurav Agrawal one of the Co-Founders at PickMyLaundry, “GHV is not just about smart funding, but more important than that is their attention to detail, they give us insights and help us execute better and in a more organized manner. Though we just started with GHV, we feel as if with GHV we have someone to show us the path when we deviate, we now have a team who is equally determined to help us grow. I think it’s vital for startups to not just have the motivation and drive from within but the eagle vision of people like Vikram. Afterall, standing on the shoulders of giants helps you see further.”
“By leveraging technology, standardizing consumer experience, and creating value for both individuals and laundromats, PML aims to provide convenience to people by offering On-Demand services – with the tap of a button. Quality, Quick turnaround & competitive pricing makes us the preferred choice.” said Ankur Jain one of the other co-founder
Through strategic tie-ups with various laundry partners, PickMyLaundry offers high quality services and quick turnaround times. Moreover, their integrated process for laundromats helps optimize resources, thereby ensuring low cost of processing, the benefit of which is passed on to the customer. Going forward, the company plans to launch revolutionary Express Services, whereby customers can opt for ‘In-a-day Delivery’ or ‘Overnight Delivery’.
Said Vikram Upadhyaya, Chief Mentor at GHV, “ India deserves a better laundry experience, something that’s not just at par with international standards but also sets the benchmark for others internationally. In PML, we see that potential. Their strong tech & ops founding team has helped them achievemind-boggling numbers. And that too, at a bootstrapped stage.”
The Acceleration Program, launched with the sole objective of helping innovative startups build a solid foundation by giving them access to the necessary resources and mentoring in a controlled but ‘ideal’ environment, will help PickMyLaundry add value by achieving healthier business metrics, and facilitate them with scaling up thereafter. The ideal environment from GHV entails tried and tested support services for – HR, PR, MarketResearch etc. – that enables any startup to achieve the famed hockey-stick growth. As part of the Acceleration Program, PickMyLaundry received a seed funding of USD 100,000; and will give a runway to next round of funding, bigger & faster.
GHV has previously onboarded LazyLad and MyTaxiIndia, both the startups were able to raise pre-series A funding from Global Investors, within 60 days of joining the ‘exclusive’ Acceleration Program at GHV. The largest Taxi Players of Japan- Nihon Kotsu funded MyTaxiIndia. To crack this market itself has been a validation of GHV’s value-add.
GHV has strategic tie-ups with World Innovation Labs (one of Japan’s largest VC funds), LetsVenture and NASSCOM’s prestigious 10,000 Startups program. It plans to accelerate 25 startups over a period of three years with the objective of helping them bloom into successful global businesses.